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Revel Performa3 C208

Gentlemen: all valid questions and points. Main issue (which actually prompted this necessity for change) is hearing related. I'm 72, and was recently afflicted with what the 'specialists' brilliantly refer to as SLH (Sudden Loss of Hearing), and massive 24/7 Tinnitus in my left ear. Cause unknown; "probably a virus", but am told it could be just about anything. I've regained about 50% of my hearing in my left ear -- but only in the low frequencies. Over 4KHz is practically zilch on the port side. As a result dialogue intelligibility is now seriously impeded. I could be wrong, but I feel the sub in the Deftech center speaker, coupled with its passive radiator, is only adding to the overall 'woolliness'. I thought the Paradigm 5C might obviate this potential cause by making things a little more crispy (even though I've always felt Paradigms, the ones I've heard, can, in certain settings, be a tad too bright).

Insofar as the Paradigm's general similarity to the Deftech: yes and no. The 55C has two more 5.25" drivers, which, I'd hoped, might a) boost midrange intelligibility, and b) also avail a greater spread, which, in concert, might also help? Re the Anthem's output: thanks, Flint. Makes sense. So no changes needed there, which is good.

Now, why is the Revel in the running? Curses, my RIGHT ear, too, has its own issues. Not easy to explain, so please bear with me. I'm a retired pilot; some 40 years ago, I happened to be in close proximity to a JATO bottle when it fired, which momentarily inflicted searing pain in my right ear. Hearing quickly returned to normal, and I've happily enjoyed the bliss of audiophilia for decades. But following the recent "SLH" debacle, my right ear is now, suddenly, acutely sensitivel to high VOLUME (over ~75dB) AND hypersensitive to HF (cymbal crashes actually cause pain). If this isn't Audiophile Hell, I don't know what would be. [But get this: I've visited numberless ENT specialists and Otiologists (on both coasts), had two MRIs and a CT scans -- and they've all declared my hearing on the Right side to be "perfect." Go figure. Personally, I suspect that my 50-year audiophile hobby definitely contributed to this calamity. I listened at 85dB+ in well-treated rooms for years. My (unsolicited) advice to you young chaps reading this dismal litany of woes: Keep that volume knob turned down to sane levels. There might be a heavy price to pay later in life if you don't.]

Which all now brings me to the Revel 208C. My thinking is that the two 8" drivers might, overall, be easier on both my ears than four beaming 5.25" cones. The eights might, I think, be more diffuse and gentle. I currently do narration/vo work, and have a professionally treated and kitted recording studio upstairs. The Neumann KH310 nearfields I have sound glorious even at low volume and are easy on my ears, as well as being supremely intelligible (I suppose being in the nearfield, this isn't really surprising). And the 3-way Neumanns have 8" woofers. This is why I've been wondering -- all things considered -- whether the Revels with their 8" drivers might be the way to go.

And yes, I do appreciate the potential complexities mentioned about the driver mismatch between the Revels/Paradigms and the Deftech towers. But for the time being, this is something I cannot change (WAF). Besides, given my appalling hearing issues, my discriminating high-end 2-channel days are, alas, clearly over -- which is why I now listen pretty much across the board in Dolby PLIIx. This mode gives the center channel a real workout, since it seems to be doing a good 60% of the lifting. Which is why I'm focusing on obtaining first-rate C-channel performance.

Thanks to both of you or all your help.
Cheers
 
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Gentlemen: all valid questions and points. Main issue (which actually prompted this necessity for change) is hearing related. I'm 72, and was recently afflicted with what the 'specialists' brilliantly refer to as SLH (Sudden Loss of Hearing), and massive 24/7 Tinnitus in my left ear. Cause unknown; "probably a virus", but am told it could be just about anything. I've regained about 50% of my hearing in my left ear -- but only in the low frequencies. Over 4KHz is practically zilch on the port side. As a result dialogue intelligibility is now seriously impeded. I could be wrong, but I feel the sub in the Deftech center speaker, coupled with its passive radiator, is only adding to the overall 'woolliness'. I thought the Paradigm 5C might obviate this potential cause by making things a little more crispy (even though I've always felt Paradigms, the ones I've heard, can, in certain settings, be a tad too bright).

Insofar as the Paradigm's general similarity to the Deftech: yes and no. The 55C has two more 5.25" drivers, which, I'd hoped, might a) boost midrange intelligibility, and b) also avail a greater spread, which, in concert, might also help? Re the Anthem's output: thanks, Flint. Makes sense. So no changes needed there, which is good.

Now, why is the Revel in the running? Curses, my RIGHT ear, too, has its own issues. Not easy to explain, so please bear with me. I'm a retired pilot; some 40 years ago, I happened to be in close proximity to a JATO bottle when it fired, which momentarily inflicted searing pain in my right ear. Hearing quickly returned to normal, and I've happily enjoyed the bliss of audiophilia for decades. But following the recent "SLH" debacle, my right ear is now, suddenly, acutely sensitivel to high VOLUME (over ~75dB) AND hypersensitive to HF (cymbal crashes actually cause pain). If this isn't Audiophile Hell, I don't know what would be. [But get this: I've visited numberless ENT specialists and Otiologists (on both coasts), had two MRIs and a CT scans -- and they've all declared my hearing on the Right side to be "perfect." Go figure. Personally, I suspect that my 50-year audiophile hobby definitely contributed to this calamity. I listened at 85dB+ in well-treated rooms for years. My (unsolicited) advice to you young chaps reading this dismal litany of woes: Keep that volume knob turned down to sane levels. There might be a heavy price to pay later in life if you don't.]

Which all now brings me to the Revel 208C. My thinking is that the two 8" drivers might, overall, be easier on both my ears than four beaming 5.25" cones. The eights might, I think, be more diffuse and gentle. I currently do narration/vo work, and have a professionally treated and kitted recording studio upstairs. The Neumann KH310 nearfields I have sound glorious even at low volume and are easy on my ears, as well as being supremely intelligible (I suppose being in the nearfield, this isn't really surprising). And the 3-way Neumanns have 8" woofers. This is why I've been wondering -- all things considered -- whether the Revels with their 8" drivers might be the way to go.

And yes, I do appreciate the potential complexities mentioned about the driver mismatch between the Revels/Paradigms and the Deftech towers. But for the time being, this is something I cannot change (WAF). Besides, given my appalling hearing issues, my discriminating high-end 2-channel days are, alas, clearly over -- which is why I now listen pretty much across the board in Dolby PLIIx. This mode gives the center channel a real workout, since it seems to be doing a good 60% of the lifting. Which is why I'm focusing on obtaining first-rate C-channel performance.

Thanks to both of you or all your help.
Cheers
Perhaps start by setting your center on the receiver to small. Or do you have this already set? Their really isn't a need for the subs in a center. Let me know.

As @Flint mentioned, either speaker can be driven easily. The C208 is 50% more than the Paradigm retail. Could this be a concern?
 
It is set to Small (tried both). And I totally agree re there being no need (at all) for a sub in the center speaker. Total overkill.
 
I don't think any of these speakers will be dramatically more "clear" than the others.

It sounds like you have hearing issues which make the idea of "matching" speakers less necessary.

If you need more output because you cannot hear dialog over the soundtrack and effects, try turning up the Center channel in 2dB increments and see if that makes it easier to hear the dialog (or, inversely, you can turn down all the other speaker channels in 2dB increments).

Your comments about 5.25" woofer and 8" woofers are not applicable in this situation because the drivers are all operating in specific ranges which relegates things like "diffuse field" and "boosted midrange". In fact, all these speakers present a relatively flat frequency response, so regardless of the drivers used, the overall balance from bass to treble is pretty much even. The Paradigm's four drivers are filtered to only operate below 750Hz, so they are acting as one large speaker in an array with little beaming and no diffusion. The Revel is similar with its two 8" drivers which operate below 375Hz and act like one larger driver.

The real midrange is coming from the, well, midrange drivers.

In all reality, if you are suffering from serious hearing issues, turning up the speakers will most likely make things worse for you. I would look into other options, like headphones which block out ambient noise so you can focus on the sound, or wearing earplugs most of the time and training your hearing to be more sensitive when you need it. But I will happily defer to medical professionals on this topic.
 
Thank you for your feedback and advice -- and kind welcome. Everything you say makes sense.

"I don't think any of these speakers will be dramatically more 'clear' than the others"
Yes, I feared this would likely be the conclusion of my desperate outreach. But I'm afraid it's too late to change course -- this morning I purchased a white Paradigm 55C (it'll at least look more appealing sitting atop my 16' wide distressed white console than the black Deftech). And if it fares no better, I'll just sell it (happened to pick up a brand new one for $1,100 -- $600 below retail). I was planning to do the same with the C208; been offered one (sealed box) for $1,400 -- again, $600 under list. Actually, I thought I'd compare the three, but, given their weight -- and your insightful comments -- I'm now less eager to also try out the Revel. I initiated this discourse mainly because @bmwuk had mentioned he'd upgraded from a Paradigm (model?) to the C208, and I was curious to hear his impressions.

"try turning up the Center channel in 2dB increments"
Excellent point. Actually, yesterday I used my trusty Extech sound meter (and a laser tape) and adjusted all 5 channels to a 75dB reference tone. As matters stand, center is now +4dB (given its distant top-firing position); left and right are +1dB and the rears (located high on the back wall) are +3dB. Boosting the Center output (especially) did indeed help improve 'clarity' palpably.

"The real midrange is coming from the, well, midrange drivers."
Indeed. But even in this regard, the Revel's midrange driver, at 4", is half an inch bigger than those on the Paradigm and Deftech -- an important factor that prompted me to lean towards the Revel. Since midrange is where dialogue resides, I thought (with not a little desperation) the Revel might be worth exploring.

"I would look into other options, like headphones"
Recently tried my old pair of Stax electrostats, but there really was little (if any) improvement. Increasing level causes pain on the stbd side, lowering it diminishes intelligibility on the port (honestly, have you heard of a more lamentable audiophilic woe?!). Besides, strapping on 'phones while watching a movie with the ol' gal is, socially, a trifle indelicate(!).

"or wearing earplugs most of the time"
I tend to do this sometimes (right ear), loosening it ever so slightly in order to find a sweet spot. Yes, seems to offer a modicum of relief. [Btw, the best plugs I've found (by far; tried dozens): EarPeace HD. Superb. They come with three inner 'chokes' to fine tune attenuation.]

"defer to medical professionals"
To be perfectly frank, I've given up on Western specialists, mate. They've all openly admitted they haven't a bloody clue. I've now resorted to 'alternative' therapies -- and gone totally vegan. At least the infernal Tinnitus has abated a good 20%.

Again, thank you for your time and advice.
Cheers
 
@bmwuk: Sorry, missed your second question. Yes, I do realize the substantial difference in cost between the Paradigm and the Revel, but as I mentioned to Flint, I can pick either up deeply discounted. I already purchased the Paradigm -- $1,100 shipped, vs $1700 list. If it fails to deliver, I'll sell it. Based on Flint's studied advice, I've decided to forego also trying out the C208 -- and not least because of its sheer size! (But I must say it looks gorgeous.) And no, cost is no object in this pursuit. Thank you.
 
@bmwuk: Sorry, missed your second question. Yes, I do realize the substantial difference in cost between the Paradigm and the Revel, but as I mentioned to Flint, I can pick either up deeply discounted. I already purchased the Paradigm -- $1,100 shipped, vs $1700 list. If it fails to deliver, I'll sell it. Based on Flint's studied advice, I've decided to forego also trying out the C208 -- and not least because of its sheer size! (But I must say it looks gorgeous.) And no, cost is no object in this pursuit. Thank you.
Glad I could help. I love my C208 but I'm sure the Paradigm will serve you well.
 
I know this is usually frowned upon, but maybe putting your receiver into "night mode" or whatever it is called might be helpful as well. You could listen at higher levels without anybody complaining.
 
Thank you, @Huey. I don't recall seeing such a feature in the Anthem manual; shall look.
I never use it, and can't remember exactly what it is called, but if you are having to crank it up just to hear anything, it might be an option to help you hear things better.
 
Thank you, @Huey. I don't recall seeing such a feature in the Anthem manual; shall look.

Look in the Anthem manual for Dolby Volume and Dynamic Range Control:
When Dolby Volume is off another dynamic range control becomes available after DYN is pressed a second time. This also allows you to control the difference between the softest and loudest passages, but only on multichannel Dolby Digital soundtracks that contain dynamic scaling cues. Press up/down to select: NORMAL: No dynamic range modification. REDUCED: Allows the quieter parts to be heard more easily by raising the level of quieter sounds and/or reducing the level of louder ones according to cues in the soundtrack. LATE NIGHT: Further reduces the softest-to-loudest difference
 
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