Revel S30 User Manual

Revel®P erforma™S30 Loudspeaker

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION...............................................3

ABOUT THE MANUAL AND WARRANTY.................................3

DESCRIPTION .................................................4

WOOFER..........................................................................4

FULL-RANGE DRIVERS .......................................................4

TWEETERS........................................................................5

CROSSOVER NETWORK.....................................................5

CABINET...........................................................................5

UNPACKING....................................................6

PLACEMENT ...................................................7

5.1-CHANNEL WALL PLACEMENT.......................................7

5.1-CHANNEL CEILING PLACEMENT ...................................8

7.1-CHANNEL PLACEMENT................................................9

MOUNTING...................................................12

MOUNTING A LOUDSPEAKER ON A WALL ..........................12

MOUNTING A LOUDSPEAKER ON A CEILING ......................14

CONNECTIONS..............................................16

DIPOLE OR MONOPOLE SYSTEM CONNECTIONS................17

REMOTE DIPOLE/MONOPOLE SWITCHING.........................17

SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION..................................19

CABINET CARE..............................................20

LOUDSPEAKERS AND POWER........................20

OBTAINING SERVICE .....................................21

SPECIFICATIONS............................................22

REVEL PERFORMA S30
Owner’s Manual

2

Figure 1. The REVEL

PERFORMA S30

surround loudspeaker.

INTRODUCTION

The REVEL®PERFORMA™ S30 surround loudspeaker draws
upon the same research, resources, and unique perspective made
famous by Revel’s ULTIMA™ Series, resulting in standard-setting
low coloration and freedom from distortion over an extraordinarily
wide dynamic range.

The REVEL PERFORMA S30 surround loudspeaker combines a
timbre-matched direct-radiator with a state-of-the art dipolar loud­speaker. The resulting configuration creates superb surround sound
over a wider dynamic range with low power compression for a larger
number of listeners to enjoy. Its superior performance, validated by
our objective listening tests, will greatly enhance the enjoyment of
music or film sound in your home.

ABOUT THE MANUAL AND WARRANTY

To begin enjoying your new loudspeaker, first read and then perform
the instructions in this owner’s manual. Maximum performance
depends on following all instructions described here, as well as those
found in the owner’s manuals of associated components in your
audio system. Save these instructions for future reference.

The REVEL PERFORMA S30 surround loudspeaker is covered
by a limited 5-year warranty, so save the bill of sale to protect your
purchase and aid in any service-related questions.

REVEL PERFORMA S30

Owner’s Manual

3

Figure 2. The REVEL
PERFORMA S30 transducer,
control, and connection locations.

NOTE: The front view shows a
B loudspeaker. The rear view
shows label locations of A and B
loudspeakers. See “Placement” on
page 7.

DESCRIPTION

The REVEL PERFORMA S30 loudspeaker features a 6.5-inch
(165 mm) high-power handling woofer, two 4-inch (102 mm)
full-range drivers with specially-designed dispersion patterns, and
an aluminum-alloy dome 1-inch (25 mm) tweeter.

The REVEL PERFORMA S30 loudspeaker also features a user­selectable control for dipole or monopole dispersion that optimizes
the system for any recording format. When used in dipole mode, a
unique radiation angle allows more listeners to enjoy theater-like
performance for film sound, and more natural results in reproducing
music. When used in monopole mode, the unique design facilitates
placement which matches surround-music monitoring standards.

WOOFER

The 6 .5-inch (165 mm) woofer features:

• 1.5-inch (38 mm) diameter voice coil on a Kapton

®

former for
extraordinary power handling and freedom from distortion in
monopole and dipole modes.

• Fully-pistonic operation throughout its entire operating range
for low coloration and distortion.

• Die-cast basket to eliminate coloration from resonances.

FULL-RANGE DRIVERS

Each 4-inch (102 mm) full-range driver features:

• 1.5-inch (38 mm) diameter voice coil on a Kapton

®

former for

extraordinary power handling and freedom from distortion.

REVEL PERFORMA S30
Owner’s Manual

4

Revel
Northridge, California
Made in U.S.A.

Serial Number

xxxx xxxx

REVEL PERFORMA

S30 Front (without grilles)

REVEL PERFORMA

S30 Rear

Full Range

Driver

Tweeter

Full Range

Driver

Mode Control

Connectors

Hi-Frequency
Level Control

Woofer Mounting Bracket (1 of 3)

Remote Terminals

B

Speaker

Label

A

Speaker

Label

• Unique dispersion pattern to minimize localization in the
dipole mode.

• Die-cast basket to eliminate coloration from resonances.

TWEETER

The 1-inch (25 mm) tweeter features:

• An aluminum-alloy dome for fully-pistonic operation.

• Ferrofluid magnetic cooling for high power handling and low
dynamic compression.

• Large co-polymer surround for linear operation over a wide
dynamic range.

CROSSOVER NETWORK

Built into each REVEL PERFORMA S30 loudspeaker is an indi­vidually-optimized crossover network with the following features:

• An extremely sophisticated variable crossover offers dipole,
monopole, and remote capability.

• Hand-wired filter networks with air-core inductors and film
capacitors are calibrated to match each REVEL PERFORMA
S30 loudspeaker to the reference standard.

• An external high-frequency level control to tailor sound output
from the tweeter for varying acoustic conditions.

CABINET

The REVEL PERFORMA S30 loudspeaker’s inspiring Revel
industrial design uniquely complements the most refined home
interiors. While the cabinet design offers exquisite appearance, it also
contributes to the system’s performance with asymmetrical
construction for mirror-imaged left and right surround loudspeakers.

The sophisticated main enclosure and its internal bracing were
designed based on our exclusive knowledge developed from laser
interferometry. The result is an acoustically-inert platform for the
generation of sound waves.

Each cabinet is constructed of 0.75-inch (19 mm) thick MDF
walls and includes an integral mounting system for direct wall or
ceiling placement.

REVEL PERFORMA S30

Owner’s Manual

5

Figure 3. REVEL PERFORMA
S30 loudspeakers with their
inner packing materials.

UNP ACKING

To avoid injury, please use care during unpacking. Always
stand as straight as possible and use your leg muscles to lift the
REVEL PERFORMA S30 loudspeakers. Do not lift it while
bending from the waist.

To unpack a pair of REVEL PERFORMA S30 loudspeakers, per­form the following steps:

1. Place the carton onto its top and open the bottom flaps.

2. Turn the car ton over and open the top flaps.

3. Lift the carton off the loudspeakers and set it aside, being
careful not to damage the contents (see Figure 3).

4. Remove the mounting kit and set it aside.

5. Remove the top and bottom pads and the protective bags. Use
caution to avoid scraping finishes or pulling off the grilles.

After unpacking, carefully inspect each loudspeaker for possible
damage due to shipping. If you discover any damage, immediately
contact your Revel dealer for further assistance. When moving a
REVEL PERFORMA S30 loudspeaker (e.g., when experimenting
with placement), avoid touching the transducers.

Keep all packing materials for future shipping. In the unlikely
event a product will need repair, Revel will only accept a unit in its
original shipping carton. Using any other packing materials may
result in damage to the product and is not covered by the warranty.
See Obtaining Service on page 21 for additional details.

REVEL PERFORMA S30
Owner’s Manual

6

Dipole

M
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R

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m

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0

H

i

F

r

e

q

u

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L

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v

e

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(

d

B

)

+

1

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1

Warranty Card,
Owner’s Manual,
and Mounting Kit

Top Pad

Bottom Pad

WARNING

Figure 4. In this 5.1-channel

dipole system, a pair of REVEL

PERFORMA S30 surround

loudspeakers are placed on side

walls. Optimum surround

coverage for all listeners is

attained by placing the

loudspeakers 20 to 30 degrees

behind the prime listener (see top

view) at a height of 15 degrees

above the prime listener’s ears

(see front view).

NOTE: Also see mounting

instructions and precautions,

starting on page 12.

PLACEMENT

Sound quality is heavily dependent on the accuracy of all your loud­speakers, their placement in the listening room, and the acoustics of
the room itself. Not only are REVEL PERFORMA S30 surround
loudspeakers extremely accurate, they offer flexible placement on
walls or ceiling in 5.1- or 7.1-channel systems.

Each pair of REVEL PERFORMA S30 surround loudspeakers
has distinct A and B versions, as denoted by labels on the rear.
To insure correct surround operation, be sure to mount the
appropriate loudspeaker, either A or B, as shown and
described in Figures 4 through 8 on pages 7 through 11. See
mounting instructions and precautions, starting on page 12.

5.1-CHANNEL WALL PLACEMENT

The most common home theater system configuration uses a pair
of REVEL PERFORMA S30 surround loudspeakers, placed on
the side walls above the listening area, as shown in Figure 4. The
loudspeaker’s radiation pattern is optimized for use at 110 degrees,
or up to 120 degrees, and to the sides of the primary listening
area. This occurs when the loudspeakers are placed somewhat
behind the front row, along the side walls. The ideal height is
located at 15 degrees above the prime listener’s ears.

REVEL PERFORMA S30

Owner’s Manual

7

TOP VIEW

20°~ 30°

S30

Wall

Prime

Listener

FRONT VIEW

15°

S30

Wall

Prime

Listener

Sub

Sub

Screen

Center

S30

B

LF

RF

Prime
Listener

S30

A

IMPORTANT

Figure 5. In this 5.1-channel
dipole system, a pair of REVEL
PERFORMA S30 surround
loudspeakers are placed on
the ceiling behind the first row
of listeners.

NOTE: Also see mounting
instructions and precautions,
starting on page 12.

PLACEMENT (CONTINUED)

5.1-CHANNEL CEILING PLACEMENT

As an alternative, a pair of REVEL PERFORMA S30 surround
loudspeakers may be placed on the ceiling from 20 to 30 degrees
behind the prime listening area, as shown in Figure 5. They may be
used in either dipole or monopole mode (see System Optimization
on page 19).

The ideal placement is behind the first row of listeners so sound
radiates down upon all listeners. A less favorable placement is
behind the last row of listeners with sound radiating down
towards the backs of all listeners.

NOTE: In order to be effective, each REVEL PERFORMA S30
surround loudspeaker on the ceiling must be orientated so that
the woofer and tweeter on the largest enclosure plane fires towards
the listeners.

REVEL PERFORMA S30
Owner’s Manual

8

SIDE VIEW

20°~ 30°

S30

Prime

Listener

FRONT VIEW

15°

S30

Ceiling

Ceiling

Prime

Listener

Sub

Sub

Screen

Center

LF

RF

Prime
Listener

S30

B

S30

A