REVELL Ultima Salon, Salon User Manual

Salon™Loudspeaker

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

WOOFERS ........................................................................4

MIDBASS ..........................................................................4

MIDRANGE .......................................................................5

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

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

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

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

PLACEMENT ...................................................8

INSTALLING SPIKES.......................................10

SPEAKER CONNECTIONS ...............................11

SINGLE-WIRED SYSTEM CONNECTIONS ............................12

BI-WIRED SYSTEM CONNECTIONS ....................................13

BI-AMPLIFIED SYSTEM CONNECTIONS...............................14

SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION..................................16

CABINET CARE..............................................18

SPEAKERS AND POWER ................................18

PANEL REPLACEMENT...................................19

SPECIFICATIONS............................................21

SERVICE INFORMATION..................................23

SALON

Owner’s Manual

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Figure 1. The SALON™ speaker.

INTRODUCTION

The Revel SALON™ sets an entirely new performance and value
reference in floorstanding loudspeakers. It champions our hallmark
of remarkable musical precision and imaginative industrial design.
While SALON’s artistic sculpt is unique, its visual performance
can only begin to tell the story of the achievement yielded by our
unique development process.

Our advanced psychoacoustic research into the interaction of loud­speaker and various placement options has resulted in “real-world”
performance unmatched by any loudspeaker. For example, to
insure compression-free operation during the most demanding pas­sages, the SALON includes large voice coils in each transducer,
judiciously selected crossover points, and true 24 dB per octave
networks. While the true test of any loudspeaker is the sound it
reproduces, we think you’ll agree that this “clean slate” approach
has yielded a truly exceptional outcome.

ABOUT THE MANUAL AND WARRANTY

To begin enjoying your SALON speakers, 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.

Revel SALON speakers are covered by a limited 5-year warranty, so
save the bill of sale to protect your purchase and aid in any service­related questions.

SALON

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,,,,

Figure 2. The SALON transducer
and connection locations.

DESCRIPTION

SALON features a transducer complement (see Figure 2) of three
8-inch woofers, a 6.5-inch midbass driver, a 4-inch midrange, and

1.1-inch tweeter. A second 0.75-inch tweeter (on the rear) provides
added high-frequency energy to enhance overall “room response.”

Combined with an individually-optimized crossover network, this
transducer arrangement results in an extraordinary off-axis
response that provides a large “listening window” and an uncolored
in-room response, even in the presence of strong wall reflections.

WOOFERS

For uncompressed dynamic range, each SALON uses three 8-inch
mica/carbon-filled co-polymer dome woofers with these features:

• The woofer’s radiating surface is made of an injection-molded
polymer material with incredible stiffness and internal damping.

• Optimized magnetic circuits to minimize harmonic distortion.

• Oversized 1.5-inch diameter voice coil with flat aluminum wire
offer higher power handling and long excursion capability.

MIDBASS

For ideal midbass reproduction, each SALON uses a 6.5-inch
mica/carbon-filled co-polymer dome midbass with these features:

• A long voice-coil excursion within an advanced suspension.

• A copper shorting ring for less inductance and flux modulation.

SALON

Owner’s Manual

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Install straps for
single-wired operation

Remove straps
for bi-wire
or bi-amp

Install straps for
single-wired operation

Low Frequency Input High Frequency Input

Revel Corporation
Chatsworth, California
Made in U.S.A.

Serial Number

TM

0

-3

Off

+1-1

0

+.5

-.5

Front Tweeter Level Rear Tweeter Level

0

+

LF Compensation

xxxx

SALON Front

(without grilles)

SALON Rear

Tweeter

Woofer Port

Rear Tweeter
Level Control

LF Compensation
Control

Front Tweeter

Level Control

Midrange

Midbass

Woofer

Woofer

Woofer

Connectors (with

shorting straps)

Tweeter

MIDRANGE

Each SALON uses a 4-inch titanium dome midrange driver with:

• A radiating surface made of titanium for true pistonic behavior
throughout its operating range.

• A motor system that utilizes neodymium magnets and a large
voice coil for exceptional performance.

TWEETERS

Each SALON also includes a pair of high-performance aluminum
alloy dome tweeters with these features:

• True pistonic behavior throughout its entire operating range for
a new level of freedom from coloration.

• The front tweeter has a large voice-coil with an oversized surround
roll for higher power handling and longer excursion capability
with extraordinarily low-harmonic distortion.

• The rear tweeter flattens the “in-room” response, resulting in
superior “air” and detail.

CROSSOVER NETWORK

SALON has an individually-optimized crossover network with:

• A 4-way, 24 dB per octave crossover at 125 Hz, 450 Hz, and

2.2 kHz to optimize the on- and off-axis response of the system.

• Hand-wired filter networks with air-core inductors and film
capacitors to match each SALON to the reference standard.

• Provision for bi-amplified and bi-wired applications via remov­able external shorting straps on the gold-plated binding posts.

• External level controls for both the front and rear tweeters via
calibrated switched precision resistors for ideal imaging.

• External LF tilt control for speaker placement optimization.

CABINET

The cabinet offers exquisite appearance and aids in overall system
performance. The main enclosure and internal bracing are
designed to act as an acoustically-inert platform for sound-wave
generation. Interchangeable side panels are available in a full array
of optional finishes when updating home decor (see Panel

Replacement on page 19).

SALON

Owner’s Manual

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WARNING

Figure 3. Unpacking a
SALON carton.

UNPACKING

IMPORTANT! Do not attempt to lift a SALON from its pack­ing carton alone – at least two strong people will be needed to
unpack the product properly. To avoid injury, use extreme care
during unpacking. Always stand as straight as possible and use
your leg muscles to lift a SALON. Do not lift a SALON while
bending from the waist.

Each SALON is packed in its own carton with a shipping weight
of 240 pounds (108.9 kg). To avoid personal injury and possible
product damage, we strongly urge you to enlist additional help
before unpacking either carton.

To unpack a SALON, perform the following steps:

1. Stand a SALON in an upright position.

2. Carefully remove all staples from rear flaps. Open the flaps and
tilt the unit forward so that the bottom flap can be positioned
under the carton, as shown in Figure 3.

3. Lay unit on its back with all flaps open. Lift carton off the unit
and set it aside.

4. Place the SALON in an upright position and then remove the
four (4) foam packing strips from the sides, as shown in
Figure 4 (on the next page).

5. Tilt the cabinet forward and remove bottom rear end pad, using
caution to avoid touching the front tweeter or midrange.

6. Tilt the cabinet backward and remove bottom front end pad,
using caution to avoid touching the front tweeter or midrange.

SALON

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Tilt carton forward and

tuck bottom flap under

This end up

Front

This end up

Rear

TM

TM

Figure 4. A SALON with its

inner packing materials.

Figure 5. Installing the

optional top grille.

7. Remove top end pad, fabric sock, and plastic bag from the grille,
using caution to avoid touching the front tweeter or midrange.

8. Remove enclosed hardware and optional top grille (if present)
from recessed pockets in the top end pad. Install the top grille,
as shown in Figure 5.

9. Repeat steps 1 through 8 for the other SALON.

NOTE: We recommend installing spikes after determining final
speaker placement (see discussion starting on next page).

After unpacking both units, carefully inspect each one for possible
damage due to shipping. If you discover any damage, immediately
contact your Revel dealer for further assistance. To move an
unpacked SALON (e.g., when experimenting with placement),
rock it side-to-side into place, using caution to avoid touching the
front tweeter and midrange.

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 Service Information on page 23 for additional details.

SALON

Owner’s Manual

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,,,,

,,,

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Top

Grille

Magnets

(in wood)

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,,,

Top End Pad

Hardware

Top Grille
(if present)

Foam Strip

(1of 4)

Bottom

Rear End Pad

Bottom
Front End Pad

Figure 6. Typical placement of
SALON speakers for stereo.

PLACEMENT

Sound quality is heavily dependent on the accuracy of your speak­ers, their placement in the listening room, and the acoustics of the
room itself. Since the SALON speakers are extremely accurate,
experimenting with their placement is the most significant way to
optimize their performance in a given environment. Start with the
following guidelines in determining optimum placement:

NOTE: Set all Salon controls to “zero” position during placement
experimentation. If needed, refer to Figure 13 on page 16.

• For best stereo imaging, place the SALON speakers at equal dis­tances from the main listening position and in symmetry with
the room, as shown in Figure 6.

SALON

Owner’s Manual

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Listening Position

(e.g., on couch)

L SALON

B

D

CC

AA

R SALON

• Distance “A” must be greater than distance “B”

• Distance “C” should be different than distance “D”