The Quad Revela 1 and Revela 2 Loudspeakers have finally been disclosed to the public!
Over the past six years, QUAD has been quite discrete and has distributed its loudspeakers here in North America in a pretty selective manner. The audio press was favorable toward items like the QUAD S2, although MoFi Distribution did not promote the brand as vigorously as Wharfedale, another loudspeaker option in their catalogue.
However, QUAD has not been resting on its palms. The QUAD Revela 1 and Revela 2 are the company’s first new loudspeakers since 2016 and have been in development for more than four years.
These new speakers are built on classic technologies that can be traced back to 1949 with QUAD’s first speaker system, the Corner Ribbon. The advantage of this design is that the audio signal energizes the diaphragm and does not suffer from the breakup modes and resonances encountered in domes and other planar types.
Driven evenly over the whole radiating surface and having a mass that is typically one-tenth that of a dome tweeter means that the precision and transient response of the ribbon to the audio signal from the amplifier yields a cleaner and more detailed sounding signal
TWEETER.
The original Corner Ribbon speaker’s ribbon tweeter from QUAD was comparatively brittle and could only withstand 15W of power. The ribbon used in Revela speakers has a sandwich diaphragm that has been reinforced so that it can withstand the rigors of modern music and the increased power output of current solid-state amplifiers without breaking down mechanically.
The innovative QUAD True Ribbon high-frequency driver is a key component of both Revela versions. Over the past 70 years, this ribbon driver has undergone changes. Quad believes that this latest version, which took four years to produce, is the best one yet.
The Revela’s True Ribbon driver delivers extended high frequencies that are audibly superior to typical dome tweeters, but also other planar driver types that are not ‘true ribbons.’ It works by positioning a ribbon of thin aluminum foil in a high-strength magnetic field, through which the audio signal flows from the amplifier.
Mid/Bass Drivers
In addition to the innovative tweeter, QUAD has developed a new material for the Revela speaker mid/bass diaphragms. The new material is a formulation of wood pulp and artificial fibers named ‘Reveal.’ This combination is designed to provide natural, transparent, and detailed output.
Paper cones have long been regarded as yielding excellent midrange performance and by adding artificial fibers like para-aramids to the pulp, the Reveal diaphragm is further damped and strengthened, providing superior bass control and smoothing upper-midrange resonances.
The Reveal diaphragm is incorporated into a driver built on a cast chassis and fitted with a high-power magnet and voice coils to achieve high sensitivity.
The Revela 1 features a single 165mm mid/bass driver, whereas the Revela 2 dedicates two 165mm drivers to bass frequencies with a 150mm unit handling the midrange.
The mid/bass cones have been matched to custom rubber surrounds that incorporate a damping layer at the junction with the diaphragm to absorb reflections that would otherwise cause resonances in the upper part of the frequency range. This allows the crossover slopes to be accurately matched for optimal integration with the ribbon treble unit, as well as providing a smoother and more open sound quality.
Crossover
The drivers’ output is combined via an Acoustic Butterworth crossover network, fine-tuned over hundreds of hours of listening tests to ensure a seamless blend between the drive units. The result is a dynamic and room-filling sound that transcends the speakers themselves, endowed with realistic pace, scale, and clarity.
The Cabinets
To lessen undesirable diffraction effects, the Revela cabinets feature strained and braced panels with radiused edges. Bass reflex ports have longitudinal splines all the way around to improve efficiency and smooth airflow.
A combination of acoustic foam and long-hair fiber is used to provide internal damping, which is positioned to absorb internal reflections and standing waves without hindering the function of the bass reflex ports.
The midrange unit of Revela 2 is contained in a separate, generously sized sealed chamber with foam and long-hair fiber dampening positioned to enhance its broad frequency spectrum.
From QUAD’s Director of Acoustic Design, Peter Comeau: “QUAD has been responsible for many audio innovations since the mid-twentieth century. The ribbon tweeter is one such creation, and we are delighted to have developed a new version of QUAD’s ‘true ribbon’ driver as a centerpiece of the Revela design. Our Reveal cone material is another breakthrough, engineered to match seamlessly with the ribbon treble unit and ensure the listener revels in effortless drama and detail as music fills the room. These are QUAD’s first new speakers for seven years and we have worked tirelessly to ensure they embody the natural sonic realism that is the hallmark of QUAD, in line with the company’s traditional dictum: ‘The closest approach to the original sound’.”
Availability and Pricing QUAD products can be purchased through authorized UK dealers and Global Distributors and will initially be available in the UK at the following prices.
US availability is currently not available.
WHERE the MUSIC BEAT meets the AUDIOPHILE ELITE !
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The Quad speakers must be excellent if in keeping with their sonic heritage, and truly an outstanding value at their respective prices, especially with those stands. I must ask if the cables are transparent or if the signal is wireless, and I do wonder if the large glass tabletop is required to optimize reflections.
Are the Quad Revela 1 and Revela 2 manufactured in China?
HI — I am not sure about this
Howard