INSIDE SCOOP! 2020 Revel PerformaBe (Beryllium) Lineup

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We chatted with Harman Luxury Group Rep, Chris Trojnar about Revel's 2020 PerformaBe (Beryllium) Lineup.

The PerformaBe series is designed to get close to no holds barred performance as possible with some value engineering built-in. Revel took most of the models we love in the Performa3 series and upped the game on driver materials and crossovers while giving even more cabinet finish options. For 2020, Revel added three models to the PerformaBe line. The F328Be takes the PerformaBe series to a new level with its large, floor-standing design. The one model that is especially intriguing is the new F226Be. We previewed this small floor stander at our 2019 Music Matters and it garnered a ton of positive comments from those who had a chance sit through the demos. With a full line up of 4 speakers, Revel rounded out the PerformaBe line with a new matching center channel, the C426Be.

Beryllium tweeter technology is what adds the “Be” to the Performa designation. Beryllium is a rare earth metal that is known for being light, stiff, and very well damped. All of these are characteristics you want in a tweeter so Revel set out to design a Beryllium tweeter for the PerformaBe series. Using filter down technology from the Beryllium tweeter used in the Ultima series, they came up with a design for all of the PerformaBe models. To improve the midrange and bass drivers they developed a new ceramic cone material. They also coat the cast aluminum waveguide for the tweeter with a ceramic material. The F328Be even gets an even higher performing waveguide. We can’t wait to hear them when they release in early 2020.

These materials result in quite the upgrade from the Performa models, What you get is far more high frequency extension, which gives them even more effortless high frequency reproduction. The ceramic bass drivers are more efficient in the Be series, giving them greater dynamics and deeper bass extension. PerformaBe also gives you 4 options of cabinet finish of black, white, metallic silver, and walnut.

The M126Be is the one bookshelf speaker in the “Be” series. At $4000 a pair, they are not inexpensive but pack in a lot of high tech. When you couple them up with a nice front end, they can produce a huge soundstage with very respectable bass for a bookshelf speaker. The Beryllium tweeter is silky smooth and extended which makes them a great speaker for hearing lots of subtle details in the music.

Our favorite model in the “Be” line is the new F226Be. Even though it is a floor-standing speaker, the dimensions make it almost disappear into a room. Its curved cabinet adds to its great appearance. It is a three-way design with the Beryllium tweeter complimented with a 5 ¼” ceramic composite aluminum midrange and two 6 ½” ceramic composite woofers. The cabinet is only about as wide as the woofers which helps the speaker disappear to your ears. These guys throw out a huge soundstage that belies their small size. The midrange, like the top end, is just exquisite. At $7000 a pair, they are not cheap, but they are going to rival the competition even as high as $15k per pair. Almost everyone who has heard them so far has been very impressed. And as with all Revels, the sound is just so neutral, you can listen to them for hours.

The F228Be is a bigger version of the F226Be substituting the 6 ½’ dual woofers for dual 8” woofers. This gives the F228Be a more authoritative bottom end which will be especially beneficial in larger rooms. To our ears, the F226Be sounds almost identical to these except for the very deep bass, which makes the F226Be the best deal in our opinion.

The F328Be will be coming in early 2020 with 3 of the 8” woofers in a much larger cabinet. It will also have an improved tweeter waveguide said to improve imaging and dispersion. We can’t wait to hear this new $16,000 a pair speaker.

The C426Be rounds out the “Be” series with a very serious center channel. It has all the same drivers as the F226Be, but adds two more woofers for a total of 4, 6 ½” woofers. At $4500, it will perfectly match up with any of the “Be” models for a home theater.

The PerformaBe series is what we feel the connoisseurs version of the Performa 3 models. What you will get is more refined, bigger, and more extended, in a cabinet that comes in high gloss black, white, walnut, and metallic silver. And even though the drivers are basically the same size as the Performa3, the tech improvements give you a much better soundstage presentation with that added “you are there” feel to the music. These are once again a great example of how Revel has taken what they learned in making the Ultima 2 series and putting it into a more affordable product.