S12 Surrounds

Flexibility is built into the S12 surround loudspeakers. The typical wedge shape unit has no less than three potential dispersion patterns. By flipping a switch on the face of the speaker (accessed by removing the fabric cover), you have the choice of dipole, bipole, and monopole patterns.

The dipole mode which operates the pairs of drivers in reverse phase (one driver moves out of the enclosure while the other driver moves into the enclosure) is best for movies. For multi-channel music such as DVD-Audio or SACD, choose the bipole mode (both drivers move out of the enclosure at the same time) for a more focused dispersion. Finally, choosing monopole deactivates one set of the two drivers if you desire the most concentrated reproduction.

The S12 features a second pair of binding posts and a second crossover for a 7.1 system. This affords the S12 to either function as both left/right rear surrounds, or as both left/right side and rear surrounds. With the current demands of THX, Dolby, and DTS featuring multiple surround soundtracks, the S12 provides you those options.

Each pair of drivers consists of an OCC woofer and a 1" tweeter. Unlike the M12 or C12, the face plate is not die-cast metal but a dense plastic, and the tweeter is built into the face plate. The unit is much lighter and weighs barely 12 pounds, easily placed on the wall. Mounting the S12 to your wall is simple with the slotted metal fastening plate set flush in each of the four corners.

With a sensitivity of 87 dB, and a frequency response from 60 Hz to 20 kHz, the S12 handles up to a substantial 150 watts from your amplifier.

B12 Subwoofer

As large as the center channel C12 box enclosure is, surprisingly the B12 subwoofer is proportionately not all that big. Somewhat compact actually, the B12 sports an impressive 650 watt amplifier and a single front mounted aluminum cone 10" driver (powerful amplifiers and long-throw drivers, all in a small enclosure, are very popular these days).

Revel includes with the B12 an in-depth 28 page user manual that truly helps a novice understand bass performance in any environment. Placement, especially for one sub, is crucial, and Revel makes great recommendations. Recently the staff at Secrets has had some discussions about multiple subwoofer placement in the home theater room. Revel discusses options for not only one subwoofer but two and also four (considered ideal).

For most of us who limp along with just one subwoofer, the B12 is outfitted with a single parametric EQ for that one nasty bump you can't tame. Included with your B12 purchase is the Revel LFO (Low Frequency Optimizer) test CD.

I found the CD to be very complete with a full range of pink noise, warble tones, a rattle test, and phase control.

As I mentioned, the B12 delivers 650 watts, and its frequency response is from 20 Hz to 150 Hz with low THD. At a mere 64 pounds, the B12 is shipped with four rubber feet, yet you can remove them and replace them with the four carpet spikes provided.

The design of the sub is consistent with the M12/C12, having  a similar cast face plate. On the rear you'll find an easy-to-use control layout, including the EQ settings. An on/off switch accompanies a fixed power cord. A separate volume control, typical line-level connections, and an on/off low pass filter that includes phase control and frequency response, round out the amplifier panel.

The Room EQ can be turned on or off and has three setting options. Firstly set a frequency range for what's considered your problem area in the 20 Hz - 80 Hz region. A second level for adjustment is the amount of cut from 0 to -14 dB for the specified range. And lastly set the bandwidth for which you want the EQ settings to have an effect, from 0.05 octaves to 0.53 octaves (this is also called the "Q" setting).

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