REVELL Ultima Gem User manual
Revel®Ultima™Gem Loudspeakers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...............................................3
ABOUT THE MANUAL AND WARRANTY.................................3
DESCRIPTION .................................................4
WOOFERS ........................................................................4
TWEETERS........................................................................5
CROSSOVER NETWORK .....................................................5
CABINET...........................................................................5
UNPACKING....................................................6
INSTALLING STANDS (OPTIONAL) .....................7
PLACEMENT ...................................................9
ROOM ACOUSTICS...........................................................11
ROOM TREATMENT..........................................................12
CONNECTIONS..............................................13
SINGLE-WIRED SYSTEM CONNECTIONS ............................13
BI-WIRED SYSTEM CONNECTIONS ....................................14
BI-AMPLIFIED SYSTEM CONNECTIONS...............................15
SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION..................................17
CABINET CARE..............................................18
LOUDSPEAKERS AND POWER........................18
OBTAINING SERVICE......................................19
SPECIFICATIONS............................................20
REVEL ULTIMA GEM
Owner’s Manual
2
Figure 1. The REVEL
ULTIMA GEM loudspeaker.
INTRODUCTION
With its striking and sophisticated appearance, the REVEL®ULTIMA™
GEM loudspeaker hints at its advanced design from the first glance.
The simple and clean lines characterize an exceptional sound repro-
duction system defined by its custom-designed drivers, individually
optimized crossover network, and a highly-functional enclosure.
We created these loudspeakers to achieve superior performance in
the widest possible range of environments. Physically small enough
to be used in modest rooms, they are dynamic enough to be used in
very large rooms. They are equally at home in discriminating two-
channel systems, as well as multi-channel and home theater systems.
Moreover, we’ve taken the care to make them as adaptable as possible
to a variety of room positions and the acoustical interactions typically
found in homes.
ABOUT THE MANUAL AND WARRANTY
To begin enjoying your new loudspeakers, 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 ULTIMA GEM loudspeakers are 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 ULTIMA GEM
Owner’s Manual
3
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Figure 2. The REVEL
ULTIMA GEM transducer and
connection locations.
DESCRIPTION
The REVEL ULTIMA GEM loudspeaker features a unique trans-
ducer configuration (see Figure 2) to create an acoustic center that
is halfway between the two woofers and coincident with the front
tweeter’s acoustic center. A second tweeter (on rear of cabinet),
operating above 8 kHz, provides additional high-frequency energy
to enhance overall “room response.”
Combined with an individually-optimized crossover network, this
transducer arrangement provides a uniform vertical “listening win-
dow” or area in which the sound varies little. Also, the small
woofer size and compact baffle width help to create an extremely
wide horizontal window in which optimum sound can be heard.
WOOFERS
To ensure uncompressed dynamic range, each loudspeaker contains
a pair of 5-inch woofers that are unique in the following ways:
• The woofer’s radiating surface is made of titanium for true pis-
tonic behavior to over 4 kHz, well beyond its function in the
GEM system.
• Optimized magnetic circuits to minimize harmonic distortion.
• The woofer’s motor system utilizes neodymium magnets with a
stray-flux containment system for shielding near video monitors.
• Oversized 2-inch diameter voice coils with flat aluminum wire
offer higher power handling than average-sized coils for greater
accuracy at high volume levels and during extended crescendos.
• The cast magnesium frame provides optimum voice coil cooling
and minimum reflections, while offering excellent rigidity.
REVEL ULTIMA GEM
Owner’s Manual
4
HighFrequency
Input
HighFrequency Level
(dB)
-1
Front
0+.5
-.5
+1
-2
Rear
0+4
0ff
LowFrequency
Input
SerialNo.
Install
Straps
for
Single-wired
Operation.
Install
Strapsfor
Single-wired
Operation.
Note:
Remove
Strapsfor
Bi-wiredor
Bi-amplified
Operation.
Front
Tweeter
Port
High-Frequency
Level Controls
Connectors (with
shorting straps)
Rear
Woofer
Tweeter
Woofer
Northridge
California
Madein U.S.A.
TWEETERS
Each loudspeaker also contains two high-performance tweeters
with the following features:
• Optimized tweeter-dome profiles for maximum dispersion,
while eliminating coloration caused by “break-up modes.”
• Linear reproduction with very-low harmonic distortion even at
high output levels for uncompressed sound purity.
• The front tweeter utilizes a large voice-coil with an oversized
surround roll. This provides for the higher power handling and
longer excursion capability required to reproduce greater
uncompressed dynamics.
CROSSOVER NETWORK
Built into each loudspeaker is an individually-optimized crossover
network with the following features:
• A 2-way, 24 dB per octave crossover at 2.7 kHz shapes the on-
and off-axis response of each driver and the complete system.
• Hand-wired filter networks with air-core inductors and
film capacitors are calibrated to match each loudspeaker to
the reference standard.
• Provision for bi-amplified and bi-wired applications via remov-
able external shorting straps on the gold-plated binding posts.
• External level controls for both the front and rear tweeters via
calibrated switched precision resistors, thus maintaining identi-
cal response from both speakers for ideal imaging.
CABINET
The cabinet offers groundbreaking appearance and aids in overall
system performance. The inner enclosure is designed as an acousti-
cally-inert platform for sound-wave generation. Integral side panels
provide a custom look via available finishes and are internally
damped by sandwiched viscoelastic energy-absorbing layers to
reduce any sound transmission effects.
REVEL ULTIMA GEM
Owner’s Manual
5
Figure 3. A REVEL
ULTIMA GEM loudspeaker
with its inner packing materials.
UNPACKING
To avoid injury, please use care during unpacking. Always
stand as straight as possible and use your leg muscles to lift a
REVEL ULTIMA GEM loudspeaker. Do not lift it while bend-
ing from the waist.
To unpack a REVEL ULTIMA GEM loudspeaker, perform the
following steps:
1. Place a REVEL ULTIMA GEM loudspeaker onto its side.
2. Open the bottom flaps. Stand the carton in the up position.
3. Lift the carton off the loudspeaker and set it aside, being careful
not to damage the contents (see Figure 3).
4. Remove the allen wrench and set it aside.
5. Remove the left and right pads and the protective cloth. Use
caution to avoid scraping the finish or pulling off the grille.
After unpacking the unit, carefully inspect it for possible damage
due to shipping. If you discover any damage, immediately contact
your Revel dealer for further assistance. When moving a REVEL
ULTIMA GEM loudspeaker (e.g., when experimenting with place-
ment), 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 19 for additional details.
REVEL ULTIMA GEM
Owner’s Manual
6
Allen Wrench
Left Pad
Right Pad
Warranty Card and
Owner’s Manual
WARNING
Figure 4. Installing the base
onto the pedestal.
Figure 5. Installing spikes.
INSTALLING STANDS (OPTIONAL)
1. Unpack all stand boxes. Place a pedestal, base, and top plate on
a soft surface (e.g, rug or soft cloth).
2. Using a Phillips screwdriver, install a base to a pedestal with five
long screws, as shown in Figure 4.
3. Thread four spikes about halfway into the base and tighten each
one with a locking ring, as shown in Figure 5.
continued on next page...
REVEL ULTIMA GEM
Owner’s Manual
7
Pedestal
Base
(5) Long Screws
(Start All Screws
Before Tightening)
(4) Spikes
(4) Covers*
(optional for hardwood
or tile floors)
(Optional) Use Covers*
For Hard Floors
(4) Locking
Rings
*NOTE: Apply a small bead of supplied
silicone adhesive into each cover and
fasten onto each spike. Wait 20 minutes
for silicone to set.
Figure 6. Installing the top plate.
Figure 7. Fastening the REVEL
ULTIMA GEM loudspeaker to
the assembled stand.
INSTALLING STANDS (CONT’D)
4. Place the stand in its upright position and install the top plate
with five short screws, as shown in Figure 6.
5. Fasten a loudspeaker to the stand with three short screws, as
shown in Figure 7. Read the Placement section before making
final placement and spike adjustments. Repeat steps 1 through 5
for the other stand.
REVEL ULTIMA GEM
Owner’s Manual
8
(5) Short Screws
(Start All Screws
Before Tightening)
Top Plate
REVEL ULTIMA GEM
(3) Short Screws
(Start All Screws
Before Tightening)
Figure 8. A REVEL ULTIMA
GEM loudspeaker is placed
on an optional stand for an
ideal match between tweeter
and ear heights.
Figure 9. Typical placement of
REVEL ULTIMA GEM
loudspeakers for stereo.
NOTE: The suggested room
treatments coincide with the
primary reflection points.
PLACEMENT
Sound quality is heavily dependent on the accuracy of your loudspeak-
ers, their placement in the listening room, and the acoustics of the
room itself. Since the REVEL ULTIMA GEM loudspeakers are
extremely accurate, experimenting with their placement is the most
significant way to optimize their performance in a given environment.
The following guidelines will help you obtain the best results:
• In most situations, we recommend placing the REVEL
ULTIMA GEM loudspeakers on their (optional) matching
stands, as shown in Figure 8.
NOTE: When experimenting with placement, we recommend that
two people move a REVEL ULTIMA GEM loudspeaker (with its
attached stand) by lifting under the stand’s top plate.
• For best stereo imaging, place the REVEL ULTIMA GEM
loudspeakers at equal distances from the main listening position
and in symmetry with the room, as shown in Figure 9.
continued on next page...
REVEL ULTIMA GEM
Owner’s Manual
9
Listening Position
(e.g., on couch)
Absorptive or
Diffusive
Material
Absorptive or Diffusive Material
Absorptive or Diffusive Material
Absorptive or
Diffusive
Material
Absorptive or
Diffusive
Material
R REVEL ULTIMA GEM
L REVEL ULTIMA GEM
GEM Tweeter
PLACEMENT (CONTINUED)
• Optimum timbre and imaging precision is obtained with the
loudspeakers pointing almost directly toward the prime listen-
ing position. Some listeners prefer a wider “soundstage,” which
is achieved by reducing the toe-in angle, perhaps to the point of
aiming the loudspeakers straight ahead.
• Imaging and a sense of spaciousness will improve as the
loudspeakers are moved away from the wall behind the loud-
speakers and the side walls.
NOTE: You may then need to move the listening position back to
maintain the best stereo image.
• For more bass reinforcement, try moving the loudspeakers closer
to the front wall or corners (also see Room Acoustics on next page).
NOTE: You may then need to move the listening position forward
to maintain an acceptable stereo image.
• For best results, make sure there are no objects between the
REVEL ULTIMA GEM loudspeakers and the intended listening
area (e.g., a coffee table in front of the listener will degrade timbre
and imaging). If possible, avoid placing the loudspeakers near
large objects, which can cause unwanted reflections.
• Ideally, the listening room should be acoustically neutral, nei-
ther producing any distinct echoes nor sounding completely
“dead” and lifeless (also see Room Treatment on page 12).
REVEL ULTIMA GEM
Owner’s Manual
10
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