Bookshelf Speakers — Revel M105

The M105 is a bookshelf speaker from Revel's Performa3 range, built as a compact two-way design sharing much of the technology, materials and engineering approach of the brand's flagship Ultima2 series. Revel specifically set out to build a bookshelf speaker that would actually fit on a bookshelf, and the M105 delivers surprisingly full-range performance and uncompressed dynamics from that small footprint.

Key specs that matter

Nominal impedance is 8 ohms, not considered a demanding load from an amplifier's perspective. Weight is 7.14kg (15.7 lbs) per speaker. The two-way bass-reflex enclosure uses a fluid-model-designed port with identical flares on both ends, and comes with port plugs that let a buyer attenuate bass slightly to compensate for boundary gain when the speaker sits directly on a bookshelf rather than a free-standing position. The 5.25-inch woofer uses a ribbed aluminium cone anodized on both sides with a micro-ceramic composite compound, reducing resonances that would otherwise colour the sound, mounted in a cast aluminium frame to further eliminate resonance sources common in lesser-quality speakers. The 1-inch aluminium dome tweeter, developed by the same team behind the Ultima2, sits in a concave Acoustic Lens Waveguide using a breakthrough mathematical approach to precisely match tweeter dispersion with the woofer's dispersion through the crossover region - independent measurement confirms exceptionally flat on-axis response from 300Hz to 24kHz. Curved cabinet walls formed from contiguous wood layers, similar to the flagship Ultima2 enclosures, resist splitting and add stiffness over a conventional box shape.

Sound and use context

Expect clarity, accuracy and uncompressed dynamics with a spacious, seamless soundstage and an ability to disappear acoustically, making it nearly impossible to pinpoint where the sound originates, letting the recording's own spatial cues take over completely.

Pairing

The straightforward 8 ohm nominal impedance suits any conventional amplifier without unusual current demands, and Revel's own custom-designed matching stand bolts the cabinet directly to the base for the most robust coupling possible.

Alternatives

Revel's M106 sits one tier above the M105 in the brand's passive bookshelf catalogue, worth the further investment if this model's already impressive full-range character still leaves ambitions for a larger cabinet and greater bass authority.