Revel B1 Subwoofer Preview

We are always on the lookout for new speakers and subwoofers and CEDIA is a great time to find out about the next cool products. Harman has announced at CEDIA 2014 the release of their new Revel B1 subwoofer. This new sub promises to be versatile and flexible without breaking the bank.

The B1 sub has a 250-watt amplifier and a forward facing 12" woofer. The woofer is constructed out of a micro ceramic composite. They do this by anodizing both sides of an aluminum core. This fabrication technique adds strength and stiffness – but very little weight – to a material already well suited for use in high-performance drivers.

Revel B1 Subwoofer

In addition to the proprietary woofer diaphragm material, Harman has included upgrades to the rest of the driver assembly.  There is a ceramic-magnet motor assembly, a 2" copper voice coil wound on a Kapton bobbin, and a Nomex/cotton blend spider. The spider has been optimized for improved linearity.

While Harman hasn't released their frequency response data of the Revel B1, they have included a downward-firing port for increased bass response. The down-firing port should make placement of the Revel B1 less finicky than rear-ported subs. While the Revel B1 has all the normal volume, low-pass crossover, and phase adjustments, Harman has also included a three-band parametric EQ with adjustment for frequency, level, and bandwidth to compensate for room-induced response anomalies.

The Revel B1 is a compact subwoofer at 17-3/4 inches high by 15-3/4 inches wide by 14 inches deep. The enclosure is constructed out of MDF (an industry standard) with extensive internal bracing to minimize cabinet-induced colorations. The Revel B1 will retail for $999 when it ships in January 2015.

Conclusion

We really wish Harman had released the frequency response data for the Revel B1 subwoofer. At $999, this small(-ish) 12" sub has a lot going for it. Including 250 watts of power, built-in 3-band parametric EQ, improved driver materials and construction, and extensive internal bracing, we like what we are seeing. For now we'll have to keep our excitement at bay until we know how low this sub will extend.

For more information, please visit www.revelspeakers.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.