Revival Audio Sprint 4: In-Depth Floorstanding Speaker Review

Explore the powerful performance and solid build of Revival Audio Sprint 4 floorstanding speakers in this detailed review.

Introduction to Revival Audio

If you’re not familiar with Revival Audio, let’s take a brief look back. This relatively young brand was founded in 2021 by Daniel Emonts, a former engineer for renowned companies like Dynaudio and Focal, along with Jackie Lee, a former commercial director at Dynaudio who left around 2020.

Since its inception, Revival Audio has been carving out its niche, offering a growing range that includes four pairs of bookshelf speakers, two sets of floorstanding models, and two stand designs. The brand’s mission is clear: to enhance true listening experiences by leveraging decades of combined expertise.

That’s exactly the promise behind the Revival Audio Sprint 4—premium floorstanding speakers designed to compete with established heavyweights in their price category, such as the impressive PMC Prodigy 5, priced around $2510. While brand names and reputations matter, what truly counts is performance. If the Sprint 4 can match up sonically, they deserve to be considered alongside the best Hi-Fi contenders.

Build and Design

The Sprint 4 speakers are visually appealing and solidly built. Standing over a meter tall, they’re noticeably larger than similarly priced competitors like the PMC Prodigy 5. While their wooden cabinets lean a bit utilitarian, the finish is top-notch—running your hand along the cabinets reveals almost no imperfections, rough edges, or blemishes.

Technical Specifications of Revival Audio Sprint 4

The Sprint 4 incorporates what Revival Audio calls the “Elytron Acoustic Panel” — a lightweight yet durable material crafted to direct sound waves optimally, reduce unwanted diffraction, and enhance the dispersion of mid and low frequencies.

This magnetic front panel is removable, but we found that taking it off slightly reduces sound dispersion and makes the speaker look a bit naked and odd. There are also separate grilles that cover the drivers beneath the panel; however, during testing, we removed these because they slightly compromised sound clarity.

At the base, you’ll find removable spikes, though adjusting them feels a bit awkward. Plus, their rounded design might struggle to penetrate thick carpets or rugs effectively. Revival provides angled feet that attach at 45 degrees to the base for added stability.

Around back, there’s a single set of binding posts for speaker connections, indicating that true bi-wiring isn’t supported despite the table listing it. The drivers include a 28mm soft dome tweeter featuring an internal dome coated with ARID (anti-resonance absorption) technology to minimize unwanted resonances.

Two 17.8cm basalt sandwich cone woofers promise an ideal blend of stiffness and lightness for quick, smooth responses with impressively tight bass dynamics.

Compatibility and Setup

We kicked off our listening tests using a high-end rig comprising a Naim ND555 music streamer and Burmester 088/911 MKIII power amplifier. Soon after, we swapped to a more price-appropriate system featuring the five-star rated Naim Nait XS 3 amplifier, priced around $2999, which imbues the Sprint 4 with a lively, powerful edge.

For those seeking something more affordable, the Arcam A15 amplifier at about $999 fits the bill nicely without sacrificing capability. On the higher end, the Rega Elicit Mk5 amplifier, priced approximately $3345, offers a nimble performance for those willing to invest more.

The Sprint 4’s rear bass reflex ports come with two sets of foam plugs intended to block ports and tame bass if the speakers must sit close to walls or corners. This is a thoughtful addition.

In our 3x7x5 meter listening space, the speakers delivered their best sound when placed around 70 cm from any walls or surfaces. We experimented with angles from straight ahead to slight inward tilt, finding that a modest toe-in strikes the perfect balance between a solid stereo image and rich, full-bodied sound.

Sound Performance

Once powered up, the Sprint 4 revealed its serious Hi-Fi potential. Despite being a relatively new brand, the speakers exhibit confidence and composure—hallmarks of seasoned engineering.

All the essentials for quality sound reproduction are present. Take the track Madness by Muse — a complex test for clarity and instrumental detail. The Sprint 4 handles both with aplomb. The tight-knit arrangement stays cohesive through repeated vocal lines to a dramatic, multi-layered climax. The speakers’ clean, detailed delivery helps uncover subtle nuances in each carefully crafted element.

These impressive floorstanders particularly shine in their bass handling. They deliver a powerful authority and scale without losing control or becoming overwhelming. Their low-frequency character blends power and precision, outperforming the smaller PMC Prodigy 5, which sound looser and less defined in direct comparison.

But do the Sprint 4 speakers suck us entirely into the music? Testing with Eminem’s The Way I Am exposed a slight weakness. While the speakers maintain composure and authority, they rarely unleash the raw intensity needed to slam listeners with Eminem’s biting lyrics. The delivery lacks a certain edge and bite that would make listeners wince in their seats.

Additionally, the Sprint 4 could be slightly more adept at revealing rhythmic patterns. Top-tier speakers can bring to life the syncopated intro from Nicholas Britell’s Succession theme with flair and excitement. The Sprint 4 balances the complex orchestration well, but doesn’t quite ignite that spark with enough conviction to rival the best in this arena.

The somewhat reserved nature of the Sprint 4 also affects dynamics. Listening to Lorne Balfe’s Fallout from Mission: Impossible 6, the dramatic peaks — orchestral drums crashing and apocalyptic horns flaring — don’t hit as hard or stand out as much as with the competing PMC Prodigy 5.

While the Sprint 4 captures the scale impressively, the bold entrances merge into the ensemble, lacking the distinct drama to elevate adrenaline levels akin to Tom Cruise’s daring stunts. Not disastrous, but the speakers earn respect and liking rather than outright love.

Final Verdict

The Revival Audio Sprint 4 earn a solid recommendation thanks to their cohesive sound and robust build quality. Although PMC Prodigy 5’s dynamic and rhythmic prowess make them more musically engaging, the Sprint 4 presents a compelling case for those prioritizing scale, authority, and bass accuracy.

Ratings

• Sound: 4/5
• Build Quality: 4/5
• Compatibility: 4/5

The Revival Audio Sprint 4 reveal a serious Hi-Fi potential, blending power and precision with impressive build quality.

Looking to elevate your listening setup? Have you experienced the Revival Audio Sprint 4, or are you curious about how they compare to your current speakers? Share your thoughts!

• How does the Sprint 4 compare to PMC Prodigy 5?
  The Sprint 4 offers greater bass authority and scale, while the Prodigy 5 excels in dynamic and rhythmic engagement.
• Are the Sprint 4 speakers suitable for small rooms?
  They perform best with about 70 cm clearance from walls; smaller rooms might limit their bass performance unless adjustments are made.
• Does the Sprint 4 support bi-wiring?
  Despite some contradictory info, the speakers have a single set of binding posts, so true bi-wiring isn’t supported.
• What finishes are available for the Sprint 4?
  Choose from Walnut, Light Oak, or Matte Black to suit your decor.
• Can the bass reflex ports be adjusted?
  Yes, foam plugs are included to block ports and reduce bass output if needed for room placement.

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