Revival Audio Sprint 3 Bookshelf Speaker, Black (Pair)

The Revival Audio Sprint 3 is a compact 2-way bookshelf speaker that brings the driver and cabinet technology of the pricier Atalante series into an affordable class.

Developed in Alsace by Daniel Emonts – an acoustician who previously shaped entire driver generations at Focal and Dynaudio – and dressed by the Parisian design studio A+A Cooren. That's a lot of pedigree for a speaker under 1,000 francs. You can hear it.

Why the Sprint 3?

The most striking feature is the curved Elytron baffle. It doesn't just look good – it guides sound around the cabinet edge so the typical edge reflections are largely avoided, letting the sound image detach from the speakers. Below it works a 180 mm mid-woofer with a basalt sandwich cone (BSC): stiff, light and fast – exactly the mix that gives a bass that's dry and grabby rather than boomy. The treble is handled by a 28 mm fabric dome with an ARID chamber, which drains resonances behind the dome and keeps the highs clean and relaxed.

What you hear

A speaker that plays above its price class. Voices and acoustic guitars come across warm and defined, the imaging is precise and reaches well beyond the narrow front. Plus a dynamic range you wouldn't expect from such a compact cabinet at first. The magnetic Elytron front sits without visible mounting points – clean when you leave it on, a touch more direct when you remove it. The Sprint 3 comes in Walnut, Blond Oak and Black.

Who is the Sprint 3 suited for?

For rooms of around 15 to 35 m² and anyone looking for an honest high-end entry point with design appeal. Straight talk: the Sprint 3 drops to 4.5 ohms at 175 Hz and sits at 87 dB – it doesn't want a mini amplifier but a partner from around 30 watts that gives it legs. And for the deepest subwoofer rumble, it's the wrong speaker; that's what the Sprint 4 or a subwoofer is for. Let's be honest: anyone buying compact speakers wants precision and placement freedom – not the last hertz in the basement.

Our verdict

The Sprint 3 is one of the most convincing bookshelf speakers around 1,000 francs – premium-class technology, honestly scaled down, in a cabinet that fits any living room. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we value it as an uncomplicated entry point that delivers long-lasting enjoyment and picks up further after a few hours of break-in. The Ear magazine gave it a "Best Buy" award in 2024, and STEREO rated it "very good".

What the press says: Top class, 4/5 stars – "Dynamic, tonally accomplished, and thanks to a fantastic sense of space, the Sprint 3 is a genuine heart's recommendation." (hifitest 9/2023).

Technical data

• Design: 2-way bookshelf speaker (bass reflex)
• Tweeter: 28 mm fabric dome with ARID technology
• Mid-woofer: 180 mm (7") with basalt sandwich cone (BSC)
• Frequency response: 55 Hz – 22 kHz (±3 dB)
• Sensitivity: 87 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)
• Nominal impedance: 6 ohms (minimum 4.5 ohms at 175 Hz)
• Crossover frequency: 1.8 kHz
• Power handling: 150 W (recommended amplifier power from 30 W)
• Recommended room size: 15 – 35 m²
• Dimensions (H × W × D): 380 × 213 × 307 mm
• Weight: 9.1 kg per unit
• Finish: Black (matte)
• Scope of delivery: 2 speakers, magnetic Elytron front covers, instruction manual

Frequently asked questions

What amplifier does the Revival Audio Sprint 3 need?
A stereo amplifier from around 30 watts into 8 ohms, more is welcome. Because the impedance drops to 4.5 ohms at 175 Hz, the amplifier should drive it stably. With a powerful integrated amplifier the Sprint 3 shows its full dynamics; on an underpowered unit, potential is left unused.

Is the Sprint 3 suitable for small rooms?
Yes. With its compact cabinet it fits rooms from around 15 m² up to about 35 m². Thanks to the Elytron baffle it reacts comparatively uncritically to placement, but like any bookshelf speaker benefits from some distance from the wall and stable stands.

Does the Sprint 3 need special speaker stands?
Recommended, yes. As a bookshelf speaker, the Sprint 3 sounds best on a stable stand at ear height – freer, more precise, with a clean stage. Heavy, well-decoupled stands noticeably tame the basalt bass. A shelf or sideboard will do in a pinch, but costs precision.

What's the difference between the Sprint 3 and the Atalante 3?
Both are 2-way bookshelf speakers with related technology, but the Atalante 3 uses higher-grade components and a more elaborate cabinet – and costs roughly double. The Sprint 3 brings much of that sonic culture into a more accessible price class.

What colours is the Sprint 3 available in?
The Sprint 3 comes in three finishes: Walnut, Blond Oak and Black (matte). The dark Elytron front forms a nice contrast against the lighter wood variants and blends in subtly on the black model. So one variant fits almost any interior.

Why buy the Revival Audio Sprint 3 at HD Zürisee?
Because we know and can assess Revival Audio, rather than just shipping boxes. We advise you on the right amplifier and stand combination, on placement in your room, and take care of delivery and installation. As an experienced team with our own technician, you're not on your own after the purchase either.

Goes well with

You'll find the right drive among the integrated amplifiers, the right height among the speaker stands, and a clean connection among the speaker cables. More from the brand's range is shown in the Revival Audio collection.