Revival Audio Atalante 4 Floorstanding Speaker, Macassar (Pair)

The Revival Audio Atalante 4 is a 3-way floorstanding speaker with four drivers that bridges the gap in the Atalante series between the compact Atalante 3 and the large Atalante 5. Designed in Alsace by a team with roots at Dynaudio and Focal, it now comes in the new Macassar finish and carries the signature of the Parisian design studio A+A Cooren – a floorstander that looks like a piece of furniture and plays like an instrument.

Why the Atalante 4?

The heart of it is the basalt diaphragms, known internally as BSC (Basalt Sandwich Construction). Basalt – yes, volcanic rock – is processed into fibres and makes a diaphragm that is both stiff and light. That's how the bass starts and stops when the music wants it to, and not an eighth note later. Two 180 mm woofers lay the foundation, a 135 mm midrange driver made of the same material keeps the voices in the centre, and on top sits a 28 mm soft-dome tweeter with ARID technology and an unusually low resonance. The crossover is hand-tuned and wired internally with Van den Hul conductors – fine work you can't see, but you can hear.

What you hear

A floorstander that forgets its size. The Atalante 4 plays freely and detached from the cabinet: voices stand tangibly in the centre, instruments keep their place even when the orchestra gets loud. The bass reaches down to 38 hertz, yet stays dry and contoured rather than spongy – pressure with an edge, no boom. At higher levels it doesn't lose its composure; it gets louder, not more frantic. And thanks to 89 decibels of sensitivity, it's pleasantly easy to drive. The Macassar finish doesn't change the sound, but gives the floorstander a vividly patterned, dark and warm look.

Who is the Atalante 4 suited for?

For anyone who wants a full-grown floorstander that fills the room without overwhelming it visually – ideal from around 30 square metres, with headroom up to about 60. Straight talk: in a 15-square-metre room, the two woofers overwhelm the space rather than delight it – you're better served there by the Atalante 3 or the Sprint models. And if you only run Bluetooth in the background, you won't tap its potential. Give it decent sources, and it pays you back.

Our verdict

The Atalante 4 is the all-rounder of the series: big enough for real depth, slim enough for the living room, honest enough for any kind of music. We in Wädenswil see it similarly: a speaker you're reluctant to give back.

What the press says: Reference class, 5/5 stars – "A very clear recommendation to buy!" (hifitest 7/2024).

Technical data

• Design: 3-way floorstanding speaker, bass reflex (rear)
• Tweeter: 28 mm soft dome with ARID technology (resonance 650 hertz)
• Midrange: 135 mm (5.25 inch) BSC (Basalt Sandwich Construction)
• Woofer: 2 × 180 mm (7 inch) BSC (Basalt Sandwich Construction)
• Frequency response: 38 hertz to 22,000 hertz (±3 decibels)
• Sensitivity: 89 decibels (2.83 volts / 1 metre)
• Nominal impedance: 4 ohms (minimum 3.2 ohms at 120 hertz)
• Crossover frequencies: 550 hertz and 3.0 kilohertz
• Power handling: 200 watts (recommended amplifier power from 30–50 watts)
• Recommended room size: 30 to 60 square metres
• Finish: Macassar
• Dimensions (H × W × D): 1200 × 345 × 395 mm
• Weight: 38 kilograms per unit
• Scope of delivery: 2 × Atalante 4, premium spike set, two-piece magnetic front covers, instruction manual

Frequently asked questions

How big should the room be for the Atalante 4?
Ideally 30 to 60 square metres. The two 180 mm woofers need air to develop their bass cleanly. In rooms under 20 square metres, it quickly becomes too much of a good thing – there the Atalante 3 or the Sprint models fit better. We're happy to advise you on placement.

Which amplifier suits the Atalante 4?
From 30 to 50 watts, it already plays briskly thanks to 89 decibels of sensitivity. For full control and dynamics at higher levels, we recommend a strong integrated amplifier or a pre/power combination. The 4-ohm load is uncritical; a stable amplifier will reward you with more composure.

What does BSC (Basalt Sandwich Construction) mean?
BSC refers to the diaphragm made of basalt fibres. Basalt, a volcanic rock, makes a very stiff yet light diaphragm. The result is fast, precise starting and stopping – bass and mids sound dry and detailed rather than washed out.

Atalante 4 or Atalante 5 – what's the difference?
The Atalante 5 is a large bookshelf monitor with a 12-inch woofer and depth down to 28 hertz; the Atalante 4 is the floorstander with two 7-inch woofers down to 38 hertz. The 5 delivers more deep bass in a big room, while the 4 plays more flexibly and needs no separate stand.

Why buy the Revival Audio Atalante 4 at HD Zürisee?
Because we carry and know Revival Audio: we help you with choosing the finish, placement and the right amplifier and source combination. As a well-rehearsed specialist team in Wädenswil with our own technician, we're there for you after the purchase too – delivery and on-site installation included. Call or write to us.

Goes well with

• A strong integrated amplifier gives the four drivers the control they deserve.
• Good speaker cables – the Atalante 4 audibly responds to the connection to the outside.
• You'll find the whole series under Revival Audio.