Short answer: the Revel F228Be. It ranks #29 of 228 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $11,000. The Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8 ranks #43, rated 4.4/5, at $7,600, $3,400 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The F228Be is the more neutral reference tower. A beryllium tweeter in a waveguide, a 5.25-inch midrange and two 8-inch woofers give an essentially flat on-axis response, a nearly perfect predicted in-room response and wide coverage of about 70 degrees each side, with very low distortion even at 96dB. Its impedance dips to 3.4 ohms, and each speaker weighs 112.4 lbs (51 kg).
The 1610 Tower 8 has more bass punch and the higher preference score. Three 8-inch woofers, a sealed 5-inch carbon midrange and a 28mm dome reach 41Hz before falling 3dB, with a mid-bass bump near 80Hz that adds weight to kick drums and a preference score of 7.03. Its balance is slightly dark, and a lobing null near 3kHz affects listeners sitting below the tweeter.
Buy the Revel F228Be. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $3,400 saving on the Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Big floorstanding speakers with accurate sound, triple 8 inch woofers, deep punchy bass and a wide but focused soundstage.
Premium floorstanding speakers with extremely accurate sound, very low distortion, wide even dispersion and a forgiving range of listening heights.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8 | Revel F228Be | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,600 per pair | $11,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #43 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #29 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | 3-way, ported (optional sealed configuration) | - |
| Drivers | 28mm Al-Mg dome tweeter, 5” carbon-cone midrange (sealed sub-enclosure), 3x 8” aluminum-cone woofers | Dual 8” (200mm) Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cones, with cast frames woofers, 5-1/4” (130mm) Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cone, with cast frame midrange, 1” (25mm) Beryllium dome, with acoustic lens waveguide tweeter |
| Dimensions | 115.0H x 26.5W x 45.0D cm (119.8cm tall with feet) | 50.9”H x 13.5”W x 17.6”D (1292.9 x 342.9 x 447 mm) |
| Weight | 100 lbs (45.37 kg) each | 112.4 lbs (51 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner); 42.8Hz (manufacturer measurement) | 61Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 27Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 25Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB @ 2.83V/1m (manufacturer); 88dB @ 2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 89.3dB (300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review; 90dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 8 ohms |
| Country | Norway (designed); manufactured overseas | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.03 | 6.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.20 | 7.51 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, front |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8 (measured by an independent reviewer) and Revel F228Be (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
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