Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs Revel F226Be

Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower. It ranks #6 of 71 floorstanding speakers by sound quality at $5698; the Revel F226Be ranks #11 and costs $7700, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.

What the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower offers: A RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter and dual SEAS Excel aluminum woofers in a 3-way, 4-driver bamboo tower measure a genuine 38.7Hz extension point with a nearly flat on axis slope of 0.05dB per octave, among the best measured towers in this batch. The bass alignment Q of 0.62 keeps the low end well damped rather than peaky. Backed by a 7 year parts and labor warranty and hand assembled in Orange County, California, with each pair matched within +/-1.5dB. Watch for: Listening window smoothness measures a moderate 0.40 and on axis deviation runs 0.286dB average, both trailing the tighter figures posted by some of the passive AsciLab and Ascend bookshelf models in this same batch. At $5,698/pair it is Ascend’s most expensive tower, well above the Titan dome tweeter version of the same cabinet. The manufacturer’s own claimed sensitivity (87.5dB) runs nearly 1.5dB higher than the independently measured average (86.1dB), worth accounting for when matching an amplifier.

What the Revel F226Be offers: Compact three-way tower with a beryllium dome tweeter in an acoustic lens waveguide, a dedicated 5.25” mid-range, and dual 6.5” woofers (not a coaxial layout) - all Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cones engineered specifically to avoid breakup outside their crossover bands, and it measures that way: neither the woofers nor the mid-range show breakup spikes even well outside their intended pass bands, and even the front port measures unusually clean (only a mild ~3dB bump around 150Hz, well controlled versus the resonances the reviewer typically sees from ports). On-axis frequency response holds within about ±1.5dB above roughly 65Hz - excellent linearity - and off-axis behavior tracks it closely, with only mild, subdued peaking around 4-6kHz that doesn’t show up as real resonance in the spinorama data. Average sensitivity around 90dB (2.83V/1m), notably higher than some competing three-way designs and most bookshelf speakers, translating directly into better dynamic range at both low and high listening levels - one reviewer specifically praised its ability to deliver full transient impact (snare hits, kick drum) even at quiet, conversational volumes rather than needing to be cranked up to feel dynamic. Wide, consistent horizontal radiation of about ±60-70° at the -6dB point, landing right in the reviewer’s preferred range for an enveloping soundstage without excess diffusion, and exceptionally wide vertical dispersion - roughly ±80° up to 10kHz and still ±70° above that, which one reviewer called the widest vertical radiation pattern he had measured to date. Distortion stays under 3% even at 104dB SPL, and in real-world testing up to 105dB from 12-14 feet away, full-range with no crossover, the reviewer heard no audible mechanical noise, port chuffing, or compression at all. Flat enough on- and off-axis response that toeing the speaker 10-15° away from the listener preserves the same tonal balance rather than changing it, and the wide, well-controlled directivity lets sidewall reflections reinforce rather than smear the soundstage. Watch for: Minimum impedance dips to about 3.7-4 ohms below roughly 500Hz despite the 8-ohm nominal rating, so it wants a genuine 4-ohm-capable two-channel amplifier; budget AVRs rated only for 6 or 8 ohms may struggle. F3 of 56Hz and F10 of 36Hz mean it doesn’t extend nearly as low as some three-way rivals with larger woofers - a dedicated subwoofer (10-12”, or 15” for content below 30Hz) is recommended for home theater or bass-heavy music, even though the speaker itself can play surprisingly loud without one. Vertical directivity tolerance is tighter in the crossover handoff region than a true coaxial design would offer, since the tweeter, midrange, and woofers are physically separated - a mild directivity bump appears around 2-2.5kHz that’s typical of non-coaxial multi-way speakers, though not audibly problematic within about ±10° vertically. On-axis, the top end reads as a bit bright according to one reviewer’s subjective impression, generally benefiting from some toe-out. High-gloss cabinet finish can create distracting reflections if used behind a projector screen in a home theater setup. Front-ported, so it can technically sit close to a wall, but doing so makes the bass boomier.

Buy the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Revel F226Be and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.

Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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The Two Speakers In Full

Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower: $5,698 per pair Ascend Acoustics eBay

Pros: A RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter and dual SEAS Excel aluminum woofers in a 3-way, 4-driver bamboo tower measure a genuine 38.7Hz extension point with a nearly flat on axis slope of 0.05dB per octave, among the best measured towers in this batch. The bass alignment Q of 0.62 keeps the low end well damped rather than peaky. Backed by a 7 year parts and labor warranty and hand assembled in Orange County, California, with each pair matched within +/-1.5dB. Measured bass extension of 38.7Hz (-3dB).

Cons: Listening window smoothness measures a moderate 0.40 and on axis deviation runs 0.286dB average, both trailing the tighter figures posted by some of the passive AsciLab and Ascend bookshelf models in this same batch. At $5,698/pair it is Ascend’s most expensive tower, well above the Titan dome tweeter version of the same cabinet. The manufacturer’s own claimed sensitivity (87.5dB) runs nearly 1.5dB higher than the independently measured average (86.1dB), worth accounting for when matching an amplifier.

Full Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower review and specifications →

Bass Extension (-10dB)	28.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	38.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data)
Country	United States
Dimensions	43"H x 7.5"W x 10.5"D (1092 x 190 x 267 mm)
Drivers	RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter, 6" SEAS Excel Curv midrange (sealed sub-chamber), 2x 6" SEAS Excel aluminum woofers
Enclosure	ported
Frequency Response	36-27,000Hz +/-3dB anechoic (manufacturer)
Impedance	8 ohms nominal
Power Handling	400W continuous, 600W peak
Sensitivity	87.5dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer)
Spinorama Preference Score	6.36
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub	7.81
Warranty	7 years parts and labor
Weight	56 lbs (25.4 kg) each

• Links
  • Ascend Acoustics ELX Tower Official Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Manufacturer Measurements (spinorama.org)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs JBL HDI-3800
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  • Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs JBL 4367
  • Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs Revel F228Be
  • See all 24 comparisons

Revel F226Be: $7700 per pair Crutchfield eBay

Pros: Compact three-way tower with a beryllium dome tweeter in an acoustic lens waveguide, a dedicated 5.25” mid-range, and dual 6.5” woofers (not a coaxial layout) - all Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cones engineered specifically to avoid breakup outside their crossover bands, and it measures that way: neither the woofers nor the mid-range show breakup spikes even well outside their intended pass bands, and even the front port measures unusually clean (only a mild ~3dB bump around 150Hz, well controlled versus the resonances the reviewer typically sees from ports). On-axis frequency response holds within about ±1.5dB above roughly 65Hz - excellent linearity - and off-axis behavior tracks it closely, with only mild, subdued peaking around 4-6kHz that doesn’t show up as real resonance in the spinorama data. Average sensitivity around 90dB (2.83V/1m), notably higher than some competing three-way designs and most bookshelf speakers, translating directly into better dynamic range at both low and high listening levels - one reviewer specifically praised its ability to deliver full transient impact (snare hits, kick drum) even at quiet, conversational volumes rather than needing to be cranked up to feel dynamic. Wide, consistent horizontal radiation of about ±60-70° at the -6dB point, landing right in the reviewer’s preferred range for an enveloping soundstage without excess diffusion, and exceptionally wide vertical dispersion - roughly ±80° up to 10kHz and still ±70° above that, which one reviewer called the widest vertical radiation pattern he had measured to date. Distortion stays under 3% even at 104dB SPL, and in real-world testing up to 105dB from 12-14 feet away, full-range with no crossover, the reviewer heard no audible mechanical noise, port chuffing, or compression at all. Flat enough on- and off-axis response that toeing the speaker 10-15° away from the listener preserves the same tonal balance rather than changing it, and the wide, well-controlled directivity lets sidewall reflections reinforce rather than smear the soundstage. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89.7dB.

Cons: Minimum impedance dips to about 3.7-4 ohms below roughly 500Hz despite the 8-ohm nominal rating, so it wants a genuine 4-ohm-capable two-channel amplifier; budget AVRs rated only for 6 or 8 ohms may struggle. F3 of 56Hz and F10 of 36Hz mean it doesn’t extend nearly as low as some three-way rivals with larger woofers - a dedicated subwoofer (10-12”, or 15” for content below 30Hz) is recommended for home theater or bass-heavy music, even though the speaker itself can play surprisingly loud without one. Vertical directivity tolerance is tighter in the crossover handoff region than a true coaxial design would offer, since the tweeter, midrange, and woofers are physically separated - a mild directivity bump appears around 2-2.5kHz that’s typical of non-coaxial multi-way speakers, though not audibly problematic within about ±10° vertically. On-axis, the top end reads as a bit bright according to one reviewer’s subjective impression, generally benefiting from some toe-out. High-gloss cabinet finish can create distracting reflections if used behind a projector screen in a home theater setup. Front-ported, so it can technically sit close to a wall, but doing so makes the bass boomier.

Full Revel F226Be review and specifications →

Bass Extension (-10dB)	36Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	56Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Dimensions	41.3"H x 9.8"W x 13.7"D (1049 x 248.9 x 348 mm)
Drivers	Two 6.5" (165mm) Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cones, with cast frames woofer, 5-1/4" (130mm) Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cone, with cast frame midrange, 1" (25mm) Beryllium dome, with acoustic lens waveguide tweeter
Impedance	8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum, measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Sensitivity	89.7dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Weight	58.2 lbs (26.4 kg) each
Woofer Cabinet	ported, front

• Links
  • Official Revel F226Be Website
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Erin’s Audio Corner: Revel PerformaBe F226Be Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review. I love this speaker. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
  • Erin’s Audio Corner: Should You Buy the Revel F226Be or the MoFi 888?
  • Erin’s Audio Review Website Revel F226B
  • Erin’s Audio Corner: My Top 5 Speakers at Any Price
  • Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
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