Short answer: the Revel F328Be on measured sound quality, the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower on price. The Revel F328Be ranks #9 of 226 floorstanding speakers, rated 4.7/5, at $19,359.90. The Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower ranks #12, rated 4.6/5, at $5,698, $13,661.90 cheaper.
The Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. 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, one of the flattest measured towers we list. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.97 against 6.40 for the Revel F328Be. Its bass reaches about 38.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 74Hz for the Revel F328Be. The catch: 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.
The case for the Revel F328Be: CEA2034 spinorama shows a quite flat on-axis response with superb directivity and efficiency above 90dB. The catch: Vertical directivity is asymmetric: the reviewer recommends staying between -20 and +40 degrees relative to the tweeter axis, reflecting the driver layout of this three-way tower.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Revel F328Be if sound quality matters more than the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower | Revel F328Be | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,698 per pair | $19,359.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #12 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #9 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv midrange (sealed sub-chamber), 2x 6” SEAS Excel aluminum woofers | Three 8” (200mm) 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 |
| Dimensions | 43”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (1092 x 190 x 267 mm) | 50.9”H x 13.5”W x 17.6”D (1292.9 x 342.9 x 447 mm) |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) each | 112.4 lbs (51 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) | 91dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Power Handling | 400W continuous, 600W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 36-27,000Hz +/-3dB anechoic (manufacturer) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 38.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 74Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 39Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.97 | 6.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.42 | 7.81 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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: Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower (measured by the manufacturer) and Revel F328Be (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Revel F328Be:
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs Revel F328Be
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Revel F328Be
- MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition vs Revel F328Be
- MoFi SourcePoint 888 vs Revel F328Be
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 vs Revel F328Be
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The Two Speakers In Full
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower: $5,698 per pair Ascend Acoustics $5,698 eBay
Same family: the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Horizon (center, rated 4.6/5).
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, one of the flattest measured towers we list. 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 $5698/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 |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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 | 6.97 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.42 |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs Revel F226Be
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs JBL 4367
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs JBL HDI-3800
- Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs Revel F228Be
- See all 24 comparisons
Revel F328Be: $19,359.90 per pair Crutchfield $9679.95 eBay
Same family: the Revel M126Be (bookshelf, rated 4.3/5), the Revel F226Be (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 4.6/5), the Revel F228Be (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 4.5/5) and the Revel C426Be (center, rated 4/5). See every Revel Performa generation.
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a quite flat on-axis response with superb directivity and efficiency above 90dB. Predicted in-room response is extremely accurate, with a smooth ~5dB downward slope from bass to treble that suits typical rooms without correction. Early reflections sum very nicely with the direct sound. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±70 degrees is wide and quite smooth. At 96dB SPL/1m distortion stays easily below the reviewer’s audibility threshold across nearly the whole range. Measured bass extension of 74Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 91dB.
Cons: Vertical directivity is asymmetric: the reviewer recommends staying between -20 and +40 degrees relative to the tweeter axis, reflecting the driver layout of this three-way tower. Impedance dips to a minimum of 3 ohms with an additional resonance-driven phase swing, calling for an amplifier comfortable with a demanding load. Very expensive and very heavy (51 kg each).
Full Revel F328Be review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 50.9”H x 13.5”W x 17.6”D (1292.9 x 342.9 x 447 mm) |
| Drivers | Three 8” (200mm) 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 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.81 |
| Weight | 112.4 lbs (51 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Revel F328Be vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- Revel F328Be vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66
- Revel F328Be vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- Revel F328Be vs KEF R5 Meta
- Revel F328Be vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- Revel F328Be vs Revel F226Be
- Revel F328Be vs GR-Research NX-Treme
- Revel F328Be vs JBL 4367
- See all 40 comparisons