Short answer: the JBL Synthesis SCL-3. It ranks #13 of 28 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $7,259.90. The Revel W990 ranks #19, rated 3.5/5, at $4,239.90, $3,020 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the JBL Synthesis SCL-3: An in-wall or in-ceiling speaker with a horn tweeter, high sensitivity and bi-amp terminals for custom home theaters. The tradeoff: Bass rolls off early, at 72.4Hz for -3dB and about 45.8Hz for -10dB in free air, so it needs a subwoofer.
The Revel W990 is the deeper-bass pick. A three way in-wall speaker with very deep bass for its type and room tuning controls for flexible placement. Its bass reaches about 32.2Hz before falling 3dB, against 72.4Hz for the JBL Synthesis SCL-3. The catch: Its measured preference score is only 3.6, or 5.09 with a perfect subwoofer, because the midrange is uneven: on-axis deviation is high (0.86 normalized deviation on axis, 0.69 in the listening window) and on-axis smoothness is just 0.34.
Buy the JBL Synthesis SCL-3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $3,020 with the Revel W990 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Synthesis SCL-3 | Revel W990 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,259.90 per pair | $4,239.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #19 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Drivers | Two 5.25” aluminum matrix cone woofers, 1” 2409H compression driver on HDI horn (2-way) | 9” micro-ceramic composite (MCC) woofer, 3.5” midrange, 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide (3-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall/in-ceiling, integrated MDF back box | In-wall, passive |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 16.5”W x 6”D (418 x 418 x 153 mm) | 20.7”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (527 x 352 x 103 mm) (95mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11.02 kg) | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (2.83V/1m) | 85.9dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | - |
| Power Handling | 200W RMS maximum recommended amplifier power | 10-200W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz-33kHz -6dB (manufacturer, on-axis) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.3kHz | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72.4Hz (measured, JBL data on spinorama.org) | 32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.8Hz (measured, JBL data on spinorama.org) | 22.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.80 | 3.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.42 | 5.09 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Mounting Cutout | - | 318W x 486H mm |
| Warranty | - | 5 years |
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