Short answer: the JBL Synthesis SCL-6. It ranks #10 of 28 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $3,629.90; the Revel W990 ranks #19, rated 3.5/5, and costs $4,239.90, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The JBL Synthesis SCL-6 is the better-sounding option. A high output in-wall speaker with four woofers and a horn tweeter, giving very even, accurate sound across the room. The tradeoff: Bass is limited without a subwoofer, and a 3.92 standard score trails the best in-wall speakers here.
The Revel W990 is the deeper-bass option. 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 67.4Hz for the JBL Synthesis SCL-6. The tradeoff: 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-6. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Revel W990 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Synthesis SCL-6 | Revel W990 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,629.90 per pair | $4,239.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #10 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #19 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Drivers | Four 5.25” aluminum matrix cone woofers, 1” 2410H-2 compression driver on HDI horn (2.5-way) | 9” micro-ceramic composite (MCC) woofer, 3.5” midrange, 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide (3-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall, open back | In-wall, passive |
| Mounting Cutout | 157 x 766mm (6.18 x 30.18 in) | 318W x 486H mm |
| Dimensions | 31.3”H x 7.3”W x 3.8”D (796 x 185 x 97 mm) (92mm mounting depth) | 20.7”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (527 x 352 x 103 mm) (95mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 22.2 lbs (10.07 kg) | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (2.83V/1m, 2pi anechoic) | 85.9dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | - |
| Power Handling | 25-200W recommended amplifier power | 10-200W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-30kHz -6dB (manufacturer, 2pi) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.8kHz | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org Erin’s Audio Corner data) | 32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org Erin’s Audio Corner data) | 22.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.92 | 3.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 | 5.09 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Warranty | - | 5 years |
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