Short answer: the JBL Synthesis SCL-7. It ranks #14 of 28 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $2,419.90; 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 case for the JBL Synthesis SCL-7: An affordable way into a premium in-wall range, with a horn tweeter and consistent coverage across the room. The tradeoff: The response sits in a wide 4.1dB reference band with 0.43dB average on-axis deviation, so tonal balance is less even than the JBL Synthesis SCL-6.
The Revel W990 is the deeper-bass choice. 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-7. Watch for: 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-7. 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Synthesis SCL-7 | Revel W990 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,419.90 per pair | $4,239.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #14 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” 2410H-2 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, open back | In-wall, passive |
| Mounting Cutout | 157 x 458mm (6.18 x 18.03 in) | 318W x 486H mm |
| Dimensions | 19.1”H x 7.3”W x 3.9”D (486 x 186 x 99 mm) (93mm mounting depth) | 20.7”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (527 x 352 x 103 mm) (95mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.72 kg) | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m, 2pi anechoic) | 85.9dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | - |
| Power Handling | 25-150W recommended amplifier power | 10-200W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz-30kHz -6dB (manufacturer, 2pi) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.0kHz | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) | 32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) | 22.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.46 | 3.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.21 | 5.09 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Warranty | - | 5 years |
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