Short answer: the KEF CI250RRM-THX. It ranks #7 of 28 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $4,357.90; the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW ranks #23, rated 3.2/5, and costs $6,999.98, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The KEF CI250RRM-THX is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. An in-ceiling speaker with very deep bass for its type, voiced for Atmos height or surround channels and great with room correction. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.67 against 1.84 for the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW. Its bass reaches about 51.3Hz before falling 3dB, against 74.7Hz for the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW. The tradeoff: At $2179 each, this is the most expensive speaker in this category.
The case for the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW: A slim, efficient in-wall speaker with a folded motion tweeter that rotates for vertical or horizontal mounting. Watch for: The measurement is the weakest of the in-wall speakers here: a preference score of 1.84, or just 4.91 with a perfect subwoofer, with on-axis smoothness of 0.30, an average on-axis deviation of 1.56dB and wide directivity swings (SPDI deviation 3.25dB).
Buy the KEF CI250RRM-THX. It is rated higher for sound quality than the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF CI250RRM-THX | MartinLogan Tribute 5XW | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,357.90 per pair | $6,999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #23 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Drivers | 10” LF woofer, 4” Uni-Q midrange, 1” vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT (3-way coaxial) | 1.25 x 2.4” Folded Motion XT Obsidian tweeter, 2x 5.25” carbon fiber woofers, 2x 6.5” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | Open-backed, in-ceiling | Sealed back box, in-wall |
| Mounting Cutout | 300mm (11.81 in) | 236W x 757H mm |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 13.6” x 6.9” (346 x 346 x 175 mm) (168mm mounting depth) | 31.1”H x 10.6”W x 4.1”D (791 x 269 x 104 mm) (97mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) | 25.6 lbs (11.6 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB | 94dB (manufacturer), 88.1dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 50-250W recommended amplifier power | 20-250W recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz-20kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) | 71Hz-25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) | 74.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 23.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) | 68.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Certification | THX | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.67 | 1.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.68 | 4.91 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2,250Hz |
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