Short answer: the KEF CI250RRM-THX. It ranks #6 of 18 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $5,999.98; the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW ranks #17, rated 3.2/5, and costs $6,999.98, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the KEF CI250RRM-THX does well: Independently measured by Audio Science Review to a genuine 51.3Hz at -3dB and roughly 23.3Hz at -10dB, the deepest bass extension of any in-wall or in-ceiling speaker in this category. The catch: At $3000 each, this is the most expensive speaker in this category.
The case for the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows a rated 94dB sensitivity that measured a still efficient 88.1dB at 1 meter, so it plays loudly for its size. 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 | $5,999.98 per pair | $6,999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #6 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #17 of 18 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How KEF CI250RRM-THX compares with other leading options:
- KEF Ci3160RLM-THX vs KEF CI250RRM-THX
- Revel W226Be vs KEF CI250RRM-THX
- Revel W228Be vs KEF CI250RRM-THX
- KEF CI250RRM-THX vs KEF CI200RR-THX
- KEF CI250RRM-THX vs KEF CI130.2CR
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
KEF CI250RRM-THX: $5,999.98 per pair Abt Electronics eBay
Pros: Independently measured by Audio Science Review to a genuine 51.3Hz at -3dB and roughly 23.3Hz at -10dB, the deepest bass extension of any in-wall or in-ceiling speaker in this category. It’s a THX-certified 3-way coaxial design, a 10” woofer built around a 4” Uni-Q midrange and 1” aluminum dome tweeter, deliberately voiced for the 30-60 degree off-axis angle typical of a ceiling-mounted Dolby Atmos height or surround channel rather than a straight-down listening position. Run through a receiver’s automated room correction, spinorama’s EQ-adjusted figures show its preference score climbing from 4.67 to 5.68, so it responds well to correction. Measured bass extension of 51.3Hz (-3dB).
Cons: At $3000 each, this is the most expensive speaker in this category. Its raw on-axis measurement trails the Ci3160RLM-THX (preference score 4.67 vs. 4.62) since the driver array is tuned for off-axis dispersion rather than a flat straight-ahead response, and its on-axis deviation averages 1.14dB, one of the roughest of the batch measured on-axis.
Full KEF CI250RRM-THX review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 23.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
| Certification | THX |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 13.6” x 6.9” (346 x 346 x 175 mm) (168mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 10” LF woofer, 4” Uni-Q midrange, 1” vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT (3-way coaxial) |
| Enclosure | Open-backed, in-ceiling |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz-20kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Mounting Cutout | 300mm (11.81 in) |
| Power Handling | 50-250W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 89dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.68 |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
MartinLogan Tribute 5XW: $6,999.98 per pair Audio Advice eBay
Pros: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows a rated 94dB sensitivity that measured a still efficient 88.1dB at 1 meter, so it plays loudly for its size. The folded thin-film Folded Motion XT Obsidian tweeter rotates for horizontal or vertical mounting, and it pairs two carbon fiber woofers with two 6.5” passive radiators in a sealed box. It accepts 20-250W of amplifier power and mounts with a slim 3.8” depth behind the wall. Measured bass extension of 74.7Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 94dB.
Cons: 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). Bass measured -3dB at only 74.7Hz, so a subwoofer is required, and MartinLogan rates it to 71Hz. At $3500 each a stereo pair costs twice that and MartinLogan sells it through dealers.
Full MartinLogan Tribute 5XW review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,250Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 31.1”H x 10.6”W x 4.1”D (791 x 269 x 104 mm) (97mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 1.25 x 2.4” Folded Motion XT Obsidian tweeter, 2x 5.25” carbon fiber woofers, 2x 6.5” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | Sealed back box, in-wall |
| Frequency Response | 71Hz-25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Mounting Cutout | 236W x 757H mm |
| Power Handling | 20-250W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (manufacturer), 88.1dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.91 |
| Weight | 25.6 lbs (11.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons