Short answer: use the Ci3160RLM-THX as the serious in-wall main or LCR, and the CI250RRM-THX as the premium in-ceiling height, surround, or off-axis channel. Both are independently measured THX-certified three-way designs, but they solve different installation problems.
The Ci3160RLM-THX is the stronger direct-listening speaker. Its 58.6Hz measured -3dB extension, nearly flat on-axis slope, and category-leading directivity consistency make it the safer choice for a front soundstage. Its rotatable, tiltable midrange/tweeter module can also aim at the listening area when the wall position is imperfect.
The CI250RRM-THX reaches lower and is purpose-voiced for ceiling angles. Its 10-inch woofer reaches 51.3Hz at -3dB and roughly 23.3Hz at -10dB, the deepest result in this category. Its response is deliberately optimized for the typical 30- to 60-degree listening angle of a ceiling channel, so automated room correction is especially useful.
Buy the Ci3160RLM-THX for an in-wall LCR with the most controlled direct sound and adjustable aim.
Buy the CI250RRM-THX for a high-end ceiling installation where bass extension and off-axis height-channel performance matter most.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Ci3160RLM-THX | KEF CI250RRM-THX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,899.95 | $2,999.99 |
| Ranked | #1 of 5 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #2 of 5 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" LF woofers, 6.5" Uni-Q coaxial midrange, 1" vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT (rotatable/tiltable module) | 10" LF woofer, 4" Uni-Q midrange, 1" vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT (3-way coaxial) |
| Enclosure | Open-backed, in-wall | Open-backed, in-ceiling |
| Mounting Cutout | 660mm (H) x 209mm (W) | 300mm (11.81 in) |
| Dimensions | 26.8" x 9.1" x 4.2" (680 x 230 x 105.7 mm) | 13.6" x 13.6" x 6.9" (346 x 346 x 175 mm) (168mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs / 12kg (26.4 lbs) | 13.2 lbs / 6kg (13.2 lbs) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB | 89dB |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 50-350W recommended amplifier power | 50-250W recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-28kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) | 28Hz-20kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) | 23.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
| Certification | THX Ultra2 | THX |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- KEF CI200RR-THX vs KEF CI50R
- KEF CI200RR-THX vs KEF CI130.2CR
- KEF CI130.2CR vs KEF CI50R
- KEF CI250RRM-THX vs KEF CI50R
- KEF CI250RRM-THX vs KEF CI200RR-THX
Prices on this page were last checked September 7, 2026 at 7:47 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Ci3160RLM-THX: $1,899.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Independently measured by Audio Science Review on a Klippel rig to a genuine 58.6Hz at -3dB and roughly 36Hz at -10dB, with an on-axis slope of just -0.02dB per octave, essentially flat. Directivity is the most consistent of any in-wall or in-ceiling speaker in this category, with the tightest spread in its sound-power directivity index across the measured band. The rotatable, tiltable driver module (the RLM in its name) lets the tweeter and midrange aim toward the listening area even when the cabinet itself has to be installed off to one side. THX Ultra2 certified, with a 4-driver, 3-way layout: dual 6.5” woofers flanking a 6.5” Uni-Q coaxial midrange/tweeter.
Cons: At $2,299.99 each, a stereo pair runs roughly $4,600, among the most expensive options in this category. Listening-window and sound-power smoothness are moderate rather than class-leading, meaning some unevenness remains once you move off the main listening axis despite the flat on-axis trace. The 660 x 209mm cutout and 106mm mounting depth are large enough that they won’t fit inside a standard 2x4 wall stud bay without modification.
Full KEF Ci3160RLM-THX review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
| Certification | THX Ultra2 |
| Dimensions | 26.8" x 9.1" x 4.2" (680 x 230 x 105.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" LF woofers, 6.5" Uni-Q coaxial midrange, 1" vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT (rotatable/tiltable module) |
| Enclosure | Open-backed, in-wall |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-28kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Mounting Cutout | 660mm (H) x 209mm (W) |
| Power Handling | 50-350W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 89dB |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs / 12kg (26.4 lbs) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KEF CI250RRM-THX: $2,999.99 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 3.76 to 4.78, so it responds well to correction.
Cons: At $2,999.99 each, this is the most expensive speaker in this category. Its raw on-axis measurement trails the Ci3160RLM-THX (preference score 3.76 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 |
| 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 |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6kg (13.2 lbs) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons