Short answer: these are not substitutes. The Ci3160RLM-THX is a full THX Ultra2 in-wall LCR; the discontinued CI50R is a tiny legacy background-audio speaker for spaces where a conventional speaker cannot fit.
The Ci3160RLM-THX is the only choice for serious listening. It uses a four-driver three-way architecture, reaches 58.6Hz at -3dB, and has independently measured directivity and on-axis behavior suitable for a cinema front stage.
The CI50R is about physical access. Its 80mm square body and 55mm depth can fit cabinetry or shallow cavities, but its 2-inch driver reaches only about 170Hz at -3dB. It requires a high crossover and is not a full-range or current-production option.
Buy the Ci3160RLM-THX for any primary music or cinema channel.
Buy the CI50R only for a legacy, space-constrained ambient-audio installation.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Ci3160RLM-THX | KEF CI50R | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,899.95 | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 5 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #5 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) | 2" full-range driver |
| Enclosure | Open-backed, in-wall | Open-backed (optional rear enclosure), in-ceiling |
| Mounting Cutout | 660mm (H) x 209mm (W) | 70mm (2.76 in) with rear enclosure |
| Dimensions | 26.8" x 9.1" x 4.2" (680 x 230 x 105.7 mm) | 3.1" x 3.1" x 2.2" (80 x 80 x 55 mm) |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs / 12kg (26.4 lbs) | 2.2 lbs / 1.0kg |
| Sensitivity | 89dB | 82dB |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 50-350W recommended amplifier power | 10-30W recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-28kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) | 125Hz-20kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) | 170Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) | 113Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Certification | THX Ultra2 | - |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- KEF CI250RRM-THX vs KEF CI200RR-THX
- KEF CI250RRM-THX vs KEF CI130.2CR
- KEF CI200RR-THX vs KEF CI130.2CR
- KEF Ci3160RLM-THX vs KEF CI250RRM-THX
- KEF Ci3160RLM-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.
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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 CI50R: Discontinued eBay
Pros: At just 80 x 80mm and 55mm deep, this is by far the smallest speaker in this category, small enough to fit into spaces, tight closets, cabinetry, shallow ceiling cavities, that none of the other in-wall or in-ceiling models here can reach.
Cons: No longer sold as a current KEF product; dealer listings mark it a legacy item replaced in KEF’s lineup, so buying one now means used or leftover new-old stock rather than a current retail purchase. It measures the shallowest bass extension of any speaker in this category by a wide margin, reaching only about 170Hz at -3dB and roughly 113Hz at -10dB, consistent with a small background or ambient-audio speaker rather than one built for full-range listening. Discontinued.
Full KEF CI50R review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 113Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 170Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Dimensions | 3.1" x 3.1" x 2.2" (80 x 80 x 55 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2" full-range driver |
| Enclosure | Open-backed (optional rear enclosure), in-ceiling |
| Frequency Response | 125Hz-20kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Mounting Cutout | 70mm (2.76 in) with rear enclosure |
| Power Handling | 10-30W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 82dB |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1.0kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons