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.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
An excellent in-wall speaker, with highly accurate, flat sound, very consistent dispersion and an aimable driver module for off-center installs.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Ci3160RLM-THX | KEF CI50R | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,795.90 per pair | $99.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #25 of 28 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 (12 kg) | 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 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.83 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: KEF Ci3160RLM-THX (measured by Audio Science Review) and KEF CI50R (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
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