KEF R5 vs Revel F208

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Revel F208 is the better pick: it ranks #16 of 74 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5), against #22 (rated 4.4/5) for the KEF R5. If you want one new, the MoFi SourcePoint 888 ranks #4 at $5,495.

KEF R5 vs Revel F208

Buy the Revel F208 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the MoFi SourcePoint 888 instead.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

KEF R5 Revel F208
Price$2,999 per pair Discontinued$4,800 per pair used, Discontinued
Ranked#22 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers#16 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers
Bass Extension (-3dB)77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-10dB)33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)24Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
SensitivityApproximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)88.2dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88.5dB manufacturer specified)
ImpedanceApproximately 3.5 ohms minimum near 150Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)8 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review)
Drivers1” aluminum tweeter coaxial with 5” midrange; dual 5.25” woofersDual 8” (20 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofers, 5.25” (13.3 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Midrange, 1” (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide
Dimensions40.4”H x 6.9”W x 13.5”D46.6”H x 13.5”W x 14.8”D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm)
Weight59.5 lbs (27 kg) each79.4 lbs (36 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported, rearported, front
Spinorama Preference Score5.786.35
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.407.67
DIY KitNoNo

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Revel F208:

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The Two Speakers In Full

KEF R5: $2,999 per pair Discontinued eBay

KEF R5 ranking card

Pros: Slim three-way tower with the acoustic advantages of KEF’s coincident Uni-Q midrange/tweeter: horizontal and vertical off-axis responses track the direct sound smoothly, producing stable imaging and a well-behaved directivity index. Erin measured deep low-frequency reach for the cabinet width (77Hz F3 but 33Hz F10) and less than 1% harmonic distortion at 86dB. At 96dB it remains clean when high-passed, and its mild response deviations are suitable for equalization because the radiation pattern stays orderly. Measured bass extension of 77Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.

Cons: The unusual gap between 77Hz F3 and 33Hz F10 indicates a gradual bass contour rather than flat deep-bass output; a subwoofer and roughly 80Hz high-pass are recommended for high-level playback. Erin measured a minimum near 3.5 ohms around 150Hz, although most of the curve remains above 4 ohms, so amplifier quality still matters. Sensitivity is approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m. At 102dB, compression reaches roughly 1dB around 150Hz, showing the limits of the twin 5.25-inch woofers. This original model lacks the Meta version’s MAT rear-wave absorption. Discontinued.

Bass Extension (-10dB)33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions40.4”H x 6.9”W x 13.5”D
Drivers1” aluminum tweeter coaxial with 5” midrange; dual 5.25” woofers
ImpedanceApproximately 3.5 ohms minimum near 150Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
SensitivityApproximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Spinorama Preference Score5.78
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.40
Weight59.5 lbs (27 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported, rear

Revel F208: $4,800 per pair used Discontinued eBay

Revel F208 ranking card

Newer model: the Revel F228Be, ranked lower, rated 4.5/5.

Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response with sensitivity matching spec at ~87-88dB. Predicted in-room response is a smooth, textbook-quality downward slope that should translate well to most rooms without correction. Early reflections sum so cleanly with the direct sound that side-wall absorption isn’t recommended: it would work against the speaker’s naturally well-integrated off-axis behavior. Distortion stays below 0.5% from 100Hz up at 96dB/1m, with all distortion components falling below audible threshold above 200Hz. Very wide horizontal directivity of about ±75 degrees. Measured performance was judged very close to Revel’s own flagship Salon2, and Revel’s speakers (including this one) are developed using Harman’s double-blind listening test methodology. Preference score of 7.4 (7.7 with a subwoofer added). Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.2dB.

Cons: Some directivity error and tweeter-response ripple right at the 2.2kHz crossover point. A notable on-axis dip at about 4kHz, attributed to probable cabinet diffraction. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows an unexplained resonance around 4-5kHz that the reviewer couldn’t pin down a clear cause for. Vertical directivity shows narrowband interference nulls just above and below the tweeter axis (roughly 2-3kHz), typical of a non-coaxial tower with vertically separated drivers, so listening height matters more than it would with a coincident design. Minimum impedance dips to 3.4 ohms, calling for a robust, high-current amplifier. Distortion climbs substantially below about 80-100Hz (up to ~5% in the deep bass) when driven hard, an excursion-limited trade-off typical of towers at high output. Isolating the woofers alone shows their usable range ending around 500-700Hz at the crossover, with somewhat elevated (though still low in absolute terms) 2nd/3rd harmonic distortion in the 100-300Hz region. Discontinued.

Bass Extension (-10dB)24Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions46.6”H x 13.5”W x 14.8”D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm)
DriversDual 8” (20 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofers, 5.25” (13.3 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Midrange, 1” (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide
Impedance8 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review)
Sensitivity88.2dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88.5dB manufacturer specified)
Spinorama Preference Score6.35
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.67
Weight79.4 lbs (36 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported, front