Short answer: the Miller & Kreisel IW150. It ranks #13 of 18 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $4,998. The Revel W990 ranks #15, rated 3.5/5, at $4,239.90, $758.10 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Miller & Kreisel IW150: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows well controlled directivity (SPDI deviation 2.43dB) and a smooth predicted in-room response, with a preference score of 2.88, or 6.32 with a perfect subwoofer. The catch: Bass is thin: measured -3dB is 95.2Hz and -6dB is 82.0Hz, and Miller & Kreisel rates it only to 80Hz, so a subwoofer is required, and even with a perfect subwoofer the score reaches only 6.32.
Why pick the Revel W990: Audio Science Review’s Klippel measurement shows some of the deepest bass of any in-wall speaker, with -3dB at 32.2Hz and -6dB at 27.8Hz, so it can carry music without a subwoofer better than most. Watch for: Its measured preference score is only 3.6, or 5.09 with a perfect subwoofer, because the midrange is uneven: on-axis deviation is high (0.86 normalized deviation on axis, 0.69 in the listening window) and on-axis smoothness is just 0.34.
Buy the Miller & Kreisel IW150. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $758.10 saving on the Revel W990 is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Miller & Kreisel IW150 | Revel W990 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,998 per pair | $4,239.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #15 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” polypropylene bass/midrange drivers, 3x 1” soft fabric dome tweeters | 9” micro-ceramic composite (MCC) woofer, 3.5” midrange, 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide (3-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall | In-wall, passive |
| Mounting Cutout | 288W x 331H mm | 318W x 486H mm |
| Dimensions | 13.9”H x 12.2”W (354 x 311 mm) baffle (95mm mounting depth) | 20.7”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (527 x 352 x 103 mm) (95mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | 85.9dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | - |
| Power Handling | 25-400W recommended amplifier power | 10-200W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 22.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.88 | 3.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 | 5.09 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Warranty | - | 5 years |
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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
Miller & Kreisel IW150: $4,998 per pair Audiolab (authorized M&K dealer) eBay
Pros: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows well controlled directivity (SPDI deviation 2.43dB) and a smooth predicted in-room response, with a preference score of 2.88, or 6.32 with a perfect subwoofer. The unusual layout puts two 5.25” polypropylene woofers beside a column of three 1” soft dome tweeters, a design meant to give even coverage across a room from a single wall opening. It is rated at 90dB sensitivity, and Erin’s measurement computed a real 88.2dB, and it accepts 25-400W of amplifier power. Measured bass extension of 95.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass is thin: measured -3dB is 95.2Hz and -6dB is 82.0Hz, and Miller & Kreisel rates it only to 80Hz, so a subwoofer is required, and even with a perfect subwoofer the score reaches only 6.32. On-axis smoothness is 0.48 and on-axis deviation averages 0.62dB, so the midrange is rougher than the better in-wall designs. At $2499 each a stereo pair costs twice that. Erin describes it as discontinued from what he can tell, so stock may be limited to remaining inventory.
Full Miller & Kreisel IW150 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.9”H x 12.2”W (354 x 311 mm) baffle (95mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” polypropylene bass/midrange drivers, 3x 1” soft fabric dome tweeters |
| Enclosure | In-wall |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Mounting Cutout | 288W x 331H mm |
| Power Handling | 25-400W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 90dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Revel W990: $4,239.90 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review’s Klippel measurement shows some of the deepest bass of any in-wall speaker, with -3dB at 32.2Hz and -6dB at 27.8Hz, so it can carry music without a subwoofer better than most. Directivity is well controlled (SPDI deviation 1.95dB). It is a three-way with a 9” woofer, a 3.5” midrange and a 1” aluminum dome tweeter, accepts 10-200W of amplifier power, and offers high frequency level, tilt, boundary compensation and listener axis controls to tune it to the room. Measured bass extension of 32.2Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.9dB.
Cons: Its measured preference score is only 3.6, or 5.09 with a perfect subwoofer, because the midrange is uneven: on-axis deviation is high (0.86 normalized deviation on axis, 0.69 in the listening window) and on-axis smoothness is just 0.34. ASR’s computed sensitivity is about 85.9dB, so it needs more amplifier power than most speakers to play loud. At $2120 each a stereo pair costs twice that, which is a high price for the measured performance.
Full Revel W990 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 22.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 20.7”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (527 x 352 x 103 mm) (95mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 9” micro-ceramic composite (MCC) woofer, 3.5” midrange, 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide (3-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall, passive |
| Mounting Cutout | 318W x 486H mm |
| Power Handling | 10-200W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.09 |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons