Short answer: the Revel Performa4 M146. Both are rated 4.5/5 for sound quality (#22 and #21 of 214 bookshelf speakers), and the Revel Performa4 M146 costs $2,999.95 against $5,390 for the Perlisten R4b, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The case for the Perlisten R4b: The Ear’s dedicated review called it excellent value that punches well above its weight, and the measurements back it up: a 0.209dB on-axis deviation and 0.676 listening-window smoothness that are strong for a sealed standmount this size, with a fairly neutral on-axis tonal balance (a mild -0.16dB per octave tilt) and a predicted in-room smoothness of 0.66. The catch: Sealed acoustic-suspension loading trades reach for control: the measured -3dB point is 80.3Hz, shallow bass extension for a standmount this size.
The case for the Revel Performa4 M146: The larger Performa4 standmount, pairing a 6.5” ceramic composite woofer with a 1” ceramic dome tweeter in Revel’s seventh generation Acoustic Lens waveguide, crossed over at 1.7kHz. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Revel M106.
Buy the Revel Performa4 M146. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $2,390.05 less than the Perlisten R4b.
About the ratings: the Revel Performa4 M146’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 4.1 to 4.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Perlisten R4b | Revel Performa4 M146 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,390 per pair | $2,999.95 per pair |
| Ranked | #21 of 214 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 214 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Enclosure | 3-way, sealed (acoustic suspension) | - |
| Drivers | 3x 26mm silk dome (tweeter + 2 midrange), 165mm (6.5”) HPF woofer | 1” (25mm) Deep Ceramic Composite dome tweeter in Acoustic Lens waveguide, 6.5” (165mm) Micro Ceramic Composite woofer |
| Dimensions | 15”H x 9.1”W x 9.3”D (382 x 230 x 236 mm) | 14.1”H x 9.7”W x 12.7”D (359 x 246 x 323 mm) |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 84.6dB @ 2.83V/1m | 85.5dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 50-200W RMS recommended amplifier power | - |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz +/-1.5dB | 43Hz - 40kHz ±6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response (-10dB) | 45Hz-32kHz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Certification | THX Ultra | - |
| Warranty | 5 years, extendable to 6 with product registration | - |
| Country | Designed in the United States (Verona, Wisconsin) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 107.6dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.76 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.63 | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80.3Hz (manufacturer spinorama data) | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.7kHz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Perlisten R4b: $5,390 per pair Audio Advice eBay
Same family: the Perlisten R5m (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.3/5), the Perlisten R5t (smaller floorstanding, rated 4.5/5), the Perlisten R7t (larger floorstanding, rated 4.3/5), the Perlisten R5c (smaller center, rated 4.5/5), the Perlisten R7c (larger center, estimated 4.4/5) and the Perlisten R4s (surround, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: The Ear’s dedicated review called it excellent value that punches well above its weight, and the measurements back it up: a 0.209dB on-axis deviation and 0.676 listening-window smoothness that are strong for a sealed standmount this size, with a fairly neutral on-axis tonal balance (a mild -0.16dB per octave tilt) and a predicted in-room smoothness of 0.66. THX Ultra certified, with a 3-way DPC-Array design (dual midrange domes flanking the tweeter) that’s unusual at this price.
Cons: Sealed acoustic-suspension loading trades reach for control: the measured -3dB point is 80.3Hz, shallow bass extension for a standmount this size. It’s sold only in Piano Black through specialty AV dealers rather than mainstream retail.
Full Perlisten R4b review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80.3Hz (manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Certification | THX Ultra |
| Country | Designed in the United States (Verona, Wisconsin) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15”H x 9.1”W x 9.3”D (382 x 230 x 236 mm) |
| Drivers | 3x 26mm silk dome (tweeter + 2 midrange), 165mm (6.5”) HPF woofer |
| Enclosure | 3-way, sealed (acoustic suspension) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz +/-1.5dB |
| Frequency Response (-10dB) | 45Hz-32kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum |
| Maximum SPL | 107.6dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 50-200W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 84.6dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.63 |
| Warranty | 5 years, extendable to 6 with product registration |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Revel Performa4 M146: $2,999.95 per pair Estimated Audio Advice eBay
Same family: the Revel Performa4 M145 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.3/5), the Revel Performa4 F345 (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.4/5), the Revel Performa4 F346 (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.5/5) and the Revel Performa4 C245 (center, estimated 4/5). See every Revel Performa generation.
Pros: The larger Performa4 standmount, pairing a 6.5” ceramic composite woofer with a 1” ceramic dome tweeter in Revel’s seventh generation Acoustic Lens waveguide, crossed over at 1.7kHz. Its measured predecessor, the Revel M106, scored a 5.62 Spinorama preference score (7.87 with a subwoofer), and the bigger woofer reaches 43Hz (-6dB) for fuller bass than the Revel Performa4 M145. Dual binding posts allow bi-wiring.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Revel M106. Sensitivity is only 85.5dB, so it wants more amplifier power than most bookshelf speakers, and at 359mm tall and 11kg it needs sturdy stands.
Full Revel Performa4 M146 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2026 (6 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Crossover Frequency | 1.7kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 9.7”W x 12.7”D (359 x 246 x 323 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) Deep Ceramic Composite dome tweeter in Acoustic Lens waveguide, 6.5” (165mm) Micro Ceramic Composite woofer |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 40kHz ±6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85.5dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons