Short answer: the Perlisten S4s. It ranks #1 of 11 surround speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $7,990. The Perlisten R4s ranks #2, rated 4.4/5, at $4,390, $3,600 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Perlisten S4s is the deeper-bass option. A compact on-wall or in-wall surround with the same beryllium DPC array as the Perlisten S7t, THX Dominus certified and usable as a front speaker or height channel. Its bass reaches about 39Hz before falling 10dB, against 49.8Hz for the Perlisten R4s. Watch for: Bass rolls off at 73Hz (-3dB) and 55Hz (-6dB), so it needs a subwoofer, and the measurements are Perlisten’s own rather than independent.
Why pick the Perlisten R4s: A THX Ultra certified three-way speaker with Perlisten’s DPC array, a 26mm tweeter flanked by two 26mm midrange domes, and a 6.5” woofer in a sealed cabinet. Watch for: Perlisten designs it as a surround and height speaker, so bass is limited, 78.1Hz (-3dB) and about 50Hz (-10dB), and it needs a subwoofer for music.
Buy the Perlisten S4s. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $3,600 saving on the Perlisten R4s is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Perlisten S4s | Perlisten R4s | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,990 per pair | $4,390 per pair |
| Ranked | #1 of 11 in Surround and Height Speakers | #2 of 11 in Surround and Height Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (manufacturer specified) | about 49.8Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Drivers | 1x 28mm beryllium dome, 2x 28mm Textreme TPCD domes, 1x 180mm Textreme TPCD woofer | 26mm soft dome tweeter, 2x 26mm soft dome midrange (DPC array), 6.5” woofer |
| Sensitivity | 88.8dB (manufacturer specified) | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum) |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (±1.5dB, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 15.9”H x 9.4”W x 7.3”D (405 x 240 x 185 mm) | 14.9”H x 9.1”W x 6.8”D (378 x 230 x 173 mm) |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 50-300W RMS recommended | - |
| Enclosure | Acoustic suspension | - |
| Maximum SPL | - | 109.5dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 78.1Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.77 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 8.46 |
| DIY Kit | - | 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.
Measurement data: Perlisten S4s (measured by the manufacturer) and Perlisten R4s (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Perlisten S4s compares with other leading options:
- SVS Ultra Evolution Elevation vs DALI Sonik On-Wall
- SVS Ultra Evolution Elevation vs KEF Q8 Meta
- SVS Ultra Evolution Elevation vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II
- Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 vs MartinLogan Motion MP10
- Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II
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 S4s: $7,990 per pair Audiolab eBay
Same family: the Perlisten S4b (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.8/5), the Perlisten S5m (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5), the Perlisten S5t (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.5/5), the Perlisten S7t (larger floorstanding, rated 4.5/5), the Perlisten S5c (smaller center, estimated 4.5/5) and the Perlisten S7c (larger center, rated 4.6/5).
Pros: A compact on-wall or in-wall surround with the same beryllium DPC array as the Perlisten S7t, THX Dominus certified and usable as a front speaker or height channel. Perlisten’s published measurements are exceptionally smooth on and off axis with steady directivity, and its preference score with a subwoofer (8.9) is the highest in the Perlisten line.
Cons: Bass rolls off at 73Hz (-3dB) and 55Hz (-6dB), so it needs a subwoofer, and the measurements are Perlisten’s own rather than independent.
Full Perlisten S4s review and specifications →
| Released | May 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50-300W RMS recommended |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 15.9”H x 9.4”W x 7.3”D (405 x 240 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 28mm beryllium dome, 2x 28mm Textreme TPCD domes, 1x 180mm Textreme TPCD woofer |
| Enclosure | Acoustic suspension |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (±1.5dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.8dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Perlisten R4s: $4,390 per pair Audio Advice eBay
Same family: the Perlisten R4b (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.5/5), the Perlisten R5m (larger bookshelf, 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) and the Perlisten R7c (larger center, estimated 4.4/5).
Pros: A THX Ultra certified three-way speaker with Perlisten’s DPC array, a 26mm tweeter flanked by two 26mm midrange domes, and a 6.5” woofer in a sealed cabinet. Perlisten’s measurements show an exceptionally flat response (0.14 on-axis deviation) with very controlled vertical directivity, for a preference score of 5.77 that reaches 8.46 with an ideal subwoofer.
Cons: Perlisten designs it as a surround and height speaker, so bass is limited, 78.1Hz (-3dB) and about 50Hz (-10dB), and it needs a subwoofer for music. Sensitivity is 86.5dB with a 4 ohm load. The data comes from Perlisten.
Full Perlisten R4s review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 49.8Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78.1Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.9”H x 9.1”W x 6.8”D (378 x 230 x 173 mm) |
| Drivers | 26mm soft dome tweeter, 2x 26mm soft dome midrange (DPC array), 6.5” woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum) |
| Maximum SPL | 109.5dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.77 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.46 |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples