Short answer: the Revel F208. It ranks #4 of 25 floorstanding speakers at $2400; the Revel F228Be ranks #6 and costs $7000, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Revel F208 side: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response with sensitivity matching spec at ~87-88dB. The tradeoff: Some directivity error and tweeter-response ripple right at the 2.2kHz crossover point.
The case for the Revel F228Be: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response with very nice directivity. The tradeoff: Minimum impedance dips to 3.4 ohms with a secondary rise around 2kHz, calling for an amplifier comfortable with a demanding load.
One note: the Revel F208 is discontinued, but it still ranks #4 of 25 floorstanding speakers, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Revel F208 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Revel F228Be if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel F208 | Revel F228Be | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2400 used, Discontinued | $7000 |
| Ranked | #4 of 25 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #6 of 25 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 24Hz | 25Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz | 61Hz |
| Dimensions | 46.6"H x 13.5"W x 14.8"D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm) | 50.9"H x 13.5"W x 17.6"D (1292.9 x 342.9 x 447 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Drivers | Dual 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 | Dual 8" (200mm) Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cones, with cast frames woofers, 5-1/4" (130mm) Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cone, with cast frame midrange, 1" (25mm) Beryllium dome, with acoustic lens waveguide tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB | 89.5dB |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs / 36 kg each | 112.4 lbs / 51 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Front ported | Front ported |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
The Two Speakers In Full
Revel F208: $2400 used, Discontinued Ebay
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 6.6 (7.7 with a subwoofer added).
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 |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz |
| Dimensions | 46.6"H x 13.5"W x 14.8"D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | Dual 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 |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs / 36 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Front ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Buy Used
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Revel F228Be: $7000 Crutchfield
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response with very nice directivity. Predicted in-room response is nearly perfect, with a smooth slope down from bass to treble. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±70 degrees is wide and holds up well until narrowing above 8kHz. Vertical directivity offers more degrees of listening-height freedom than a typical bookshelf design, a benefit of this tower’s driver layout. Distortion is extremely low across the full audio range at 86dB SPL/1m and stays comfortable even at 96dB SPL/1m. Near-field measurements of the individual drivers show nice, well-integrated crossover behavior with only low-level resonances.
Cons: Minimum impedance dips to 3.4 ohms with a secondary rise around 2kHz, calling for an amplifier comfortable with a demanding load. Very expensive and very heavy (51 kg each).
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 25Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz |
| Dimensions | 50.9"H x 13.5"W x 17.6"D (1292.9 x 342.9 x 447 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 8" (200mm) Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cones, with cast frames woofers, 5-1/4" (130mm) Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cone, with cast frame midrange, 1" (25mm) Beryllium dome, with acoustic lens waveguide tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB |
| Weight | 112.4 lbs / 51 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Front ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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