Short answer: the Revel F208 for better sound quality, the Sony SS-CS3 for the lower price. The Revel F208 ranks #15 of 71 floorstanding speakers at $2400. The Sony SS-CS3 ranks #59 at $450, $1950 cheaper.
What the Revel F208 offers: 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). Watch for: 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.
What the Sony SS-CS3 offers: Affordable entry-level floorstanding tower offering solid sensitivity (88.6dB SPL at 2.83V/1m), making it easy to power with standard budget AVRs. Harmonic distortion remains reasonably low at moderate listening levels (86dB SPL) when high-pass filtered above 80-100Hz with a dedicated subwoofer. Front-ported design allows relatively close placement to front boundaries without excessive port occlusion. Watch for: Severe cabinet and driver resonances plague the passband between 100Hz and 600Hz, imparting audible coloration and chesty resonances to male vocals and acoustic instruments. Irregular frequency response peaks and dips make automated receiver room correction difficult to equalize effectively. Poor low-frequency extension (F3 of 72Hz, F10 of 39Hz) for a floorstander, combined with rapid distortion escalation below 80Hz at higher SPLs (96dB+). Supertweeter driver adds crossover complexity without providing audible high-frequency benefit within the human hearing spectrum.
Buy the Revel F208 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony SS-CS3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Sony SS-CS3. It ranks near the bottom of the 71 floorstanding speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel F208 | Sony SS-CS3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2400 used, Discontinued | $450.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #59 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 24Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 46.6"H x 13.5"W x 14.8"D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm) | 36.3"H x 9.1"W x 10.2"D (922 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms nominal |
| 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 | 0.75 in. supertweeter, 0.98 in. polyester main tweeter, dual 5.12 in. MRC woofers |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88.5dB manufacturer specified) | 88.6dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs / 36 kg each | 25.4 lbs / 11.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, front |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
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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.
Full Revel F208 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 24Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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 nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs / 36 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SS-CS3: $450.00 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Affordable entry-level floorstanding tower offering solid sensitivity (88.6dB SPL at 2.83V/1m), making it easy to power with standard budget AVRs. Harmonic distortion remains reasonably low at moderate listening levels (86dB SPL) when high-pass filtered above 80-100Hz with a dedicated subwoofer. Front-ported design allows relatively close placement to front boundaries without excessive port occlusion.
Cons: Severe cabinet and driver resonances plague the passband between 100Hz and 600Hz, imparting audible coloration and chesty resonances to male vocals and acoustic instruments. Irregular frequency response peaks and dips make automated receiver room correction difficult to equalize effectively. Poor low-frequency extension (F3 of 72Hz, F10 of 39Hz) for a floorstander, combined with rapid distortion escalation below 80Hz at higher SPLs (96dB+). Supertweeter driver adds crossover complexity without providing audible high-frequency benefit within the human hearing spectrum. Discontinued.
Full Sony SS-CS3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 36.3"H x 9.1"W x 10.2"D (922 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 0.75 in. supertweeter, 0.98 in. polyester main tweeter, dual 5.12 in. MRC woofers |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 88.6dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs / 11.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons