Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Revel F208 is the better pick: it ranks #27 of 188 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5), against #177 (rated 2.8/5) for the Sony SS-CS3. If you want one new, the Revel F228Be replaces the Revel F208 and is rated 4.5/5 at $11,000.
The Revel F208 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response with sensitivity matching spec at ~87-88dB. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.35 against 4.11 for the Sony SS-CS3. Its bass reaches about 47Hz before falling 3dB, against 72Hz for the Sony SS-CS3. The tradeoff: Some directivity error and tweeter-response ripple right at the 2.2kHz crossover point.
What the Sony SS-CS3 does well: Affordable entry-level floorstanding tower offering solid sensitivity (88.6dB SPL at 2.83V/1m), making it easy to power with standard budget AVRs. 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.
Buy the Revel F208 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Revel F228Be, which replaces the Revel F208.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel F208 | Sony SS-CS3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,800 per pair used, Discontinued | $450 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #27 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #177 of 188 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 |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.35 | 4.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.67 | 6.65 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Revel F208
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- Revel F208 vs Revel F328Be
- KEF R5 Meta vs Revel F208
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The Two Speakers In Full
Revel F208: $4,800 per pair used Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Revel F228Be, ranked lower, rated 4.5/5.
Same family: the Revel M105 (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.2/5), the Revel M106 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the Revel F206 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 4.5/5), the Revel Performa3 C205 (smaller center, rated 4.1/5) and the Revel Performa3 C208 (larger center, rated 4/5).
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 the flagship Revel Ultima2 Salon2, and Revel’s speakers (including this one) are developed using Harman’s double-blind listening test methodology. Preference score of 7.4 (7.7 with a subwoofer added). Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.2dB.
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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 46.6”H x 13.5”W x 14.8”D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm) |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.67 |
| 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 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony SS-CS3 M2, ranked higher, estimated 3/5.
Same family: the Sony SS-CS5 (bookshelf, rated 3.5/5).
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. Measured bass extension of 72Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.6dB.
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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 36.3”H x 9.1”W x 10.2”D (922 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.65 |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons