Short answer: the Revel F226Be, if you are buying new. The KEF R5 Meta measures as well as it (#9 vs #10 of 73 floorstanding speakers, 4.6/5 vs 4.6/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Revel F226Be is still sold new at $7,700.
What the Revel F226Be does well: Compact three-way tower with a beryllium dome tweeter in an acoustic lens waveguide, a dedicated 5.25” mid-range, and dual 6.5” woofers (not a coaxial layout): all Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cones engineered specifically to avoid breakup outside their crossover bands, and it measures that way: neither the woofers nor the mid-range show breakup spikes even well outside their intended pass bands, and even the front port measures unusually clean (only a mild ~3dB bump around 150Hz, well controlled versus the resonances the reviewer typically sees from ports). The tradeoff: Minimum impedance dips to about 3.7-4 ohms below roughly 500Hz despite the 8-ohm nominal rating, so it wants a genuine 4-ohm-capable two-channel amplifier; budget AVRs rated only for 6 or 8 ohms may struggle.
What the KEF R5 Meta does well: 12th generation 5” Uni-Q coaxial driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) delivers remarkably smooth, controlled horizontal (±50°) and vertical directivity with near-identical off-axis tracking. Watch for: Low-frequency extension (F3 of 52Hz, F10 of 38Hz) requires pairing with a dedicated subwoofer crossed over at 80Hz for high-output home theater or bass-heavy music performance.
Buy the Revel F226Be new; the KEF R5 Meta is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel F226Be | KEF R5 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7700 per pair | $3,999.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #10 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #9 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 41.3”H x 9.8”W x 13.7”D (1049 x 248.9 x 348 mm) | 42.2”H x 10.7”W x 13.6”D (1073 x 273 x 346 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Drivers | Two 6.5” (165mm) Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cones, with cast frames woofer, 5-1/4” (130mm) Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cone, with cast frame midrange, 1” (25mm) Beryllium dome, with acoustic lens waveguide tweeter | 1 in. vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT, 5 in. aluminum cone midrange, two 5.25 in. hybrid aluminum cone woofers |
| Sensitivity | 89.7dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 58.2 lbs (26.4 kg) each | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.96 (spinorama.org) | 6.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.15 (spinorama.org) | 8.07 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for KEF R5 Meta:
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs KEF R5 Meta
- MoFi SourcePoint 888 vs KEF R5 Meta
- Revel F328Be vs KEF R5 Meta
- KEF R5 Meta vs JBL 4367
- KEF R5 Meta vs KEF Reference 203
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The Two Speakers In Full
Revel F226Be: $7700 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Older model: the Revel F206 (ranked lower, rated 4.5/5).
Pros: Compact three-way tower with a beryllium dome tweeter in an acoustic lens waveguide, a dedicated 5.25” mid-range, and dual 6.5” woofers (not a coaxial layout): all Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cones engineered specifically to avoid breakup outside their crossover bands, and it measures that way: neither the woofers nor the mid-range show breakup spikes even well outside their intended pass bands, and even the front port measures unusually clean (only a mild ~3dB bump around 150Hz, well controlled versus the resonances the reviewer typically sees from ports). On-axis frequency response holds within about ±1.5dB above roughly 65Hz (excellent linearity) and off-axis behavior tracks it closely, with only mild, subdued peaking around 4-6kHz that doesn’t show up as real resonance in the spinorama data. Average sensitivity around 90dB (2.83V/1m), notably higher than some competing three-way designs and most bookshelf speakers, translating directly into better dynamic range at both low and high listening levels: one reviewer specifically praised its ability to deliver full transient impact (snare hits, kick drum) even at quiet, conversational volumes rather than needing to be cranked up to feel dynamic. Wide, consistent horizontal radiation of about ±60-70° at the -6dB point, landing right in the reviewer’s preferred range for an enveloping soundstage without excess diffusion, and exceptionally wide vertical dispersion: roughly ±80° up to 10kHz and still ±70° above that, which one reviewer called the widest vertical radiation pattern he had measured to date. Distortion stays under 3% even at 104dB SPL, and in real-world testing up to 105dB from 12-14 feet away, full-range with no crossover, the reviewer heard no audible mechanical noise, port chuffing, or compression at all. Flat enough on- and off-axis response that toeing the speaker 10-15° away from the listener preserves the same tonal balance rather than changing it, and the wide, well-controlled directivity lets sidewall reflections reinforce rather than smear the soundstage. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89.7dB.
Cons: Minimum impedance dips to about 3.7-4 ohms below roughly 500Hz despite the 8-ohm nominal rating, so it wants a genuine 4-ohm-capable two-channel amplifier; budget AVRs rated only for 6 or 8 ohms may struggle. F3 of 56Hz and F10 of 36Hz mean it doesn’t extend nearly as low as some three-way rivals with larger woofers: a dedicated subwoofer (10-12”, or 15” for content below 30Hz) is recommended for home theater or bass-heavy music, even though the speaker itself can play surprisingly loud without one. Vertical directivity tolerance is tighter in the crossover handoff region than a true coaxial design would offer, since the tweeter, midrange, and woofers are physically separated: a mild directivity bump appears around 2-2.5kHz that’s typical of non-coaxial multi-way speakers, though not audibly problematic within about ±10° vertically. On-axis, the top end reads as a bit bright according to one reviewer’s subjective impression, generally benefiting from some toe-out. High-gloss cabinet finish can create distracting reflections if used behind a projector screen in a home theater setup. Front-ported, so it can technically sit close to a wall, but doing so makes the bass boomier.
Full Revel F226Be review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 41.3”H x 9.8”W x 13.7”D (1049 x 248.9 x 348 mm) |
| Drivers | Two 6.5” (165mm) Deep Ceramic Composite aluminum cones, with cast frames woofer, 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 nominal (3.7 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 89.7dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.96 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.15 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 58.2 lbs (26.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Revel PerformaBe F226Be Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review. I love this speaker. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Should You Buy the Revel F226Be or the MoFi 888?
- Erin’s Audio Review Website Revel F226B
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Top 5 Speakers at Any Price
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Revel F226Be vs JBL 4367
- Revel F226Be vs KEF Reference 203
- Revel F226Be vs Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower
- Revel F226Be vs JBL HDI-3800
- Revel F226Be vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66
- Revel F226Be vs Revel F328Be
- Revel F226Be vs Focal Chora 816
- Revel F226Be vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- See all 48 comparisons
KEF R5 Meta: $3,999.99 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: 12th generation 5” Uni-Q coaxial driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) delivers remarkably smooth, controlled horizontal (±50°) and vertical directivity with near-identical off-axis tracking. Exceptional frequency response linearity through the midrange and treble that takes extremely well to minor parametric EQ adjustments. Constrained Layer Damping cabinet construction and flexible rear ports minimize enclosure resonances and port turbulence. Deliberately tuned low-frequency roll-off profile permits boundary-adjacent room placement near front walls without boomy acoustic buildup. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: Low-frequency extension (F3 of 52Hz, F10 of 38Hz) requires pairing with a dedicated subwoofer crossed over at 80Hz for high-output home theater or bass-heavy music performance. High-frequency radiation above 7kHz shows a mild on-axis taper (1-2dB downward slope), performing best when listened to 10-20° off-axis. Moderate sensitivity (~86dB SPL average) requires a clean, robust 4-ohm capable amplifier to drive high dynamic peaks without clipping. Discontinued.
Full KEF R5 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 42.2”H x 10.7”W x 13.6”D (1073 x 273 x 346 mm) |
| Drivers | 1 in. vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT, 5 in. aluminum cone midrange, two 5.25 in. hybrid aluminum cone woofers |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.07 |
| Weight | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons