Short answer: the Revel F226Be for better sound quality, the Polk Audio XT60 for the lower price. The Revel F226Be ranks #11 of 71 floorstanding speakers at $7700. The Polk Audio XT60 ranks #43 at $229, $7471 cheaper.
What the Revel F226Be offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Polk Audio XT60 offers: Passive-radiator-loaded design (6.5” woofer plus two 6.5” passive radiators) gives deeper bass than the driver size alone would suggest - 43.9Hz at -3dB / 38.1Hz at -10dB, genuinely competitive extension for a budget tower. Hi-Res Audio certified, Dolby Atmos/DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs. Watch for: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.96) is the highest, least-controlled figure in this entire batch, consistent with owner reports of a slightly loose, boomy low end at higher volumes. On-axis deviation (nbd_on_axis 0.512) is also the roughest measured figure in the batch. The vinyl-wrapped (not wood veneer) cabinet reads as budget up close per owner reviews, and at least one owner reported blowing a driver under sustained heavy bass - some caution is warranted with bass-heavy source material at volume.
Buy the Revel F226Be if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Polk Audio XT60 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel F226Be | Polk Audio XT60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7700 | $229.00 |
| Ranked | #11 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #43 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 41.3"H x 9.8"W x 13.7"D (1049 x 248.9 x 348 mm) | 19.05 x 92.5 x 23.09cm (7.5 x 36.4 x 9.09 in) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| 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" Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5" bilaminate polypropylene woofer, 2x 6.5" passive radiators |
| Sensitivity | 89.7dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Weight | 58.2 lbs / 26.4 kg each | 20 lbs / 9.07 kg (20 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | Passive radiator-loaded |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Revel F226Be: $7700 Crutchfield eBay
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.
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) |
| 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) |
| 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)
- Reddit Search for Revel F226Be Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Audio XT60: $229.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Passive-radiator-loaded design (6.5” woofer plus two 6.5” passive radiators) gives deeper bass than the driver size alone would suggest - 43.9Hz at -3dB / 38.1Hz at -10dB, genuinely competitive extension for a budget tower. Hi-Res Audio certified, Dolby Atmos/DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs.
Cons: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.96) is the highest, least-controlled figure in this entire batch, consistent with owner reports of a slightly loose, boomy low end at higher volumes. On-axis deviation (nbd_on_axis 0.512) is also the roughest measured figure in the batch. The vinyl-wrapped (not wood veneer) cabinet reads as budget up close per owner reviews, and at least one owner reported blowing a driver under sustained heavy bass - some caution is warranted with bass-heavy source material at volume.
Full Polk Audio XT60 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 19.05 x 92.5 x 23.09cm (7.5 x 36.4 x 9.09 in) each |
| Drivers | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5" bilaminate polypropylene woofer, 2x 6.5" passive radiators |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Weight | 20 lbs / 9.07 kg (20 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator-loaded |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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