Short answer: the Revel F328Be for better sound quality, the KEF Reference 203 for the lower price. The Revel F328Be ranks #7 of 56 floorstanding speakers at $13600. The KEF Reference 203 ranks #12 at $5000, $8600 cheaper.
What the Revel F328Be gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows a quite flat on-axis response with superb directivity and efficiency above 90dB. The catch: Vertical directivity is asymmetric - the reviewer recommends staying between -20 and +40 degrees relative to the tweeter axis, reflecting the driver layout of this three-way tower.
What the KEF Reference 203 offers: An unusually accomplished 4-way design for its era: excellent on-axis linearity (within about +/-3dB), genuinely good directivity both horizontally (~55 degrees) and vertically (~40-50 degrees). Watch for: This is a 20+ year old, long-discontinued speaker only findable secondhand (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, audio forums) - condition, driver matching, and component aging vary by unit.
Buy the Revel F328Be if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the KEF Reference 203 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel F328Be | KEF Reference 203 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $13600 | $5000 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #12 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 50.9"H x 13.5"W x 17.6"D (1292.9 x 342.9 x 447 mm) | 1067H mm (42" tall) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | 8 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 3.2 ohms per manufacturer spec) |
| Drivers | Three 8" (200mm) 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 | 1x 0.75" supertweeter, coaxial 1" dome tweeter + 6.5" midrange, 2x 6.5" woofers |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 88dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 112.4 lbs / 51 kg each | 58 lbs / 26.3 kg (58 lb) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | Bass reflex, with switchable flat/cut/lifted bass ports for wall placement |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 400Hz, 2.7kHz, 15kHz |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 55kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 50-200W |
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- JBL HDI-3800 vs Revel F328Be
- Klipsch Forte IV vs Revel F328Be
The Two Speakers In Full
Revel F328Be: $13600 Crutchfield
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a quite flat on-axis response with superb directivity and efficiency above 90dB. Predicted in-room response is extremely accurate, with a smooth ~5dB downward slope from bass to treble that suits typical rooms without correction. Early reflections sum very nicely with the direct sound. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±70 degrees is wide and quite smooth. At 96dB SPL/1m distortion stays easily below the reviewer’s audibility threshold across nearly the whole range.
Cons: Vertical directivity is asymmetric - the reviewer recommends staying between -20 and +40 degrees relative to the tweeter axis, reflecting the driver layout of this three-way tower. Impedance dips to a minimum of 3 ohms with an additional resonance-driven phase swing, calling for an amplifier comfortable with a demanding load. Very expensive and very heavy (51 kg each).
Full Revel F328Be review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 50.9"H x 13.5"W x 17.6"D (1292.9 x 342.9 x 447 mm) |
| Drivers | Three 8" (200mm) 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 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 112.4 lbs / 51 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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KEF Reference 203: $5000 Discontinued
Pros: An unusually accomplished 4-way design for its era: excellent on-axis linearity (within about +/-3dB), genuinely good directivity both horizontally (~55 degrees) and vertically (~40-50 degrees), and an estimated in-room response that closely matches what the reviewer actually heard. Distortion is excellent - under 1% harmonic above 80Hz at both 86dB and 96dB, and multitone stays around 1% even at 96dB. Bass reaches a real F3 of 51Hz (F10 37Hz), with in-room extension into the low-mid-40s. The reviewer’s overall listening notes were essentially “nothing stood out bad or good” - a genuinely neutral, accurate speaker with a distinctive rounded-baffle look that avoids the diffraction issues a flat baffle this wide would normally have.
Cons: This is a 20+ year old, long-discontinued speaker only findable secondhand (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, audio forums) - condition, driver matching, and component aging vary by unit, so audition before buying if at all possible. Demands a robust amplifier: impedance dips to about 3.6 ohms with an EPDR of 2.2 ohms. The small supertweeter shows minor breakup artifacts at the extremes of the vertical polar plot and some compression at very high output in the top octave, though neither was audible in normal listening. Discontinued.
Full KEF Reference 203 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 400Hz, 2.7kHz, 15kHz |
| Dimensions | 1067H mm (42" tall) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 0.75" supertweeter, coaxial 1" dome tweeter + 6.5" midrange, 2x 6.5" woofers |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 55kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum, measured, Erin's Audio Corner; 3.2 ohms per manufacturer spec) |
| Recommended Power | 50-200W |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 58 lbs / 26.3 kg (58 lb) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, with switchable flat/cut/lifted bass ports for wall placement |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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