Revel M80XC vs JBL Control 29AV-1

Last updated: October 5, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Control 29AV-1, if you are buying new. The Revel M80XC ranks higher than it (#2 vs #9 of 13 outdoor speakers, 3.9/5 vs 3.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Control 29AV-1 is still sold new at $1,144.

Revel M80XC vs JBL Control 29AV-1

The Revel M80XC is the more accurate option. Klippel NFS testing by Audio Science Review yields an impressive preference score of 4.07 (6.95 with subwoofer) for an all-weather cabinet. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.07 against 2.24 for the JBL Control 29AV-1. The tradeoff: Price is relatively high at $900 per pair.

The JBL Control 29AV-1 is the deeper-bass pick. Exceptional bass extension for an outdoor cabinet, measuring down to 48.3Hz (-6dB) and 41Hz (-10dB) thanks to a heavy-duty 8” Kevlar woofer in a large ported enclosure. Its bass reaches about 54.2Hz before falling 3dB, against 82Hz for the Revel M80XC. The tradeoff: Uneven raw frequency response through the crossover region and ragged on-axis treble yield a modest 2.24 preference score without DSP correction.

Buy the JBL Control 29AV-1 new; the Revel M80XC 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 M80XC JBL Control 29AV-1
Price$900 per pair Discontinued$1,144 per pair
Ranked#2 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers#9 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers
Drivers8” aluminum cone woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter with Acoustic Lens waveguide8” (200mm) Kevlar cone woofer, 1” (25mm) titanium diaphragm compression driver on rotatable 110° x 85° horn
ConfigurationPassive 2-wayPassive 2-way
Sensitivity91dB90dB
Impedance8 ohms8 ohms
Recommended Power20-100W RMS-
EnclosureSealed, IP56 weather-resistantPorted high-impact polystyrene, all-weather
Dimensions13”H x 10.1”W x 11”D (330 x 257 x 280 mm)20.5”H x 12”W x 10.9”D (520 x 306 x 277 mm)
Weight15 lbs (6.8 kg)26.9 lbs (12.2 kg)
Bass Extension (-3dB)82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)54.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-6dB)67.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)48.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-10dB)45.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)41.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Spinorama Preference Score4.072.24
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub6.954.50
Power Handling-300W

How Revel M80XC compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Speakers In Full

Revel M80XC: $900 per pair Discontinued eBay

Revel M80XC ranking card

Pros: Klippel NFS testing by Audio Science Review yields an impressive preference score of 4.07 (6.95 with subwoofer) for an all-weather cabinet. Wide and uniform horizontal directivity (+/-60 degrees) and smooth predicted in-room response (0.728 smoothness). Generous 8” aluminum cone woofer produces clean output and solid bass extension down to 67Hz (-6dB) with sturdy IP56 weatherproofing and high 91dB sensitivity. Measured bass extension of 82.0Hz (-3dB).

Cons: Price is relatively high at $900 per pair. Treble resonance around 4.5kHz and port-less sealed alignment require substantial amplifier power to hit reference levels in wide-open outdoor spaces. Discontinued.

Bass Extension (-10dB)45.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-6dB)67.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
ConfigurationPassive 2-way
Dimensions13”H x 10.1”W x 11”D (330 x 257 x 280 mm)
Drivers8” aluminum cone woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter with Acoustic Lens waveguide
EnclosureSealed, IP56 weather-resistant
Impedance8 ohms
Recommended Power20-100W RMS
Sensitivity91dB
Spinorama Preference Score4.07
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub6.95
Weight15 lbs (6.8 kg)

JBL Control 29AV-1: $1,144 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Control 29AV-1 ranking card

Pros: Exceptional bass extension for an outdoor cabinet, measuring down to 48.3Hz (-6dB) and 41Hz (-10dB) thanks to a heavy-duty 8” Kevlar woofer in a large ported enclosure. Massive 300W power handling and high 90dB sensitivity deliver huge SPL capability outdoors. Built-in 70V/100V transformer with 8-ohm bypass and rotatable high-frequency horn. Measured bass extension of 54.2Hz (-3dB).

Cons: Uneven raw frequency response through the crossover region and ragged on-axis treble yield a modest 2.24 preference score without DSP correction. Very large and heavy (12.2 kg per box), making wall mounting demanding.

Bass Extension (-10dB)41.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)54.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-6dB)48.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
ConfigurationPassive 2-way
Dimensions20.5”H x 12”W x 10.9”D (520 x 306 x 277 mm)
Drivers8” (200mm) Kevlar cone woofer, 1” (25mm) titanium diaphragm compression driver on rotatable 110° x 85° horn
EnclosurePorted high-impact polystyrene, all-weather
Impedance8 ohms
Power Handling300W
Sensitivity90dB
Spinorama Preference Score2.24
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub4.50
Weight26.9 lbs (12.2 kg)