Short answer: it depends on whether the top end bothers you. The JBL XPL-90 is nearly ruler-flat on-axis up to 1kHz with even horizontal directivity until the tweeter beams above 10kHz, but crossover region peaking around 3kHz and treble peaking above 10kHz color the top end, and poor vertical directivity means the tweeter needs to be at ear level. The Revel Performa M22 is very flat from 200Hz to 10kHz with a 3dB bass boost around 100Hz.
Buy the Revel Performa M22 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, start with the AsciLab C6B instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel Performa M22 | JBL XPL-90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $600 per pair used (about), Discontinued | $1,298 per pair used (vintage, late 1980s), Discontinued |
| Ranked | #98 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #104 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 77.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer | 6.5” bass/mid driver, 1” titanium dome tweeter |
| Weight | 41.7 lbs (18.9 kg) | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 8.6”W x 11.9”D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) | 15.5”H x 9.5”W x 9.8”D (394 x 241 x 248 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.31 | 3.7 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.26 | 6.31 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 100W nominal, 400W max |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Revel Performa M22: $600 per pair used (about) Discontinued eBay
Pros: Very flat frequency response from 200Hz to 10kHz. Distortion is well controlled through most of the range, with only a modest crossover-region bump around 2-4kHz. Measured bass extension of 46.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 3dB bass boost around 100Hz. On-axis response also droops below 150Hz and peaks above 4kHz, which the reviewer thought may sound a bit bright/light. Distortion rises substantially below 100Hz when driven hard. Discontinued.
Full Revel Performa M22 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 8.6”W x 11.9”D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.31 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.26 |
| Weight | 41.7 lbs (18.9 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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JBL XPL-90: $1,298 per pair used (vintage, late 1980s) Discontinued eBay
Pros: Nearly ruler-flat on-axis response up to 1kHz with even horizontal directivity until the tweeter beams above 10kHz. The reviewer found real strength with vocals and simpler instrumentation, calling it “the first speaker I have liked that has some clear response errors” and “an enjoyable speaker” despite the flaws. Titanium tweeter and internal Monster cable wiring reflect JBL’s higher-end late-1980s engineering. Measured bass extension of 77.6Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Crossover region peaking around 3kHz and treble peaking above 10kHz color the top end, and poor vertical directivity means the tweeter needs to be at ear level. Distortion rises at 96dB SPL, especially around 3kHz. Long discontinued; only available on the used market.
Full JBL XPL-90 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.5”H x 9.5”W x 9.8”D (394 x 241 x 248 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” bass/mid driver, 1” titanium dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 100W nominal, 400W max |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.7 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.31 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons