Short answer: the Polk Reserve R100. It ranks #93 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $699. The Revel Performa M22 ranks #95, rated 3.3/5, at $600, $99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Revel Performa M22 does well: Very flat frequency response from 200Hz to 10kHz. The catch: 3dB bass boost around 100Hz.
What the Polk Reserve R100 does well: Compact cabinet, unusually useful bass for its size and well-controlled woofer breakup. Watch for: Erin measured only about 85dB sensitivity and the impedance reaches 3.6 ohms, so it is neither efficient nor an entirely benign AVR load.
One note: the Revel Performa M22 is discontinued and no longer widely available new.
Buy the Polk Reserve R100. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $99 with the Revel Performa M22 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel Performa M22 | Polk Reserve R100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $600 per pair used (about), Discontinued | $699.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #95 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #93 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 3.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer | 1” Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter; 5.25” Turbine Cone midwoofer |
| Weight | 41.7 lbs (18.9 kg) | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 8.6”W x 11.9”D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) | 12.8”H x 6.5”W x 10.2”D |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear X-Port |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.31 | 5.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.26 | 7.93 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Revel Performa M22 vs Focal Aria 906
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Polk Reserve R100: $699.00 per pair Amazon Polk Audio eBay
Pros: Compact cabinet, unusually useful bass for its size and well-controlled woofer breakup. Erin measured F3/F10 points of 68Hz/49Hz, and the X-Port vent avoids much of the chuffing and pipe resonance common to budget rear ports. The 5.25-inch Turbine Cone woofer and 1-inch Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter produce good detail at moderate levels, while listening roughly 20° off-axis reduces part of the elevated top octave. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Erin measured only about 85dB sensitivity and the impedance reaches 3.6 ohms, so it is neither efficient nor an entirely benign AVR load. The treble runs roughly 3dB above the midrange and becomes aggressive above about 85dB SPL. A directivity discontinuity through the woofer/tweeter crossover means EQ cannot fully repair the power response, and a 400Hz impedance feature plus 500Hz-1kHz response irregularity suggests a cabinet or system resonance. Substantial low-frequency compression at higher playback levels limits clean dynamics.
Full Polk Reserve R100 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.8”H x 6.5”W x 10.2”D |
| Drivers | 1” Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter; 5.25” Turbine Cone midwoofer |
| Impedance | 3.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.93 |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear X-Port |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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