Short answer: the Revel W226Be. It ranks #4 of 18 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $4,949.90; the Miller & Kreisel IW150 ranks #13, rated 3.6/5, and costs $4,998, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the Revel W226Be: Revel’s own measurement, published on spinorama.org, gives a preference score of 5.51, or 7.60 with a perfect subwoofer. Watch for: The measurement comes from Revel, digitized from its published curves, and has no independent second test, so treat the figures as manufacturer supplied.
Why pick the Miller & Kreisel IW150: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows well controlled directivity (SPDI deviation 2.43dB) and a smooth predicted in-room response, with a preference score of 2.88, or 6.32 with a perfect subwoofer. The tradeoff: Bass is thin: measured -3dB is 95.2Hz and -6dB is 82.0Hz, and Miller & Kreisel rates it only to 80Hz, so a subwoofer is required, and even with a perfect subwoofer the score reaches only 6.32.
Buy the Revel W226Be. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Miller & Kreisel IW150 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel W226Be | Miller & Kreisel IW150 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,949.90 per pair | $4,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #13 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” Deep Ceramic Composite (DCC) aluminum cone woofers, 1” beryllium dome tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide (2-way) | 2x 5.25” polypropylene bass/midrange drivers, 3x 1” soft fabric dome tweeters |
| Enclosure | In-wall, 18-36L enclosure (optional W226BEBB back box sold separately) | In-wall |
| Mounting Cutout | 226W x 549H mm | 288W x 331H mm |
| Dimensions | 23”H x 10.2”W x 3.8”D (583 x 259 x 96 mm) (88mm mounting depth) | 13.9”H x 12.2”W (354 x 311 mm) baffle (95mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | 90dB |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohm minimum) | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 50-200W RMS at 4 ohms | 25-400W recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-40kHz (-6dB, manufacturer) | 80Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,000Hz | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.1Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) | 95.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36.4Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) | 68.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.51 | 2.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.60 | 6.32 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Revel W226Be compares with other leading options:
- Revel W126Be vs Revel W226Be
- Revel W226Be vs Revel W228Be
- Revel W226Be vs KEF CI250RRM-THX
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs Revel W990
- JBL Synthesis SCL-6 vs Miller & Kreisel IW150
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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 W226Be: $4,949.90 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Revel’s own measurement, published on spinorama.org, gives a preference score of 5.51, or 7.60 with a perfect subwoofer. Bass measures to 48.1Hz at -3dB and 43.7Hz at -6dB, deeper than the single-woofer W126Be, and directivity is well controlled (SPDI deviation 1.95dB). Dual 6.5” aluminum cone woofers and a 1” beryllium dome tweeter behind an acoustic lens waveguide give 90dB sensitivity and a rated 110dB maximum output, and it accepts 50-200W of amplifier power. Measured bass extension of 48.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measurement comes from Revel, digitized from its published curves, and has no independent second test, so treat the figures as manufacturer supplied. At $2475 each a stereo pair costs twice that, and the back box is not included and is sold separately. Predicted in-room smoothness (0.81) and on-axis deviation (0.33dB) are good but not ahead of the cheaper W126Be, so the extra cost buys bass and output rather than a cleaner midrange.
Full Revel W226Be review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36.4Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.1Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,000Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 23”H x 10.2”W x 3.8”D (583 x 259 x 96 mm) (88mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” Deep Ceramic Composite (DCC) aluminum cone woofers, 1” beryllium dome tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide (2-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall, 18-36L enclosure (optional W226BEBB back box sold separately) |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-40kHz (-6dB, manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohm minimum) |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Mounting Cutout | 226W x 549H mm |
| Power Handling | 50-200W RMS at 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.51 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.60 |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Miller & Kreisel IW150: $4,998 per pair Audiolab (authorized M&K dealer) eBay
Pros: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows well controlled directivity (SPDI deviation 2.43dB) and a smooth predicted in-room response, with a preference score of 2.88, or 6.32 with a perfect subwoofer. The unusual layout puts two 5.25” polypropylene woofers beside a column of three 1” soft dome tweeters, a design meant to give even coverage across a room from a single wall opening. It is rated at 90dB sensitivity, and Erin’s measurement computed a real 88.2dB, and it accepts 25-400W of amplifier power. Measured bass extension of 95.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass is thin: measured -3dB is 95.2Hz and -6dB is 82.0Hz, and Miller & Kreisel rates it only to 80Hz, so a subwoofer is required, and even with a perfect subwoofer the score reaches only 6.32. On-axis smoothness is 0.48 and on-axis deviation averages 0.62dB, so the midrange is rougher than the better in-wall designs. At $2499 each a stereo pair costs twice that. Erin describes it as discontinued from what he can tell, so stock may be limited to remaining inventory.
Full Miller & Kreisel IW150 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.9”H x 12.2”W (354 x 311 mm) baffle (95mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” polypropylene bass/midrange drivers, 3x 1” soft fabric dome tweeters |
| Enclosure | In-wall |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Mounting Cutout | 288W x 331H mm |
| Power Handling | 25-400W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 90dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons