Short answer: the Revel W226Be. Both are rated 4.2/5 for sound quality (#4 and #5 of 18 in-wall speakers), and the Revel W226Be costs $4,949.90 against $7,699.90 for the Revel W228Be, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
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. The tradeoff: The measurement comes from Revel, digitized from its published curves, and has no independent second test, so treat the figures as manufacturer supplied.
The case for the Revel W228Be: Revel’s own measurement, published on spinorama.org, gives a preference score of 6.79, or 8.33 with a perfect subwoofer. Watch for: Audio Science Review’s independent Klippel measurement was far weaker than Revel’s own (preference score 2.31, or 6.15 with a subwoofer, and -3dB at 108Hz), so real bass depends heavily on the installation and enclosure.
Buy the Revel W226Be. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $2,750 less than the Revel W228Be.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel W226Be | Revel W228Be | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,949.90 per pair | $7,699.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #5 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 8” DCC aluminum woofers, 5.25” DCC aluminum midrange, 1” beryllium dome tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide (3-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall, 18-36L enclosure (optional W226BEBB back box sold separately) | In-wall, 27-54L enclosure (optional W228BEBB back box sold separately) |
| Mounting Cutout | 226W x 549H mm | 309W x 896H mm |
| Dimensions | 23”H x 10.2”W x 3.8”D (583 x 259 x 96 mm) (88mm mounting depth) | 37”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (939 x 353 x 105 mm) (96mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) | 31.5 lbs (14.3 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | 90dB |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohm minimum) | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohm minimum) |
| Power Handling | 50-200W RMS at 4 ohms | 50-400W RMS at 4 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-40kHz (-6dB, manufacturer) | 35Hz-40kHz (-6dB, manufacturer) |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (manufacturer specified) | 115dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,000Hz | 220Hz, 2,500Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.1Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) | 43.4Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36.4Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) | 26.9Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.51 | 6.79 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.60 | 8.33 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Revel W226Be:
- Revel W126Be vs Revel W226Be
- Revel W226Be vs KEF CI250RRM-THX
- Revel W226Be vs Miller & Kreisel IW150
- Revel W228Be vs KEF CI250RRM-THX
- Revel W228Be vs MartinLogan Tribute 5XW
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
Revel W228Be: $7,699.90 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Revel’s own measurement, published on spinorama.org, gives a preference score of 6.79, or 8.33 with a perfect subwoofer. Bass measures to 43.4Hz at -3dB and 34.3Hz at -6dB, exceptional for an in-wall, and predicted in-room response is very smooth (0.91 smoothness) with tightly controlled directivity (SPDI deviation 1.89dB). Its three-way design uses dual 8” aluminum woofers, a 5.25” midrange and a 1” beryllium tweeter, rated for 115dB output, and the midrange and tweeter module rotates for vertical or horizontal mounting. Measured bass extension of 43.4Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Audio Science Review’s independent Klippel measurement was far weaker than Revel’s own (preference score 2.31, or 6.15 with a subwoofer, and -3dB at 108Hz), so real bass depends heavily on the installation and enclosure. The Revel figures are manufacturer supplied and digitized. At $3850 each a stereo pair costs twice that, and the speaker is about 939mm tall and 14.3kg with a 27 to 54 liter enclosure requirement, with the back box sold separately.
Full Revel W228Be review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26.9Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.4Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Crossover Frequency | 220Hz, 2,500Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 37”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (939 x 353 x 105 mm) (96mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 2x 8” DCC aluminum woofers, 5.25” DCC aluminum midrange, 1” beryllium dome tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide (3-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall, 27-54L enclosure (optional W228BEBB back box sold separately) |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz-40kHz (-6dB, manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohm minimum) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Mounting Cutout | 309W x 896H mm |
| Power Handling | 50-400W RMS at 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.79 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.33 |
| Weight | 31.5 lbs (14.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons