Short answer: the Revel W228Be. It ranks #6 of 28 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $7,699.90. The JBL Synthesis SCL-3 ranks #13, rated 3.7/5, at $7,259.90, $440 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Revel W228Be is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A large three way in-wall speaker with dual 8 inch woofers, accurate smooth sound and a rotating module for vertical or horizontal mounting. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.79 against 3.80 for the JBL Synthesis SCL-3. Its bass reaches about 43.4Hz before falling 3dB, against 72.4Hz for the JBL Synthesis SCL-3. The catch: 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 case for the JBL Synthesis SCL-3: An in-wall or in-ceiling speaker with a horn tweeter, high sensitivity and bi-amp terminals for custom home theaters. Watch for: Bass rolls off early, at 72.4Hz for -3dB and about 45.8Hz for -10dB in free air, so it needs a subwoofer.
Buy the Revel W228Be. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $440 with the JBL Synthesis SCL-3 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Revel W228Be | JBL Synthesis SCL-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,699.90 per pair | $7,259.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #6 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #13 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Drivers | 2x 8” DCC aluminum woofers, 5.25” DCC aluminum midrange, 1” beryllium dome tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide (3-way) | Two 5.25” aluminum matrix cone woofers, 1” 2409H compression driver on HDI horn (2-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall, 27-54L enclosure (optional W228BEBB back box sold separately) | In-wall/in-ceiling, integrated MDF back box |
| Mounting Cutout | 309W x 896H mm | - |
| Dimensions | 37”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (939 x 353 x 105 mm) (96mm mounting depth) | 16.5”H x 16.5”W x 6”D (418 x 418 x 153 mm) |
| Weight | 31.5 lbs (14.3 kg) | 24.3 lbs (11.02 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | 91dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohm minimum) | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 50-400W RMS at 4 ohms | 200W RMS maximum recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz-40kHz (-6dB, manufacturer) | 65Hz-33kHz -6dB (manufacturer, on-axis) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 220Hz, 2,500Hz | 1.3kHz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.4Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) | 72.4Hz (measured, JBL data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26.9Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) | 45.8Hz (measured, JBL data on spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.79 | 3.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.33 | 6.42 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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