Short answer: the Revel W228Be if sound quality matters most, the KEF CI250RRM-THX if price matters most. The Revel W228Be ranks #6 of 28 in-wall speakers, rated 4.2/5, at $7,699.90. The KEF CI250RRM-THX ranks #7, rated 4.1/5, at $4,357.90, $3,342 cheaper.
The Revel W228Be is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. 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 4.67 for the KEF CI250RRM-THX. Its bass reaches about 43.4Hz before falling 3dB, against 51.3Hz for the KEF CI250RRM-THX. 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.
What the KEF CI250RRM-THX does well: An in-ceiling speaker with very deep bass for its type, voiced for Atmos height or surround channels and great with room correction. The tradeoff: At $2179 each, this is the most expensive speaker in this category.
Buy the Revel W228Be when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the KEF CI250RRM-THX when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Revel W228Be | KEF CI250RRM-THX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,699.90 per pair | $4,357.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #6 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #7 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) | 10” LF woofer, 4” Uni-Q midrange, 1” vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT (3-way coaxial) |
| Enclosure | In-wall, 27-54L enclosure (optional W228BEBB back box sold separately) | Open-backed, in-ceiling |
| Mounting Cutout | 309W x 896H mm | 300mm (11.81 in) |
| Dimensions | 37”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (939 x 353 x 105 mm) (96mm mounting depth) | 13.6” x 13.6” x 6.9” (346 x 346 x 175 mm) (168mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 31.5 lbs (14.3 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | 89dB |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohm minimum) | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 50-400W RMS at 4 ohms | 50-250W recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz-40kHz (-6dB, manufacturer) | 28Hz-20kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 220Hz, 2,500Hz | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.4Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26.9Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) | 23.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.79 | 4.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.33 | 6.68 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Certification | - | THX |
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