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 MartinLogan Tribute 5XW ranks #23, rated 3.2/5, at $6,999.98, $699.92 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Revel W228Be is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. 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 1.84 for the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW. Its bass reaches about 43.4Hz before falling 3dB, against 74.7Hz for the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW. 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.
Why pick the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW: A slim, efficient in-wall speaker with a folded motion tweeter that rotates for vertical or horizontal mounting. The catch: The measurement is the weakest of the in-wall speakers here: a preference score of 1.84, or just 4.91 with a perfect subwoofer, with on-axis smoothness of 0.30, an average on-axis deviation of 1.56dB and wide directivity swings (SPDI deviation 3.25dB).
Buy the Revel W228Be. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $699.92 saving on the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Revel W228Be | MartinLogan Tribute 5XW | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,699.90 per pair | $6,999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #6 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #23 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) | 1.25 x 2.4” Folded Motion XT Obsidian tweeter, 2x 5.25” carbon fiber woofers, 2x 6.5” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | In-wall, 27-54L enclosure (optional W228BEBB back box sold separately) | Sealed back box, in-wall |
| Mounting Cutout | 309W x 896H mm | 236W x 757H mm |
| Dimensions | 37”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (939 x 353 x 105 mm) (96mm mounting depth) | 31.1”H x 10.6”W x 4.1”D (791 x 269 x 104 mm) (97mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 31.5 lbs (14.3 kg) | 25.6 lbs (11.6 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | 94dB (manufacturer), 88.1dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohm minimum) | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 50-400W RMS at 4 ohms | 20-250W recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz-40kHz (-6dB, manufacturer) | 71Hz-25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 220Hz, 2,500Hz | 2,250Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.4Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) | 74.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26.9Hz (measured, Revel vendor data on spinorama.org) | 68.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.79 | 1.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.33 | 4.91 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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