Short answer: the Revel W553L. Both are rated 4.5/5 for sound quality (#2 and #1 of 18 in-wall speakers), and the Revel W553L costs $1,089.90 against $4,579.98 for the KEF Ci3160RLM-THX, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Why pick the Revel W553L: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement gives a preference score of 4.84, or 7.50 with a perfect subwoofer, a strong result for an in-wall speaker at this price. The tradeoff: At $545 each a stereo pair costs twice that, and a separate amplifier is required.
What the KEF Ci3160RLM-THX does well: Independently measured by Audio Science Review on a Klippel rig to a genuine 58.6Hz at -3dB and roughly 36Hz at -10dB, with an on-axis slope of just -0.02dB per octave, essentially flat. Watch for: At $2290 each, a stereo pair runs roughly $4,600, among the most expensive options in this category.
Buy the Revel W553L. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $3,490.08 less than the KEF Ci3160RLM-THX.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Revel W553L | KEF Ci3160RLM-THX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,089.90 per pair | $4,579.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #2 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #1 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” micro-ceramic composite (MCC) woofers, 1” swiveling aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide | 2x 6.5” LF woofers, 6.5” Uni-Q coaxial midrange, 1” vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT (rotatable/tiltable module) |
| Enclosure | In-wall, LCR (vertical or horizontal mounting) | Open-backed, in-wall |
| Mounting Cutout | 163W x 359H mm | 660mm (H) x 209mm (W) |
| Dimensions | 15.1”H x 7.4”W (384 x 188 mm) (74mm mounting depth) | 26.8” x 9.1” x 4.2” (680 x 230 x 105.7 mm) |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) | 26.5 lbs (12 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | 89dB |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended amplifier power | 50-350W recommended amplifier power |
| Warranty | Lifetime | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 36Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.84 | 5.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.50 | 7.83 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Impedance | - | 4 ohms |
| Frequency Response | - | 43Hz-28kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) |
| Certification | - | THX Ultra2 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How KEF Ci3160RLM-THX compares with other leading options:
- KEF Ci3160RLM-THX vs Revel W126Be
- KEF Ci3160RLM-THX vs KEF CI250RRM-THX
- KEF Ci3160RLM-THX vs KEF CI200RR-THX
- KEF Ci3160RLM-THX vs KEF CI130.2CR
- KEF Ci3160RLM-THX vs KEF CI50R
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 W553L: $1,089.90 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement gives a preference score of 4.84, or 7.50 with a perfect subwoofer, a strong result for an in-wall speaker at this price. On-axis response is smooth (0.68 smoothness) and directivity is well controlled (SPDI deviation 2.35dB), so the sound off to the sides stays close to the sound you hear straight on. Bass measures to 64.5Hz at -3dB and 51.3Hz at -6dB. The 1” aluminum dome tweeter swivels toward the listening seat, a three-position switch trims treble to suit the room, and the cabinet mounts vertically or horizontally, so it works as a left, right or center channel. Measured bass extension of 64.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: At $545 each a stereo pair costs twice that, and a separate amplifier is required. Bass ends early for a main speaker, with -3dB at 64.5Hz, so a subwoofer is needed for music and movies. Audio Science Review’s own measurement was less flattering (preference score 4.04, -3dB at 82Hz), so results differ between test benches. Two 5.25” woofers give less output headroom than the larger Revel in-wall models.
Full Revel W553L review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.1”H x 7.4”W (384 x 188 mm) (74mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” micro-ceramic composite (MCC) woofers, 1” swiveling aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Enclosure | In-wall, LCR (vertical or horizontal mounting) |
| Mounting Cutout | 163W x 359H mm |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 90dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.50 |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KEF Ci3160RLM-THX: $4,579.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Independently measured by Audio Science Review on a Klippel rig to a genuine 58.6Hz at -3dB and roughly 36Hz at -10dB, with an on-axis slope of just -0.02dB per octave, essentially flat. Directivity is the most consistent of any in-wall or in-ceiling speaker in this category, with the tightest spread in its sound-power directivity index across the measured band. The rotatable, tiltable driver module (the RLM in its name) lets the tweeter and midrange aim toward the listening area even when the cabinet itself has to be installed off to one side. THX Ultra2 certified, with a 4-driver, 3-way layout: dual 6.5” woofers flanking a 6.5” Uni-Q coaxial midrange/tweeter. Measured bass extension of 58.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: At $2290 each, a stereo pair runs roughly $4,600, among the most expensive options in this category. Listening-window and sound-power smoothness are moderate rather than class-leading, meaning some unevenness remains once you move off the main listening axis despite the flat on-axis trace. The 660 x 209mm cutout and 106mm mounting depth are large enough that they won’t fit inside a standard 2x4 wall stud bay without modification.
Full KEF Ci3160RLM-THX review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
| Certification | THX Ultra2 |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 26.8” x 9.1” x 4.2” (680 x 230 x 105.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” LF woofers, 6.5” Uni-Q coaxial midrange, 1” vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT (rotatable/tiltable module) |
| Enclosure | Open-backed, in-wall |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-28kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Mounting Cutout | 660mm (H) x 209mm (W) |
| Power Handling | 50-350W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 89dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.83 |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs (12 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons