Short answer: the Revel W990. It ranks #19 of 28 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $4,239.90. The Bowers & Wilkins CWM 7.5 S2 ranks #24, rated 3.0/5, at $2,700, $1,539.90 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Revel W990 is the better-sounding pick. Audio Science Review’s Klippel measurement shows some of the deepest bass of any in-wall speaker, with -3dB at 32.2Hz and -6dB at 27.8Hz, so it can carry music without a subwoofer better than most. The catch: Its measured preference score is only 3.6, or 5.09 with a perfect subwoofer, because the midrange is uneven: on-axis deviation is high (0.86 normalized deviation on axis, 0.69 in the listening window) and on-axis smoothness is just 0.34.
Why pick the Bowers & Wilkins CWM 7.5 S2: A Reference Series in-wall with a 1” Carbon Dome tweeter and a 5” Continuum cone, a forward-firing Flowport and a retrofittable integrated back box, rated 45Hz to 28kHz. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor.
Buy the Revel W990. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1,539.90 with the Bowers & Wilkins CWM 7.5 S2 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Worth knowing: the Bowers & Wilkins CWM 7.5 S2 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 2.5 to 3.5, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel W990 | Bowers & Wilkins CWM 7.5 S2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,239.90 per pair | $2,700 per pair |
| Ranked | #19 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #24 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | 9” micro-ceramic composite (MCC) woofer, 3.5” midrange, 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide (3-way) | 1” Carbon Dome tweeter, 5” Continuum cone mid/bass |
| Enclosure | In-wall, passive | - |
| Mounting Cutout | 318W x 486H mm | - |
| Dimensions | 20.7”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (527 x 352 x 103 mm) (95mm mounting depth) | 14”H x 8.3”W x 4”D (356 x 212 x 102 mm) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 10-200W RMS recommended amplifier power | - |
| Warranty | 5 years | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 22.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.60 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.09 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz-28kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported (front Flowport), integrated back box |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Revel W990 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Synthesis SCL-6 vs Revel W990
- JBL Synthesis SCL-3 vs Revel W990
- JBL Synthesis SCL-7 vs Revel W990
- JBL Synthesis SCL-4 vs Revel W990
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs Revel W990
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Revel W990: $4,239.90 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review’s Klippel measurement shows some of the deepest bass of any in-wall speaker, with -3dB at 32.2Hz and -6dB at 27.8Hz, so it can carry music without a subwoofer better than most. Directivity is well controlled (SPDI deviation 1.95dB). It is a three-way with a 9” woofer, a 3.5” midrange and a 1” aluminum dome tweeter, accepts 10-200W of amplifier power, and offers high frequency level, tilt, boundary compensation and listener axis controls to tune it to the room. Measured bass extension of 32.2Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.9dB.
Cons: Its measured preference score is only 3.6, or 5.09 with a perfect subwoofer, because the midrange is uneven: on-axis deviation is high (0.86 normalized deviation on axis, 0.69 in the listening window) and on-axis smoothness is just 0.34. ASR’s computed sensitivity is about 85.9dB, so it needs more amplifier power than most speakers to play loud. At $2120 each a stereo pair costs twice that, which is a high price for the measured performance.
Full Revel W990 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 22.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 20.7”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (527 x 352 x 103 mm) (95mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 9” micro-ceramic composite (MCC) woofer, 3.5” midrange, 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide (3-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall, passive |
| Mounting Cutout | 318W x 486H mm |
| Power Handling | 10-200W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.09 |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bowers & Wilkins CWM 7.5 S2: $2,700 per pair Estimated Audio Advice eBay
Older model: the Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.5 (ranked lower, rated 2.6/5). See every Bowers & Wilkins CWM In-Wall generation.
Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2 (larger in-wall, ranked higher, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: A Reference Series in-wall with a 1” Carbon Dome tweeter and a 5” Continuum cone, a forward-firing Flowport and a retrofittable integrated back box, rated 45Hz to 28kHz. Mounting depth is only 4 1/16”.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor. Its predecessor measured poorly on axis, so the range is wide. Sensitivity is 86dB.
Full Bowers & Wilkins CWM 7.5 S2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14”H x 8.3”W x 4”D (356 x 212 x 102 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” Carbon Dome tweeter, 5” Continuum cone mid/bass |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-28kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (front Flowport), integrated back box |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons