Short answer: the Revel W990. It ranks #15 of 18 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $4,239.90; the Grimani Systems Rixos-L ranks #16, rated 3.4/5, and costs $16,400, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the Revel W990: 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. Watch for: 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.
The case for the Grimani Systems Rixos-L: Directivity is well controlled (SPDI deviation 1.77dB), with a rated 100 degree by 150 degree coverage pattern that keeps the sound even across a wide seating area. The tradeoff: Audio Science Review measured a preference score of only 2.16, or 5.53 with a perfect subwoofer, because on-axis response is uneven (0.64 smoothness, 0.55dB average deviation).
Buy the Revel W990. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Grimani Systems Rixos-L and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Revel W990 | Grimani Systems Rixos-L | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,239.90 per pair | $16,400 per pair |
| Ranked | #15 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #16 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Drivers | 9” micro-ceramic composite (MCC) woofer, 3.5” midrange, 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide (3-way) | 2x 8” mid-bass woofers, 1” compression driver on a Conic Section Array waveguide (2.5-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall, passive | In-wall or on-wall |
| 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) | 36”H x 13”W x 6”D (914 x 330 x 152 mm) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 96dB |
| Power Handling | 10-200W RMS recommended amplifier power | - |
| Warranty | 5 years | 2 years |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 87.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 22.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 70.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.60 | 2.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.09 | 5.53 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 600W recommended (supplied 4-channel DSP amplifier) |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz-20kHz (-6dB, manufacturer) |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms (tweeter), 4 ohms (woofers) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 113dB continuous, 117dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 350Hz, 1,000Hz |
| Country | - | United States |
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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 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
Grimani Systems Rixos-L: $16,400 per pair Grimani Systems eBay
Pros: Directivity is well controlled (SPDI deviation 1.77dB), with a rated 100 degree by 150 degree coverage pattern that keeps the sound even across a wide seating area. Two 8” woofers and a 1” compression driver on a waveguide are rated at 96dB sensitivity with output up to 117dB at 1 meter, and 600W of supplied DSP amplification with room correction over Ethernet lets an installer tune it precisely. It mounts in the wall or on the wall, including behind an acoustically transparent screen, and is made in the USA with a 2 year warranty. Measured bass extension of 87.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Audio Science Review measured a preference score of only 2.16, or 5.53 with a perfect subwoofer, because on-axis response is uneven (0.64 smoothness, 0.55dB average deviation). Bass measured -3dB at 87.9Hz, so a subwoofer is required. ASR also heard tweeter hiss at 2 to 3 feet, which matters for close listening. At $8200 each a stereo pair costs twice that, it needs the supplied rack amplifier and network setup, and it is sold through custom installation dealers.
Full Grimani Systems Rixos-L review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 600W recommended (supplied 4-channel DSP amplifier) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 87.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Country | United States |
| Crossover Frequency | 350Hz, 1,000Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 36”H x 13”W x 6”D (914 x 330 x 152 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 8” mid-bass woofers, 1” compression driver on a Conic Section Array waveguide (2.5-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall or on-wall |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz (-6dB, manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms (tweeter), 4 ohms (woofers) |
| Maximum SPL | 113dB continuous, 117dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 96dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.53 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons