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 MartinLogan Tribute 5XW ranks #17, rated 3.2/5, and costs $6,999.98, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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. 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.
What the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW does well: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows a rated 94dB sensitivity that measured a still efficient 88.1dB at 1 meter, so it plays loudly for its size. 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 W990. It is rated higher for sound quality than the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW 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 | MartinLogan Tribute 5XW | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,239.90 per pair | $6,999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #15 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #17 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) | 1.25 x 2.4” Folded Motion XT Obsidian tweeter, 2x 5.25” carbon fiber woofers, 2x 6.5” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | In-wall, passive | Sealed back box, in-wall |
| Mounting Cutout | 318W x 486H mm | 236W x 757H mm |
| Dimensions | 20.7”H x 13.9”W x 4.1”D (527 x 352 x 103 mm) (95mm mounting depth) | 31.1”H x 10.6”W x 4.1”D (791 x 269 x 104 mm) (97mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) | 25.6 lbs (11.6 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 94dB (manufacturer), 88.1dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 10-200W RMS recommended amplifier power | 20-250W recommended amplifier power |
| Warranty | 5 years | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 74.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 22.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 68.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.60 | 1.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.09 | 4.91 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Impedance | - | 4 ohms |
| Frequency Response | - | 71Hz-25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2,250Hz |
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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
MartinLogan Tribute 5XW: $6,999.98 per pair Audio Advice eBay
Pros: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows a rated 94dB sensitivity that measured a still efficient 88.1dB at 1 meter, so it plays loudly for its size. The folded thin-film Folded Motion XT Obsidian tweeter rotates for horizontal or vertical mounting, and it pairs two carbon fiber woofers with two 6.5” passive radiators in a sealed box. It accepts 20-250W of amplifier power and mounts with a slim 3.8” depth behind the wall. Measured bass extension of 74.7Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 94dB.
Cons: 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). Bass measured -3dB at only 74.7Hz, so a subwoofer is required, and MartinLogan rates it to 71Hz. At $3500 each a stereo pair costs twice that and MartinLogan sells it through dealers.
Full MartinLogan Tribute 5XW review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,250Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 31.1”H x 10.6”W x 4.1”D (791 x 269 x 104 mm) (97mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 1.25 x 2.4” Folded Motion XT Obsidian tweeter, 2x 5.25” carbon fiber woofers, 2x 6.5” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | Sealed back box, in-wall |
| Frequency Response | 71Hz-25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Mounting Cutout | 236W x 757H mm |
| Power Handling | 20-250W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (manufacturer), 88.1dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.91 |
| Weight | 25.6 lbs (11.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons