In this review, we will be comparing B28W and IWSub 1010, two Passive In-wall speakers from Revel and Definitive Technology. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Revel B28W and Definitive IWSub 1010 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Revel B28W and Definitive IWSub 1010 have a totally different setup: the Revel B28W features 2 x 8-inch drivers whereas the IWSub 1010 features 1 x 10-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
B28W has a frequency range of 36-150Hz whereas IWSub 1010 has a frequency range of 16-200Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the IWSub 1010 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the B28W's min frequency of 36Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the In-wall class in our database.
Low Frequency
In-wall Speakers
High Frequency
In-wall Speakers
Power Range
B28W has a power range of 350 watts RMS whereas IWSub 1010 has a power range of up to 275 watts.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
B28W features Spring post type posts and IWSub 1010 has a Spring post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type
Both Revel B28W and Definitive IWSub 1010 have In-wall type cabinets.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Revel B28W's and Definitive IWSub 1010's external dimensions. Revel B28W has external dimensions of 597.0 x 369.0 x 102.0mm (23.5000-inch x 14.5000-inch x 4.0000-inch) whereas Definitive IWSub 1010 has external dimensions of 505.0 x 366.0 x 97.0mm (19.8750-inch x 14.3750-inch x 3.8125-inch).
Revel B28W is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 3mm wider, 92mm taller and 5mm deeper than Definitive IWSub 1010.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Revel B28W weighs 12.88kg / 28.3lbs and the Definitive IWSub 1010 weighs 10.43kg / 22.9lbs. This makes the B28W 23% heavier than the IWSub 1010.
Here is a comparison of how B28W and IWSub 1010's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
What's in the Box of Revel B28W?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of B28W:
- In-wall subwoofer
- Grille
- 8 Screws
- 8 Washers
- 8 Isolators
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Definitive IWSub 1010?
Here are the items that come with the IWSub 1010:
- In-wall subwoofer
- Grille (attached)
- 7 Self-adhesive foam gaskets
- 6 Screws
- Wall-template
- Paint mask
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
 Max Input Power |
350 watts
vs
275 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
36 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
1 x 10-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
505mm
vs
597mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
355cm2
vs
376cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1100USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Revel B28W |
Definitive Technology IWSub 10/10 |
| Brand |
Revel |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Passive Subwoofer |
Passive Subwoofer |
| Power Range |
350 watts |
up to 275 watts |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
36-150Hz |
16-200Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polymer-coated aluminum |
|
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
597.0mm (23.5") |
505.0mm (19.9") |
| Width |
369.0mm (14.5") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Depth |
102.0mm (4") |
97.0mm (3.8") |
| Weight |
12.88kg (28.3lbs) |
10.43kg (22.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
In-wall |
In-wall |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
Lifetime |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
Lifetime |
5 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Definitive IWSub 1010 goes deeper - 16Hz against 36Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Driver area | A | Revel B28W moves more air: 2 x 8" against 10" is 1.28x the cone area, not the 1.13x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are in-wall designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Definitive IWSub 1010 is about 20% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Warranty | A | Revel B28W carries a lifetime warranty on parts against 5 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Definitive IWSub 1010 costs less - $999 against $1,100, about 9% less. |
A Revel B28W B Definitive IWSub 1010
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Revel B28W measures better, Definitive IWSub 1010 costs about 9% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.