In this review, we will be comparing Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y and W253L, two Passive In-wall speakers from Aperion and Revel.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y and Revel W253L first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y | Revel W253L |
|---|
| Brand | Aperion
United States · founded 1998 | Revel
United States · founded 1996 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" | 2 x 5.25" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-30k Hz | 55-18kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-150 Watts watts | 10-130 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.80kg / 15lbs | 2.54kg / 5.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7.9" x 19" x 5"
200.7 x 482.6 x 127.0mm | 14.1250" x 6.4375" x 3.4375"
359.0 x 164.0 x 88.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y and Revel W253L speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y |
Revel W253L |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y and W253L are 2-way speakers.
Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09YRevel W253L
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y |
Revel W253L |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y features a " Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Woofer. On the other hand, the W253L features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer.
Frequency Response
Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y has a frequency range of 55-30k Hz whereas W253L has a frequency range of 55-18kHz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the In-wall class in our database.
Low Frequency
In-wall Speakers
Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the W253L which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the W253L's is rated at 91 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Revel W253L a more sensitive speaker compared to Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas W253L has a max power handling value of 130 watts RMS, 170 watts less than the Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y features Spring clip type posts and W253L has a Spring clip type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y's and Revel W253L's external dimensions. Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y has external dimensions of 200.7 x 482.6 x 127.0mm (7.9 x 19 x 5inch) whereas Revel W253L has external dimensions of 359.0 x 164.0 x 88.0mm (14.1250-inch x 6.4375-inch x 3.4375-inch).
Revel W253L is 318.6mm narrower and 39mm less deeper than Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y but it is also 158.3mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y needs about 325% more floor or shelf area. Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y is 39mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Revel W253L is 158mm taller.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y weighs 6.80kg / 15lbs and the Revel W253L weighs 2.54kg / 5.6lbs. This makes the Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y 168% heavier than the W253L.
Here is a comparison of how Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y and W253L's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y
What's in the Box of Revel W253L?
Here are the items that come with the W253L:
- In-wall loudspeaker
- Grille
- Scrim cloth
- Cutout template
- Instruction Manual
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
130 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
18k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
200mm
vs
359mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Base Surface Area |
144cm2
vs
612cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
660USD
vs
674USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y |
Revel W253L |
| Brand |
Aperion |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Power Range |
20-150 Watts watts |
10-130 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-30k Hz |
55-18kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
200.7mm (7.9") |
359.0mm (14.1") |
| Width |
482.6mm (19") |
164.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
127.0mm (5") |
88.0mm (3.5") |
| Weight |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
2.54kg (5.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
In-wall |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
Lifetime |
| Labor Warranty |
|
Lifetime |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (55Hz vs 55Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | Revel W253L is more sensitive (91dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Revel W253L is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y takes more power (300W vs 130W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Revel W253L is easier to place; Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs In-wall. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($674 vs $660 a pair). |
A Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y B Revel W253L
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 speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Revel W253L has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. Match it to your room: we rate Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Revel W253L for a mid-size room and a large room. In a large or open-plan room, Aperion Novus N6SC Slim LCR 6.5" On-Wall Speaker Gloss Black B stock - S/N: 09Y has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Revel W253L is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.