In this review, we will be comparing R3ic In Ceiling and W226Be, two Passive In-wall speakers from Perlisten and Revel.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling and Revel W226Be first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling | Revel W226Be |
|---|
| Brand | Perlisten
United States · founded 2016 | Revel
United States · founded 1996 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 2 x 6.5" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 59-30k Hz | 45-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88.8 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50–200W (with 80Hz high-pass filter), 50–125W (full range) THX Certification Dominus (Surrounds) and Ultra Mounting System Tool-less installation watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 9.40kg / 20.7lbs | 7.12kg / 15.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13-1/2" x 13-1/2" x 7-11/16"
343.3 x 343.3 x 194.8mm | 22-15/16" x 10-1/4" x 3-13/16"
582.6 x 260.4 x 96.8mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that R3ic In Ceiling is a 3-way design whereas the W226Be is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling |
Revel W226Be |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
x -inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
R3ic In Ceiling features a " Tweeter and x " Woofer. On the other hand, the W226Be features a 1" Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Woofer.
Frequency Response
R3ic In Ceiling has a frequency range of 59-30k Hz whereas W226Be has a frequency range of 45-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the W226Be can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R3ic In Ceiling's min frequency of 59Hz.
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
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
R3ic In Ceiling is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the W226Be which has a nominal impedance of 6 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 R3ic In Ceiling can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. R3ic In Ceiling sensitivity is rated at 88.8 dB and the W226Be's is rated at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Revel W226Be a more sensitive speaker compared to Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
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.
Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
R3ic In Ceiling features Spring post type posts and W226Be has a Spring post 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 Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling's and Revel W226Be's external dimensions. Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling has external dimensions of 343.3 x 343.3 x 194.8mm () whereas Revel W226Be has external dimensions of 582.6 x 260.4 x 96.8mm ().
Revel W226Be is 82.9mm narrower and 98mm less deeper than Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling but it is also 239.3mm 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.
Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling needs about 165% more floor or shelf area. Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling is 98mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Revel W226Be is 239mm 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 Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling weighs 9.40kg / 20.7lbs and the Revel W226Be weighs 7.12kg / 15.7lbs. This makes the R3ic In Ceiling 32% heavier than the W226Be.
Here is a comparison of how R3ic In Ceiling and W226Be's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Height |
343mm
vs
582mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
4790USD
vs
4950USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
252cm2
vs
668cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling |
Revel W226Be |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Sensitivity |
88.8 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
59-30k Hz |
45-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
2 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
343.3mm (13.5") |
582.6mm (22.9") |
| Width |
343.3mm (13.5") |
260.4mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
194.8mm (7.7") |
96.8mm (3.8") |
| Weight |
9.40kg (20.7lbs) |
7.12kg (15.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
Lifetime |
| Labor Warranty |
|
Lifetime |
A generation apart: Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling is the newer design, against a 2018 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Revel W226Be digs deeper - 45Hz against 59Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (89dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | Revel W226Be is the easier load at 6 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Size | depends | Revel W226Be is easier to place; Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($4,790 vs $4,950 a pair). |
A Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling B Revel W226Be
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 W226Be has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 59Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Perlisten R3ic In Ceiling has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Revel W226Be 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.