In this review, we will be comparing S3ic In-Ceiling and W228Be, two Passive In-wall speakers from Perlisten and Revel.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Perlisten S3ic In-Ceiling and Revel W228Be first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Perlisten S3ic In-Ceiling | Revel W228Be |
|---|
| Brand | Perlisten
United States · founded 2016 | Revel
United States · founded 1996 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1.0" |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 2 x 8" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 57-30k Hz | 35-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89.7 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50 - 250W (with 80Hz HPF); 50 - 150W (full range) SPL Capability @1m (100-20kHz) 113.7dB peak; 111.0dB peak <3% 2nd, 3rd harmonics Certification THX C watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 9.40kg / 20.7lbs | 14.29kg / 31.4lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 37" x 13-15/16" x 4-1/8"
939.8 x 354.0 x 104.8mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both S3ic In-Ceiling and W228Be are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Perlisten S3ic In-Ceiling |
Revel W228Be |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1.0-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
x -inch
|
2 x 8-inch
|
S3ic In-Ceiling features a " Tweeter and x " Woofer. On the other hand, the W228Be features a 1.0" Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 8" Woofer.
Frequency Response
S3ic In-Ceiling has a frequency range of 57-30k Hz whereas W228Be has a frequency range of 35-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the W228Be can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S3ic In-Ceiling's min frequency of 57Hz.
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
S3ic In-Ceiling is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the W228Be 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 S3ic In-Ceiling can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. S3ic In-Ceiling sensitivity is rated at 89.7 dB and the W228Be's is rated at 90 dB.
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 S3ic In-Ceiling
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
S3ic In-Ceiling features Spring post type posts and W228Be 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 S3ic In-Ceiling's and Revel W228Be's external dimensions. Perlisten S3ic In-Ceiling has external dimensions of 343.3 x 343.3 x 194.8mm () whereas Revel W228Be has external dimensions of 939.8 x 354.0 x 104.8mm ().
Perlisten S3ic In-Ceiling is 10.7mm narrower and 596.5mm shorter than Revel W228Be but it is also 90mm deeper.
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 S3ic In-Ceiling needs about 80% more floor or shelf area. Perlisten S3ic In-Ceiling is 90mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Revel W228Be is 597mm 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 S3ic In-Ceiling weighs 9.40kg / 20.7lbs and the Revel W228Be weighs 14.29kg / 31.4lbs. This makes the W228Be 52% heavier than the S3ic In-Ceiling.
Here is a comparison of how S3ic In-Ceiling and W228Be's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
Perlisten S3ic In-Ceiling
 Height |
343mm
vs
939mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
7590USD
vs
7700USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
35 Hz
vs
57 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
371cm2
vs
668cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Perlisten S3ic In-Ceiling |
Revel W228Be |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Sensitivity |
89.7 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
57-30k Hz |
35-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
2 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1.0" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5.25" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
343.3mm (13.5") |
939.8mm (37") |
| Width |
343.3mm (13.5") |
354.0mm (13.9") |
| Depth |
194.8mm (7.7") |
104.8mm (4.1") |
| Weight |
9.40kg (20.7lbs) |
14.29kg (31.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
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 | B | Revel W228Be digs deeper - 35Hz against 57Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (90dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | Revel W228Be is the easier load at 6 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Size | depends | Perlisten S3ic In-Ceiling is easier to place; Revel W228Be is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($7,590 vs $7,700 a pair). |
A Perlisten S3ic In-Ceiling B Revel W228Be
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 W228Be 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 57Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Revel W228Be has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Perlisten S3ic In-Ceiling 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.