In this review, we will be comparing L200 and M16, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and Revel. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk L200 and Revel M16 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Polk L200 and Revel M16 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Polk L200 and Revel M16 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both L200 and M16 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Polk L200 |
Revel M16 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
L200 features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz. On the other hand, the M16 features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Anodized aluminum Woofer .
Frequency Response
L200 has a frequency range of 46-38k Hz whereas M16 has a frequency range of 55- Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the L200 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the M16's min frequency of 55Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
L200 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the M16 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 L200 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. L200 sensitivity is rated at 85.5 dB and the M16's is rated at 86 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
L200 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas M16 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the L200.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
L200 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. M16 has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both L200 and M16 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Polk L200's and Revel M16's external dimensions. Polk L200 has external dimensions of 399.0 x 213.0 x 339.0mm ( 15-11/16 x 8-3/8 x 13-5/16inch) whereas Revel M16 has external dimensions of 378.0 x 221.0 x 280.0mm ( 14-7/8 x 8-11/16 x 11inch) .
Revel M16 is 21mm shorter and 59mm less deeper than Polk L200 but it is also 8mm wider.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Polk L200 is approximately 722.1cm2 / 111.9inch2 and base area of the Revel M16 is approximately 618.8cm2 / 95.9inch2. The L200 requires 17% more surface area than the M16 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Polk L200 weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the Revel M16 weighs 7.27kg / 16lbs. This makes the L200 38% heavier than the M16.
Here is a comparison of how L200 and M16's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk L200?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of L200:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles Cleaning cloth Owners Manual Online Registration
What's in the Box of Revel M16?
Here are the items that come with the M16:
Bookshelf loudspeakerGrilleOwners Manual
Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Height |
378mm
vs
399mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
618cm2 (221x280mm)
vs
722cm2 (213x339mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
990USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Polk Audio Legend L200 |
Revel Concerta2 M16 |
Brand |
Polk Audio |
Revel |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-200 watts |
50-120 watts |
Sensitivity |
85.5 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
6 ohms |
Impedance |
3 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
46-38k Hz |
55- Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Anodized aluminum |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Ring Radiator |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2600Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
399.0mm (15.7") |
378.0mm (14.9") |
Width |
213.0mm (8.4") |
221.0mm (8.7") |
Depth |
339.0mm (13.3") |
280.0mm (11") |
Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
7.27kg (16lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Wood/Lacquer |
Available Colors |
Brown Walnut, Black Ash |
Gloss Black,Gloss White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
24-28" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |