In this review, we will be comparing M8 SP2 and M8 SP2, two Passive On-wall speakers by Revel.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Revel M8 SP2 and Revel M8 SP2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Revel M8 SP2 | Revel M8 SP2 |
|---|
| Brand | Revel
United States · founded 1996 | Revel
United States · founded 1996 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 3" Micro Ceramic Composite | 2 x 3" Micro Ceramic Composite |
|---|
| Frequency response | 110-21k Hz | 110-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-125 watts | 10-125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 1.57kg / 3.5lbs | 1.57kg / 3.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11-11/16" x 4-1/4" x 4-5/8"
297.0 x 108.0 x 118.0mm | 11-11/16" x 4-1/4" x 4-5/8"
297.0 x 108.0 x 118.0mm |
|---|
M8 SP2 and M8 SP2 are members of Revel's Concerta series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Revel Concerta Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both M8 SP2 and M8 SP2 are 2-way speakers.
Revel M8 SP2Revel M8 SP2
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Revel M8 SP2 |
Revel M8 SP2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 3-inch
|
2 x 3-inch
|
M8 SP2 features a 1" MCC (Micro Ceramic Composite) Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 3" Micro Ceramic Composite Woofer. On the other hand, the M8 SP2 features a 1" MCC (Micro Ceramic Composite) Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 3" Micro Ceramic Composite Woofer.
Frequency Response
M8 SP2 and M8 SP2 has exactly the same frequency range of 110-21k Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the On-wall class in our database.
Low Frequency
On-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
M8 SP2 and M8 SP2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 88 dB.
Sensitivity
On-wall Speakers
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.
M8 SP2 and M8 SP2 have the same power range of 10-125 watts.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
M8 SP2 features 5-way post type posts and M8 SP2 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both M8 SP2 and M8 SP2 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
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 M8 SP2's and Revel M8 SP2's external dimensions. Revel M8 SP2 has external dimensions of 297.0 x 108.0 x 118.0mm (11-11/16 x 4-1/4 x 4-5/8inch) whereas Revel M8 SP2 has external dimensions of 297.0 x 108.0 x 118.0mm (11-11/16 x 4-1/4 x 4-5/8inch).
In this case, we can see that Revel M8 SP2 and Revel M8 SP2 have the exact same height, width and thickness.
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.
Near-identical footprints.
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 Revel M8 SP2 is approximately 127.4cm2 / 19.7inch2 and base area of the Revel M8 SP2 is approximately 127.4cm2 / 19.7inch2.
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 Revel M8 SP2 weighs 1.57kg / 3.5lbs and the Revel M8 SP2 weighs 1.57kg / 3.5lbs.
Here is a comparison of how M8 SP2 and M8 SP2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive On-wall class.
Weight
All On-wall Speakers
What's in the Box of Revel M8 SP2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of M8 SP2:
- 2 Satellite loudspeakers
- 2 Wall-brackets
- 4 Wall-mount end-caps
- 2 Rubber foot pads
- Hex-key
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Revel M8 SP2?
Here are the items that come with the M8 SP2:
- 2 Satellite loudspeakers
- 2 Wall-brackets
- 4 Wall-mount end-caps
- 2 Rubber foot pads
- Hex-key
- Owners Manual
| General |
Revel Concerta M8 SP2 |
Revel Concerta M8 SP2 |
| Brand |
Revel |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
on-wall or tabletop speakers |
on-wall or tabletop speakers |
| Power Range |
10-125 watts |
10-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
110-21k Hz |
110-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
3" |
3" |
| Woofer Composition |
Micro Ceramic Composite |
Micro Ceramic Composite |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
297.0mm (11.7") |
297.0mm (11.7") |
| Width |
108.0mm (4.3") |
108.0mm (4.3") |
| Depth |
118.0mm (4.6") |
118.0mm (4.6") |
| Weight |
1.57kg (3.5lbs) |
1.57kg (3.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Gloss Black |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Revel's Concerta series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (110Hz vs 110Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (125W vs 125W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($600 vs $600 a pair). |
A Revel M8 SP2 B Revel M8 SP2
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
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.