In this review, we will be comparing M16 and M126Be, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Revel Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Revel M16 and Revel M126Be first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Revel M16 and Revel M126Be 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 Revel M16 and Revel M126Be compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both M16 and M126Be are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Revel M16 |
Revel M126Be |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
M16 features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Anodized aluminum Woofer . On the other hand, the M126Be features a 1" beryllium Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" DCC Aluminum Woofer .
Frequency Response
M16 has a frequency range of 55- Hz whereas M126Be has a frequency range of 54-44k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 54Hz, the M126Be can go slightly deeper then 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
M16 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the M126Be which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 86 dBdB.
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.
M16 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas M16 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 30 watts less than the M126Be.
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
M16 features Binding post type posts and M126Be has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both M16 and M126Be 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 Revel M16's and Revel M126Be's external dimensions. Revel M16 has external dimensions of 378.0 x 221.0 x 280.0mm ( 14-7/8 x 8-11/16 x 11inch) whereas Revel M126Be has external dimensions of 388.0 x 212.0 x 262.0mm ( 15-1/4 x 8-5/16 x 10-5/16inch) .
Revel M126Be is 9mm narrower and 18mm less deeper than Revel M16 but it is also 10mm taller.
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 M16 is approximately 618.8cm2 / 95.9inch2 and base area of the Revel M126Be is approximately 555.4cm2 / 86.1inch2. The M16 requires 11% more surface area than the M126Be 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 Revel M16 weighs 7.27kg / 16lbs and the Revel M126Be weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the M126Be 38% heavier than the M16.
Here is a comparison of how M16 and M126Be's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Revel M16?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of M16:
Bookshelf loudspeakerGrilleOwners Manual
What's in the Box of Revel M126Be?
Here are the items that come with the M126Be:
Bookshelf loudspeakerGrilleFoam port plugOwners Manual
 Height |
378mm
vs
388mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
990USD
vs
4400USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
54 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
44k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
555cm2 (212x262mm)
vs
618cm2 (221x280mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Revel Concerta2 M16 |
Revel PerformaBe M126Be |
| Brand |
Revel |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
50-120 watts |
50-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55- Hz |
54-44k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Anodized aluminum |
DCC Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
378.0mm (14.9") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Width |
221.0mm (8.7") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
280.0mm (11") |
262.0mm (10.3") |
| Weight |
7.27kg (16lbs) |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Finish |
Wood/Lacquer |
Wood/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black,Gloss White |
Walnut,Black,White,Silver |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
22-26" |
| 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 |