Revel Performa3 C205 vs BW HTM72 S2 Comparison

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Revel Performa3 C205

Passive Center Channel | 80Hz- 20kHz

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BW HTM72 S2

Passive Center Channel | 70-28k Hz

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Revel Performa3 C205

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BW HTM72 S2

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Revel Performa3 C205

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BW HTM72 S2

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Revel Performa3 C205 vs BW HTM72 S2 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Revel Performa3 C205 and HTM72 S2, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Revel and Bowers Wilkins.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Revel Performa3 C205 and BW HTM72 S2 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Revel Performa3 C205 Key Specs

2-way Design

1" dome with proprietary acoustic lens and waveguide Tweeter

2 x 5.25" aluminum cone with cast frames Woofer

80Hz- 20kHz Frequency Response

89 dB Sensitivity

Impedance: 8ohms

Power Range:50-120watts

Weight:11.86kg

Dimensions (H x W x D): 207.0" x 21-1/16" x 11-9/16"( 207.0 x 535.0 x 294.0mm )

BW HTM72 S2 Key Specs

2-way Design

1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter

2 x 5" Continuum Woofer

70-28k Hz Frequency Response

87 dB Sensitivity

Impedance: 8ohms

Power Range:30-120watts

Weight:9.14kg

Dimensions (H x W x D): 169.0" x 18-15/16" x 10-15/16"( 169.0 x 482.0 x 278.0mm )

What size room are the Revel Performa3 C205 and BW HTM72 S2 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:

Listening Environment*	Revel Performa3 C205	BW HTM72 S2
Near-field	Poor	Poor
Small Room	Average	Average
Mid-size Room	Good	Good
Large Room	Average	Average
Very Large Room	Poor	Poor

(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m², Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m², Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m², Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m². Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Revel Performa3 C205 and BW HTM72 S2 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 Revel Performa3 C205 and HTM72 S2 are 2-way speakers.

Driver	Revel Performa3 C205	BW HTM72 S2
Driver Setup	2-way	2-way
Tweeter	1-inch	1-inch
Midrange	-	-
Woofer	2 x 5.25-inch	2 x 5-inch

Revel Performa3 C205 features a 1" aluminum dome with proprietary acoustic lens and waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" aluminum cone with cast frames Woofer . On the other hand, the HTM72 S2 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Continuum Woofer .

Frequency Response

Revel Performa3 C205 has a frequency range of 80Hz- 20kHz whereas HTM72 S2 has a frequency range of 70-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 70Hz, the HTM72 S2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Revel Performa3 C205's min frequency of 80Hz.

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 Center Channel class in our database.

Low Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Revel Performa3 C205

HTM72 S2

Min

Average

Max

High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Revel Performa3 C205

BW HTM72 S2

Min

Average

Max

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

Revel Performa3 C205 and HTM72 S2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Revel Performa3 C205 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the HTM72 S2's is at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Revel Performa3 C205 a more sensitive speaker compared to BW HTM72 S2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

Revel Performa3 C205

HTM72 S2

Min

Average

Max

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.

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

HTM72 S2 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Revel Performa3 C205 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Revel Performa3 C205's Binding post terminals

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 Performa3 C205's and BW HTM72 S2's external dimensions. Revel Performa3 C205 has external dimensions of 207.0 x 535.0 x 294.0mm ( 8-1/8 x 21-1/16 x 11-9/16inch) whereas BW HTM72 S2 has external dimensions of 169.0 x 482.0 x 278.0mm ( 6-5/8 x 18-15/16 x 10-15/16inch) .

Revel Performa3 C205 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 53mm wider, 38mm taller and 16mm deeper than BW HTM72 S2.

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 Performa3 C205 is approximately 1572.9cm² / 243.8inch² and base area of the BW HTM72 S2 is approximately 1340.0cm² / 207.7inch². The Revel Performa3 C205 requires 17% more surface area than the HTM72 S2 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 Performa3 C205 weighs 11.86kg / 26.1lbs and the BW HTM72 S2 weighs 9.14kg / 20.1lbs. This makes the Revel Performa3 C205 30% heavier than the HTM72 S2.

Here is a comparison of how Revel Performa3 C205 and HTM72 S2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers

Revel Performa3 C205

BW HTM72 S2

Min

Average

Max

What's in the Box of Revel Performa3 C205?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Revel Performa3 C205:

Center-channel loudspeaker

Grille

2 Short feet

2 Long feet

Owners Manual

What's in the Box of BW HTM72 S2?

Here are the items that come with the HTM72 S2:

Center-channel loudspeaker

Grille

Two-piece foam port plug

4 Self-adhesive rubber feet

4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)

Manual

Bowers Wilkins brochure

Warranty Information

Reasons to choose Revel Performa3 C205 over Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S2

Sensitivity	89 dB vs 87 dB	Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Woofer Size	5.25 inches vs 5 inches	Larger woofer
Price per pair*	1100USD vs 1199USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Reasons to choose Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S2 over Revel Performa3 C205

Low Frequency Response	70 Hz vs 80 Hz	Generates deeper bass
High Frequency Response	28k Hz vs 20k Hz	Generates higher frequency
Height	169mm vs 207mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area	1340cm² vs 1572cm²	Takes less floor space

Revel Performa3 C205 vs BW HTM72 S2 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Revel Performa3 C205	Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S2
Brand	Revel	Bowers Wilkins
Speaker Type	Center channel speaker	Center channel speaker
Power Range	50-120 watts	30-120 watts
Sensitivity	89 dB	87 dB
Impedance	8 ohms	8 ohms
Impedance	n/a	4.3 ohms
Frequency Response	80Hz- 20kHz	70-28k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity	2	2
Woofer Size	5.25"	5"
Woofer Composition	aluminum cone with cast frames	Continuum
Woofer Surround Material	n/a	Rubber
Tweeter Size	1"	1"
Tweeter Type	dome with proprietary acoustic lens and waveguide	Decoupled Carbon Dome
Aimable Tweeter	No	No
Midrange Driver	No	No
Firing Direction	n/a	rear
Physical Specs
Height	207.0mm (8.1")	169.0mm (6.7")
Width	535.0mm (21.1")	482.0mm (19")
Depth	294.0mm (11.6")	278.0mm (10.9")
Weight	11.86kg (26.1lbs)	9.14kg (20.1lbs)
Enclosure	Passive Radiator	Bass Reflex
Available Colors	Gloss Black	Gloss Black, Satin White, Rosenut
Grille	Yes	Yes
Moisture Resistancy	No	No
Connections
Biamp Inputs	n/a	Yes
Other
Parts Warranty	5 Years	5 Years
Labor Warranty	5 Years	5 Years