In this review, we will be comparing M106 and L100, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Revel and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Revel M106 and Polk L100 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Revel M106 and Polk L100 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 M106 and Polk L100 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 M106 and L100 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Revel M106 |
Polk L100 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
M106 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome with Acoustic Lens Waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2300Hz. On the other hand, the L100 features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
M106 has a frequency range of 59Hz- 20kHz whereas L100 has a frequency range of 57-38k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the L100 can go slightly deeper then the M106's min frequency of 59Hz.
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
M106 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the L100 which has a nominal impedance of 4 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 L100 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. M106 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the L100's is rated at 85.5 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Revel M106 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk L100, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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.
M106 can handle a max power of 160 watts RMS from the amp the whereas M106 has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 10 watts less than the L100.
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
M106 features Post type posts and L100 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Revel M106's Binding post terminals
Polk L100's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both M106 and L100 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.
Polk L100 Enhanced Power Port Port
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 M106's and Polk L100's external dimensions. Revel M106 has external dimensions of 383.0 x 210.0 x 280.0mm ( 15-1/16 x 8-1/4 x 11inch) whereas Polk L100 has external dimensions of 348.0 x 201.0 x 288.0mm ( 13-11/16 x 7-7/8 x 11-5/16inch) .
Polk L100 is 9mm narrower and 35mm shorter than Revel M106 but it is also 8mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Revel M106 and Polk L100 in scale.
Comparison image of Revel M106 and Polk L100 Size and External Dimensions
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 M106 is approximately 588.0cm2 / 91.1inch2 and base area of the Polk L100 is approximately 578.9cm2 / 89.7inch2. The M106 requires 2% more surface area than the L100 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Revel M106 and Polk L100 on a Media Console
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 M106 weighs 8.41kg / 18.5lbs and the Polk L100 weighs 7.68kg / 16.9lbs. This makes the M106 10% heavier than the L100.
Here is a comparison of how M106 and L100'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 M106?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of M106:
Bookshelf loudspeakerGrilleFoam port plugOwners Manual
What's in the Box of Polk L100?
Here are the items that come with the L100:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles Cleaning cloth Owners Manual Online Registration
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Max Input Power |
160 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
| Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
348mm
vs
383mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
578cm2 (201x288mm)
vs
588cm2 (210x280mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
2200USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Revel Performa3 M106 |
Polk Audio Legend L100 |
| Brand |
Revel |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
50-150 watts |
30-160 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
85.5 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
59Hz- 20kHz |
57-38k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome with Acoustic Lens Waveguide |
Ring Radiator |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2300Hz |
2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
383.0mm (15.1") |
348.0mm (13.7") |
| Width |
210.0mm (8.3") |
201.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
280.0mm (11") |
288.0mm (11.3") |
| Weight |
8.41kg (18.5lbs) |
7.68kg (16.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Wood/Lacquer |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Walnut,Piano Black |
Brown Walnut, Black Ash |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-25" |
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 |