In this review, we will be comparing W253L and 100 IW LCR5, two Passive In-wall speakers from Revel and Focal.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Revel W253L and Focal 100 IW LCR5 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Revel W253L | Focal 100 IW LCR5 |
|---|
| Brand | Revel
United States · founded 1996 | Focal
France · founded 1979 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Inverted Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" Aluminum | 2 x 5.125" Polyglass |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-18kHz | 55-23kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 90.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-130 watts | 25-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.54kg / 5.6lbs | 1.77kg / 3.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14.1250" x 6.4375" x 3.4375"
359.0 x 164.0 x 88.0mm | 16.3130" x 5.8130" x 3.2500"
415.0 x 148.0 x 83.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Revel W253L and Focal 100 IW LCR5 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 W253L |
Focal 100 IW LCR5 |
| 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both W253L and 100 IW LCR5 are 2-way speakers.
Revel W253LFocal 100 IW LCR5
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 W253L |
Focal 100 IW LCR5 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.125-inch
|
W253L features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer. On the other hand, the 100 IW LCR5 features a 1" Inverted Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.125" Polyglass Woofer.
Frequency Response
W253L has a frequency range of 55-18kHz whereas 100 IW LCR5 has a frequency range of 55-23kHz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the In-wall class in our database.
Low Frequency
In-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
W253L and 100 IW LCR5 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. W253L sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the 100 IW LCR5's is at 90.5 dB.
Sensitivity
In-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.
W253L can handle a max power of 130 watts RMS, whereas 100 IW LCR5 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the W253L.
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
W253L features Spring post type posts and 100 IW LCR5 has a Spring post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 W253L's and Focal 100 IW LCR5's external dimensions. Revel W253L has external dimensions of 359.0 x 164.0 x 88.0mm (14.1250-inch x 6.4375-inch x 3.4375-inch) whereas Focal 100 IW LCR5 has external dimensions of 415.0 x 148.0 x 83.0mm (16.3130-inch x 5.8130-inch x 3.2500-inch).
Focal 100 IW LCR5 is 16mm narrower and 5mm less deeper than Revel W253L but it is also 56mm taller.
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.
Revel W253L needs about 17% more floor or shelf area. Focal 100 IW LCR5 is 56mm taller.
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 W253L weighs 2.54kg / 5.6lbs and the Focal 100 IW LCR5 weighs 1.77kg / 3.9lbs. This makes the W253L 44% heavier than the 100 IW LCR5.
Here is a comparison of how W253L and 100 IW LCR5's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
What's in the Box of Revel W253L?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of W253L:
- In-wall loudspeaker
- Grille
- Scrim cloth
- Cutout template
- Instruction Manual
What's in the Box of Focal 100 IW LCR5?
Here are the items that come with the 100 IW LCR5:
- One in-wall speaker
- 1 metal-mesh grill (white)
- Cut-out template
- User manual
 Max Input Power |
130 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5.125 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
359mm
vs
415mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 High Frequency Response |
23k Hz
vs
18k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
122cm2
vs
144cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
598USD
vs
660USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Revel W253L |
Focal 100 IW LCR5 |
| Brand |
Revel |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Power Range |
10-130 watts |
25-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
90.5 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-18kHz |
55-23kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.125" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Polyglass |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Inverted Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
359.0mm (14.1") |
415.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
164.0mm (6.5") |
148.0mm (5.8") |
| Depth |
88.0mm (3.5") |
83.0mm (3.3") |
| Weight |
2.54kg (5.6lbs) |
1.77kg (3.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
In-wall |
In-wall |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
Yes |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
Lifetime |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
Lifetime |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (55Hz vs 55Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (91dB vs 91dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (130W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Revel W253L sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($660 vs $598 a pair). |
A Revel W253L B Focal 100 IW LCR5
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.