In this review, we will be comparing W253L and W228Be, two Passive In-wall speakers by Revel.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Revel W253L and Revel W228Be first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Revel W253L | Revel W228Be |
|---|
| Brand | Revel
United States · founded 1996 | Revel
United States · founded 1996 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1.0" |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" Aluminum | 2 x 8" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-18kHz | 35-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-130 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 2.54kg / 5.6lbs | 14.29kg / 31.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14.1250" x 6.4375" x 3.4375"
359.0 x 164.0 x 88.0mm | 37" x 13-15/16" x 4-1/8"
939.8 x 354.0 x 104.8mm |
|---|
W253L and W228Be are members of Revel's Architectural series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Revel Architectural Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that W253L is a 2-way design whereas the W228Be is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Revel W253LRevel W228Be
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
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 |
Revel W228Be |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.0-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 8-inch
|
W253L features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer. On the other hand, the W228Be features a 1.0" Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 8" Woofer.
Frequency Response
W253L has a frequency range of 55-18kHz whereas W228Be has a frequency range of 35-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the W228Be can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the W253L's min frequency of 55Hz.
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 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the W228Be which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. W253L sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the W228Be's is rated at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Revel W253L a more sensitive speaker compared to Revel W228Be, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
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 W228Be 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 Revel W228Be'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 Revel W228Be has external dimensions of 939.8 x 354.0 x 104.8mm ().
Revel W228Be is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 190mm wider, 580.8mm taller and 16.8mm deeper than Revel W253L.
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 W228Be needs about 157% more floor or shelf area. Revel W228Be is 17mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Revel W228Be is 581mm 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 Revel W228Be weighs 14.29kg / 31.4lbs. This makes the W228Be 463% heavier than the W253L.
Here is a comparison of how W253L and W228Be'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
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Height |
359mm
vs
939mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
144cm2
vs
371cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
660USD
vs
7700USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
35 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
18k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Revel W253L |
Revel W228Be |
| Brand |
Revel |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-18kHz |
35-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
|
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.0" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5.25" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
359.0mm (14.1") |
939.8mm (37") |
| Width |
164.0mm (6.5") |
354.0mm (13.9") |
| Depth |
88.0mm (3.5") |
104.8mm (4.1") |
| Weight |
2.54kg (5.6lbs) |
14.29kg (31.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
In-wall |
|
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
Lifetime |
Lifetime |
| Labor Warranty |
Lifetime |
Lifetime |
Siblings in Revel's Architectural series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Revel W228Be digs deeper - 35Hz against 55Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (91dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | Revel W253L is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Size | depends | Revel W253L is easier to place; Revel W228Be is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | A | Revel W253L is cheaper - $660 against $7,700, about 91% less; arguably a different class. |
A Revel W253L B Revel W228Be
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. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Revel W253L much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Revel W228Be has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Revel W253L is the easier speaker to get right.
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.