In this review, we will be comparing Revolution XT 6F and Kendall, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Tannoy and KLH.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Tannoy Revolution XT 6F and KLH Kendall first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Tannoy Revolution XT 6F | KLH Kendall |
|---|
| Brand | Tannoy
United Kingdom · founded 1926 | KLH
United States · founded 1957 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 38-32k Hz | 25-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 16.30kg / 35.9lbs | 22.14kg / 48.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 39.6" x 10.6" x 12.5"
1005.8 x 269.2 x 317.5mm | 40-3/16" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"
1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Revolution XT 6F and Kendall are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Tannoy Revolution XT 6F |
KLH Kendall |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
x -inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Revolution XT 6F features a " Tweeter and x " Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 250 Hz & 1.8 kHz. On the other hand, the Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
Revolution XT 6F has a frequency range of 38-32k Hz whereas Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Revolution XT 6F's min frequency of 38Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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
Revolution XT 6F and Kendall have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Revolution XT 6F sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Kendall's is at 96 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the KLH Kendall a more sensitive speaker compared to Tannoy Revolution XT 6F, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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
Kendall features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Revolution XT 6F has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KLH Kendall's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or 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 Tannoy Revolution XT 6F's and KLH Kendall's external dimensions. Tannoy Revolution XT 6F has external dimensions of 1005.8 x 269.2 x 317.5mm (39.6 x 10.6 x 12.5inch) whereas KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm (40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch).
Tannoy Revolution XT 6F is 15.2mm shorter and 62.5mm less deeper than KLH Kendall but it is also 57.2mm wider.
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.
Near-identical footprints. KLH Kendall is 63mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. KLH Kendall is 15mm 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 Tannoy Revolution XT 6F is approximately 854.8cm2 / 132.5inch2 and base area of the KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2. The Revolution XT 6F requires 6% more surface area than the Kendall 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 Tannoy Revolution XT 6F weighs 16.30kg / 35.9lbs and the KLH Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs. This makes the Kendall 36% heavier than the Revolution XT 6F.
Here is a comparison of how Revolution XT 6F and Kendall's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Kendall?
Here are the items that come with the Kendall:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Foam port
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet (with nuts)
- 4 Protective discs
- Manual
 High Frequency Response |
32k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
1005mm
vs
1021mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
805cm2
vs
854cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
1998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Tannoy Revolution XT 6F |
KLH Kendall |
| Brand |
Tannoy |
KLH |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
38-32k Hz |
25-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
2 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Butyl Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
250 Hz & 1.8 kHz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1005.8mm (39.6") |
1021.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
269.2mm (10.6") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
317.5mm (12.5") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Weight |
16.30kg (35.9lbs) |
22.14kg (48.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
10 Years |
A generation apart: KLH Kendall is the newer design, against a 2015 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | KLH Kendall digs deeper - 25Hz against 38Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | KLH Kendall is more sensitive (96dB vs 90dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | B | KLH Kendall: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | KLH Kendall is cheaper - $1,500 against $1,998, about 25% less. |
A Tannoy Revolution XT 6F B KLH Kendall
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?
KLH Kendall is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Tannoy Revolution XT 6F if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 38Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, KLH Kendall is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.