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  1. Home
  2. Revel Speakers
  3. Passive Bookshelf Speakers
  4. Revel PerformaBe M126Be
Revel M126Be Review
Revel M126Be - Front View

Compare To

Main Features

  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" DCC Aluminum Woofer
  • 54-44k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range: 50-150 watts
  • Weight: 22.00 lbs / 10.00 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 15-1/4"x8-5/16"x10-5/16" / 388.0 x 212.0 x 262.0mm
MSRP: $2,200 (list price)
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Revel M126Be Review
Revel M126Be Revel M126Be
Check price atAmazon›

Made by Revel · United States · since 1996 · sold through dealers

Revel PerformaBe M126Be is a 2-way Passive Bass reflex Bookshelf speaker by Revel. It was released in 2017. It features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" DCC Aluminum Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 54-44k Hz and a sensitivity of 86 dB. Revel M126Be has an MSRP of 4400$ per pair.

Room Size Suitability

The size of the room where you plan to use the Revel M126Be is a crucial factor in your decision. We have assessed its suitability for various room sizes based on its dimensions and maximum power output:

Listening Environment* Suitability
Near-fieldPoor
Small RoomAverage
Mid-size RoomGood
Large RoomAverage
Very Large RoomPoor

(* 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.)

Revel's PerformaBe Series of Loudspeakers

M126Be is a member of Revel's PerformaBe series of Passive speakers. The PerformaBe range is Revel's high-end line, using a beryllium-dome tweeter for extended, low-distortion highs. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

See all 4 Revel PerformaBe models compared »

Revel PerformaBe Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Revel PerformaBe F228Be
Compare
27-44k Hz 90 dB8Ω 2 x 8"
Revel PerformaBe F226Be
Compare
50-40k Hz 90 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
Revel M126Be
54-44k Hz 86 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
Revel PerformaBe F328Be
Compare
26-40k Hz 91 dB8Ω 3 x 8.0"

Frequency Response of the Revel M126Be Speaker

Revel M126Be has a Frequency response range of 54-44k Hz and Power Range of 50-150 watts. With a minimum frequency of 54 Hz, M126Be delivers moderate bass depth so depending on your use case, you might want to consider adding a subwoofer to your system.

Here we have a comparison of how M126Be's Low frequency value compares with the average, max and min Low frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Revel M126Be
Min
Average
Median
Thinking about a subwoofer for the Revel M126Be?
  • Work out the crossover setting - it follows from this speaker's 54 Hz low end
  • Powered subwoofers under $5,000 - a similar price range to these speakers
  • Every powered subwoofer we cover, whatever the budget

Among the speakers in our database with a max MSRP price of 5000$ (Pair), these are the 5 Passive Bookshelf speakers that have the deeper bass levels than the Revel M126Be's 54Hz:

  • Dynaudio Evoke 20 with Low Frequency of 40 Hz (Compare w/ M126Be)
  • Wharfedale EVO5.2 with Low Frequency of 44 Hz (Compare w/ M126Be)
  • Dynaudio Evoke 10 with Low Frequency of 47 Hz (Compare w/ M126Be)
  • KEF R3 with Low Frequency of 52 Hz (Compare w/ M126Be)
  • B&W 607 S2 with Low Frequency of 52 Hz (Compare w/ M126Be)

Impedance and Sensitivity

Revel M126Be's nominal impedance level is 8 ohms and has a sensitivity of 86 dB.

Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Revel M126Be
Min
Average
Median

8 Ohms is pretty much the standard nominal impedance amongst stereo speakers and amplifiers so Revel PerformaBe M126Be is not considered a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective.

Sensitivity

With a sensitivity level of only 86 dB, Revel PerformaBe M126Be is a difficult to drive speaker from Sensitivity perspective, make sure to choose an amplifier with a high output if you like listening to your music at high volume levels. You may especially have a hard time using Tube amplifiers which are traditionally very low power compared to Class A/B or Class D amps. Work out how loud the Revel M126Be plays in your room →

What amplifier does the Revel M126Be need?

At normal listening levels in a medium room, about 19–150 W per channel into 8 ohms. Set your own conditions and we will rank every amplifier we cover.

We check power, impedance safety and current delivery - not just watts.

Prefer to browse? Integrated amplifiers under $5,000, or every amplifier we cover.

Input Type

M126Be features Binding post type connectors. Bi-amping and Bi-wiring are not possible.

Work out what gauge speaker cable this run needs →

Revel M126Be External Dimensions and Weight

Revel M126Be has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 15-1/4 x 8-5/16 x 10-5/16inch (388.0 x 212.0 x 262.0mm ).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of Revel M126Be is approximately 555.4cm2 / 86.1inch2.

To get a better perspective on the real life size of Revel M126Be, let's compare it with a standard size Compact Disc which has a diameter of 4.7inch (120mm).

Revel M126Be Real Life Body Size Comparison
Revel M126Be Speaker Size Compared to a Compact Disc

Here we place the Revel M126Be virtually next to a standard width amplifier and turntable on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet to get a better idea about the size.

Revel M126Be placed next to an amplifier and turntable
Revel M126Be Speaker next to an amplifier and turntable

Find speakers that fit your shelf or alcove →  ·  Work out where they should sit in the room →

Weight

The Revel M126Be weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how M126Be's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Revel M126Be
Min
Average
Median
Weight
Bookshelf Speakers under $5000
Revel M126Be
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet type and Materials

Revel M126Be has a Bass reflex type cabinet and a Wood/Lacquer finish.

Port Position

Revel M126Be is a rear-firing port speaker so you have to make sure you leave enough space between the back of the speaker and wall or bookshelf so that it has room to breathe.

Available colors

Revel M126Be is available in Walnut, Black, White and Silver.

Wall Mounting

M126Be doesn't sport any built-in mounting bracket, so you need an external structure to mount it on walls.

Does the Revel M126Be come with a Grille?

M126Be comes with magnetic grilles. The purpose of the grille is to protect the delicate driver elements from external impacts while still allowing the sound to pass as clearly as possible. Since the included grille of the M126Be is magnetic type, it is very easy to put it on and off.

What's in the Box of Revel M126Be?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of M126Be:
  • Bookshelf loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • Foam port plug
  • Owners Manual

Recommended Accessories

Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the Revel PerformaBe M126Be.

  • Speaker Cable and Connectors
    • Speaker Cables with Banana Plugs: If you know the lenght of the cable you need, this is the easier option to connect your speakers with your amp.
    • Speaker Cables without Connectors: If you are not sure about the lenght or need longer than standard cables with plugs, choose this option.
    • Banana Connectors and Plugs: If you chose the cables without connectors option or already have some cable around, pick the banana plugs separately.
  • Vibration Isolators: IsoAcoustics isolators are our favorite isolators but you may find more affordable options too.
  • Acoustic Panels and Treatments: Your room is as important as your stereo equipment so acoustic treatments goes a long way in improving the overall performance.
  • Speaker Stands: Stands bring your bookshelf speakers to ideal height (rule of thumb is to have the tweeter level with your ear in your listening position), helps stability and acoustical isolation.

Warranty

5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

Revel PerformaBe M126Be Alternatives in Passive Bookshelf Speakers
Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
Revel M106
Compare
2-way 87 dB 8 ohms 59Hz- 20kHz
KEF R3 Meta
Compare
3-way 87 dB 4 ohms 58-28k Hz
Revel PerformaBe F226Be
Compare
3-way 90 dB 8 ohms 50-40k Hz
Klipsch RP-600M
Compare
2-way 96 dB 8 ohms 45-25k Hz
KEF LS50
Compare
2-way 85 dB 8 ohms 79-28k Hz
Revel M16
Compare
2-way 86 dB 6 ohms 55- Hz
Revel PerformaBe F228Be
Compare
3-way 90 dB 8 ohms 27-44k Hz
Revel PerformaBe F328Be
Compare
3-way 91 dB 8 ohms 26-40k Hz
Frequently Asked Questions about Revel PerformaBe M126Be

What amplifier do you need for the Revel M126Be?

Revel rates the Revel M126Be for 50-150 watts of amplifier power. It is an 8-ohm speaker, the usual nominal load, so almost any amplifier or receiver can drive it.

Is the Revel M126Be easy to drive?

The Revel M126Be has a sensitivity of 86 dB. That is on the low side, so it needs more amplifier power than average to reach the same volume.

Does the Revel M126Be need a subwoofer?

The Revel M126Be reaches down to 54Hz (full range 54-44k Hz). That covers most music, though a subwoofer still adds the bottom octave for home theatre.

What drivers does the Revel M126Be use?

The Revel M126Be is a 2-way design using a 1" Hard-Dome tweeter and a 6.5" DCC Aluminum woofer.

Is the Revel M126Be sealed or ported?

The Revel M126Be uses a Ported enclosure. A ported design uses a tuned vent to get more low-end output from the same driver, but it wants some breathing room behind it.

Can the Revel M126Be be bi-wired or bi-amped?

No. The Revel M126Be has a single pair of terminals, so bi-wiring and bi-amping are not possible. It uses Binding post terminals.

Can the Revel M126Be be wall mounted?

The Revel M126Be does not include a wall-mount bracket or keyhole, so it is designed to sit on a stand, shelf or the floor.

Does the Revel M126Be come with grilles?

Yes. The Revel M126Be comes with removable grilles.

How big and heavy is the Revel M126Be?

The Revel M126Be weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs each and measures 15-1/4 x 8-5/16 x 10-5/16inch (HxWxD).

How much does the Revel M126Be cost?

The Revel M126Be has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $4,400 per pair.


Revel M126Be Detailed Specifications

General
BrandRevel
Full Model NameRevel PerformaBe M126Be
Speaker Type2-way Bookshelf
Power Range50-150 watts
Sensitivity86 dB
Impedance8 ohms
Frequency Response54-44k Hz
Release Date2017
DRIVERS
Woofer Size6.5-inch
Woofer CompositionDCC Aluminum
Woofer SurroundRubber
Tweeter Size1-inch
Tweeter TypeHard-Dome
Port Positionrear

CONNECTIONS
Connector TypeBinding post
Biamp InputsNo
Port Positionrear
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height388.0mm ( 15-1/4-inch)
Width212.0mm ( 8-5/16-inch)
Depth262.0mm ( 10-5/16-inch)
Height388.0mm ( 15-1/4-inch)
Weight10 kg (22 lbs)
EnclosureBass reflex
FinishWood/Lacquer
Available ColorsWalnut,Black,White,Silver
Mounting BracketNo
Recommended Stand Height22-26
GrilleYes
Moisture ResistanceNo
OTHER
Handheld RemoteNo
Parts Warranty5 Years
Labor Warranty5 Years
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