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  1. Home
  2. Revel Speakers
  3. Passive In-wall Speakers
  4. Revel W253L
Revel W253L Review
Revel W253L - Front View

Compare To

Main Features

  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer
  • 55-18kHz Frequency Response
  • 91 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range: 10-130 watts
  • Weight: 5.60 lbs / 2.54 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 14.1250"x6.4375"x3.4375" / 359.0 x 164.0 x 88.0mm
MSRP: $330 (list price)
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Revel W253L Review
Revel W253L Revel W253L
Check price atAmazon›

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

Revel W253L is a 2-way Passive In-wall In-wall speaker by Revel. It was released in 2018. It features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 55-18kHz and a sensitivity of 91 dB. Revel W253L has an MSRP of 660$ per pair.

Room Size Suitability

The size of the room where you plan to use the Revel W253L 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 Architectural Series of Loudspeakers

W253L is a member of Revel's Architectural series of Passive speakers. The Architectural range are Revel's in-wall and in-ceiling custom-install speakers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

See all 10 Revel Architectural models compared »

Revel Architectural Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Revel W253L
55-18k Hz 91 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"
Revel W553L
Compare
— 90.5 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"
Revel W383
Compare
— 89 dB8Ω 1 x 8"
Revel W763
Compare
— 89 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
Revel W783
Compare
— 89 dB8Ω 1 x 8"
Revel W990
Compare
— 89 dB8Ω 1 x 9"
Revel W228Be
Compare
35-40k Hz 90 dB6Ω 2 x 8"
Revel W126Be
Compare
55-40k Hz 89 dB6Ω 1 x 6.5"
Revel W226Be
Compare
45-40k Hz 90 dB6Ω 2 x 6.5"
Revel W263
Compare
— 88 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"

Frequency Response of the Revel W253L Speaker

Revel W253L has a Frequency response range of 55-18kHz and Power Range of 10-130 watts. With a minimum frequency of 55 Hz, W253L 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 W253L's Low frequency value compares with the average, max and min Low frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
In-wall Speakers
Revel W253L
Min
Average
Median
Thinking about a subwoofer for the Revel W253L?
  • Work out the crossover setting - it follows from this speaker's 55 Hz low end
  • Powered subwoofers under $750 - a similar price range to these speakers
  • Every powered subwoofer we cover, whatever the budget

Impedance and Sensitivity

Revel W253L's nominal impedance level is 8 ohms and has a sensitivity of 91 dB.

Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
Revel W253L
Min
Average
Median

8 Ohms is pretty much the standard nominal impedance amongst stereo speakers and amplifiers so Revel W253L is not considered a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective.

Sensitivity

91dB of the Revel W253L is considered a high sensitivity compared to average stereo speaker which makes W253L an easy to drive from Sensitivity perspective. If you are planning to power your speaker with a Tube amp which are generally very low power, the Revel W253L will be a good choice. Work out how loud the Revel W253L plays in your room →

What amplifier does the Revel W253L need?

At normal listening levels in a medium room, about 6.0–95 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 $750, or every amplifier we cover.

Input Type

W253L features Spring clip type connectors. Bi-amping and Bi-wiring are not possible.

Work out what gauge speaker cable this run needs →

Revel W253L External Dimensions and Weight

Revel W253L has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 14.1250-inch x 6.4375-inch x 3.4375-inch (359.0 x 164.0 x 88.0mm ).

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 W253L is approximately 144.3cm2 / 22.4inch2.

Find speakers that fit your shelf or alcove →

Cabinet type and Materials

Revel W253L has a In-wall type cabinet.

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

Recommended Accessories

Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the Revel W253L.

  • 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.

Warranty

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

Revel W253L Alternatives in Passive In-wall Speakers
Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
Klipsch R-5800-W II
Compare
2-way 94 dB 8 ohms 40-23kHz
JBL Stage 280W
Compare
2-way 90 dB 8 ohms 42-25kHz
B&W CWM362
Compare
2-way 89 dB 8 ohms 50-30kHz
Klipsch R-5502-W II
Compare
2-way 92 dB 8 ohms 46-20kHz
Focal 300 IW6 LCR
Compare
3-way 92 dB 8 ohms 40-28kHz
Klipsch R-5650-S II
Compare
2-way 92 dB 8 ohms 60-23kHz
JBL Studio 2 55IW
Compare
2-way 88 dB 8 ohms 40-20kHz
Focal 100 IW LCR5
Compare
2-way 90.5 dB 8 ohms 55-23kHz
Frequently Asked Questions about Revel W253L

What amplifier do you need for the Revel W253L?

Revel rates the Revel W253L for 10-130 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 W253L easy to drive?

The Revel W253L has a sensitivity of 91 dB. That is high: it goes loud on modest power, so it suits low-powered amplifiers, including valve/tube designs.

Does the Revel W253L need a subwoofer?

The Revel W253L reaches down to 55Hz (full range 55-18kHz). That covers most music, though a subwoofer still adds the bottom octave for home theatre.

What drivers does the Revel W253L use?

The Revel W253L is a 2-way design using a 1" Hard-Dome tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Aluminum woofers.

Is the Revel W253L sealed or ported?

The Revel W253L uses a In-wall enclosure.

Can the Revel W253L be bi-wired or bi-amped?

No. The Revel W253L has a single pair of terminals, so bi-wiring and bi-amping are not possible. It uses Spring clip terminals.

How is the Revel W253L installed?

The Revel W253L is an in-wall model: it mounts flush into the wall cavity rather than standing in the room, so it needs a cut-out and takes up no floor space.

How big and heavy is the Revel W253L?

The Revel W253L weighs 2.54kg / 5.6lbs each and measures 14.1250-inch x 6.4375-inch x 3.4375-inch (HxWxD).

How much does the Revel W253L cost?

The Revel W253L has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $660 per pair.


Revel W253L Detailed Specifications

General
BrandRevel
Full Model NameRevel W253L
Speaker Type2-way In-wall
Power Range10-130 watts
Sensitivity91 dB
Impedance8 ohms
Frequency Response55-18kHz
Release Date2018
DRIVERS
Woofer Size5.25-inch
Woofer CompositionAluminum
Woofer SurroundRubber
Tweeter Size1-inch
Tweeter TypeHard-Dome
Aimable TweeterNo

CONNECTIONS
Connector TypeSpring clip
Biamp InputsNo
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height359.0mm ( 14.1250-inch)
Width164.0mm ( 6.4375-inch)
Depth88.0mm ( 3.4375-inch)
Height359.0mm ( 14.1250-inch)
Weight2.54 kg (5.6 lbs)
EnclosureIn-wall
Moisture ResistanceNo
OTHER
Handheld RemoteNo
Parts WarrantyLifetime
Labor WarrantyLifetime
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