Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Fairly neutral sound
- Good horizontal response, about plus or minus 45 to 60 degrees
Product Considerations
- Midrange can sound slightly thin at times
- Bass region is bumped up about 1 to 2dB, which may be why the midrange sounds thin
- Compression does some weird things at higher volumes, particularly with the tweeter
- Compression increases below about 80 Hz
Takeaway: The Revel W553L is a fairly neutral sounding in-wall speaker, and could be a good choice on a moderate budget. For side surround speakers, this could be a great choice because of its good horizontal response.
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Manufacturer details
- Mounting Depth: 2.9" (7.4 cm)
- Weight: 6.6 lb
- Shipping Weight: 7.7 lb (3.5 kg)
- Cutout Dimensions (H x W): 14.1" x 6.4" (35.9 cm x 16.3 cm)
- Grille Finished Dimension (H x W): 15.1" x 7.4" (38.4 cm x 18.8 cm)
- High Frequency Driver: 1" aluminum dome swiveling tweeter with waveguide
- Wall Material Thickness Compatibility: 0.5" – 2.0" (1.3 cm – 5.0 cm)
- Recommended Amplifier Power: 10 - 150 Watts RMS
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Revel's speaker designs are rooted in extensive research and double-blind listening tests conducted at Harman's advanced R&D facilities.
- They use custom-designed drivers with advanced materials, such as aluminum, titanium, and beryllium.
- Revel speakers offer a wide and even sound dispersion thanks to their Acoustic Lens Waveguide technology and sophisticated crossover designs.
- The brand balances a neutral and accurate sound with dynamic capabilities, creating immersive experiences for both music and movies.
Select products
Revel F36
- Positioning: Part of the Concerta2 series, positioned as an entry-level floorstanding speaker.
- Description: Offers a great balance of performance and affordability, featuring a 2 1/2-way design with triple 6.5-inch aluminum cone woofers. Uses a patented waveguide to improve off-axis response, which is a step up from simpler designs in the lineup, making it suitable for medium-sized rooms and those on a budget.
Revel F328Be
- Positioning: The flagship model of the PerformaBe series.
- Description: Features a beryllium tweeter and triple 8-inch woofers, providing exceptional clarity and dynamic range. Its advanced waveguide and crossover design offer superior integration compared to other models.
Revel Studio2
- Positioning: Part of the Ultima2 series, positioned as a high-end option with a more compact design than the Salon2.
- Description: Features a three-way design with dual 8-inch woofers and a beryllium tweeter, offering excellent sound quality in a smaller footprint. Shares many technologies with the Salon2.
Revel Salon2
- Positioning: The top model in the Ultima2 series, representing the pinnacle of Revel's speaker technology.
- Description: A four-way system with three 8-inch woofers and a beryllium tweeter, delivering outstanding sound quality and depth. Its sophisticated design and advanced materials set it apart from other models.
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Used
Revel
What if you spend more?
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Product Strengths
- Smooth, spacious sound with good weight
- Excellent build and finish quality
- Discreet and stylish design, blending easily with room décor
- Slim cabinets make them easy to hang on the wall
- Driver arrangement ensures excellent imaging, even when speakers are mounted high
Product Considerations
- Midrange colouration can harm timing
- Bass is more limited compared to some rivals due to the sealed-box design
- Can become a little muddled with complex rhythms
- Without grilles, they sport a stark, industrial look
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- When compared to rivals such as PMC's Wafer 2, the SoundFrames have the most limited bass
- SoundFrames are better than the KEF T205 system
Takeaway: The Monitor Audio SoundFrame is a stylish and innovative speaker system that delivers impressive sound quality despite its slim design. It's a great option for those who want a system that blends seamlessly with their décor without compromising on performance.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The new compact IC95 integrated loudspeaker system is based on the well proven proprietary 6,5-inch mid-woofer, also used in Miller & Kreisel studio monitor system MPS1620P and in-wall system IW95. The mid-woofer in IC95 is a long time accepted key component in the Miller & Kreisel signature sound history, now appearing as the key component for the smallest and most compact format ever – to provide the real Miller & Kreisel sound. IC95 present a new developed axial mounted 1” soft fabric dome tweeter, designed with swivel function to angle and optimize the on-axis response to the listening positions.
Product Strengths
- The IC95 is built with high-quality materials, including rigid push-button speaker terminals
- Sound field height, envelopment, and directionality are improved
- Speaker localization tends to disappear in the sound field
Product Considerations
- The cutout template included is slightly larger than the Revel c263, which may require some ceiling modification
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The IC95 improves sound field height, envelopment, and directionality over the Revel c263
Takeaway: The MK Sound IC95 is a phenomenal in-ceiling speaker that will give a lot for the money and is especially good as Atmos speakers. The improvements in sound quality are substantial and make it a worthwhile upgrade.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Product Strengths
- The small size and simple compass placement mechanism make the speaker very easy to place for the best sound experience
- Two discrete switches provide audio tuning choices to guarantee that the listener gets the most out of the speakers, even in usually tough settings
- DALI speakers are all built on the principle of broad dispersion
- The dogleg mounting mechanism is simple to use
- Dali Phantom speakers have a slim design and easily fit into most regular walls
Product Considerations
- Stereo pairs must be used for a proper surround sound experience
- These speakers are not wireless
- They are not weatherproof
- A sub would be fantastic
- Base sound could be a little better
Takeaway: DALI Phantom speakers provide excellent sound quality and blend seamlessly into any home decor. They are versatile, easy to install, and adaptable to various room sizes and audio setups.
Video review
Our take on the brand
GoldenEar Invisa Point Source speakers offer excellent performance when used as front left, right, or center-channel loudspeakers, as well as side- or rear-surrounds in high-quality multi-channel home theater and music systems. Invisa JPS and SPS speakers also offer superb quality in simpler two-channel systems. The JPS features the same rotatable Reference AMT found in the larger SPS but replaces the latter’s four 5-1/4″ mid/bass drivers with two 4-1/2″ units. When oriented horizontally, the JPS will fit neatly between wall studs, making it a perfect complement to the SPS and an excellent choice for in-wall center-channel applications. Once installed, paintable, microperforated grilles completely conceal the speakers for a seamless appearance.
Product Strengths
- Pristine sound without compromising aesthetics, designed to disappear into the living space
- GoldenEar's Reference High-Velocity Folded Ribbon AMT Tweeter is used, known for exceptional transient response and stunning clarity in high frequencies
- A rotatable faceplate is included, allowing for optimal tweeter orientation regardless of the speaker's mounting position
- An expansive and well-defined soundstage is created, with excellent imaging
Product Considerations
- Professional installation is required for best results
- Limited low-end extension, compared to larger floor-standing speakers
- Initial cost may be higher than some traditional speakers
Takeaway: The Invisa JPS offers high-end sound in a sleek, discreet design, perfect for audiophiles who want quality audio without sacrificing their interior design. Its versatile application and exceptional sound quality make it a worthwhile consideration for home theaters or multi-channel music systems.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Good clarity in home theater and video game applications
- Punchy sound for in-wall speakers, especially in video games
- Good separation from left and right channels in video games
Product Considerations
- The 100-watt max can be limiting, especially for whole-house music listening
- Music performance is not as good, with clarity and separation being negatively impacted
- The template for installation might be a millimeter smaller than the actual opening
Takeaway: The RC85I speakers are great for home theaters and shine in video games, providing clear and punchy sound and are an affordable solution for surround sound. Due to their limitations, they are best used as rear speakers for surround sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Sound quality receives positive feedback
- Impressive design
- Impressive size
- Bass quality is appreciated
- Usability is mentioned favorably
Product Considerations
- There are mixed opinions about the price
Takeaway: The Magnat Interior IC 82 appears to be a well-regarded speaker with a good design and size. It is worth considering if one needs a speaker with good sound and bass.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Low cost makes them an easy choice for in-wall/in-ceiling speakers
- Swivel tweeter design allows them to be used in small to large rooms
- Easy to install
- Can be used in bathrooms or saunas
- Large dispersion design makes them an easy choice for in-wall/in-ceiling speakers
Product Considerations
- Pairing with a sub is recommended for those seeking super deep rumble
- Reported to not perform as well with staging and precision as bookshelf or floorstanding speakers for surround sound audio or stereo fronts
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- RC60i is voiced to match with the RTi series from Polk
Takeaway: The Polk Audio RC60i speakers are a good option for in-wall/in-ceiling use because they are low cost, easy to install, and have a swivel tweeter that works in different sized rooms. Their infinite baffle tuning enhances the bass response.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent coverage at moderate listening levels
- Excellent highs
- Installation was smooth and simple
- Metal grille easily snaps in place via hidden magnets
- The sonic character blends into the room and conversation
Product Considerations
- Mids and lows left a little to be desired, and the bottom end was adequate
- A subwoofer may be needed when turning the volume up
- Bass seemed to be lacking in larger rooms
- Backboxes are not included
- Back of speakers are open
Takeaway: The Ci160QR speakers provide excellent coverage and are easy to install, making them suitable for whole-house audio applications where ambient sound is desired. They blend well into the room and provide an enjoyable listening experience at moderate levels.
Video review
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