When it comes to building a great audio system, bookshelf speakers often provide the best balance of performance and practicality. Today, we're comparing two popular but very different options: the premium Revel Concerta2 M16 ($900) and the budget-friendly Sony Core Series 5" 3-Way ($150) bookshelf speakers.
Bookshelf speakers remain a cornerstone of quality home audio, offering excellent sound in a manageable size. Unlike floor-standing towers, these compact performers can fit in most rooms while still delivering impressive audio quality. Their smaller size often means they produce tighter, more controlled bass compared to larger speakers, though with less extension into the lowest frequencies.
The technology in bookshelf speakers has evolved significantly. Modern materials like aluminum and advanced composites have replaced traditional paper cones, while computer-aided design has revolutionized cabinet and waveguide design. These advances mean today's speakers can produce clearer, more accurate sound from smaller enclosures than ever before.
The Revel M16, released in 2016, showcases what modern speaker engineering can achieve. Its aluminum dome tweeter and woofer, paired with an advanced waveguide (which helps direct sound waves more precisely), deliver exceptional clarity and detail. The sound is bright and revealing, which audiophiles often prefer for its ability to expose subtle details in music.
In contrast, the Sony Core speakers take a more forgiving approach. Their 3-way design, unusual at this price point, includes a super-tweeter for extended high frequencies. This creates a warmer, more relaxed sound that works well with a variety of music genres and recording qualities. While they don't match the Revels' resolution, they remain impressively musical.
One of the most interesting differences is how these speakers perform at different volumes. The Revel M16 really comes alive above 85 decibels (about as loud as city traffic), where its superior components and design allow it to maintain clarity and control. Below this level, some listeners find them less engaging.
The Sony Core speakers show remarkable consistency across volume levels. They sound nearly as good at low volumes as they do when pushed harder, making them excellent for background listening or late-night sessions where you don't want to disturb others.
The Revel's waveguide deserves special attention. This carefully engineered piece helps control how sound spreads into your room, creating a more precise "soundstage" - the illusion of instruments positioned in space. When paired with good amplification (they recommend 50-120 watts), these speakers can create a remarkably realistic audio experience.
Sony's 3-way design takes a different approach. By dedicating separate drivers to high, mid, and low frequencies, they reduce distortion and allow each driver to focus on a narrower range of sounds. While the components aren't as premium as the Revels', this design choice helps deliver better performance than you might expect at this price point.
For critical music listening, the Revel M16 shows its premium heritage. The aluminum drivers provide exceptional detail, letting you hear subtle elements like the breath of a singer or the resonance of an acoustic guitar's body. The waveguide creates a precise soundstage that can make well-recorded music sound strikingly realistic.
The Sony speakers excel with everyday listening. Their warmer sound is less fatiguing over long sessions, and they handle lower-quality recordings (like streaming services or older albums) more gracefully. While they don't reveal every detail like the Revels, many listeners might prefer their more forgiving nature.
Both speakers work well in home theater settings, but for different reasons. The Revel M16 excels at precise sound placement and dialog clarity, making it easier to follow conversations in movies. Their superior detail retrieval helps create more immersive experiences with high-quality movie soundtracks.
The Sony Core speakers offer impressive performance for home theater on a budget. Their 3-way design helps with dialog clarity, and they can play quite loudly without distortion. While they don't match the Revels' precision, they provide an engaging movie experience at a fraction of the cost.
The price difference between these speakers is substantial, and it's important to consider what you're getting for the money. The Revels represent high-end audio engineering, with premium materials and sophisticated design. They'll reward careful setup and high-quality associated equipment (amplifier, source components, etc.).
The Sony speakers offer remarkable value, delivering sound quality that outperforms their price point. They're more forgiving of placement and equipment quality, making them an excellent choice for someone building their first serious audio system or setting up a secondary room.
Choose the Revel M16 if:
Choose the Sony Core if:
Both speakers represent excellent choices in their respective price categories. The Revels showcase what's possible with modern speaker design and premium materials, while the Sonys demonstrate how good affordable speakers can be when well-engineered.
Remember that speakers are highly personal choices, and if possible, listening to both options with your preferred music would be ideal. Both the Revel M16 and Sony Core speakers offer compelling performance for their intended audiences, and either could be the right choice depending on your specific needs and preferences.
| Revel Concerta2 M16 | Sony Core Series 5" |
|---|---|
| Price - Key factor in value proposition | |
| $900/pair | $150/pair |
| Design Type - Affects sound staging and clarity | |
| 2-way with acoustic lens waveguide | 3-way with super tweeter |
| Woofer Size/Material - Impacts bass response and clarity | |
| 6.5" aluminum cone | 5" mica reinforced cellular cone |
| Frequency Response - Determines bass depth and treble extension | |
| 55Hz - 20kHz (±3dB) | 53Hz - 50kHz |
| Sensitivity - Affects how much power needed from amplifier | |
| 86dB @ 2.83V/1m | 87dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Recommended Amp Power - Important for system matching | |
| 50-120 watts | 20-100 watts |
| Impedance - Affects amplifier compatibility | |
| 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Size (H x W x D) - Consider your space constraints | |
| 14.75" x 8.6" x 10.76" | 13.25" x 7" x 8.75" |
| Weight - Indicates build quality and cabinet density | |
| 16 lbs each | 9.4 lbs each |
| Best Performance Range - Where speakers sound their best | |
| Above 85dB volume levels | Consistent across all volumes |
| Optimal Use Case - Where each speaker excels | |
| Critical listening, home theater | Casual listening, budget systems |
| Build Quality - Affects longevity and sound precision | |
| Premium materials, advanced waveguide | Good basic construction, durable |
The Revel Concerta2 M16 offers superior detail and imaging for home theater use, though the Sony Core Series performs admirably for its price. For pure home theater performance, the Revel's precise dialogue reproduction and superior soundstage make it the better choice if budget allows.
For critical listeners and those with high-end systems, the Revel M16 justifies its $900 price with superior detail and imaging. However, casual listeners will find the $150 Sony Core speakers offer exceptional value and may not benefit from the Revel's advantages.
Both perform well in small spaces, but the Sony Core Series speakers are more forgiving with placement. The Revel M16 requires more careful positioning and room treatment to sound their best.
The Revel M16 needs a quality amplifier (50-120 watts) to perform optimally. The Sony Core speakers are less demanding and work well with modest amplifiers (20-100 watts).
The Sony Core Series speakers maintain better sound quality at low volumes. The Revel M16 performs best at moderate to high volumes above 85dB.
Both can be used without a subwoofer, though the Revel M16's larger 6.5" woofer provides deeper bass. For full-range music or movie sound, adding a subwoofer would benefit either speaker.
The Revel M16 uses premium materials and construction, suggesting better longevity. However, the Sony Core speakers are well-built for their price and should last many years with proper care.
The Sony Core speakers are more forgiving with compressed streaming audio. The Revel M16's higher resolution can expose flaws in lower-quality streams.
The Revel M16 handles high volumes better with less distortion, though both speakers can play loudly enough for most rooms.
The Sony Core Series speakers are better suited for near-field desktop use due to their size and consistent performance at lower volumes.
The Revel M16 produces fuller, deeper bass with its larger woofer. The Sony Core speakers offer controlled but less extended bass response.
Both benefit from a break-in period of 20-30 hours of normal use, though neither requires special break-in procedures. The sonic differences before and after break-in are subtle.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: audioholics.com - upscaleaudio.com - crutchfield.com - audiosciencereview.com - musicdirect.com - audiolab.com - crutchfield.com - crutchfield.com - avstore.in - speakerdata2034.blogspot.com - spacehifi.com.au - higherhz.com - merlinstv.com - youtube.com - erinsaudiocorner.com - bestbuy.com - sony-asia.com - bestbuy.com - sony.com - audiosciencereview.com - sony-asia.com - sony-asia.com - walmart.com
