In this review, we will be comparing Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker and W1M, two Passive In-wall speakers from Aperion and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker and Monitor Audio W1M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker | Monitor Audio W1M |
|---|
| Brand | Aperion
United States · founded 1998 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" | 2 x 5" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-30k Hz | 40-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-100 Watts watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 4.54kg / 10lbs | 3.40kg / 7.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13" x 7.9" x 5"
330.2 x 200.7 x 127.0mm | — |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker and W1M are 2-way speakers.
Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround SpeakerMonitor Audio W1M
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker |
Monitor Audio W1M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5-inch
|
Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker features a " Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woofer. On the other hand, the W1M features a 1" Tweeter and 2 x 5" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker has a frequency range of 60-30k Hz whereas W1M has a frequency range of 40-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the W1M can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker's min frequency of 60Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the In-wall class in our database.
Low Frequency
In-wall Speakers
Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker
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
Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the W1M which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the W1M's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio W1M a more sensitive speaker compared to Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker
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.
Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker features Spring post type posts and W1M has a Spring post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/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 Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker's and Monitor Audio W1M's external dimensions. Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker has external dimensions of 330.2 x 200.7 x 127.0mm (13 x 7.9 x 5inch) whereas Monitor Audio W1M has external dimensions of ().
Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker is 31.1mm narrower and 230.2mm shorter than Monitor Audio W1M but it is also 127mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions. Depth is not published for both, so only the front view is drawn.
Monitor Audio W1M is 230mm taller.
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 Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker weighs 4.54kg / 10lbs and the Monitor Audio W1M weighs 3.40kg / 7.5lbs. This makes the Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker 34% heavier than the W1M.
Here is a comparison of how Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker and W1M's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
330mm
vs
560mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
0cm2
vs
254cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker |
Monitor Audio W1M |
| Brand |
Aperion |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
60-30k Hz |
40-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
330.2mm (13") |
560.4mm (22.1") |
| Width |
200.7mm (7.9") |
231.8mm (9.1") |
| Depth |
127.0mm (5") |
mm (0") |
| Weight |
4.54kg (10lbs) |
3.40kg (7.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
|
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
Lifetime |
| Labor Warranty |
|
Lifetime |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Monitor Audio W1M digs deeper - 40Hz against 60Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | Monitor Audio W1M is the easier load at 6 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($1,298 vs $1,298 a pair). |
A Aperion Novus N6SR Slim Satellite 6.5" On-Wall & Surround Speaker B Monitor Audio W1M
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?
Monitor Audio W1M has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 60Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Monitor Audio W1M 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.