In this review, we will be comparing Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker and CI Pro P1 LCR v2, two Passive In-wall speakers from Aperion and Paradigm.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker and Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker | Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2 |
|---|
| Brand | Aperion
United States · founded 1998 | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 2" | 1" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" | 2 x 5.25" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-35k Hz | 94-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-250 Watts watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 13.02kg / 28.6lbs | 6.80kg / 15lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 30.7" x 8.7" x 4.3"
779.8 x 221.0 x 109.2mm | 20-5/8" x 7-5/8" x 4-1/8"
523.9 x 193.7 x 104.8mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker and CI Pro P1 LCR v2 are 2-way speakers.
Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR SpeakerParadigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2
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 Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker |
Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
2-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker features a 2" Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Woofer. On the other hand, the CI Pro P1 LCR v2 features a 1" Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker has a frequency range of 65-35k Hz whereas CI Pro P1 LCR v2 has a frequency range of 94-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the CI Pro P1 LCR v2's min frequency of 94Hz.
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
Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR 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
Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the CI Pro P1 LCR v2 which has a nominal impedance of 8 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 Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker sensitivity is rated at 94 dB and the CI Pro P1 LCR v2's is rated at 92 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR 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 Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker
Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker features Spring post type posts and CI Pro P1 LCR v2 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 Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker's and Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2's external dimensions. Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker has external dimensions of 779.8 x 221.0 x 109.2mm (30.7 x 8.7 x 4.3inch) whereas Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2 has external dimensions of 523.9 x 193.7 x 104.8mm ().
Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 27.3mm wider, 255.9mm taller and 4.4mm deeper than Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker needs about 19% more floor or shelf area. Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker is 256mm 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 Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker weighs 13.02kg / 28.6lbs and the Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2 weighs 6.80kg / 15lbs. This makes the Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker 91% heavier than the CI Pro P1 LCR v2.
Here is a comparison of how Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker and CI Pro P1 LCR v2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker
Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
92 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
94 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
2498USD
vs
2500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Height |
523mm
vs
779mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
203cm2
vs
241cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker |
Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2 |
| Brand |
Aperion |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Sensitivity |
94 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
65-35k Hz |
94-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
2" |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
779.8mm (30.7") |
523.9mm (20.6") |
| Width |
221.0mm (8.7") |
193.7mm (7.6") |
| Depth |
109.2mm (4.3") |
104.8mm (4.1") |
| Weight |
13.02kg (28.6lbs) |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
|
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
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 | A | Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker digs deeper - 65Hz against 94Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker is more sensitive (94dB vs 92dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Size | depends | Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2 is easier to place; Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($2,498 vs $2,500 a pair). |
A Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker B Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2
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?
Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker 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 94Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Aperion Theatrus T65SL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack On-Wall LCR Speaker has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Paradigm CI Pro P1 LCR v2 is the easier speaker to get right.
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.