In this review, we will be comparing Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker and W2M CP, two Passive In-wall speakers from Aperion and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker and Monitor Audio W2M CP first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker | Monitor Audio W2M CP |
|---|
| Brand | Aperion
United States · founded 1998 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 2" | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 3" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" | 2 x 5" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-35k Hz | 60-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-250 Watts watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 15.69kg / 34.5lbs | 4.40kg / 9.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 32.3" x 10.2" x 4.4"
820.4 x 259.1 x 111.8mm | — |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker is a 2-way design whereas the W2M CP is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR SpeakerMonitor Audio W2M CP
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
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 T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker |
Monitor Audio W2M CP |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
2-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 3-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5-inch
|
Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker features a 2" Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Woofer. On the other hand, the W2M CP features a 1" Tweeter, a 3" Midrange and 2 x 5" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker has a frequency range of 65-35k Hz whereas W2M CP has a frequency range of 60-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the W2M CP can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker's min frequency of 65Hz.
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 T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-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 T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the W2M CP 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 Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker sensitivity is rated at 94 dB and the W2M CP's is rated at 87 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio W2M CP, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-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 T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker features Spring post type posts and W2M CP 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 T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker's and Monitor Audio W2M CP's external dimensions. Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker has external dimensions of 820.4 x 259.1 x 111.8mm (32.3 x 10.2 x 4.4inch) whereas Monitor Audio W2M CP has external dimensions of ().
Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 27.3mm wider, 260mm taller and 111.8mm deeper than Monitor Audio W2M CP.
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.
Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker is 260mm 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 T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker weighs 15.69kg / 34.5lbs and the Monitor Audio W2M CP weighs 4.40kg / 9.7lbs. This makes the Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker 257% heavier than the W2M CP.
Here is a comparison of how Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker and W2M CP's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
560mm
vs
820mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
0cm2
vs
289cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2758USD
vs
2798USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker |
Monitor Audio W2M CP |
| Brand |
Aperion |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Sensitivity |
94 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
65-35k Hz |
60-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
2" |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
3" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
820.4mm (32.3") |
560.4mm (22.1") |
| Width |
259.1mm (10.2") |
231.8mm (9.1") |
| Depth |
111.8mm (4.4") |
mm (0") |
| Weight |
15.69kg (34.5lbs) |
4.40kg (9.7lbs) |
| 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 W2M CP digs deeper - 60Hz against 65Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker is more sensitive (94dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Monitor Audio W2M CP 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 ($2,798 vs $2,758 a pair). |
A Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker B Monitor Audio W2M CP
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 W2M CP 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 65Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Aperion Theatrus T65WL Dual 6.5" Slim Stack In-Wall LCR Speaker 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.