In this review, we will be comparing Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker and Black Series T69 MKII, two Passive In-wall speakers from Aperion and OSD.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Aperion Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker and OSD Black Series T69 MKII first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Aperion Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker | OSD Black Series T69 MKII |
|---|
| Brand | Aperion
United States · founded 1998 | OSD
United States · founded 2003 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 2" | 1" |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" | 2 x 6.5" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-35k Hz | 65-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-200 Watts watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 12.88kg / 28.3lbs | 16.33kg / 35.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 22.1" x 12.6" x 5.2"
561.3 x 320.0 x 132.1mm | — |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker and Black Series T69 MKII are 2-way speakers.
Aperion Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall SpeakerOSD Black Series T69 MKII
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 T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker |
OSD Black Series T69 MKII |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
2-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker features a 2" Tweeter and 1 x 8" Woofer. On the other hand, the Black Series T69 MKII features a 1" Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker has a frequency range of 60-35k Hz whereas Black Series T69 MKII has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Black Series T69 MKII'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 T83W 8" In-Wall 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 T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker and Black Series T69 MKII have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Black Series T69 MKII's is at 92 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the OSD Black Series T69 MKII a more sensitive speaker compared to Aperion Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker and the Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall 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 T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker
OSD Black Series T69 MKII
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker features Spring post type posts and Black Series T69 MKII 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 T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker's and OSD Black Series T69 MKII's external dimensions. Aperion Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker has external dimensions of 561.3 x 320.0 x 132.1mm (22.1 x 12.6 x 5.2inch) whereas OSD Black Series T69 MKII has external dimensions of ().
OSD Black Series T69 MKII is 23.3mm narrower and 132.1mm less deeper than Aperion Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker but it is also 440.2mm taller.
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.
OSD Black Series T69 MKII is 440mm 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 T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker weighs 12.88kg / 28.3lbs and the OSD Black Series T69 MKII weighs 16.33kg / 35.9lbs. This makes the Black Series T69 MKII 27% heavier than the Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker.
Here is a comparison of how Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker and Black Series T69 MKII's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
Aperion Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker
OSD Black Series T69 MKII
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
561mm
vs
1001mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 Base Surface Area |
0cm2
vs
422cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1800USD
vs
1898USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Aperion Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker |
OSD Black Series T69 MKII |
| Brand |
Aperion |
OSD |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
60-35k Hz |
65-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
2" |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
6.5" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
561.3mm (22.1") |
1001.5mm (39.4") |
| Width |
320.0mm (12.6") |
296.7mm (11.7") |
| Depth |
132.1mm (5.2") |
mm (0") |
| Weight |
12.88kg (28.3lbs) |
16.33kg (35.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
|
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
Limited Lifetime |
| Labor Warranty |
|
Limited 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 | A | Aperion Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker digs deeper - 60Hz against 65Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (91dB vs 92dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($1,898 vs $1,800 a pair). |
A Aperion Theatrus T83W 8" In-Wall Speaker B OSD Black Series T69 MKII
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 T83W 8" In-Wall 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 65Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead.
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.