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Definitive UIW RLS II vs Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC Comparison

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Definitive UIW RLS II

Passive In-wall | 22-30kHz

Definitive Technology UIW RLS II
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Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC

Passive In-wall | 50-30kHz

Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC
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Definitive UIW RLS II Definitive UIW RLS I...
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Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC Monitor Audio CP-WT3...
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Definitive UIW RLS II vs Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing UIW RLS II and CP-WT380IDC, two Passive In-wall speakers from Definitive Technology and Monitor Audio.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Definitive UIW RLS II and Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Definitive UIW RLS II Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer
  • 22-30kHz Frequency Response
  • 92 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:10-350watts
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 724.0" x 7.0000" x 3.8750"( 724.0 x 178.0 x 99.0mm )

Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 4" Midrange
  • 8" C-CAM Woofer
  • 4" Midrange
  • 50-30kHz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:30-120watts
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 437.0" x 10.5625" x 3.8750"( 437.0 x 269.0 x 99.0mm )

What size room are the Definitive UIW RLS II and Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC speakers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:

Listening Environment* Definitive UIW RLS II Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC
Near-field Are you nuts? Poor
Small Room Bad Average
Mid-size Room Poor Good
Large Room Good Average
Very Large Room Good Poor

(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2. Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Definitive UIW RLS II and Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that UIW RLS II is a 2-way design whereas the CP-WT380IDC 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.

Driver Definitive UIW RLS II Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC
Driver Setup 2-way 3-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - 1 x 4-inch
Woofer 2 x 6.5-inch 1 x 8-inch

UIW RLS II features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer . On the other hand, the CP-WT380IDC features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 1 x 8" C-CAM Woofer .

Frequency Response

UIW RLS II has a frequency range of 22-30kHz whereas CP-WT380IDC has a frequency range of 50-30kHz. With a minimum frequency of 22Hz, the UIW RLS II can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the CP-WT380IDC's min frequency of 50Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the In-wall class in our database.

Low Frequency

In-wall Speakers

UIW RLS II
CP-WT380IDC
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

In-wall Speakers

Definitive UIW RLS II
Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

UIW RLS II is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the CP-WT380IDC which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. UIW RLS II sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the CP-WT380IDC's is rated at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Definitive UIW RLS II a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

In-wall Speakers

UIW RLS II
CP-WT380IDC
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

UIW RLS II can handle a max power of 350 watts RMS from the amp the whereas CP-WT380IDC has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 230 watts less than the UIW RLS II.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

UIW RLS II features Spring post type posts and CP-WT380IDC has a Spring post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Definitive UIW RLS II's and Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC's external dimensions. Definitive UIW RLS II has external dimensions of 724.0 x 178.0 x 99.0mm ( 28.5000-inch x 7.0000-inch x 3.8750-inch) whereas Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC has external dimensions of 437.0 x 269.0 x 99.0mm ( 17.1875-inch x 10.5625-inch x 3.8750-inch) .

What's in the Box of Definitive UIW RLS II?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of UIW RLS II:
  • In-wall loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • Self-adhesive foam gasket
  • Paint mask
  • Wall-Mount Template
  • Owners Manual
  • Online Product Registration Card
  • What's in the Box of Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC?

    Here are the items that come with the CP-WT380IDC:
  • In-Wall speaker
  • Magnetic grille
  • Paint skim
  • Installation Guide
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Limited Warranty/Registration Card
  • MountingTemplate

  • Reasons to choose Definitive Technology UIW RLS II over Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC
    Max Input Power 350 watts vs 120 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Sensitivity 92 dB vs 89 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 6 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
    Low Frequency Response 22 Hz vs 50 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Passive Radiator 2 x 6.5-inch vs None Increases the bass performance
    Base Surface Area 176cm2 vs 266cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 1998USD vs 2350USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC over Definitive Technology UIW RLS II

    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Woofer Size 8 inches vs 6.5 inches Larger woofer
    Definitive UIW RLS II vs Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Definitive Technology UIW RLS II Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC
    Brand Definitive Technology Monitor Audio
    Speaker Type Passive In-wall Speaker Passive In-wall Speaker
    Power Range 10-350 watts 30-120 watts
    Sensitivity 92 dB 89 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 6 ohms
    Frequency Response 22-30kHz 50-30kHz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 1
    Woofer Size 6.5" 8"
    Woofer Composition Polypropylene C-CAM
    Woofer Surround Material Butly Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Hard-Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver N/A" 4"
    Physical Specs
    Height 437.0mm (17.2") 437.0mm (17.2")
    Width 178.0mm (7") 269.0mm (10.6")
    Depth 99.0mm (3.9") 99.0mm (3.9")
    Enclosure In-wall In-wall
    Moisture Resistancy Yes No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years Lifetime
    Labor Warranty 5 Years Lifetime

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