In this review, we will be comparing 100 IW LCR5 and R-5502-W II, two Passive In-wall speakers from Focal and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal 100 IW LCR5 and Klipsch R-5502-W II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal 100 IW LCR5 | Klipsch R-5502-W II |
|---|
| Brand | Focal
France · founded 1979 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Inverted Hard-Dome | 1" Horn-loaded |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.125" Polyglass | 2 x 5.25" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-23kHz | 46-20kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90.5 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-120 watts | up to 75 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 1.77kg / 3.9lbs | 2.95kg / 6.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 16.3130" x 5.8130" x 3.2500"
415.0 x 148.0 x 83.0mm | 16.3750" x 6.5000" x 3.3750"
416.0 x 166.0 x 86.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Focal 100 IW LCR5 and Klipsch R-5502-W II 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* |
Focal 100 IW LCR5 |
Klipsch R-5502-W II |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Good |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
No way |
(* 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both 100 IW LCR5 and R-5502-W II are 2-way speakers.
Focal 100 IW LCR5Klipsch R-5502-W II
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Focal 100 IW LCR5 |
Klipsch R-5502-W II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.125-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
100 IW LCR5 features a 1" Inverted Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.125" Polyglass Woofer. On the other hand, the R-5502-W II features a 1" Horn-loaded Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200 Hz.
Frequency Response
100 IW LCR5 has a frequency range of 55-23kHz whereas R-5502-W II has a frequency range of 46-20kHz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the R-5502-W II can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 100 IW LCR5's min frequency of 55Hz.
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
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
100 IW LCR5 and R-5502-W II have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 100 IW LCR5 sensitivity is rated at 90.5 dB and the R-5502-W II's is at 92 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-5502-W II a more sensitive speaker compared to Focal 100 IW LCR5, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
100 IW LCR5 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas R-5502-W II has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 45 watts less than the 100 IW LCR5.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
100 IW LCR5 features Spring post type posts and R-5502-W II 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 Focal 100 IW LCR5's and Klipsch R-5502-W II's external dimensions. Focal 100 IW LCR5 has external dimensions of 415.0 x 148.0 x 83.0mm (16.3130-inch x 5.8130-inch x 3.2500-inch) whereas Klipsch R-5502-W II has external dimensions of 416.0 x 166.0 x 86.0mm (16.3750-inch x 6.5000-inch x 3.3750-inch).
Klipsch R-5502-W II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 18mm wider, 1mm taller and 3mm deeper than Focal 100 IW LCR5.
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.
Klipsch R-5502-W II needs about 16% more floor or shelf area.
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 Focal 100 IW LCR5 weighs 1.77kg / 3.9lbs and the Klipsch R-5502-W II weighs 2.95kg / 6.5lbs. This makes the R-5502-W II 67% heavier than the 100 IW LCR5.
Here is a comparison of how 100 IW LCR5 and R-5502-W II's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
What's in the Box of Focal 100 IW LCR5?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 100 IW LCR5:
- One in-wall speaker
- 1 metal-mesh grill (white)
- Cut-out template
- User manual
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-5502-W II?
Here are the items that come with the R-5502-W II:
- In-wall speaker
- White metal mesh grille
- Cardboard template
- Owners Manual (En/Fr/Sp)
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
23k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
415mm
vs
416mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
122cm2
vs
142cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5.125 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
498USD
vs
598USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Focal 100 IW LCR5 |
Klipsch R-5502-W II |
| Brand |
Focal |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Power Range |
25-120 watts |
up to 75 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90.5 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-23kHz |
46-20kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.125" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polyglass |
Cerametallic |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Inverted Hard-Dome |
Horn-loaded |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2200 Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
415.0mm (16.3") |
416.0mm (16.4") |
| Width |
148.0mm (5.8") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
83.0mm (3.3") |
86.0mm (3.4") |
| Weight |
1.77kg (3.9lbs) |
2.95kg (6.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
In-wall |
In-wall |
| Moisture Resistancy |
Yes |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
Ltd. Lifetime |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
Ltd. Lifetime |
A generation apart: Focal 100 IW LCR5 is the newer design, against a 2015 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Klipsch R-5502-W II digs deeper - 46Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (91dB vs 92dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | A | Focal 100 IW LCR5 takes more power (120W vs 75W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Klipsch R-5502-W II sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Klipsch R-5502-W II is cheaper - $498 against $598, about 17% less. |
A Focal 100 IW LCR5 B Klipsch R-5502-W II
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Focal 100 IW LCR5 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Klipsch R-5502-W II for near-field listening and a small room.
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.