In this review, we will be comparing FA502iC LCR LCR and W165, two Passive In-wall speakers from Fyne Audio and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR and Monitor Audio W165 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR | Monitor Audio W165 |
|---|
| Brand | Fyne Audio
United Kingdom · founded 2017 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 6.5" Metal Matrix Polymer |
|---|
| Frequency response | — | 60-25kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 88.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 20-65 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.36kg / 5.2lbs | 2.22kg / 4.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 10-3/4" x 10-3/4" x 4-13/16"
273.0 x 273.0 x 123.0mm | 13.0625" x 8.3750" x 3.6250"
332.0 x 213.0 x 93.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR and Monitor Audio W165 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* |
Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR |
Monitor Audio W165 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Good |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
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 FA502iC LCR LCR and W165 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR |
Monitor Audio W165 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
x -inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
FA502iC LCR LCR features a " Tweeter and x " Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1700 Hz. On the other hand, the W165 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Metal Matrix Polymer Woofer.
Frequency Response
FA502iC LCR LCR has a frequency range of whereas W165 has a frequency range of 60-25kHz. With a minimum frequency of Hz, the FA502iC LCR LCR can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the W165's min frequency of 60Hz.
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
Impedance and Sensitivity
FA502iC LCR LCR is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the W165 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. FA502iC LCR LCR sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the W165's is rated at 88.5 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio W165, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
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.
Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
FA502iC LCR LCR features Spring post type posts and W165 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 Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR's and Monitor Audio W165's external dimensions. Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR has external dimensions of 273.0 x 273.0 x 123.0mm () whereas Monitor Audio W165 has external dimensions of 332.0 x 213.0 x 93.0mm (13.0625-inch x 8.3750-inch x 3.6250-inch).
Monitor Audio W165 is 60mm narrower and 30mm less deeper than Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR but it is also 59mm 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.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR needs about 70% more floor or shelf area. Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR is 30mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Monitor Audio W165 is 59mm 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 Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR weighs 2.36kg / 5.2lbs and the Monitor Audio W165 weighs 2.22kg / 4.9lbs. This makes the FA502iC LCR LCR 6% heavier than the W165.
Here is a comparison of how FA502iC LCR LCR and W165's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio W165?
Here are the items that come with the W165:
- In-wall speaker
- Grille
- Paint skim
- Installation Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Cutout Template
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
273mm
vs
332mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
198cm2
vs
335cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
640USD
vs
644USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR |
Monitor Audio W165 |
| Brand |
Fyne Audio |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-ceiling Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
88.5 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
|
60-25kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Metal Matrix Polymer |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
Yes |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1700 Hz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
273.0mm (10.7") |
332.0mm (13.1") |
| Width |
273.0mm (10.7") |
213.0mm (8.4") |
| Depth |
123.0mm (4.8") |
93.0mm (3.7") |
| Weight |
2.36kg (5.2lbs) |
2.22kg (4.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
In-wall |
In-wall |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
Lifetime |
| Labor Warranty |
|
Lifetime |
A generation apart: Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR is the newer design, against a 2017 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Amplifier needs | A | Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR is more sensitive (91dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio W165 is easier to place; Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($644 vs $640 a pair). |
A Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR B Monitor Audio W165
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?
Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR 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 your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Fyne Audio FA502iC LCR LCR 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.