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Monitor Audio CP-WT150 vs Definitive IWSub 1010 Comparison

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Monitor Audio CP-WT150

Passive In-wall | 75-25kHz

Monitor Audio CP-WT150
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Definitive IWSub 1010

Passive In-wall | 16-200Hz

Definitive Technology IWSub 10/10
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Monitor Audio CP-WT150 Monitor Audio CP-WT1...
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Definitive IWSub 1010 Definitive IWSub 101...
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Monitor Audio CP-WT1...
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Definitive IWSub 101...
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Monitor Audio CP-WT150 vs Definitive IWSub 1010 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing CP-WT150 and IWSub 1010, two Passive In-wall speakers from Monitor Audio and Definitive Technology.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Monitor Audio CP-WT150 and Definitive IWSub 1010 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Monitor Audio CP-WT150 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 5" Poly Woofer
  • 75-25kHz Frequency Response
  • 85 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:20-50watts
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 326.0" x 8.1250" x 3.7500"( 326.0 x 207.0 x 96.0mm )

Definitive IWSub 1010 Key Specs

  • 1-way Design
  • " Tweeter
  • 10" Not given Woofer
  • 16-200Hz Frequency Response
  • 0 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:up to 275watts
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 505.0" x 14.3750" x 3.8125"( 505.0 x 366.0 x 97.0mm )

What size room are the Monitor Audio CP-WT150 and Definitive IWSub 1010 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* Monitor Audio CP-WT150 Definitive IWSub 1010
Near-field Good Poor
Small Room Good Poor
Mid-size Room Average Good
Large Room Poor Good
Very Large Room No way Average

(* 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 Monitor Audio CP-WT150 and Definitive IWSub 1010 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 CP-WT150 is a 2-way design whereas the IWSub 1010 is a 1-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 Monitor Audio CP-WT150 Definitive IWSub 1010
Driver Setup 2-way 1-way
Tweeter 1-inch -inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5-inch 1 x 10-inch

CP-WT150 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Poly Woofer . On the other hand, the IWSub 1010 features a " Tweeter and 1 x 10" Not given Woofer .

Frequency Response

CP-WT150 has a frequency range of 75-25kHz whereas IWSub 1010 has a frequency range of 16-200Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the IWSub 1010 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the CP-WT150's min frequency of 75Hz.

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

CP-WT150
IWSub 1010
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

In-wall Speakers

Monitor Audio CP-WT150
Definitive IWSub 1010
Min
Average
Max

Impedance and Sensitivity

CP-WT150 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the IWSub 1010 which has a nominal impedance of 4 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 IWSub 1010 can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. CP-WT150 sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the IWSub 1010's is rated at 0 dB. This 85 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio CP-WT150 a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive IWSub 1010, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

In-wall Speakers

CP-WT150
IWSub 1010
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.

CP-WT150 can handle a max power of 275 watts RMS from the amp the whereas CP-WT150 has a max power handling value of 50 watts RMS , 225 watts less than the IWSub 1010.

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

CP-WT150 features Spring post type posts and IWSub 1010 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 Monitor Audio CP-WT150's and Definitive IWSub 1010's external dimensions. Monitor Audio CP-WT150 has external dimensions of 326.0 x 207.0 x 96.0mm ( 12.8125-inch x 8.1250-inch x 3.7500-inch) whereas Definitive IWSub 1010 has external dimensions of 505.0 x 366.0 x 97.0mm ( 19.8750-inch x 14.3750-inch x 3.8125-inch) .

Definitive IWSub 1010 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 159mm wider, 179mm taller and 1mm deeper than Monitor Audio CP-WT150.

What's in the Box of Monitor Audio CP-WT150?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of CP-WT150:
  • In-wall speaker
  • Magnetic grille
  • Cosmetic scrim
  • Installation Guide
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Limited Warranty/Registration Card
  • MountingTemplate
  • What's in the Box of Definitive IWSub 1010?

    Here are the items that come with the IWSub 1010:
  • In-wall subwoofer
  • Grille (attached)
  • 7 Self-adhesive foam gaskets
  • 6 Screws
  • Wall-template
  • Paint mask
  • Owners Manual
  • Online Product Registration card

  • Reasons to choose Monitor Audio CP-WT150 over Definitive Technology IWSub 10/10
    Driver Setup 2-way vs 1-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Nominal Impedance 6 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Height 326mm vs 505mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 198cm2 vs 355cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 880USD vs 999USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Definitive Technology IWSub 10/10 over Monitor Audio CP-WT150

    Max Input Power 275 watts vs 50 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Woofer Size 10 inches vs 5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 16 Hz vs 75 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 200k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Passive Radiator 1 x 10-inch vs None Increases the bass performance
    Monitor Audio CP-WT150 vs Definitive IWSub 1010 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Monitor Audio CP-WT150 Definitive Technology IWSub 10/10
    Brand Monitor Audio Definitive Technology
    Speaker Type Passive In-wall Speaker Passive In-wall Speaker
    Power Range 20-50 watts up to 275 watts
    Sensitivity 85 dB 0 dB
    Impedance 6 ohms 4 ohms
    Frequency Response 75-25kHz 16-200Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 5" 10"
    Woofer Composition Poly Not given
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Not given
    Tweeter Size 1" -
    Tweeter Type Hard-Dome n/a
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver N/A" N/A"
    Physical Specs
    Height 326.0mm (12.8") 505.0mm (19.9")
    Width 207.0mm (8.1") 366.0mm (14.4")
    Depth 96.0mm (3.8") 97.0mm (3.8")
    Enclosure In-wall In-wall
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No No
    Other
    Parts Warranty Lifetime 5 Years
    Labor Warranty Lifetime 5 Years

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