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Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR vs Polk Audio 265-LS Comparison

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Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR

Passive In-wall | 60-25kHz

Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR
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Polk Audio 265-LS

Passive In-wall | 28-33kHz

Polk Audio 265-LS
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Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR Monitor Audio CP-WT2...
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Polk Audio 265-LS Polk Audio 265-LS
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Monitor Audio CP-WT2...
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Polk Audio 265-LS
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Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR vs Polk Audio 265-LS Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing CP-WT240LCR and 265-LS, two Passive In-wall speakers from Monitor Audio and Polk Audio.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR and Polk Audio 265-LS first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 4" C-CAM Woofer
  • 60-25kHz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:20-100watts
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 299.0" x 7.1875" x 3.8125"( 299.0 x 183.0 x 97.0mm )

Polk Audio 265-LS Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter
  • 6.5" Midrange
  • 6.5" Aerated polypropylene Woofer
  • 6.5" Midrange
  • 28-33kHz Frequency Response
  • 91 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:10-200watts
  • Weight:4.09kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 488.0" x 7.2500" x 0.0000"

What size room are the Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR and Polk Audio 265-LS 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-WT240LCR Polk Audio 265-LS
Near-field Average Poor
Small Room Good Average
Mid-size Room Average Good
Large Room Poor Average
Very Large Room Bad 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 Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR and Polk Audio 265-LS 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-WT240LCR is a 2-way design whereas the 265-LS 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 Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR Polk Audio 265-LS
Driver Setup 2-way 3-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - 1 x 6.5-inch
Woofer 2 x 4-inch 1 x 6.5-inch

CP-WT240LCR features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" C-CAM Woofer . On the other hand, the 265-LS features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter , a 6.5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Aerated polypropylene Woofer .

Frequency Response

CP-WT240LCR has a frequency range of 60-25kHz whereas 265-LS has a frequency range of 28-33kHz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the 265-LS can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the CP-WT240LCR's min frequency of 60Hz.

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-WT240LCR
265-LS
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

In-wall Speakers

Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR
Polk Audio 265-LS
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

CP-WT240LCR is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the 265-LS which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. CP-WT240LCR sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the 265-LS's is rated at 91 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Polk Audio 265-LS a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

In-wall Speakers

CP-WT240LCR
265-LS
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-WT240LCR can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas CP-WT240LCR has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the 265-LS.

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-WT240LCR features Spring post type posts and 265-LS 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-WT240LCR's and Polk Audio 265-LS's external dimensions. Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR has external dimensions of 299.0 x 183.0 x 97.0mm ( 11.7500-inch x 7.1875-inch x 3.8125-inch) whereas Polk Audio 265-LS has external dimensions of ( 19.1875-inch x 7.2500-inch x 0.0000-inch) .

Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR is 2mm narrower and 189mm shorter than Polk Audio 265-LS but it is also 97mm deeper.

What's in the Box of Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of CP-WT240LCR:
  • In-wall LCR loudspeaker
  • Magnetic grille
  • Cosmetic scrim
  • Installation Guide
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Limited Warranty/Registration Card
  • MountingTemplate
  • What's in the Box of Polk Audio 265-LS?

    Here are the items that come with the 265-LS:
  • In-wall loudspeaker
  • White metal grille
  • Power Port plug
  • Mounting template
  • Owners Manual

  • Reasons to choose Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR over Polk Audio 265-LS
    Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
    Height 299mm vs 488mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

    Reasons to choose Polk Audio 265-LS over Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR

    Max Input Power 200 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Sensitivity 91 dB vs 88 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 6 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 4 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 28 Hz vs 60 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 33k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Base Surface Area 0cm2 vs 177cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 758USD vs 1300USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR vs Polk Audio 265-LS Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Monitor Audio CP-WT240LCR Polk Audio 265-LS
    Brand Monitor Audio Polk Audio
    Speaker Type Passive In-wall Speaker Passive In-wall Speaker
    Power Range 20-100 watts 10-200 watts
    Sensitivity 88 dB 91 dB
    Impedance 6 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 60-25kHz 28-33kHz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 1
    Woofer Size 4" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition C-CAM Aerated polypropylene
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Ring Radiator
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver N/A" 6.5"
    Physical Specs
    Height 299.0mm (11.8") 488.0mm (19.2")
    Width 183.0mm (7.2") 185.0mm (7.3")
    Depth 97.0mm (3.8") mm (0")
    Weight n/a 4.09kg (9lbs)
    Enclosure In-wall In-wall
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No No
    Other
    Parts Warranty Lifetime Lifetime
    Labor Warranty Lifetime Lifetime

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