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  1. Home
  2. Passive In-wall Speakers
  3. Monitor Audio WSS230 vs Monitor Audio WSS130

Monitor Audio WSS230 vs Monitor Audio WSS130 Comparison

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Speaker to replace
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Monitor Audio WSS230

Passive In-wall | 75-30k Hz

Monitor Audio WSS230
Check price atAmazon›
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Monitor Audio WSS130

Passive In-wall | 75-30k Hz

Monitor Audio WSS130
Check price atAmazon›
Monitor Audio WSS230 Monitor Audio WSS230
Check price atAmazon›
Monitor Audio WSS130 Monitor Audio WSS130
Check price atAmazon›
Monitor Audio WSS230
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Monitor Audio WSS130
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Monitor Audio WSS230 vs Monitor Audio WSS130 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing WSS230 and WSS130, two Passive In-wall speakers by Monitor Audio.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Monitor Audio WSS230 and Monitor Audio WSS130 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsMonitor Audio WSS230Monitor Audio WSS130
BrandMonitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972
Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972
Design2-way2-way
Tweeter1"1"
Woofer3 x 3"3 x 3"
Frequency response75-30k Hz75-30k Hz
Sensitivity87 dB87 dB
Impedance8 ohms8 ohms
Weight1.41kg / 3.1lbs1.41kg / 3.1lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)13.62" x 3.98" x 1.97"
346 x 101 x 50 mm
13.62" x 3.98" x 1.97"
346 x 101 x 50 mm

WSS230 and WSS130 are members of Monitor Audio's Super Slim series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

Monitor Audio Super Slim Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Monitor Audio WSS230
In-wall 75-30k Hz 87 dB8Ω 3 x 3"
Monitor Audio WSS130
In-wall 75-30k Hz 87 dB8Ω 3 x 3"

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.


Drivers

Both WSS230 and WSS130 are 2-way speakers.

Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 3 inchWoofer - 3 inchWoofer - 3 inch
Monitor Audio WSS230
Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 3 inchWoofer - 3 inchWoofer - 3 inch
Monitor Audio WSS130

TweeterWoofer

Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.

Driver Monitor Audio WSS230 Monitor Audio WSS130
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 3 x 3-inch 3 x 3-inch

WSS230 features a 1" Tweeter and 3 x 3" Woofer. On the other hand, the WSS130 features a 1" Tweeter and 3 x 3" Woofer.

Frequency Response

WSS230 and WSS130 has exactly the same frequency range of 75-30k Hz.

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

WSS230
WSS130
Min
Average
Median

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

WSS230 and WSS130 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 87 dB.

Sensitivity

In-wall Speakers

WSS230
WSS130
Min
Average
Median

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.

Monitor Audio WSS230
 
Monitor Audio WSS130
 

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

WSS230 features Spring post type posts and WSS130 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 Monitor Audio WSS230's and Monitor Audio WSS130's external dimensions. Monitor Audio WSS230 has external dimensions of 346 x 101 x 50 mm () whereas Monitor Audio WSS130 has external dimensions of 346 x 101 x 50 mm ().

In this case, we can see that Monitor Audio WSS230 and Monitor Audio WSS130 have the exact same height, width and thickness.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio WSS230 and Monitor Audio WSS130 in scale.

Monitor Audio WSS230 vs Monitor Audio WSS130 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Monitor Audio WSS230 and Monitor Audio WSS130 Size and External Dimensions
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 Monitor Audio WSS230 weighs 1.41kg / 3.1lbs and the Monitor Audio WSS130 weighs 1.41kg / 3.1lbs.

Here is a comparison of how WSS230 and WSS130's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.

Weight
All In-wall Speakers
Monitor Audio WSS230
Monitor Audio WSS130
Min
Average
Max

Reasons to choose Monitor Audio WSS230 over Monitor Audio WSS130

Reasons to choose Monitor Audio WSS130 over Monitor Audio WSS230

Price per pair* 958USD vs 1198USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Monitor Audio WSS230 vs Monitor Audio WSS130 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General Monitor Audio WSS230 Monitor Audio WSS130
Brand Monitor Audio Monitor Audio
Speaker Type Passive In-wall Speaker Passive In-wall Speaker
Sensitivity 87 dB 87 dB
Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
Frequency Response 75-30k Hz 75-30k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 3 3
Woofer Size 3" 3"
Woofer Composition
Tweeter Size 1" 1"
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Physical Specs
Height 346.0mm (13.6") 346.0mm (13.6")
Width 101.0mm (4") 101.0mm (4")
Depth 50.0mm (2") 50.0mm (2")
Weight 1.41kg (3.1lbs) 1.41kg (3.1lbs)
Enclosure
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Other
Parts Warranty Lifetime Lifetime
Labor Warranty Lifetime Lifetime

Verdict

Siblings in Monitor Audio's Super Slim series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.

AreaBetterWhy
Bassevenly matchedMuch the same reach (75Hz vs 75Hz).
Amplifier needsevenly matchedSimilar sensitivity (87dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power.
SizedependsSimilar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit.
PriceBMonitor Audio WSS130 is cheaper - $958 against $1,198, about 20% less.

A Monitor Audio WSS230  B Monitor Audio WSS130
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.

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.


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