In this review, we will be comparing S7c and Mezzo CSC, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Perlisten and Wilson Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Perlisten S7c and Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Perlisten S7c | Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC |
|---|
| Brand | Perlisten
United States · founded 2016 | Wilson Audio
United States · founded 1974 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 7" |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 2 x 8" Paper pulp |
|---|
| Frequency response | 38-37k Hz | 19-32k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 100 - 600W RMS watts | from 25 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 33.50kg / 73.7lbs | 90.72kg / 199.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 37.8" x 9.45" x 11.81"
960.1 x 240.0 x 300.0mm | 18" x 31" x 22-1/4"
457.0 x 787.0 x 565.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Perlisten S7c and Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC 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* |
Perlisten S7c |
Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC |
| Near-field |
Good |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Good |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both S7c and Mezzo CSC are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Perlisten S7c |
Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 7-inch |
|
Woofer
|
x -inch
|
2 x 8-inch
|
S7c features a " Tweeter and x " Woofer. On the other hand, the Mezzo CSC features a 1" Doped silk fabric Dome Tweeter, a 7" Midrange and 2 x 8" Paper pulp Woofer.
Frequency Response
S7c has a frequency range of 38-37k Hz whereas Mezzo CSC has a frequency range of 19-32k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 19Hz, the Mezzo CSC can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S7c's min frequency of 38Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Impedance and Sensitivity
S7c and Mezzo CSC have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. S7c sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the Mezzo CSC's is at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Perlisten S7c a more sensitive speaker compared to Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the S7c and the S7c can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
S7c can handle a max power of 600 watts RMS, whereas Mezzo CSC has a max power handling value of watts RMS, 600 watts less than the S7c.
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
S7c features Binding post type posts and Mezzo CSC has a Binding 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 Perlisten S7c's and Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC's external dimensions. Perlisten S7c has external dimensions of 960.1 x 240.0 x 300.0mm (37.8 x 9.45 x 11.81inch) whereas Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC has external dimensions of 457.0 x 787.0 x 565.0mm (18 x 31 x 22-1/4inch).
Perlisten S7c is 547mm narrower and 265mm less deeper than Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC but it is also 503.1mm 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.
Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC needs about 518% more floor or shelf area. Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC is 265mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Perlisten S7c is 503mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Perlisten S7c is approximately 720.0cm2 / 111.6inch2 and base area of the Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC is approximately 4446.6cm2 / 689.2inch2. The S7c requires 84% less surface area than the Mezzo CSC which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Perlisten S7c weighs 33.50kg / 73.7lbs and the Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC weighs 90.72kg / 199.6lbs. This makes the Mezzo CSC 171% heavier than the S7c.
Here is a comparison of how S7c and Mezzo CSC's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
3.2 ohms
vs
2.66 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
37k Hz
vs
32k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
720cm2
vs
4446cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
17590USD
vs
23500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
19 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
457mm
vs
960mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Perlisten S7c |
Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
Wilson Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
100 - 600W RMS watts |
from 25 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
2.66 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
38-37k Hz |
19-32k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
2 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Paper pulp |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
7" |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
960.1mm (37.8") |
457.0mm (18") |
| Width |
240.0mm (9.4") |
787.0mm (31") |
| Depth |
300.0mm (11.8") |
565.0mm (22.2") |
| Weight |
33.50kg (73.7lbs) |
90.72kg (199.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC digs deeper - 19Hz against 38Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Perlisten S7c is more sensitive (92dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | Perlisten S7c is easier to place; Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | A | Perlisten S7c is cheaper - $17,590 against $23,500, about 25% less. |
A Perlisten S7c B Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC
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 38Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Perlisten S7c much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Perlisten S7c the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC for a large 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.