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  1. Home
  2. Monitor Audio Speakers
  3. Passive In-wall Speakers
  4. Monitor Audio W165
Monitor Audio W165 Review
Monitor Audio W165 - Front View

Compare To

Main Features

  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Metal Matrix Polymer Woofer
  • 60-25kHz Frequency Response
  • 88.5 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range: 20-65 watts
  • Weight: 4.90 lbs / 2.22 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 13.0625"x8.3750"x3.6250" / 332.0 x 213.0 x 93.0mm
MSRP: $320 (list price)
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Monitor Audio W165 Review
Monitor Audio W165 Monitor Audio W165
Check price atAmazon›

Made by Monitor Audio · United Kingdom · since 1972 · sold through dealers

Monitor Audio W165 is a 2-way Passive In-wall In-wall speaker by Monitor Audio. It was released in 2017. It features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Metal Matrix Polymer Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 60-25kHz and a sensitivity of 88.5 dB. Monitor Audio W165 has an MSRP of 640$ per pair.

Room Size Suitability

The size of the room where you plan to use the Monitor Audio W165 is a crucial factor in your decision. We have assessed its suitability for various room sizes based on its dimensions and maximum power output:

Listening Environment* Suitability
Near-fieldGood
Small RoomGood
Mid-size RoomAverage
Large RoomPoor
Very Large RoomNo 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.)

Frequency Response of the Monitor Audio W165 Speaker

Monitor Audio W165 has a Frequency response range of 60-25kHz and Power Range of 20-65 watts. With a minimum frequency of 60 Hz, W165 delivers moderate bass depth so depending on your use case, you might want to consider adding a subwoofer to your system.

Here we have a comparison of how W165's Low frequency value compares with the average, max and min Low frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
In-wall Speakers
Monitor Audio W165
Min
Average
Median
Thinking about a subwoofer for the Monitor Audio W165?
  • Work out the crossover setting - it follows from this speaker's 60 Hz low end
  • Powered subwoofers under $750 - a similar price range to these speakers
  • Every powered subwoofer we cover, whatever the budget

Impedance and Sensitivity

Monitor Audio W165's nominal impedance level is 6 ohms and has a sensitivity of 88.5 dB.

Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
Monitor Audio W165
Min
Average
Median

Nominal Impedance of the 6 Ohms makes the Monitor Audio W165 a relatively difficult to drive speaker compared to more frequently found 8 ohms speakers from nominal Impedance perspective.

Sensitivity

89dB of the Monitor Audio W165 is an average sensitivity for stereo speaker so it is neither easy nor difficult to drive Sensitivity wise. Work out how loud the Monitor Audio W165 plays in your room →

Running more than one pair from a single amplifier? Check the load it would present →

What amplifier does the Monitor Audio W165 need?

At normal listening levels in a medium room, about 13–65 W per channel into 6 ohms. Set your own conditions and we will rank every amplifier we cover.

We check power, impedance safety and current delivery - not just watts.

Prefer to browse? Integrated amplifiers under $750, or every amplifier we cover.

Input Type

W165 features Spring post type connectors. Bi-amping and Bi-wiring are not possible.

Work out what gauge speaker cable this run needs →

Monitor Audio W165 External Dimensions and Weight

Monitor Audio W165 has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 13.0625-inch x 8.3750-inch x 3.6250-inch (332.0 x 213.0 x 93.0mm ).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of Monitor Audio W165 is approximately 198.1cm2 / 30.7inch2.

To get a better perspective on the real life size of Monitor Audio W165, let's compare it with a standard size Compact Disc which has a diameter of 4.7inch (120mm).

Monitor Audio W165 Real Life Body Size Comparison
Monitor Audio W165 Speaker Size Compared to a Compact Disc

Find speakers that fit your shelf or alcove →

Cabinet type and Materials

Monitor Audio W165 has a In-wall type cabinet.

What's in the Box of Monitor Audio W165?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of W165:
  • In-wall speaker
  • Grille
  • Paint skim
  • Installation Guide
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Cutout Template

Recommended Accessories

Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the Monitor Audio W165.

  • Speaker Cable and Connectors
    • Speaker Cables with Banana Plugs: If you know the lenght of the cable you need, this is the easier option to connect your speakers with your amp.
    • Speaker Cables without Connectors: If you are not sure about the lenght or need longer than standard cables with plugs, choose this option.
    • Banana Connectors and Plugs: If you chose the cables without connectors option or already have some cable around, pick the banana plugs separately.
  • Vibration Isolators: IsoAcoustics isolators are our favorite isolators but you may find more affordable options too.
  • Acoustic Panels and Treatments: Your room is as important as your stereo equipment so acoustic treatments goes a long way in improving the overall performance.

Warranty

Lifetime of parts warranty and Lifetime of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

Monitor Audio W165 Alternatives in Passive In-wall Speakers
Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
Monitor Audio W265
Compare
2-way 88.5 dB 6 ohms 55-30kHz
B&W CWM362
Compare
2-way 89 dB 8 ohms 50-30kHz
Klipsch R-5650-S II
Compare
2-way 92 dB 8 ohms 60-23kHz
Monitor Audio CP-WT150
Compare
2-way 85 dB 6 ohms 75-25kHz
JBL Stage 280W
Compare
2-way 90 dB 8 ohms 42-25kHz
Klipsch R-5800-W II
Compare
2-way 94 dB 8 ohms 40-23kHz
JBL Studio 2 55IW
Compare
2-way 88 dB 8 ohms 40-20kHz
Monitor Audio CP-WT380IDC
Compare
3-way 89 dB 6 ohms 50-30kHz
Frequently Asked Questions about Monitor Audio W165

What amplifier do you need for the Monitor Audio W165?

Monitor Audio rates the Monitor Audio W165 for 20-65 watts of amplifier power. It is a 6-ohm speaker, which most amplifiers and receivers handle without trouble.

Is the Monitor Audio W165 easy to drive?

The Monitor Audio W165 has a sensitivity of 88.5 dB. That is about average for a home speaker, so it is neither hard nor especially easy to drive.

Does the Monitor Audio W165 need a subwoofer?

The Monitor Audio W165 reaches down to 60Hz (full range 60-25kHz). That covers most music, though a subwoofer still adds the bottom octave for home theatre.

What drivers does the Monitor Audio W165 use?

The Monitor Audio W165 is a 2-way design using a 1" Hard-Dome tweeter and a 6.5" Metal Matrix Polymer woofer.

Is the Monitor Audio W165 sealed or ported?

The Monitor Audio W165 uses a In-wall enclosure.

Can the Monitor Audio W165 be bi-wired or bi-amped?

No. The Monitor Audio W165 has a single pair of terminals, so bi-wiring and bi-amping are not possible. It uses Spring post terminals.

How is the Monitor Audio W165 installed?

The Monitor Audio W165 is an in-wall model: it mounts flush into the wall cavity rather than standing in the room, so it needs a cut-out and takes up no floor space.

How big and heavy is the Monitor Audio W165?

The Monitor Audio W165 weighs 2.22kg / 4.9lbs each and measures 13.0625-inch x 8.3750-inch x 3.6250-inch (HxWxD).

How much does the Monitor Audio W165 cost?

The Monitor Audio W165 has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $640 per pair.


Monitor Audio W165 Detailed Specifications

General
BrandMonitor Audio
Full Model NameMonitor Audio W165
Speaker Type2-way In-wall
Power Range20-65 watts
Sensitivity88.5 dB
Impedance6 ohms
Frequency Response60-25kHz
Release Date2017
DRIVERS
Woofer Size6.5-inch
Woofer CompositionMetal Matrix Polymer
Woofer SurroundRubber
Tweeter Size1-inch
Tweeter TypeHard-Dome
Aimable TweeterYes

CONNECTIONS
Connector TypeSpring post
Biamp InputsNo
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height332.0mm ( 13.0625-inch)
Width213.0mm ( 8.3750-inch)
Depth93.0mm ( 3.6250-inch)
Height332.0mm ( 13.0625-inch)
Weight2.22 kg (4.9 lbs)
EnclosureIn-wall
Moisture ResistanceNo
OTHER
Handheld RemoteNo
Parts WarrantyLifetime
Labor WarrantyLifetime
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