This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:28:13
Aaron from Aaron's Audio Corner conducts a detailed review of high-end in-wall speakers, priced between $500 and $3,000, focusing on seven models. Key contributors to his project include John Sherman of the Screening Room AV, Simply Stereo, and a viewer named Nick. Aaron employs rigorous testing methods, including listening sessions and measurements using both a four-foot diameter baffle and a Klippel Near Field Scanner. He finds significant performance differences among the models tested.
The B&W CWM 7.3 S2, despite its impressive build quality, underperforms due to high Q peaks. Issues with other models include frequency response dips, mismatched tonality, and non-linear performance, notably with the Martin Logan speaker which received a "do not buy" recommendation.
The KEF Ci3160RL THX is highlighted for its balanced performance and low distortion, whereas the Miller and Kreisel IW150 shows neutral sound but flawed low-frequency design. The Revel W893 is praised for its budget-friendly price and well-rounded performance despite some sharpness in the upper mid-range.
Concluding his review, Aaron recommends the JBL SCL6 as the best measured in-wall speaker, with the KEF models also receiving high praise. He underscores the importance of proper speaker demoing and thanks his patrons for their support. The review emphasizes the necessity of good speaker quality over relying on EQ adjustments, aiming to guide consumers in making informed purchase decisions.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, Aaron from Aaron’s Audio Corner introduces his review of high-end in-wall speakers priced between $500 and $3,000. He plans to discuss seven different models and mentions the challenges of testing these speakers. Aaron acknowledges the support from his patrons, John Sherman of the Screening Room AV, Simply Stereo, and a viewer named Nick, which allowed him to obtain and review the speakers. He explains his testing process, which involves listening sessions, measurements, and comparisons to validate speaker performance. Due to the difficult nature of in-wall speaker testing, he built an 8×8 baffle to facilitate the process.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the use of a four-foot diameter baffle to ensure accurate data collection and sanity checks during speaker measurements. The importance of proper measurement techniques to avoid erroneous results when evaluating speakers is emphasized. The speaker uses a Klippel Near Field Scanner to simulate infinite baffle conditions, akin to mounting a speaker on a large wall, providing proper bass loading and output.
They tested speakers with and without grilles, noting that the performance without grilles is generally better, and direct viewers to their website for detailed data. The focus then shifts to the B&W CWM 7.3 S2 speaker, highlighting its backing box features, including optional blanks for sealing and extensions to increase volume. The speaker tested the B&W without the extension, allowing it to vent into a two-cubic-foot baffle wall. Despite its impressive build quality, the B&W CWM 7.3 S2 performed poorly in tests, with particular note on its high Q peak in ported response.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses issues with the frequency response of an audio setup, specifically addressing a dip around the 2 to 4 kHz range. After rerunning tests and adjusting the port, there was still a significant issue in this frequency band. The speaker tested whether the tweeter was wired out of phase by using extension clips to switch the connections, resulting in a notable change in frequency response and a shift in the problematic range to around 5 to 6 kHz. The speaker highlights issues like high frequency boost, sibilance, and boxy male vocals. Additionally, the off-axis performance of the speakers is examined, noting that consistent sound across multiple seats in a home theater is crucial. Lastly, it is explained that the high frequency boost is not to counteract loss from acoustically transparent screens and that the speakers are not designed to be listened to off-axis in a typical home theater setup.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the performance and design flaws of two specific speaker models. The first speaker has issues with distortion and compression, especially at low frequencies, but performs well enough that the issues aren’t considered critical. The second model, however, faces more significant problems. It is described as “boomy” with a midrange that sounds recessed, and has a strong resonance around 200 Hz that cannot be easily corrected with equalization. Additionally, its enclosure is too small for its drivers, leading to poor design, with the high frequencies overpowering the midrange and bass. Due to these flaws, the speaker finds it difficult to recommend this second model.
00:12:00
In this segment of the video, the reviewer discusses three different in-wall speakers. The KEF Ci3160RL THX, retailing at $2,000 each, has neutral tonality, performs well even at 45 degrees, and has a broad bump in the mid-bass area that can be EQ’d. Its mid-range and high-frequency areas are well-balanced, and it has good sensitivity and low distortion at 96 dB, making it one of the best for output capability despite its smaller woofers.
Next, the Martin Logan speaker, priced at $3,000, receives a rare “do not buy” recommendation from the reviewer due to its non-linear performance. The sound is described as dull and recessed, with prominent lower mid-range but lacking in attack and overall balance. The speaker’s performance and sound quality do not justify its high price.
00:15:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker analysis focuses on the non-linearity and overall sound quality issues. The average sensitivity is around 88.1 dB, and the mid-bass is approximately 6 dB above this level, contributing to a mismatched tonality and timbre. There are notable distortions, particularly in the low end, and some challenges with compression in higher frequencies. Though EQ adjustments can help, the speaker’s inherent issues suggest that investing in a better speaker might be more practical. The specific Miller and Kreisel IW150 speaker, which has been discontinued but found online for about $1,000, shows a somewhat neutral sound above 300 Hz but has a significant 6 dB bump at 150 Hz. The asymmetric design leads to uneven sound dispersion, potentially causing issues in imaging and placement, making it less recommendable despite its decent performance. Average sensitivity measured is around 88.2 dB, with common boosts in the low-frequency region noted in many in-wall speakers.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the impact of placing speakers in wall cavities, noting that any added output will mix with existing boosts, particularly in lower frequencies. The speaker criticizes manufacturers that use lower quality woofers in small cabinets, which can cause unwanted mid-bass bumps and resonance, making vocals sound boomy and muddy. They suggest it’s better to use good quality speakers that don’t have these issues, rather than relying on EQ adjustments.
The Revel W893 in-wall speaker is highlighted as a budget-friendly option, priced at $1100 each. It lacks a closed-back design, allowing the wall to act as the enclosure, which helps avoid high-frequency bumps and results in better low-frequency performance. Although it has a sharpness in the upper mid-range, it provides a surprisingly deep sound stage, as confirmed by both listening tests and data.
00:21:00
In this segment, the speaker analyzes the performance of a few different speakers. They note a bump in the response at three and a half kilohertz and some odd high-frequency compression issues, which may limit the dynamic range. Despite these issues, the speaker recommends the product for its overall performance and price. When discussing the Revel W553L, notable for its lack of a closed back, they advise sealing the wall behind the speaker for better mid-bass resonance if used in new constructions. The mid-range is described as neutral but possibly thin due to a slight bump in the bass region, which can be easily adjusted with parametric EQ. The tweeter also shows some compression issues at higher volumes, similar to another model, the W893.
00:24:00
In this part of the video, the reviewer discusses the performance and suitability of a particular in-wall speaker for surround sound in a home theater setup, particularly highlighting its horizontal and vertical response capabilities. He concludes that, despite some compression issues at lower frequencies, the speaker is a good choice for side surround speakers given its price and dynamic range.
Additionally, the reviewer compares this speaker to the JBL SCL6, praising the latter as the best in-wall speaker measured so far. He also reviews other speakers, recommending the JBL and KEF models while expressing lesser satisfaction with the Martin Logan, Bowers and Wilkins, and Focal models due to their sound quality and measurement results. He emphasizes that his channel aims to provide educational information to aid in purchase decisions rather than negative criticism. He advises viewers shopping for speakers to demo them if possible and thanks his patrons and supporters.
00:27:00
In this part of the video, the speaker thanks Nick for helping to obtain speakers which were donated or loaned for the review, emphasizing that no manufacturers paid for the review. The speaker expresses gratitude to the community for the opportunity to present the data and mentions that the process took two months and was exhausting. The speaker also suggests using affiliate links from various websites to support the channel through purchases, highlighting that it helps cover costs such as lighting. Finally, the speaker hopes the audience appreciates and learns from the content and signs off.