The CI category continues to introduce some rather interesting solutions for consumers who wish to take the high-end plunge but don’t want to ever see a set of loudspeaker cables or equipment rack in their homes. It’s actually rather understandable if one is considering a multi-room audio scenario that includes a dedicated home theater space and outdoor audio. M&K Sound has built out the loudspeaker portion of its business with a range of CI products including its first THX Certified Dominus in-wall loudspeaker, the IW500.
THX Dominus
The IW500 is designed for large home theater installations. Its THX Dominus certification means it is optimized for room volumes of up to 6,500 cubic feet. The IW500 can be used as a left/center/right speaker and is the most powerful reference loudspeaker produced to date by M&K. This technological milestone coincides with M&K Sound’s 50th Anniversary celebrations for 2024.
The IW500 THX loudspeaker can also be mounted either vertically or horizontally as a center channel. Whether placed into a baffle wall behind a projection screen or masonry surrounding a flat-panel display, the company claims its performance characteristics are identical, leveraging increased flexibility for residential or professional installations.
From Per Becher, chief executive officer, of M&K Sound: “With premium large-scale home cinemas becoming a more common phenomenon, we knew it was time to offer an in-wall loudspeaker which could accommodate the most stringent room volume requirements,…We are proud to unveil the IW500 which enables our global installer network to provide unrivaled audio performance for their customers in large or exceptionally large environments.”
What is the IW500?
The IW500 is designed to offer state-of-the-art performance and includes several technological advances, allowing it to pass stringent testing and receive THX Certified Dominus status.
Designed for use in high-end home theaters or Hi-Fi systems, the IW500 boasts an 80 Hz – 20 kHz (+/-1.5 dB) frequency response, a maximum SPL of greater than 117 dB, and a power amplifier handling of 100 to 500 watts. In an ideal setup, it should be paired with one or more subwoofers such as M&K Sound’s THX Certified Dominus X15+ subwoofer.
M&K Sound has combined a high-performance one-inch soft dome tweeter with a precision-crafted aluminum waveguide to ensure accurate and focused vertical and horizontal dispersion.
The IW500 uses two Kurt Muller three-inch soft dome midrange drivers (800 Hz to 2500 Hz) with shallow waveguides. These pair with a complex crossover network that is designed to offer neutrality across the frequency range. Combined with the vertical driver array, the IW500 produces a flatter response.
The IW500’s onboard dual 8-inch woofers employ large magnets and carbon fiber cones enabling a full-bodied and visceral low-frequency response. M&K Sound’s proprietary ‘Capacitive Coupling’, design feature in the crossover allows for a much smaller enclosure than normally required. It also ensures tighter bass response, increased impedance (easier to drive), and less distortion.
Each M&K Sound speaker is timbre-matched for the best sonic performance in any room. The IW500 can complement surround and height speakers from the award-winning M&K 300 and 150 Series. The IW500 is designed to bring sonic precision, neutrality, and articulation, for large-room home theater setups.
From Steven P. Martz, Vice President, Global Technology Partnerships, THX Ltd: “M&K took on a lofty task to design the highest performance and most powerful in-wall speaker for ultra-high fidelity in expansive home and private spaces of up to 6,500 cubic feet in size, and with up to a 20-foot viewing distance from the screen,…We are pleased to verify that the incredibly detailed audio design from M&K Sound has ensured that their IW500 met these high standards of excellence. This is a spectacular accomplishment of which they should be very proud.”
IW500 Specifications
- Speaker Configuration: 3-way
- THX® Certification: Yes, THX Certified Dominus
- Nominal System Impedance: 4 ohms
- Frequency Response: 80Hz to 20kHz (on-axis response in room +/- 1.5dB)
- Low Frequency Roll Off: 55Hz (-10 @55 Hz near field)
- Crossover Frequency: 700Hz, 2.5kHz
- Tweeter: 1 x 1,1” Dome, Coated silk dome / Scan Speak
- Mid-range: 2 x 3″ Coated Sik dome w/ Rear Chamber
- Woofer 2 x 8″ Carbon Fibre laminated
- Power Handling: 500-watts Long-term IEC-268-5 (cycled input 77-20K Hz)
- Power Handling: 300 watts Rated IEC-268-5 (constant input 77-20K Hz)
- Recommended Amp Power: 100-500 watts
- Sensitivity: 92 dB – Average SPL 2.83 volt / 1M (on axis 100-20kHz)
- Max SPL Continuous: 113 dB, Sinewave 100-8000 Hz / THD less than 10%
- Max SPL Peak: 121 dB, Sinewave 100-8000 Hz / THD less than 10%
- System Principle: Sealed With capacitive coupling
- Connections: Terminal Gold Plating Push terminal 4mm cable
- Finish: Black cabinet (Paintable)
Dimensions and Weight
- Cutout (HW): 33.35 x 12.44 inch / 847 x 316 mm
- Cabinet Dimensions (HW): 33.27 x 12.36 inch / 845 x 314 mm
- Cabinet Depth: 3.86 inch / 98 mm
- Dimensions with Grill (HWD): 35.35 x 14.45 inch / 898 x 367 mm
- Net Weight: 40.8 lbs / 18.5 kg
Availability and Pricing
The IW500 in-wall loudspeaker will be available from authorized M&K Sound dealers for the competitive price of MSRP of $4,999 (USD) each.
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