Short answer: the Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2. It ranks #22 of 28 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $5,600; the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW ranks #23, rated 3.2/5, and costs $6,999.98, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A three-way in-wall speaker from B&W’s Reference series with two 6” Aerofoil bass drivers, a 4” Continuum midrange and a 1” Carbon Dome tweeter. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.57 against 1.84 for the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW. Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 3dB, against 74.7Hz for the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW. Watch for: The on-axis response is uneven (1.66 average deviation) in Erin’s measurements.
What the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW does well: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows a rated 94dB sensitivity that measured a still efficient 88.1dB at 1 meter, so it plays loudly for its size. The tradeoff: The measurement is the weakest of the in-wall speakers here: a preference score of 1.84, or just 4.91 with a perfect subwoofer, with on-axis smoothness of 0.30, an average on-axis deviation of 1.56dB and wide directivity swings (SPDI deviation 3.25dB).
Buy the Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2 | MartinLogan Tribute 5XW | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,600 per pair | $6,999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #22 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #23 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (manufacturer specified) | 94dB (manufacturer), 88.1dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms |
| Dimensions | 29”H x 10.9”W x 4”D (736 x 276 x 102 mm) | 31.1”H x 10.6”W x 4.1”D (791 x 269 x 104 mm) (97mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 27.3 lbs (12.4 kg) | 25.6 lbs (11.6 kg) |
| Drivers | 2x 6” Aerofoil bass drivers, 4” Continuum midrange, 1” Carbon Dome tweeter | 1.25 x 2.4” Folded Motion XT Obsidian tweeter, 2x 5.25” carbon fiber woofers, 2x 6.5” passive radiators |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 74.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 43.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.57 | 1.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.36 | 4.91 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | Sealed back box, in-wall |
| Mounting Cutout | - | 236W x 757H mm |
| Power Handling | - | 20-250W recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | - | 71Hz-25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2,250Hz |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and MartinLogan Tribute 5XW (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2
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- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs MartinLogan Tribute 5XW
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2: $5,600 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins CWM 7.5 S2 (smaller in-wall, ranked lower, estimated 3/5). See every Bowers & Wilkins CWM In-Wall generation.
Pros: A three-way in-wall speaker from B&W’s Reference series with two 6” Aerofoil bass drivers, a 4” Continuum midrange and a 1” Carbon Dome tweeter. Erin measured a preference score of 2.57 that reaches 5.36 with an ideal subwoofer, with 0.59 listening window deviation. Measured bass extension of 63.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The on-axis response is uneven (1.66 average deviation) in Erin’s measurements. Bass reaches 63.0Hz (-3dB) and about 43Hz (-10dB).
Full Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 43.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 29”H x 10.9”W x 4”D (736 x 276 x 102 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6” Aerofoil bass drivers, 4” Continuum midrange, 1” Carbon Dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.36 |
| Weight | 27.3 lbs (12.4 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
MartinLogan Tribute 5XW: $6,999.98 per pair Audio Advice eBay
Pros: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows a rated 94dB sensitivity that measured a still efficient 88.1dB at 1 meter, so it plays loudly for its size. The folded thin-film Folded Motion XT Obsidian tweeter rotates for horizontal or vertical mounting, and it pairs two carbon fiber woofers with two 6.5” passive radiators in a sealed box. It accepts 20-250W of amplifier power and mounts with a slim 3.8” depth behind the wall. Measured bass extension of 74.7Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 94dB.
Cons: The measurement is the weakest of the in-wall speakers here: a preference score of 1.84, or just 4.91 with a perfect subwoofer, with on-axis smoothness of 0.30, an average on-axis deviation of 1.56dB and wide directivity swings (SPDI deviation 3.25dB). Bass measured -3dB at only 74.7Hz, so a subwoofer is required, and MartinLogan rates it to 71Hz. At $3500 each a stereo pair costs twice that and MartinLogan sells it through dealers.
Full MartinLogan Tribute 5XW review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,250Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 31.1”H x 10.6”W x 4.1”D (791 x 269 x 104 mm) (97mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 1.25 x 2.4” Folded Motion XT Obsidian tweeter, 2x 5.25” carbon fiber woofers, 2x 6.5” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | Sealed back box, in-wall |
| Frequency Response | 71Hz-25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Mounting Cutout | 236W x 757H mm |
| Power Handling | 20-250W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (manufacturer), 88.1dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.91 |
| Weight | 25.6 lbs (11.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- MartinLogan Tribute 5XW vs Focal 1000 IWLCR6
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- MartinLogan Tribute 5XW vs Miller & Kreisel IW150
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