Short answer: the Focal 1000 IWLCR6. It ranks #21 of 28 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $5,400; 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 Focal 1000 IWLCR6 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. A three-way in-wall left, center or right speaker from Focal’s 1000 line with two 6.5” woofers, a midrange and an inverted dome tweeter. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.08 against 1.84 for the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW. Its bass reaches about 51.3Hz before falling 3dB, against 74.7Hz for the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW. The tradeoff: The on-axis response is uneven (1.78 average deviation).
The case for the MartinLogan Tribute 5XW: 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. Watch for: 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 Focal 1000 IWLCR6. 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
| Focal 1000 IWLCR6 | MartinLogan Tribute 5XW | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,400 per pair | $6,999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #21 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #23 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (manufacturer specified) | 94dB (manufacturer), 88.1dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms |
| Dimensions | 29.7”H x 12”W x 4”D (755 x 305 x 102 mm) | 31.1”H x 10.6”W x 4.1”D (791 x 269 x 104 mm) (97mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 24.1 lbs (10.95 kg) | 25.6 lbs (11.6 kg) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” woofers, midrange, inverted 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) | 51.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 74.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 38.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.08 | 1.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.44 | 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: Focal 1000 IWLCR6 (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
How Focal 1000 IWLCR6 compares with other leading options:
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs Focal 1000 IWLCR6
- Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2 vs Focal 1000 IWLCR6
- Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2 vs MartinLogan Tribute 5XW
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs MartinLogan Tribute 5XW
- KEF CI250RRM-THX vs MartinLogan Tribute 5XW
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Focal 1000 IWLCR6: $5,400 per pair Focal eBay
Pros: A three-way in-wall left, center or right speaker from Focal’s 1000 line with two 6.5” woofers, a midrange and an inverted dome tweeter. Erin measured a preference score of 3.08 that reaches 5.44 with an ideal subwoofer, with 0.50 listening window deviation. Measured bass extension of 51.3Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The on-axis response is uneven (1.78 average deviation). Bass reaches 51.3Hz (-3dB) and about 39Hz (-10dB).
Full Focal 1000 IWLCR6 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 38.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 29.7”H x 12”W x 4”D (755 x 305 x 102 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” woofers, midrange, inverted dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.44 |
| Weight | 24.1 lbs (10.95 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 Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2
- MartinLogan Tribute 5XW vs Grimani Systems Rixos-L
- MartinLogan Tribute 5XW vs Revel W990
- MartinLogan Tribute 5XW vs Miller & Kreisel IW150
- MartinLogan Tribute 5XW vs JBL Synthesis SCL-4
- MartinLogan Tribute 5XW vs JBL Synthesis SCL-3
- MartinLogan Tribute 5XW vs KEF CI250RRM-THX
- MartinLogan Tribute 5XW vs Revel W228Be