Short answer: the Miller & Kreisel IW150. It ranks #17 of 28 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $4,998; the Focal 1000 IWLCR6 ranks #21, rated 3.3/5, and costs $5,400, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Miller & Kreisel IW150 is the better-sounding choice. Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows well controlled directivity (SPDI deviation 2.43dB) and a smooth predicted in-room response, with a preference score of 2.88, or 6.32 with a perfect subwoofer. Watch for: Bass is thin: measured -3dB is 95.2Hz and -6dB is 82.0Hz, and Miller & Kreisel rates it only to 80Hz, so a subwoofer is required, and even with a perfect subwoofer the score reaches only 6.32.
The Focal 1000 IWLCR6 is the deeper-bass pick. 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 bass reaches about 51.3Hz before falling 3dB, against 95.2Hz for the Miller & Kreisel IW150. The catch: The on-axis response is uneven (1.78 average deviation).
Buy the Miller & Kreisel IW150. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal 1000 IWLCR6 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
| Miller & Kreisel IW150 | Focal 1000 IWLCR6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,998 per pair | $5,400 per pair |
| Ranked | #17 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #21 of 28 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” polypropylene bass/midrange drivers, 3x 1” soft fabric dome tweeters | 2x 6.5” woofers, midrange, inverted dome tweeter |
| Enclosure | In-wall | - |
| Mounting Cutout | 288W x 331H mm | - |
| Dimensions | 13.9”H x 12.2”W (354 x 311 mm) baffle (95mm mounting depth) | 29.7”H x 12”W x 4”D (755 x 305 x 102 mm) |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) | 24.1 lbs (10.95 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | 91dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 25-400W recommended amplifier power | - |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 51.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 38.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.88 | 3.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 | 5.44 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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: Miller & Kreisel IW150 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and Focal 1000 IWLCR6 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Miller & Kreisel IW150:
- Revel W226Be vs Miller & Kreisel IW150
- JBL Synthesis SCL-6 vs Miller & Kreisel IW150
- JBL Synthesis SCL-3 vs Miller & Kreisel IW150
- JBL Synthesis SCL-7 vs Miller & Kreisel IW150
- JBL Synthesis SCL-4 vs Miller & Kreisel IW150
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
Miller & Kreisel IW150: $4,998 per pair Audiolab (authorized M&K dealer) eBay
Pros: Erin’s Audio Corner’s Klippel measurement shows well controlled directivity (SPDI deviation 2.43dB) and a smooth predicted in-room response, with a preference score of 2.88, or 6.32 with a perfect subwoofer. The unusual layout puts two 5.25” polypropylene woofers beside a column of three 1” soft dome tweeters, a design meant to give even coverage across a room from a single wall opening. It is rated at 90dB sensitivity, and Erin’s measurement computed a real 88.2dB, and it accepts 25-400W of amplifier power. Measured bass extension of 95.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass is thin: measured -3dB is 95.2Hz and -6dB is 82.0Hz, and Miller & Kreisel rates it only to 80Hz, so a subwoofer is required, and even with a perfect subwoofer the score reaches only 6.32. On-axis smoothness is 0.48 and on-axis deviation averages 0.62dB, so the midrange is rougher than the better in-wall designs. At $2499 each a stereo pair costs twice that. Erin describes it as discontinued from what he can tell, so stock may be limited to remaining inventory.
Full Miller & Kreisel IW150 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.9”H x 12.2”W (354 x 311 mm) baffle (95mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” polypropylene bass/midrange drivers, 3x 1” soft fabric dome tweeters |
| Enclosure | In-wall |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Mounting Cutout | 288W x 331H mm |
| Power Handling | 25-400W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 90dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs JBL Synthesis SCL-4
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs Revel W990
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs JBL Synthesis SCL-7
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs JBL Synthesis SCL-3
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.3 S2
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs MartinLogan Tribute 5XW
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs JBL Synthesis SCL-6
- Miller & Kreisel IW150 vs Revel W226Be
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