Short answer: the Monolith THX-365IW. It ranks #7 of 18 in-wall speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $999.98. The KEF CI130.2CR ranks #14, rated 3.5/5, at $599.98, $400 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the Monolith THX-365IW: Audio Science Review’s retest measured a preference score of 5.23, or 7.64 with a perfect subwoofer, with -3dB at 54.6Hz and -6dB at 42.8Hz, deep bass for an in-wall speaker. Watch for: ASR’s first measurement of this speaker scored far lower (preference score 1.33, or 5.10 with a subwoofer, with -3dB at 108Hz), so results depend heavily on how it is installed and enclosed.
Why pick the KEF CI130.2CR: A compact 158 x 158mm cutout and 82.3mm depth fit tight joist bays and shallow ceiling cavities where the larger Ci-THX models in this category won’t. Watch for: KEF’s own frequency response spec bottoms out at 52Hz, and the measured curve reaches only about 100Hz at -3dB and roughly 53.5Hz at -10dB, the shallowest low end among the models in this category with a THX certification, so pairing it with a subwoofer is worth planning for.
Buy the Monolith THX-365IW. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $400 you would save on the KEF CI130.2CR does not close the gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Monolith THX-365IW | KEF CI130.2CR | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.98 per pair | $599.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers | #14 of 18 in In-Wall & In-Ceiling Speakers |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” high-excursion long-fiber pulp cone woofers, 2” silk dome midrange, 1” silk dome tweeter (3-way) | 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial woofer with 16mm aluminum dome tweeter |
| Enclosure | In-wall, passive 3-way with dog-ear mounting tabs | Open-backed, in-ceiling |
| Dimensions | 22.7”H x 11.1”W x 3.8”D (577 x 282 x 97 mm) | 7.6” x 7.6” x 3.2” (193.4 x 193.4 x 82.3 mm) (77.7mm mounting depth) |
| Weight | 19.6 lbs (8.9 kg) | 2.9 lbs (1.3kg) |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB | 87dB |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (about 2.9 ohm minimum) | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 160W maximum | 10-80W recommended amplifier power |
| Crossover Frequency | 550Hz, 1,900Hz (4th-order Linkwitz-Riley) | - |
| Warranty | 5 years | - |
| Certification | THX Ultra | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 100Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 53.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.23 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.64 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Mounting Cutout | - | 158 x 158mm |
| Frequency Response | - | 52Hz-20kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Monolith THX-365IW:
- Revel W553L vs Monolith THX-365IW
- Monolith THX-365IW vs KEF CI200RR-THX
- Monolith THX-365IW vs JBL Synthesis SCL-7
- KEF CI130.2CR vs KEF CI50R
- KEF CI200RR-THX vs KEF CI130.2CR
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
Monolith THX-365IW: $999.98 per pair Amazon Monoprice eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review’s retest measured a preference score of 5.23, or 7.64 with a perfect subwoofer, with -3dB at 54.6Hz and -6dB at 42.8Hz, deep bass for an in-wall speaker. Directivity is well controlled (SPDI deviation 2.09dB) and on-axis smoothness is 0.70. It is a THX Ultra certified three-way, with two 6.5” woofers, a dedicated 2” silk dome midrange and a 1” silk dome tweeter, rated at 89.5dB sensitivity, which ASR’s measurement confirmed at 89.4dB. The 5-year warranty is longer than most in-wall speakers get. Measured bass extension of 54.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: ASR’s first measurement of this speaker scored far lower (preference score 1.33, or 5.10 with a subwoofer, with -3dB at 108Hz), so results depend heavily on how it is installed and enclosed. Monoprice positions it for rear and surround channels and suggests in-room speakers up front, and the ASR reviewer said he would pick something better for a front left or right. Impedance dips to about 2.9 ohms, so the amplifier needs to be comfortable with a low load. At $500 each a stereo pair costs twice that.
Full Monolith THX-365IW review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Certification | THX Ultra |
| Crossover Frequency | 550Hz, 1,900Hz (4th-order Linkwitz-Riley) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 22.7”H x 11.1”W x 3.8”D (577 x 282 x 97 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” high-excursion long-fiber pulp cone woofers, 2” silk dome midrange, 1” silk dome tweeter (3-way) |
| Enclosure | In-wall, passive 3-way with dog-ear mounting tabs |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (about 2.9 ohm minimum) |
| Power Handling | 160W maximum |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.23 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.64 |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Weight | 19.6 lbs (8.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KEF CI130.2CR: $599.98 per pair World Wide Stereo eBay
Pros: A compact 158 x 158mm cutout and 82.3mm depth fit tight joist bays and shallow ceiling cavities where the larger Ci-THX models in this category won’t. At $300 each it’s the most affordable speaker in this category by a wide margin. The 5.25” Uni-Q driver keeps its 16mm aluminum dome tweeter coaxially centered on the woofer, so the two acoustic centers stay aligned regardless of listening position. Measured bass extension of 100Hz (-3dB).
Cons: KEF’s own frequency response spec bottoms out at 52Hz, and the measured curve reaches only about 100Hz at -3dB and roughly 53.5Hz at -10dB, the shallowest low end among the models in this category with a THX certification, so pairing it with a subwoofer is worth planning for. It’s open-backed with only medium-quality vendor measurement data behind it, not an independently verified Klippel scan.
Full KEF CI130.2CR review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 100Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 7.6” x 7.6” x 3.2” (193.4 x 193.4 x 82.3 mm) (77.7mm mounting depth) |
| Drivers | 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial woofer with 16mm aluminum dome tweeter |
| Enclosure | Open-backed, in-ceiling |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz-20kHz +/-6dB (manufacturer, open-backed) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Mounting Cutout | 158 x 158mm |
| Power Handling | 10-80W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons