In-Wall Speaker Reviews

Tannoy iw6 DS
Tannoy's history dates back to 1926, before drywall was even invented. The company started in London, manufacturing electrical components for battery chargers, and grew to become a supplier for the loudspeakers used in sound-reinforcement applications. Today Tannoy manufactures audio equipment and speakers for home and professional use. The iw6 DS is their entry-level in-wall model and features a 6.5-inch multifibre paper pulp cone woofer and a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter with a neodymium magnet. The baffle is made of ABS, a heavy-duty plastic compound. It all sounds like pretty techie stuff; we'll see what it means for sound quality.

The iw6 DS uses Tannoy's Wideband Technology, which purportedly extends the tweeter's high-frequency response to 51 kilohertz (–6 dB), well beyond the accepted upper limits of human hearing, which falls at (or below) about 20 kHz. The iw6 DS also has a high-frequency level control that lets you adjust the tweeter level by +/–1.5 dB to suit your listening tastes.

My first reaction after unpacking the speaker was that it's of very high quality—excellent in fact, with a solid, rigid baffle. Tannoy uses six spring-loaded clamps to secure the speaker to the wall, and the springs made it easier to install and remove the speaker. The iw6 DS is finished in a neutral white, and both the speaker and grille are paintable.

The iw6 DS is very flat and neutral sounding, although pleasant to listen to. The speaker lacks the high-end sizzle that many speakers possess and has a smooth, balanced sound quality. In my Sheffield recording of Lyle Mays' "What It Takes," the piano had a real sense of presence, especially in the lower- and midbass regions. This is a speaker you could listen to for long periods of time without any listening fatigue. If you're looking for a speaker without boom and sizzle, check out the Tannoy iw6 DS.

At A Glance: Tannoy iw6 DS

Features:
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, titanium dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 6.5, paper pulp cone
Cutout Dimensions (inches): 6.813 wide by 10.75 high
Mounting Depth (inches): 3.875
Available Finishes: white (paintable)
Price: $600/pair (fair market value)

Ratings: Tannoy iw6 DS
Build Quality: 93
Value: 93
Features: 90
Performance: 93
Ergonomics: 92
Overall Rating: 93

General information
iw6 DS In-Wall Speaker, $600/pair
Tannoy North America
(519) 745-1158
www.tannoyna.com
Dealer Locator Code TNY

Overall, I was impressed with the sound quality of all of the speakers I tested. Clearly there are sonic differences among models, as noted, but they all did a good job of reproducing music. You really can't go wrong with any of them. Your choice comes down to individual listening preferences and, if you're adding in-walls to an existing speaker system for multichannel listening, matching the in-walls' timbre to that of your other speakers. Although many of the in-walls had good bass response, I'd still recommend a subwoofer, either in-wall or freestanding. A sub will not only improve bass response but also increase the entire system's maximum sound output.

Now that this in-wall extravaganza is complete, I wonder if I can return all of the leftover drywall for credit. Probably not. Maybe I'll just add another room on to my home. Happy listening!