Perlisten X5w black
Perlisten X5w, 3-way on-wall speaker
Ten centimeters deep, 74 cm tall and five drivers per speaker: the X5w is the most comprehensive model in the X series, the range Perlisten devotes to on-wall, in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. It mounts flat against the wall, around a TV or projection screen. It handles the front channels of a home theater as well as stereo listening, leaving the lowest frequencies to a subwoofer.
Four woofers in a 10 cm cabinet
The cabinet measures 740 × 200 × 100 mm and weighs 20 kg. That is heavy for its size, and the weight comes from its aluminum sides and back. This rigid material limits cabinet vibrations, which color the sound when they combine with the sound from the drivers. The X5w is a sealed 3-way speaker, meaning an airtight cabinet with no port. Against a wall, this design eliminates the chuffing noises a port can produce at high volume. Below its low-frequency limit, the bass also rolls off more gradually, making it easier to integrate with a subwoofer. The trade-off is a response that stops at 60 Hz.
The four 13.97 cm drivers have carbon-fiber cones, a light, stiff material that resists deformation under load. Two of them are long-excursion models: their cones move back and forth over a greater distance, moving more air. This travel compensates for the small cone area dictated by a front baffle just 20 cm wide.
A waveguide tweeter for every seat on the sofa
High frequencies are handled by a 38 mm silk dome, larger than the usual 25 mm, which can take over from the midrange at a lower frequency. It sits in a waveguide designed for the X series based on the one used in the A series. This waveguide controls dispersion in both planes. Horizontally, the treble covers an entire sofa, and the balance heard at the end of the row remains close to that of the center seat. Vertically, less energy reaches the ceiling and floor, whose reflections blur the positioning of voices.
The entire X series uses this 38 mm tweeter and the same waveguide principle. Timbre therefore remains consistent when an effect moves from one speaker to another in a multichannel system.
92 dB sensitivity and amplifier requirements
The 92 dB sensitivity is measured at 2.83 V at 1 m. Into an impedance of 4 Ω, this voltage corresponds to 2 W: normalized to 1 W, the figure is around 89 dB. This is still high, and the X5w reaches substantial levels without requiring an unusually powerful amplifier. Recommended power ranges from 50 to 200 W per channel.
The point to check on the electronics is their ability to handle 4 Ω loads. Some entry-level AV receivers heat up or enter protection mode at high volume with this impedance, while others require it to be selected in their menu.
The frequency response extends from 60 Hz to 30 kHz. A subwoofer is therefore needed for the deepest bass: on the AV receiver, the X5w should be set to a “small” speaker, with a crossover frequency between 80 and 100 Hz. Sounds below this threshold, such as movie explosions, are routed to the subwoofer. This also takes the load off the X5w’s woofers, giving them more volume headroom.
Wall mounting, finishes and position in the X series
The X5w comes with its wall bracket, an angling bracket and a protective grille. First, the bracket is mounted on its own and leveled, then the speaker is hung on it: the speaker sits straight without further adjustment, but two people are needed to lift it. With 20 kg involved, the wall and anchors must be chosen to support this load. The angling bracket tilts the speaker 10° toward the listening position, like the toe-in used with floorstanding speakers. The two satin finishes, black or white, match the wall color or the TV frame.
The X series includes two other, more compact on-wall speakers: the X3w, with dual woofers, and the X2w. It also includes the X3iw in-wall speaker and the X2ic in-ceiling speaker. With three X5w speakers around the screen, the left, center and right speakers have identical timbre. The smaller models handle the surround channels, and the X2ic can handle the Dolby Atmos height channels. For bass, Perlisten offers the D3is, a subwoofer that also mounts on the wall.
Technical specifications
Acoustic design
- Type: 3-way wall-mounted speaker, sealed enclosure (acoustic suspension)
- Directivity: controlled, wide horizontal and vertical dispersion
Drivers
- Tweeter: 38 mm silk dome, integrated into a dedicated waveguide
- Woofers: 4 × 13.97 cm with carbon fibre cones
- 2 long-excursion drivers
Performance and amplification
- Sensitivity: 92 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)
- Impedance: 4 Ω
- Frequency response: 60 Hz – 30 kHz
- Recommended amplifier power: 50 to 200 W
Finishes and included accessories
- Available finishes: satin black, satin white
- Included accessories: mounting bracket, angle adjustment bracket, protective grille
Dimensions and weight
- Dimensions (H × W × D): 740 × 200 × 100 mm
- Weight: 20 kg
- Price per unit
Frequently asked questions
Can the X5w be used as a center speaker?
Yes, and this is the use that benefits most from it. A voice moving from the left speaker to the center speaker retains the same tonal character when all three front speakers are identical. Positioned vertically, an X5w center speaker fits easily behind an acoustically transparent projection screen, which lets sound pass through. Under a TV, you need to check that its 74 cm height fits between the cabinet and the screen.
Can you do without a subwoofer?
For music without a heavy bassline, or for television at moderate volume, the X5w works on its own. However, frequencies below 60 Hz are missing: organs, electronic drums and movie effects rely on them. In a home theater, the subwoofer is part of the setup. In stereo, many recent connected amplifiers and integrated amplifiers have a subwoofer output with adjustable filtering.
At what height should the X5w be mounted?
The tweeter should ideally be at ear level for a seated person, approximately 1 m to 1.2 m above the floor, depending on the sofa. Since the vertical dispersion is deliberately narrow, a speaker mounted too high sends the treble above listeners’ heads. The 10° bracket tilts in only one direction, but can be rotated to choose the orientation. This allows it to angle the speaker downwards when the room layout requires it to be mounted higher.
Is it suitable for listening to music in stereo?
Yes. The sealed enclosure delivers tight bass without overhang, and the wide horizontal dispersion broadens the area where the stereo image remains centered. As with any wall-mounted speaker, the soundstage extends more in width than in depth, as the rear wall is right against the cabinet. Spacing the two speakers roughly as far apart as they are from the listener provides a good starting point.
What's the difference between the X5w and the X3w?
The X3w has two woofers instead of four, in a more compact cabinet. The X5w has more radiating surface area, with two high-excursion drivers, and controls dispersion more precisely. It is suitable for the front channels in a large room. The X3w suits smaller rooms or the surround channels of a system built around the X5w.
What speaker cable should I use for wall mounting?
At 4 Ω, cable resistance has a greater impact than with an 8 Ω speaker. A cross-sectional area of 2.5 mm² is suitable for runs of up to around fifteen metres, a distance often reached when the cable runs around a room to reach the receiver. For routing along a wall, a flat cable or trunking that matches the finish is less conspicuous than a round cable.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
