Perlisten X3iw
Perlisten X3iw, X Series In-Wall Speaker
Once installed, all that remains visible of the X3iw is a 288 × 529 mm grille flush with the wall, which can be painted to match. It is the 2-way in-wall speaker in the Perlisten X Series, an in-wall version of the X3w, the on-wall model in the same range. The two share the same design and timbre matching, allowing in-wall, on-wall and in-ceiling models to be combined in a single installation.
The X3w Adapted to Fit Inside the Wall
The X3iw adopts the layout of the X3w. The tweeter sits in the center, in a waveguide developed by Perlisten, flanked by two mid-bass drivers, one above and one below. This symmetrical layout keeps vertical radiation centered on the tweeter axis. The waveguide controls both horizontal and vertical dispersion. A listener seated to the side therefore hears a tonal balance close to that of the center seat. On the X3w, the tweeter is a 38 mm silk dome, the same across the entire X Series, and the two mid-bass drivers have 13.97 cm carbon-fiber cones.
The X3iw is not simply a front baffle placed in a wall cavity. Its drivers operate in a sealed back box measuring 224 × 465 mm and 99 mm deep. This defined volume has two effects. Bass does not depend on the size or filling of the cavity in which the speaker is installed. And some of the sound that would otherwise travel into the next room stays inside the enclosure. Within the X Series, this is the in-wall option designed to reach the highest sound levels.
A Shared Sound Signature Across the Entire X Series
In home theater, sound often moves from one speaker to another: a vehicle crossing the screen before speeding toward the rear, an off-screen voice moving to the side. If the speakers do not have the same tonal balance, the sound changes character along the way, and the ear notices. Perlisten timbre-matches the entire X Series to avoid this discrepancy. There are three on-wall models: the compact X2w with a single mid-bass driver, the X3w, and the 3-way X5w with four mid-bass drivers. They are joined by an in-ceiling model, the X2ic, which pairs the same tweeter with a 16.5 cm driver.
These models can be freely combined. For example, X3iw speakers installed in the front wall on either side of the screen, on-wall X3w speakers for the rear channels and X2ic speakers in the ceiling for the Dolby Atmos height channels. All the speakers retain the same sound signature, regardless of how they are installed.
Cutout, Wall Thickness and Paintable Grille
Installation requires a 268.4 × 478.4 mm cutout in the wall. The X3iw mounts in a wall 12.7 to 35 mm thick, ranging from a standard sheet of plasterboard to a lining of two or three sheets. Clamping tabs mounted on the frame grip the board from behind. The frame measures 283.4 × 524.4 mm, and the slightly larger grille covers its edges. The frame and grille assembly protrudes just 10 mm from the front surface. The positive and negative terminals are on the side of the back box. The speaker cable must therefore be routed through the wall and stripped before the speaker is inserted into the cutout.
The X3iw comes in a satin black finish, with a white metal grille that can be painted. Once painted to match the wall, it blends into the surface. It is best to plan for the speaker during construction or when renovating the room: opening up a finished wall to run cables is still possible, but requires more remedial work.
Bass, Subwoofer and Amplification
The X Series models with published specifications extend down to 60 Hz. The lowest octave is therefore handled by a subwoofer, which also handles movie bass. To keep the entire system invisible, Perlisten makes the D3is, an ultra-slim subwoofer that can be mounted on the wall or recessed into it. It is mounted on isolation brackets that limit the transmission of vibrations to the building structure. As for amplification, the X3w and X5w are 4 Ω loads: a home theater amplifier or an integrated stereo amplifier must be able to drive them at this impedance without struggling.
Technical specifications
Type and acoustic design
- Type: passive 2-way in-wall speaker, designed to deliver higher power output.
- Waveguide tweeter flanked by two mid-bass drivers.
- Acoustic enclosure: integrated sealed back box.
- Timbre-matched to the other speakers in the range, including the X2w, X3w, X5w and X2ic models.
- Original model: X3w, on-wall speaker.
Installation and connection
- Mounting orientation: vertical or horizontal.
- Supported wall thickness: 12.7 to 35 mm.
- Connection: positive and negative terminals on the back box.
Finish and protection
- Finish: satin black.
- Protective grille: metal, white, paintable.
Packaging
- Sold individually.
Dimensions and cutout
- Dimensions with grille: 288.4 × 529.4 mm.
- Frame dimensions: 283.4 × 524.4 mm.
- Front thickness, including frame and grille: 10 mm.
- Back box dimensions: 224.4 × 465.4 mm.
- Depth: 99 mm.
- Cutout dimensions: 268.4 × 478.4 mm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the X3iw and the X3w?
Both share a 2-way configuration and matching timbre. The X3w mounts on the wall, in a cabinet 100 mm deep and 450 mm high. The X3iw fits its 99 mm enclosure inside the wall and protrudes by only 10 mm. The choice mainly depends on whether the wall can be modified.
What wall depth is required to install the X3iw in-wall?
The rear enclosure is 99 mm deep. This requires a gap of around 10 cm behind the panel, which standard metal or timber stud framing provides. The wall itself must be between 12.7 and 35 mm thick for the clamping tabs to grip it properly.
Can the X3iw grille be painted?
Yes, the white metal grille is designed for this. Remove it before painting and apply several thin coats, preferably using a spray can or spray gun. A coat that is too thick may clog the perforations, which reduces the treble.
Does the sound travel into the next room?
Less than with an open-back in-wall speaker, since the X3iw’s drivers operate in a sealed enclosure. However, a lightweight partition wall still transmits some vibrations. If the adjoining room is a bedroom, filling the rest of the cavity with mineral wool further reduces sound leakage.
Is a subwoofer necessary with the X3iw?
For home theater, yes. The X series speakers do not extend below 60 Hz, and the deepest bass, such as the LFE channel in movies, is handled by the subwoofer. For stereo music listening, a subwoofer also fills out the low end, especially in a large room.
Which Perlisten speakers should be paired for Dolby Atmos height channels?
The X2ic, the X series in-ceiling speaker. It has the same 38 mm tweeter, with a 16.5 cm driver, and shares the same timbre matching. Effects from the ceiling therefore retain the same tonal character as those from the front channels.
Is the X3iw suitable for a stereo setup?
Yes. This is a passive 2-way speaker that works equally well as part of a stereo pair connected to an integrated amplifier or within a multichannel system. For stereo use, install both speakers flush-mounted at the same height, with the tweeters roughly at ear level and equidistant from the listening position.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
