Perlisten X2ic
Perlisten X2ic, two-way in-ceiling speaker
A ceiling speaker projects sound downwards, while listeners rarely sit directly beneath it. This one has a silk-dome tweeter housed in a waveguide and a carbon-fibre woofer, behind a flush-fitting white grille that can be painted to match the ceiling. It can serve as a height channel in a Dolby Atmos home cinema or play background music in a kitchen, living room or hallway.
A 38 mm tweeter in a waveguide
The tweeter’s silk dome measures 38 mm, whereas most ceiling speakers have a 25 mm tweeter. Its larger size allows it to reach lower frequencies and handle part of the midrange instead of the woofer. The trade-off is that, at high frequencies, it projects sound over a narrower angle. The surrounding waveguide corrects this: it broadens dispersion and makes it more consistent, both horizontally and vertically. As a result, the tonal character heard a few tens of degrees off-axis remains close to what is heard directly underneath. This matters for ceiling speakers, since almost everyone listens off-axis. This waveguide comes from the A series, Perlisten’s living room speakers. The rest of the design draws on the ceiling models in the higher-end S and R series.
A 16.5 cm carbon cone in an infinite-baffle design
A 165 mm driver with a carbon-fibre cone reproduces the bass and midrange. Carbon is both rigid and light: as the volume rises, the cone flexes less and continues to move as a single unit. The speaker uses an infinite-baffle design, meaning there is no enclosure at the rear. The back of the driver opens directly into the ceiling void, which serves as the acoustic loading volume. The stated frequency response extends down to 60 Hz. In a home cinema, the lowest frequencies are left to a subwoofer, with the amplifier’s crossover set to around 80 Hz.
This open back has a drawback: some sound travels into the suspended ceiling and may be heard upstairs or in a neighbouring room that shares the same plenum. A layer of mineral wool placed above the speaker reduces this leakage and damps resonances in the void.
Four ohms and 90 dB: what to check on the amplifier
The impedance is 4 ohms. The amplifier must therefore support low-impedance loads. Most recent home cinema amplifiers do, sometimes after adjusting the impedance setting in the menu. With a zone amplifier or a multiroom amplifier, check the minimum supported impedance before wiring. Also avoid connecting two X2ic speakers in parallel to the same output: the load would drop to 2 ohms, which few amplifiers can handle. The 90 dB sensitivity (2.83 V at 1 m) helps considerably: the speaker plays loudly without requiring much power. The recommended range of 50 to 200 W suits both a standard AV receiver and a separate power amplifier.
Cut-out, depth and ceiling thickness
The recessed body measures 200 mm in diameter, with a recommended cut-out of 204 mm. It requires a depth of 97.6 mm: allow at least ten centimetres or so of clearance above the board. Once the speaker is installed, only the frame and grille protrude, by 12.5 mm, over a diameter of 234.1 mm. It is secured with clamping tabs: tightening the screws from the front causes them to grip the board from behind. The body is made of ABS and steel, with a satin black finish. The white metal grille is included.
The tabs accommodate a ceiling thickness of 12.7 to 41.2 mm. The recommended board thickness is 15.9 to 38.1 mm. These values correspond to American boards (1/2 and 5/8 inch). A standard BA13 board, which is 12.5 mm thick, is therefore just below the minimum. Reinforcement or a double layer at the speaker location ensures secure clamping. A BA18 board falls directly within the recommended range.
Height channels, multiroom background music and the rest of the X series
In Dolby Atmos, the X2ic serves as a height channel in a .2 or .4 configuration. Thanks to its wide dispersion, a single ceiling speaker covers an entire sofa. In a multiroom system, it provides sound for a kitchen, dining room or office without placing anything on the floor or wall. It is sold individually: a room needs two for stereo.
The X series also includes the X3iw, an in-wall model, and three wall-mounted models with aluminium enclosures: X2w, X3w and X5w. The X3w and X5w have the same 38 mm silk tweeter with a waveguide as the X2ic. A system with X3w or X5w speakers at the front and X2ic speakers in the ceiling therefore maintains consistent tonal character as sound moves from the screen to the ceiling.
Technical specifications
Overview
- Type: 2-way in-ceiling speaker
- Acoustic loading: infinite baffle
- Packaging: sold individually
- Finish: satin black
Drivers and dispersion
- Tweeter: 38 mm silk dome, housed in a dedicated waveguide
- Woofer: 1 × 165 mm, carbon fibre cone
- Dispersion: wide, controlled horizontal and vertical dispersion, with good on-axis and off-axis response
Acoustic and electrical performance
- Frequency response: 60 Hz to 30 kHz
- Sensitivity: 90 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)
- Impedance: 4 Ω
- Recommended amplifier power: 50 to 200 W
Installation
- Mounting: clamping tabs
- Supported ceiling thickness: 12.7 to 41.2 mm
- Recommended plasterboard thickness: 15.9 to 38.1 mm
- Minimum joist or stud depth: nominal cross-section of 50.8 × 101.6 mm (approximately 38 × 89 mm)
Included accessories
- Paintable white metal grille
Dimensions and cutout
- Grille diameter: 234.1 mm
- Frame diameter: 225 mm
- In-ceiling body diameter: 200 mm
- Recommended cutout diameter: 204 mm
- Mounting depth: 97.6 mm
- Frame and grille protrusion below ceiling: 12.5 mm
Frequently asked questions
How many X2ic speakers are needed for a Dolby Atmos home theater?
Two for a .2 configuration, four for a .4 configuration, since the speaker is sold individually. In .2, Dolby recommends placing the ceiling speakers slightly ahead of the listening position, in line with the front left and right speakers. In .4, one pair goes in front of the listening position and the other behind.
How do I paint the grille?
Remove it from the speaker, then apply several thin coats of spray paint. Painting with a roller or brush may clog the perforations. If the holes become clogged, the treble is attenuated, and the waveguide is no longer much use.
Can the X2ic be installed in a suspended ceiling with metal rails?
Yes, if the board is thick enough for the clamping tabs and there is at least around ten centimetres of clearance above it. The rails are generally spaced 50 or 60 cm apart: a 204 mm cut-out fits between two rails. You simply need to locate them before drilling.
What speaker cable should be run to the ceiling?
A cross-section of 2 × 1.5 mm² is sufficient for a run of around ten metres. For longer runs, or significant distances in multi-room installations, use 2 × 2.5 mm² to minimise losses. Run the cable through conduit in the ceiling. Leave a loop of slack at the cut-out so you can remove the speaker later without pulling on the connections.
Can the X2ic be used as a rear surround speaker?
Yes, when the rear wall doesn’t allow for speaker installation. The ideal placement is still at ear level, to the sides or behind. But the waveguide’s wide dispersion reduces the impression of sound coming from above. Simply position them slightly behind and to the sides of the listening position.
What's the difference compared to the X2w?
The X2w is surface-mounted on the wall in an aluminium enclosure. It attaches to an isolation mount, and a 10° angled bracket is included to direct it towards the listening position. The X2ic is recessed into the ceiling, leaving only its grille visible. The choice mainly depends on placement: on the wall for the front or sides, on the ceiling for height channels or an invisible installation.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
