Head to head
Perlisten X3w vs X2w
Perlisten's two compact on-wall speakers: the two-woofer X3w against the one-woofer X2w. The deciding factor is whether the speaker plays a front channel or a surround.
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These two share the X Series tweeter, carbon fiber woofers, sealed cabinet, and 4-inch depth. The X3w adds a second woofer above the tweeter, which raises sensitivity and keeps the sound even across the cabinet's height; the X2w is smaller and less expensive. The one question that decides it: is this speaker at the front of the room, or beside and behind the seats?
| Spec | Perlisten X3w On-Wall Speaker (each) Left, right, or center channels beside a mid-size wall-mounted TV View at The Listening Room | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Left, right, or center channels beside a mid-size wall-mounted TV | Surround channels and compact rooms |
| Design | 2-way sealed, woofer-tweeter-woofer | 2-way sealed |
| Woofers | 2 x 5.5 in carbon fiber | 1 x 5.5 in carbon fiber |
| Tweeter | 38 mm silk dome in waveguide | 38 mm silk dome in waveguide |
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 88 dB |
| Impedance | 4 ohm | 4 ohm |
| Size (H x W x D) | 17.7 x 7.9 x 3.9 in, 20 lb | 13.0 x 7.9 x 3.9 in, 15 lb |
| Price | Premium (each) | Premium (each) |
Pick the Perlisten X3w if
- The speaker is a front left, right, or center channel.
- You want the more even coverage of a woofer on each side of the tweeter.
- The room is medium sized and needs a little more output.
Pick the Perlisten X2w if
- The speaker is a side or rear surround.
- The room is small, or the wall space is tight.
- You want to spend less on surrounds without changing the system's voice.
Verdict
Use the X3w at the front of the room, where its second woofer and even coverage matter most, and the X2w for surrounds, where its smaller cabinet is easier to place and the matching tweeter keeps effects consistent as they move around you. In a small room, an all-X2w system is a reasonable way to keep the Perlisten sound at a lower cost.
Common questions
- Can the X2w be a front speaker?
- In a small room, yes. In a medium or larger room the X3w's second woofer gives the front channels more output and more even coverage.
- Do they sound the same?
- They share the same tweeter and woofer type, so their tonal character matches. The X3w plays a little louder and covers more evenly from top to bottom.
- Do I need a subwoofer?
- Yes. Both are specified down to 60 Hz, so set the receiver to cross them over to a subwoofer at about 80 Hz.