About the Monitor Audio WT280-IDC
In-wall speakers with sound that stands out
In-wall speakers with sound that stands out
A lot of folks look at in-wall speakers as a décor-friendly alternative best-suited to playing background music — think smooth jazz at the dentist's office. Monitor Audio begs to differ! They put a ton of high-tech speaker design know-how into the WT280-IDC for bold sound that reaches out and grabs you. For example, a number of in-wall speakers have aimable tweeters, so you can direct the high frequencies toward your favorite listening spot. Monitor Audio takes that idea a step further. They've mounted a 1" tweeter and 4" midrange driver together on a pivoting module, so you get more direct sound in the critical midrange as well. That means better clarity, detail, and spatial imaging.
High-tech drivers for better sound
One of Monitor Audio's hallmarks technologies is their "C-CAM" driver material. It's a ceramic-coated aluminum/magnesium alloy originally developed by the aerospace industry for jet engine components. It's super-lightweight and strong, which allows the drivers to respond very quickly and precisely, for accurate sound. The WT280-IDC has three separate drivers, all made from this material: a 1" dome tweeter, a 4" midrange, and a sizeable 8" woofer. The tweeter is treated with an anodized layer of gold for smooth, extended high-frequency response.
Product highlights:
- 1" pivoting gold dome C-CAM® tweeter for detailed sound and extended high-frequency response
- 4" C-CAM inverted midrange driver
- 8" C-CAM woofer
- pivoting IDC® (Inverted Dual Concentric) midrange/tweeter module for directing sound toward listening area
- ultra-rigid, lightweight C-CAM (Ceramic-Coated Aluminum/Magnesium) cone material used to provide high efficiency and low distortion
- frequency response: 45-30,000 Hz
- recommended amplifier power: 40-150 watts
- sensitivity: 90 dB
- impedance: 6 ohms
- high-frequency level adjustment switch (+3dB, 0dB, -3dB)
- boundary compensation switch fine-tunes speaker output to room location
- patented Tri-Grip® mounting system ensures maximum surface seal for better bass and midrange clarity
- paintable bezel and removable magnetic steel grille
- splash- and humidity-proof for installation in shower room or pool areas
- rear dust protection cover
- overall dimensions (including grille): 11-5/16" x 17-3/8"
- cutout dimensions: 9-3/16" x 15-1/4"
- mounting depth: 3-11/16"
- warranty: 5 years
- MFR # WT280IDC
What's in the box:
Monitor Audio WT280-IDC owner's manual
- In-wall loudspeaker
- Magnetic grille
- Paint skim
- Installation Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Limited Warranty/Registration Card
- MountingTemplate
See the difference between "Open Box" and "Scratch & Dent" Outlet items
Customer reviews for Monitor Audio WT280-IDC
Loading...
Loading reviews...
Thanks for submitting your review
Customer photos
This review was collected as part of a promotion
Pros:
Cons:
More details on the Monitor Audio WT280-IDC
Features & specs
Features | ||
---|---|---|
Quantity in Package | Single | |
Tweeter | Dome | |
Aimable Tweeter | No | |
Woofer Composition | C-CAM | |
Woofer Surround | Rubber | |
Connector Type | Spring post | |
Bi-Amp Inputs | No | |
Built-in Back-box | No | |
Moisture Resistance | ||
Indoor (Moisture-resistant) | Yes | |
Outdoor (Partial Exposure) | No | |
Outdoor (Full Exposure) | No | |
Specs | ||
Tweeter Size | 1 | |
Midrange Size | 4 | |
Woofer Size | 8 | |
Speaker Shape | 9.1875 x 15.25 | |
Cutout Width | --- | |
Cutout Height | --- | |
Mounting Depth | 3.6875 | |
Power Range (Watts) | 40-150 | |
Sensitivity | 90 dB | |
Impedance (Ohms) | 6 | |
Frequency Response | 45-30kHz | |
Parts Warranty | Lifetime | |
Labor Warranty | Lifetime |
Product Research
Features
3-Way Speaker Design: The Monitor Audio WT280-IDC in-wall loudspeaker features an 8" C-CAM bass driver and a pivoting IDC module, housing a 4" C-CAM RST inverted midrange driver and a 1" C-CAM gold dome tweeter. This true 3-way design provide rich midrange detail, higher system output, greater power handling, and superior vocal intelligibility and sound localization.
IDC Module: The Monitor Audio WT280-IDC in-wall speaker employs a unique pivoting Inverted Dual Concentric (IDC) midrange/tweeter module offering up to 18 degrees of pivot. This allows for the in-wall speaker to be discreetly positioned and the sound to be directed toward the listening zone by pivoting the IDC driver module to maximize performance. With the IDC module installed, the Custom Install series in-wall speaker by Monitor Audio becomes a true 3-way design, offering superior performance and flexibility over typical 2-way or fixed angle speakers. Within the proprietary IDC module an inverted 4" midrange driver provides superior dispersion while enabling the midrange cone and tweeter dome assembly to be set as far forward as possible, allowing the clear acoustics of the desired listening zone and reducing undesirable diffraction effects. It's impossible to avoid diffraction effects from conventional two-way designs, which locate the bass driver 3" to 6" behind the speaker grille.
C-CAM Technology: C-CAM drivers are used throughout the WT28-IDC in-wall loudspeaker, providing coherent tonal balance and sonic signature across the entering audio frequency spectrum.
- C-CAM Gold-Dome Tweeter: The gold dome tweeter is formed from a ceramic-coated aluminum/magnesium alloy, gold anodized to a specific thickness for ideal stiffness and damping characteristics. Its new profile and surround geometry have been developed using advanced modeling tools, to provide the optimum qualities for accurate sound reproduction. The new design moves the first order of breakup to beyond 35kHz, producing a linear response way beyond audibility, which matches the wide frequency bandwidth available from HD music and cinema sound formats. The gold dome is thinner, lighter, more rigid and therefore more efficient than domes made from other materials which are prone to distortion in the audio band.
- C-CAM Cone Midrange and Bass Driver: Ceramic-Coated Aluminum/Magnesium is a material originally developed by the aerospace industry for jet engine components. Its properties are ideal for loudspeaker cones being extremely rigid, yet light enough to yield high overall efficiency. In manufacture, aluminum/magnesium alloy undergoes a three-stage stress-relieving process to remove surface deformation and molecular weakness. Once formed, the alloy cone is subjected to a high temperature anodic coating process in which a layer of pure ceramic alumina is depleted onto its surfaces to a depth of 50 microns, producing a completely rigid sandwich of alloy and heat-dissipating ceramic material. Conventional cones are liable to flex or twist in operation, producing a significant level of audible distortion. C-CAM cones have a much higher resistance to bending stress and therefore exhibit much greater fidelity over their entire operating range.
RST (Rigid Surface Technology): The WT280-IDC in-wall speaker's inverted midrange driver combines Rigid Surface Technology (RST) with C-CAM cone woofer design for a stronger, lighter weight cone. The Rigid Surface Technology (RST) cone profile was inspired by the Japanese art of Origami, which demonstrates how a very light material (like paper) can be strengthened and made more rigid by making small and precise folds on it surface. Developed and perfect using sophisticated computer modeling (Finite Element Analysis), the Silver series midbass drivers have been strengthened by a pattern of dimples. RST significantly increases cone rigidity, allowing the radiating surfaces to resist mechanical bending forces, which can twist the shape of conventional driver cones to produce distorted sound. The strengthening effect of RST means that Monitor Audio can use thinner, lighter and more responsive C-CM cones which provide speed and accuracy while offering greatly reduced distortion. The RST patterns also help to displace standing waves that can propagate on the cone's surface.
Controls: Optimum imaging and set-up are established via the high frequency level adjustment (+3/0/-3 dB) and boundary compensation controls (On/Off).
Trimless Grille: The WT280-IDC in-wall speaker features a "Trimless" steel-mesh grille that is held in place by high strength Neodymium magnets covering the entire speaker for a true trimless, stealth look. The grille is paintable to blend with the living environment; additional scrim material is provided for trouble free painting.
Tri-Grip Fixing System: Monitor Audio's innovative Tri-Grip fixing system is easier to install than conventional clamping schemes but provides three times the surface area and a better surface seal, maximizing bass response and midrange clarity. The Tri-Grip fixings are made from a tough re-enforced polymer, giving a secure installation.
Spring-Post Terminals: The Monitor Audio WT280-IDC is fitted with two spring-post terminals to connect your speaker wire. The spring-post terminals which accept bare wire (up to 10AWG) and angled pin-connectors.
Protective Covers: The WT280-IDC features dust protection covers that are designed to prevent the ingress of dirt or dust into the driver and crossover.
Moisture & Fire Resistant: The Custom Install series in-wall speaker is splash and humidity proof for installation in shower rooms or pool areas. It also uses fire retardant materials specified to UL-94 VO rating.
Loading...
Loading accessories...
Customer Q&A
Loading...
Loading articles...