The W180 is part of Monitor Audio's Basics range of custom installation speakers, designed to deliver high-quality sound from a flush-mounted, near-invisible enclosure. Sitting above the smaller W165 in the Basics line-up, the W180 uses an 8-inch MMP II (Metal Matrix Polymer II) bass driver paired with a 1-inch C-CAM Gold Dome pivoting tweeter to produce a wide, room-filling dispersion pattern with 90 dB sensitivity and a frequency response of 50 Hz to 23 kHz.
Driver Technology
The 8-inch MMP II cone bass driver uses Monitor Audio's proprietary Metal Matrix Polymer construction, a rigid yet lightweight diaphragm material that controls breakup modes for clean, extended bass response. The C-CAM (Ceramic-Coated Aluminium/Magnesium) Gold Dome tweeter pivots to allow precise aiming toward the listening position, improving high-frequency imaging and off-axis response. A rear-mounted HF level switch offers three settings (+3 dB, 0 dB, and −3 dB) to fine-tune treble output for the room's acoustics and boundary proximity.
Installation
The W180 uses Monitor Audio's six-position Tri-Grip dog-leg fixing system, which clamps the speaker securely into plasterboard or similar wall materials without requiring rear access. At just 93 mm mounting depth, the chassis fits comfortably within standard stud walls. The neutral white grille is paintable, allowing the speaker to blend into any décor. For new-build installations where the wall is being constructed around the speaker, the optional WB8 pre-construction bracket (sold separately) provides a rigid mounting frame before plasterboard is fitted.
Performance
With 120 W RMS power handling and a maximum SPL of 111.6 dBA, the W180 is capable of filling larger rooms with full-range sound. The 6-ohm nominal impedance makes it compatible with a wide range of amplifiers, with Monitor Audio recommending amplifier power between 30 W and 120 W. The speaker is sold individually, allowing flexible system configurations from simple stereo pairs to multi-channel surround-sound installations.
| Speaker Type | 2-way in-wall |
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| Bass Driver | 8-inch MMP II cone |
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| Tweeter | 1-inch C-CAM Gold Dome (pivoting) |
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| Frequency Response | 50 Hz – 23 kHz |
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| Sensitivity | 90 dB (1W @ 1m) |
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| Maximum SPL | 111.6 dBA |
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| Impedance | 6 ohms (nominal) |
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| Power Handling (RMS) | 120 W |
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| Recommended Amplifier Power | 30 – 120 W |
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| HF Level Switch | +3 dB / 0 dB / −3 dB |
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| Dimensions (H x W) | 441 x 288 mm |
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| Depth (including grille) | 97.5 mm |
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| Mounting Depth | 93 mm |
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| Weight | 3.08 kg |
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| Construction | Mineral-filled ABS, RoHS compliant |
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| Mounting System | 6-position Tri-Grip dog-leg fixings |
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| Pre-Construction Bracket | WB8 (sold separately) |
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| Grille | Paintable white magnetic grille |
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