M&K’s IW500 Breaks New Ground for In-Wall Speakers

M&K’s First THX Dominus Certified Architectural Speaker for Home Cinema

THX Dominus sounds imposing, doesn't it? In Latin, Dominus refers to a ruler or master, dating back to imperial Roman times. What does this have to do with speakers? The THX Dominus certification marks high performance and excellence in speakers, perhaps performance to rule them all. If you're unfamiliar with THX, bear with us; we'll explain it below. This post is about the new M&K IW500, the first in-wall speaker with THX Dominus certification. This means that it's an ultra-high-performance home cinema speaker for very large private theaters. If you're planning a high-end theater in your Park City, UT, home, this is one you'll want to check out.

About THX and Dominus

If you went to a movie at the cinema some years ago, it was difficult to escape the famous THX deep note. That note was a sign that you were in for a treat in terms of theater sound performance. THX was developed by George Lucas's Lucasfilm studios as a way to build upon and improve Dolby surround sound formats in commercial theaters. Today, it is a certification standard that serves as a measurable mark of performance for audio components and speakers. The THX Dominus certification was designed for expansive home theaters—we're talking spaces up to 6500 square feet and viewing distances up to 20 feet from the screen. The Dominus certification means that the speaker can deliver reference-level sound pressure with clarity, impact, and minimal to no distortion to every seat.

M&K Sound: A Home Theater Legacy

M&K Sound isn't just another speaker company—they have a long history in cinema and studio sound. Since 1974, they've been the go-to choice for professional studios and discerning home theater enthusiasts alike. From developing the first satellite/subwoofer system to pioneering THX certification, M&K has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible in home audio. Their speakers have been used to mix everything from Star Wars to Lord of the Rings to Steely Dan’s Pretzel Logic, so you know that sound engineers and creators trust M&K to deliver exactly the sound they intended.

The IW500 Speaker

The IW500 starts with a horn-loaded design, one that is known for high sensitivity (efficient use of amplifier power) and excellent dispersion in large spaces. M&K designed it to be used both horizontally and vertically, giving home theater designers flexibility in placement around screens. With two 3-inch specially designed midranges, dual 8-inch carbon fiber woofers, and a complex crossover network that emphasizes smoothness, the IW500 is designed for uncompromised performance, delivering the high sound pressure levels required in large home cinemas without being fatiguing.

The IW150 Speaker: The Perfect Complement to the IW500

In a multichannel surround sound setup, you want all the speakers to match the sound signature to avoid jarring inequalities. M&K speakers are timbre-matched, employing similar driver design, materials, construction, and crossovers so that immersive surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro 3D are smooth and seamless. M&K’s IW150 is the perfect complement to the IW500 as a surround and overhead speaker, essentially using matching drivers but in a different configuration designed to complement the IW500 with superior imaging and performance, whether installed in ceilings or side walls. While other speaker manufacturers also timbre match, this level of matching design and performance is rare in architectural speakers.

If you’re looking for the ultimate audio performance with in-wall speakers in a large home theater, you should have M&K Sound on your shortlist. To learn more, contact us here or start a chat below—we look forward to assisting you.