M&K IW5 / IW85 / IW95 In-Wall: Install Guide
The M&K Sound IW5, IW85 and IW95 are frameless in-wall (and in-ceiling) loudspeakers sharing a common install method: a metal front baffle with a self-locking bracket bar, foam-frame and damping-pad acoustic treatment, and a paintable metal grille. They run as front or surround channels and are compatible with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro. This guide covers placement, the shared cut-and-mount process, wiring, and the per-model specs.
The range at a glance
- IW5 — ultra-compact, supplied with a slim round grille; the in-ceiling / multi-zone choice, voiced like the M Series.
- IW85 — compact full-range for two-channel or surround, integrates into walls or ceilings and matches any M&K in-wall, on-wall or satellite.
- IW95 — descended from M&K's professional studio monitors; a thick steel baffle with solid brackets for a rock-solid, seamless install.
What's supplied
- Cut-out template integrated in the packaging for marking wall/ceiling position and cutout
- Acoustic damping pad and foam frame
- Self-locking metal-bar mounting system for solid wall/ceiling attachment
- Paintable metal front grille and metal baffle
Placement
Set height from the speaker's acoustic on-axis point (between woofers and tweeter):
- Stereo / surround front speakers: on-axis point ~10–15cm above ear level at the listening position.
- Surround rear / side speakers: on-axis point ~70–90cm above ear level.
Every model works in-wall or in-ceiling. For immersive layouts, follow the specific placement guidance in the Dolby Atmos / DTS:X / Auro manuals.
Installation
Use the 2-piece carton template (it matches the speaker's outer dimensions and has a push-out cutting section):
- Use the overall carton template to visualise position before pushing out the cutting template at the perforated lines.
- Hold the pushed-out cutting template at the position and mark the cut line. Don't cut directly on the template.
- Cut to the inside of your marked line.
- With the cut made, fit the supplied foam frame through the hole to form a frame around the speaker cavity.
- Insert the foam damping pad inside the foam frame to absorb backward-radiating sound.
- With damping in place, the speaker is ready to connect and mount. Note the metal angle bracket at the speaker bottom.
- Seat the speaker tilted slightly with the bottom angle bracket facing down; line it up so the top brackets slip into the hole.
- Push the speaker up a little and press it in so the rear angle stands on the wall/ceiling cut surface.
- Once flat and aligned, tighten the four bracket screws to lock the system.
- Check alignment, then fit and align the grille — install complete.
Wiring
Positive (+) amplifier/receiver lead to the red (+) input terminal; negative (-) to the black (-). Keep phase consistent across all speakers.
Specifications
| Spec | IW5 | IW85 | IW95 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 4Ω | 4Ω | 4Ω |
| Recommended amp power | 25–125W | 25–200W | 25–300W |
| Bass/midrange | 4" polymer-coated texture paper | 5.25" polypropylene | 6.5" polypropylene |
| HF driver | 1" coated silk dome | 1" soft fabric dome | 1" soft fabric dome |
| Frequency response | 100Hz–20kHz ±3dB | 85Hz–20kHz ±3dB | 80Hz–20kHz ±3dB |
| Sensitivity | 84dB | 88dB | 91dB |
| Grille (HxW) | Ø 8.81" (224mm) round | 10.62 x 6.88" (270 x 175mm) | 12.40 x 9.33" (315 x 237mm) |
| Wall cutout (HxW) | 6.45 x 4.88" (164 x 124mm) | 9.4 x 6" (239 x 152mm) | 10.75 x 7.44" (273 x 189mm) |
| Mounting depth | 4.05" (103mm) | 3.67" (93mm) | 3.67" (93mm) |
| Weight | 2.4 kg (5.3 lbs) | 4.1 kg (9 lbs) | 4.6 kg (10 lbs) |
This article was adapted from M&K Sound's original guidance — Source PDF Habitech-edited for UK trade installer context. Original © M&K Sound.