Klipsch R-5502-W II In-Wall LCR Speaker (Each) at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The R-5502-W II is a 2-way in-wall LCR speaker from Klipsch (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Part of Klipsch's Reference architectural series, it is designed specifically for left, center, and right channel use in home theater and two-channel stereo applications where floor and shelf space must remain free. The speaker pairs dual 5.25" Cerametallic Cone Woofers with a 1" Titanium Diaphragm Compression Driver with Linear Travel Suspension mated to a pivoting 90° x 90° square Tractrix Horn, delivering a measured frequency response of 46Hz to 20kHz (+/-3dB) at 92dB sensitivity and 8 ohms, with 75W RMS and 300W peak power handling. A recommended amplifier power of 130W is specified. The pivoting horn adjusts up to 15° in either direction so the 90° x 90° dispersion pattern can be aimed toward the listening position regardless of wall placement. Dual crossover points at 1300Hz and 2200Hz govern driver integration, and onboard treble and midbass attenuation switches allow tonal fine-tuning for the installation environment. The low-profile SlimTrim magnetic grille reduces visible frame width by 90% over the previous design and accepts standard interior wall paint.

Pivoting Tractrix Horn with Linear Travel Suspension Tweeter

The R-5502-W II's high-frequency section centers on a 1" titanium diaphragm compression driver equipped with Linear Travel Suspension, mated to a 90° x 90° square Tractrix horn that pivots up to 15° in either direction. Linear Travel Suspension constrains the titanium diaphragm to a controlled piston motion without lateral deviation, reducing distortion and improving smoothness through the high-frequency band and the dual crossover transition at 1300Hz and 2200Hz. The pivoting Tractrix horn resolves one of the most common limitations of in-wall LCR speakers: the conflict between stud-bay location and the ideal acoustic axis toward the listening position. Since the horn's 90° x 90° dispersion pattern can be physically aimed at the main seating area after installation, the R-5502-W II delivers more direct high-frequency sound to the listener and less reflected energy off ceiling, sidewalls, and floor. The result is wider stereo imaging, better-defined vocal clarity, and a more natural soundstage than fixed-horn in-wall speakers produce from the same installation positions. The 90° x 90° symmetrical square horn pattern maintains identical dispersion whether the speaker is mounted vertically as a left or right channel or rotated 90° horizontally as a center channel.

Dual Cerametallic Woofers, Attenuation Switches and LCR Versatility

The dual 5.25" Cerametallic woofers are machine-spun solid aluminum cones anodized to convert the surface into a rigid, well-damped ceramic compound. Integrated dust caps further reinforce the cone structure and help ventilate the voice coils for improved driver durability at sustained drive levels. The two-woofer array extends the R-5502-W II's bass response to 46Hz, deeper than a single 5.25" driver of equivalent size would achieve, and the dual crossover network at 1300Hz and 2200Hz provides smooth blending from the woofer array through the compression driver operating range. Treble and midbass attenuation switches on the front baffle allow independent -3dB level adjustment of the high-frequency driver and the upper-bass frequency band, compensating for acoustically bright rooms, corner placements, or close-proximity surround positions without requiring external equalization. An IR receiver knockout on the baffle accommodates a standard 0.5" tube-type infrared repeater device for whole-home IR control systems. Sure-grip cam-style mounting dogs distribute clamping pressure evenly against the drywall for long-term installation reliability, and the R-5502-W II accommodates up to 12 AWG speaker wire.

Key Features

• Pivoting 90° x 90° Square Tractrix Horn: The horn pivots up to 15° in either direction, enabling the installer to aim the symmetrical dispersion pattern directly at the listening position from any wall location, reducing reflections and increasing direct sound for better imaging, vocal clarity, and soundstage definition.
• 1" Titanium Diaphragm Compression Driver with Linear Travel Suspension: LTS constrains the diaphragm to precise piston motion, reducing distortion and increasing smoothness through the high-frequency band and the dual 1300Hz and 2200Hz crossover transition points.
• Dual 5.25" Cerametallic Cone Woofers: Machine-spun solid aluminum cones anodized to a ceramic surface deliver rigid, well-damped bass and midrange reproduction from 46Hz, with integrated dust caps reinforcing the cone structure and ventilating voice coils for enhanced driver durability.
• Horizontal and Vertical Installation: The 90° x 90° square horn pattern maintains identical dispersion in both mounting orientations, supporting vertical left/right channel positions and horizontal center channel placement with consistent performance in each role.
• Treble and Midbass Attenuation Switches: Independent onboard switches apply -3dB attenuation to the high-frequency driver and the upper-bass band, allowing tonal adjustment for acoustically bright rooms, corner placements, or close-proximity seating without external equalization.
• IR Receiver Knockout: A front baffle knockout accommodates a standard 0.5" tube-type IR repeater device, allowing the speaker's wall position to serve as a remote control receiver location in whole-home IR distribution systems.
• 92dB Sensitivity at 8 Ohms: High efficiency allows substantial output from the recommended 130W amplifier power, making the R-5502-W II capable of filling even large rooms at reference listening levels.
• SlimTrim Low-Profile Magnetic Grille: A new aluminum paintable magnetic grille reduces the visible frame width by 90% and depth by 80% compared to the previous generation for a near edge-to-edge wall integration. The magnetic attachment eliminates resonant distortion and allows tool-free grille removal.
• Sure-Grip Mounting Dogs: Cam-style mounting dogs distribute clamping pressure evenly around the drywall cutout for long-term installation reliability without loosening or cracking the wall surface.
• IK-502-W Installation Kit Compatible: The optional IK-502-W installation kit (sold separately) provides a mud ring, pre-construction bracket, and color-coded hardware for new construction framing and increased mounting flexibility.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Klipsch R-5502-W II?

The Klipsch R-5502-W II is a 2-way in-wall LCR speaker from Klipsch's Reference architectural series, featuring dual 5.25" Cerametallic cone woofers and a 1" titanium diaphragm compression driver with Linear Travel Suspension mated to a pivoting 90° x 90° square Tractrix horn. It delivers a frequency response of 46Hz to 20kHz at 92dB sensitivity and 8 ohms, with 75W RMS and 300W peak power handling. Onboard treble and midbass attenuation switches, an IR receiver knockout, and a SlimTrim low-profile magnetic paintable grille are all included.

How does the Klipsch R-5502-W II compare to the PRO-250RPC and the Polk Audio 265-LS?

The Klipsch R-5502-W II and PRO-250RPC are both dual-5.25" in-wall LCR speakers sharing a nearly identical cutout footprint, but they differ in their mounting generation and acoustic detail. The R-5502-W II uses a pivoting Tractrix horn that can be aimed up to 15° at the listening position, providing a stereo imaging advantage in installations where the wall location does not align with the ideal acoustic axis. The PRO-250RPC uses a fixed Hybrid Cross Section Tractrix horn with the Reference Premiere acoustic DNA and the SecureFit modular installation system but no pivoting capability. Compared to the Polk Audio 265-LS, the R-5502-W II offers a pivoting horn tweeter for aiming flexibility, higher 46Hz bass extension from the dual Cerametallic woofers, and Klipsch's LTS compression driver design for lower distortion through the high-frequency crossover region than the Polk's conventional swivel-mounted dome tweeter arrangement.

Can the Klipsch R-5502-W II be used as a center channel speaker?

Yes, the Klipsch R-5502-W II is specifically designed for center channel use in addition to left and right channel positions. The 90° x 90° square Tractrix horn produces an identical symmetrical dispersion pattern whether the speaker is mounted vertically or rotated 90° horizontally for center channel placement below or above a projection screen or flat-panel display. The pivoting horn can also be tilted toward the listening position in horizontal center channel orientation to further optimize direct sound delivery to the seating area. This flexibility makes the R-5502-W II one of the most versatile in-wall LCR options for complete home theater front soundstage configurations.

What do the treble and midbass attenuation switches do on the R-5502-W II?

The treble and midbass attenuation switches on the R-5502-W II each apply a -3dB reduction to their respective frequency band through the speaker's passive crossover network without requiring external equalization equipment. The treble switch reduces the compression driver's output level to compensate for acoustically reflective rooms, close-proximity listening positions such as side surround installations, or rooms that measure bright in the high-frequency range. The midbass switch reduces the woofer's upper-bass output to compensate for proximity to room boundaries or corners, which can cause acoustic reinforcement and a bass-heavy tonal imbalance at seated listening positions. Both switches operate independently and can be used together or separately depending on the acoustic character of the specific installation environment.

What amplifier is recommended for the Klipsch R-5502-W II?

Klipsch specifies a recommended amplifier power of 130W per channel for the R-5502-W II, which handles 75W RMS continuously and 300W peak. Any AV receiver or separate power amplifier capable of stable 8-ohm operation at 75W to 130W per channel is suitable for most home theater applications. The 92dB sensitivity means the speaker produces meaningful output at moderate drive levels, so a 75W to 100W AV receiver from Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, or Onkyo will drive the R-5502-W II comfortably in standard home theater rooms. For larger rooms or sustained high-level playback, a dedicated multichannel power amplifier in the 100W to 200W per channel range will take full advantage of the 300W peak power capacity.

Where can I buy the Klipsch R-5502-W II in Toronto or Canada?

The Klipsch R-5502-W II In-Wall LCR Speaker is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Klipsch dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the full Klipsch Reference architectural speaker lineup and can advise on system configuration, channel matching, amplifier selection, and installation accessory planning including the optional IK-502-W installation kit for new construction and retrofit home theater builds across the Toronto area and across Canada.

Is the R-5502-W II compatible with the Klipsch IK-502-W installation kit?

Yes, the Klipsch R-5502-W II is compatible with the Klipsch IK-502-W installation kit, sold separately. The IK-502-W includes a mud ring with a breakaway wire tie, color-coded mounting brackets, and perforated metal wings that fasten to wall studs via screws, staples, or nails during new construction framing before the drywall is installed. This kit provides increased mounting stability compared to drywall-only mounting and includes a pre-marked cutout template for accurate drywall cutout positioning in new construction. The IK-502-W is recommended when the speaker is being installed during new construction framing, or when the installer wants the additional structural support of stud-attached mounting wings in a retrofit installation.

What is the SlimTrim grille and how does it improve on the previous design?

The SlimTrim is Klipsch's second-generation architectural speaker grille design introduced with the R-5502-W II. Compared to the previous grille, the SlimTrim reduces the visible frame width by 90% and the grille depth by 80%, producing a near edge-to-edge appearance that sits flush with the wall surface rather than projecting visibly from it. The aluminum grille is paintable with standard interior wall paint for seamless wall color matching, and attaches magnetically rather than with mechanical clips or pegs. The magnetic attachment eliminates the grille resonance distortion that clip-mounted grilles can introduce at high listening levels, and allows the grille to be removed and reinstalled without tools when driver access is needed for inspection or servicing.