Klipsch CDT-5650-C II In-Ceiling Speaker at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The CDT-5650-C II is a high-performance pivoting 6.5" in-ceiling speaker from Klipsch (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Designed to overcome the fundamental limitation of fixed-position architectural speakers, it uses Klipsch's proprietary Controlled Dispersion Technology (CDT) to allow both drivers to be independently aimed toward the primary listening position from any ceiling location. The speaker pairs a 1" Titanium Compression Driver with a swiveling 100-degree Tractrix Horn and a 6.5" pivoting Cerametallic woofer that rotates 360 degrees and tilts 15 degrees, covering a frequency range of 56 Hz to 23 kHz (+/-3 dB) at 92 dB sensitivity. With the SlimTrim magnetic grille, Linear Travel Suspension tweeter, and onboard treble and midbass attenuation switches, the CDT-5650-C II is the compact-footprint member of Klipsch's CDT in-ceiling family, delivering the same independently aimable CDT performance as the CDT-5800-C II in a smaller ceiling format, available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto and across Canada.

Controlled Dispersion Technology: Independently Aiming Both Drivers

The defining capability of the CDT-5650-C II is its patent-pending Controlled Dispersion Technology (CDT) gimbal mechanism, which allows both the 1" titanium compression tweeter and the 6.5" Cerametallic woofer to be independently aimed toward the listening area regardless of ceiling installation constraints. The tweeter swivels within its Tractrix Horn mount to direct high-frequency energy at any point in the room, while the woofer rotates a full 360 degrees and pivots up to 15 degrees in any direction. This combination concentrates both midbass and high-frequency energy at the seating position rather than dispersing it randomly toward the floor, producing more lifelike impact, greater imaging precision, and better vocal clarity than conventional fixed in-ceiling designs. For custom audio installations in Toronto and across Canada where ceiling joists, ductwork, recessed lighting, or structural elements prevent placing a speaker directly overhead of the listening area, CDT turns a constrained ceiling location into an optimized audio experience. The CDT-5650-C II's smaller 6.5" woofer format also makes it practical for rooms where the CDT-5800-C II's larger 9.8-inch cutout would be too disruptive to the ceiling, while delivering the same independently aimable CDT architecture.

1" Titanium Compression Driver with Linear Travel Suspension and Tractrix Horn

The CDT-5650-C II uses a 1" titanium diaphragm compression driver mated to a swiveling symmetrical 100-degree round Tractrix Horn. The solid-formed titanium diaphragm is very lightweight, providing high stiffness and accurate transient response across the high-frequency band up to 23 kHz. Klipsch's Linear Travel Suspension (LTS) allows the titanium diaphragm to travel in a more linear path during operation, reducing non-linear distortion at higher frequencies and producing smoother, more detailed treble reproduction than conventional suspension geometries can achieve. The Tractrix Horn controls high-frequency dispersion in a symmetrical 100-degree pattern, directing energy efficiently toward the listening area and minimizing ceiling reflections that blur sonic detail. Because the horn-loaded compression driver format produces significantly higher acoustic output per watt than a standard dome tweeter, the CDT-5650-C II achieves 92 dB sensitivity while maintaining low distortion across the upper frequency band.

6.5" Pivoting Machine-Spun Cerametallic Woofer

The CDT-5650-C II uses a 6.5" Cerametallic woofer mounted in a pivot mechanism that allows full 360-degree rotation and 15-degree tilt in any direction. The Cerametallic cone is machine-spun from solid aluminum and then hard-anodized on both surfaces, creating a diaphragm with exceptional rigidity and controlled damping. The anodizing process adds stiffness without adding mass, producing a high stiffness-to-mass ratio that delivers tight, defined bass from 56 Hz and accurate midrange reproduction through the crossover point. A new integrated dust cap strengthens the cone structure and improves voice coil ventilation for sustained thermal durability during long-term high-output use. The woofer's pivoting capability means its more narrowly dispersed midbass frequencies can be directed toward the listening position in coordination with the aimed tweeter, producing a coherent soundstage from a ceiling position that closely approximates the imaging of a well-placed box speaker.

Key Features

• Controlled Dispersion Technology (CDT) Gimbal Mechanism: A patent-pending gimbal system allows the 1" titanium tweeter to swivel independently and the 6.5" Cerametallic woofer to rotate 360 degrees and tilt 15 degrees in any direction. Both drivers can be independently aimed toward the main listening area for precise sound localization from any ceiling installation point, regardless of structural constraints.
• 1" Titanium Compression Driver with Linear Travel Suspension and 100-degree Tractrix Horn: The solid-formed titanium diaphragm with Klipsch's Linear Travel Suspension delivers improved high-frequency linearity, smoothness, and reduced distortion. The swiveling symmetrical 100-degree Tractrix Horn controls dispersion for efficient, aimable high-frequency delivery to 23 kHz.
• 6.5" Machine-Spun Pivoting Cerametallic Woofer: Hard-anodized solid aluminum cone with 360-degree rotation and 15-degree pivot delivers tight, defined bass from 56 Hz. Driver aiming capability allows midbass frequencies to be directed at the listening position for a more coherent soundstage from off-center ceiling locations.
• 92 dB Sensitivity, Horn-Loaded Technology: The compression driver and Tractrix Horn combination produces high acoustic output with low distortion at 92 dB sensitivity at 1W/1m, allowing the CDT-5650-C II to reach meaningful listening levels from standard AV receivers. It handles 50W RMS and 200W peak.
• Treble and Midbass Attenuation Switches: Onboard switches allow independent reduction of high-frequency and midbass output levels without external EQ, enabling adaptation to acoustically bright rooms, reflective surfaces, corner placements, or any environment where boundary effects create frequency imbalances.
• SlimTrim Low-Profile Magnetic Grille: The updated SlimTrim aluminum grille reduces the visible frame size by approximately 90% and grille depth by approximately 80% compared to the previous generation, creating a near-bezel-free edge-to-edge appearance. The aluminum grille is paintable and attaches magnetically for clean, tool-free removal.
• Premium High-Definition Crossover Network: A dedicated premium-grade crossover network ensures smooth, accurate frequency blending between the Cerametallic woofer and the Tractrix Horn compression driver across the crossover region for balanced, full-bandwidth response in the listening area.
• Sure-Grip Mounting Dogs and ABS Infinite Baffle Enclosure: Sure-Grip mounting dogs provide even drywall clamping pressure for long-term installation reliability. The ABS infinite baffle enclosure maintains a flush ceiling profile with a 5.4-inch mounting depth.
• Compatible with IK-650-C Install Kit and ME-650-C Fire-Rated Enclosure: The optional IK-650-C installation kit (sold separately) supports new construction rough-in with mud ring, wire tie, and color-coded brackets. The optional ME-650-C fire-rated enclosure (sold separately) provides building code compliance and inter-room sound isolation.

Technical Specifications

What's in the Box

• Klipsch CDT-5650-C II In-Ceiling Speaker (1 unit)
• SlimTrim Paintable Aluminum Magnetic Grille
• Note: Installation Kit IK-650-C sold separately
• Note: Fire-Rated Enclosure ME-650-C sold separately

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Klipsch CDT-5650-C II?

The Klipsch CDT-5650-C II is a high-performance 6.5" two-way in-ceiling speaker featuring Controlled Dispersion Technology (CDT), which allows a 1" Titanium Compression Driver with a swiveling 100-degree Tractrix Horn and a 6.5" pivoting Cerametallic woofer to be independently aimed toward the main listening area. It covers 56 Hz to 23 kHz (+/-3 dB) at 92 dB sensitivity, handles 50W RMS and 200W peak, and includes treble and midbass attenuation switches and a SlimTrim low-profile magnetic grille.

What is the difference between the Klipsch CDT-5650-C II and the CDT-5800-C II?

The Klipsch CDT-5650-C II and CDT-5800-C II share the same Controlled Dispersion Technology gimbal mechanism, 1" Titanium Compression Driver with Linear Travel Suspension, swiveling Tractrix Horn, SlimTrim grille, and onboard treble and midbass attenuation switches. The key differences are woofer size and ceiling footprint. The CDT-5650-C II uses a 6.5" Cerametallic woofer and requires an 8.3-inch cutout with 5.4-inch mounting depth. The CDT-5800-C II uses an 8" Cerametallic woofer with a deeper bass rolloff and requires a 9.8-inch cutout. The CDT-5650-C II is the better choice when ceiling structural constraints, aesthetic preference, or room size favor a smaller grille opening, while the CDT-5800-C II is preferred for larger rooms where maximum bass extension and output from the bigger woofer are the priority.

Can the Klipsch CDT-5650-C II be used for Dolby Atmos height channels?

Yes, the Klipsch CDT-5650-C II is well suited for Dolby Atmos overhead height channels. Its CDT gimbal mechanism is a significant practical advantage because Dolby Atmos placement guidelines frequently call for ceiling locations that are not directly overhead of the main listening row. The CDT-5650-C II's ability to swivel the tweeter and tilt the 6.5" Cerametallic woofer toward the seated listener from an off-center ceiling position makes it far more acoustically effective for height channel duties than a fixed downward-firing speaker in a suboptimal location. Its 56 Hz to 23 kHz frequency range and compact footprint also suit smaller media rooms and custom home theater installations where the CDT-5800-C II's larger cutout would be visually or structurally problematic.

What are the treble and midbass attenuation switches used for?

The treble and midbass attenuation switches on the Klipsch CDT-5650-C II are onboard controls that allow independent reduction of high-frequency and midbass output levels without any external equalizer or processor. They are most valuable in acoustically challenging rooms such as spaces with tile, glass, or hard reflective surfaces that emphasize brightness; rooms where corner placement creates bass buildup; or installations where the aimed driver configuration produces more energy in one frequency range than desired. Using the attenuation switches, homeowners and installers in Toronto and across Canada can achieve a more balanced in-room frequency response directly at the speaker, adapting the CDT-5650-C II to a wide variety of residential acoustic environments without specialized calibration equipment.

How does the Klipsch CDT-5650-C II compare to the Polk Audio 80-RT or Sonance VP65R for whole-home audio with driver aiming?

The Klipsch CDT-5650-C II offers more complete driver aiming capability than either the Polk Audio 80-RT or Sonance VP65R. The Polk Audio 80-RT uses a steerable tweeter only, leaving the woofer in a fixed downward-firing position that cannot be aimed at the listening position. The Sonance VP65R is a fully fixed downward-firing speaker with no driver aiming mechanism at all. The CDT-5650-C II's ability to independently aim both the tweeter and the 6.5" Cerametallic woofer provides more accurate full-range sound localization, particularly for midbass and lower midrange content that tweeter-only steering cannot address. Both the Polk Audio and Sonance alternatives also use conventional dome tweeters without horn loading, producing narrower dispersion control and lower efficiency than the CDT-5650-C II's Tractrix Horn compression driver.

What is the mounting depth and cutout size required for the Klipsch CDT-5650-C II?

The Klipsch CDT-5650-C II requires a mounting depth of 5.4 inches (13.72 cm) and a ceiling cutout diameter of 8.3 inches (21.08 cm). The overall speaker diameter is 11 inches. These dimensions accommodate most standard residential ceiling cavities. For installations in new construction before drywall is applied, the optional IK-650-C installation kit (sold separately) provides pre-wire brackets, a mud ring, wire tie, and color-coded brackets for rough-in. For building code compliance or inter-room sound isolation, the optional ME-650-C fire-rated enclosure (sold separately) is the appropriate accessory for the CDT-5650-C II's 6.5" format.

Where can I buy the Klipsch CDT-5650-C II in Toronto or Canada?

The Klipsch CDT-5650-C II is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Klipsch dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the full Klipsch CDT in-ceiling speaker family, including the CDT-5650-C II and the CDT-5800-C II, and can assist with speaker selection, CDT driver aiming guidance, system design, and professional installation for home theater and whole-home audio projects throughout the Greater Toronto Area and across Canada.