Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II Black 15" Commercial Loudspeaker at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The KI-396-SMA-II is a high-output 15" 2-way commercial loudspeaker from Klipsch (Hope, Arkansas, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Part of the Klipsch KI Series Professional Installation line, this black-finish model features a 15" K-48-ST cast-frame woofer, a 3" K-691 titanium diaphragm compression driver mounted on a 90°x60° Tractrix "Mumps" Horn, and delivers a sensitivity of 101 dB with up to 127 dB maximum continuous SPL. Designed and manufactured in the USA using domestic and imported components, the KI-396-SMA-II is built for permanent installation in auditoriums, houses of worship, bars, music clubs, sports facilities, theme parks, and transportation hubs.

Tractrix "Mumps" Horn Technology and Pattern Control

The KI-396-SMA-II uses Klipsch's advanced Tractrix "Mumps" Horn, an evolved version of the original Tractrix geometry that adds controlled flare extensions at the horn mouth to improve coverage consistency across the operating bandwidth. Compared to earlier generations of Tractrix horns, the Mumps design exhibits tighter, more uniform pattern control, reducing the high-frequency beaming and coverage irregularities that occur as wavelengths become small relative to the horn aperture. The K-510 horn delivers 90° horizontal coverage (+/- 30°) from 400 Hz to 13 kHz and 60° vertical coverage (+/- 20°) from 1.6 kHz to 20 kHz. A Directivity Index of 8 dB (+/- 2 dB) and a Directivity Factor (Q) of 6.3 confirm disciplined high-frequency dispersion in demanding reverberant environments. Klipsch's modified Tractrix equation also allows the sound wave to exit the horn mouth with minimal back-reflections into the throat, directly lowering distortion and extending the flat response region beyond what conventional exponential or conical horns achieve.

High-Excursion 15" Woofer and Large-Format Compression Driver

The low-frequency section is driven by the K-48-ST, a 15" heavy-duty cast-frame woofer with a 3" (76.2 mm) voice coil and a 104-ounce (2.95 kg) magnet and motor assembly. The high-excursion design allows the woofer to maintain low distortion at sustained high-power inputs, producing deep, articulate bass reproduction from the compact trapezoidal enclosure. The high-frequency section uses the K-691 compression driver, featuring a 3" (76.2 mm) titanium diaphragm and a 64-ounce (1.82 kg) magnet structure, providing the headroom and thermal capacity required for continuous high-level output without driver fatigue or tonal compression. The two drivers are integrated via an internal high-current passive crossover operating at 1 kHz, with 12 dB/octave slopes on the low-frequency side and 18 dB/octave on the high-frequency side. The enclosure is CNC-fabricated from 3/4" 7-ply birch plywood with rabbet and dado joinery and a 1" MDF motorboard, ensuring structural rigidity and low cabinet resonance over the life of the installation.

Key Features

• 101 dB Sensitivity: Measured at 1 metre half-spaced anechoic with a 2.83V input, delivering exceptional efficiency and output per watt across large commercial installations.
• 127 dB Continuous / 133 dB Peak SPL: Calculated maximum output at 1 metre supports high-demand venues including live music clubs, performing arts spaces, and sports facilities.
• 600W Continuous / 2400W Peak Power Handling: AES-rated continuous power handling at 56 volts with 6 dB peak headroom accommodates high-power professional amplifiers.
• 90°x60° Tractrix "Mumps" Horn: Improved-generation Tractrix geometry provides tighter, more consistent coverage control than earlier Klipsch Tractrix horn designs, minimising room excitation and maximising audience coverage.
• 3" K-691 Titanium Compression Driver: Large-format, high-excursion driver with a 64-ounce magnet delivers extended high-frequency headroom and low distortion at sustained output levels.
• 15" K-48-ST Cast Frame Woofer: Heavy-duty cast frame, 3" voice coil, and 104-ounce motor assembly produce deep, controlled low-frequency output within a compact trapezoidal cabinet.
• 16 Suspension Points (4 per side): Sixteen 3/8"-16 threaded flypoints with C-bracket mount compatibility enable flexible rigging for hanging, arraying, or bracket installation.
• 22.5° Symmetrical Trapezoidal Enclosure: The compact multi-angle cabinet supports tight speaker clusters, left-right mirroring, and side-by-side array configurations without coverage gaps or overlap.
• Internal High-Current Full-Range Crossover: Passive crossover network at 1 kHz with asymmetric slopes eliminates the need for external active processing in standard installations.
• Black Lacquer Finish: Lacquer-based primer and texture coat in black suits performance stages, house of worship environments, and commercial interiors where a low-profile aesthetic is required.
• CNC-Fabricated 7-Ply Birch Plywood Enclosure: Precision-cut rabbet and dado joinery with 1" MDF motorboard ensures long-term structural integrity and minimal cabinet coloration.
• Made in the USA: KI Series enclosures are designed and manufactured in Hope, Arkansas, continuing the tradition established by Klipsch founder Paul W. Klipsch in 1946.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• Two-point barrier strip input for robust, secure professional wiring terminations
• Sixteen 3/8"-16 threaded flypoints (4 per top, bottom, and each side) for rigging bar and array configurations
• Single C-bracket attachment point on top and bottom panels for wall or ceiling bracket mounting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II?

The Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II is a high-output 15" 2-way commercial loudspeaker from the Klipsch KI Series Professional Installation line, available in a black lacquer finish. It delivers 101 dB sensitivity, a 127 dB continuous maximum SPL, and a frequency response of 60 Hz to 18 kHz (+/- 3 dB), placing it among the most capable passive commercial loudspeakers in its enclosure class. The SMA-II designation indicates the multi-angle symmetrical trapezoidal cabinet format, which is optimised for permanent fixed installation, speaker clustering, and rigging in venues requiring sustained high output and precise coverage control.

How does the Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II compare to the JBL SRX835P?

The Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II is a passive permanent-installation loudspeaker, while the JBL SRX835P is a self-powered portable system. The KI-396-SMA-II achieves a higher sensitivity of 101 dB versus the SRX835P's 99 dB, and its Tractrix "Mumps" Horn delivers a measured Directivity Index of 8 dB, providing more consistent and predictable pattern control across the high-frequency range. The KI-396-SMA-II's 7-ply birch plywood enclosure and 16-point rigging system are engineered specifically for long-term fixed commercial use, offering greater installation flexibility and durability compared to the plastic cabinet of the SRX835P. For system designers working within an existing amplification and DSP infrastructure, the passive KI-396-SMA-II offers greater configurability, higher peak headroom at 133 dB, and more precise integration with professional signal chains.

Can the Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II be used as a full-range system without a subwoofer?

Yes, the KI-396-SMA-II operates effectively as a full-range loudspeaker without a subwoofer in most commercial installation contexts. Its frequency response extends to 60 Hz at +/- 3 dB, with usable output reaching -10 dB at 35 Hz, which covers speech intelligibility, background music, and live music program content in venues such as houses of worship, auditoriums, and performing arts spaces. For applications with heavy low-frequency demands, such as nightclub DJ systems or live rock music with sustained sub-60 Hz content, pairing with a Klipsch KI-Series subwoofer is recommended to maximise output and protect the woofer from thermal stress at high playback levels.

What is the Tractrix "Mumps" Horn in the Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II?

The Tractrix "Mumps" Horn is an evolved version of Klipsch's proprietary Tractrix horn geometry, incorporating controlled flare extensions at the horn mouth that improve coverage uniformity at higher frequencies compared to earlier Tractrix designs. In the KI-396-SMA-II, the K-510 Mumps Horn maintains a 90°x60° coverage pattern with greater consistency across the crossover region and upper frequency range, reducing the narrowing of dispersion that occurs in standard horns as frequency increases. The modified Tractrix equation simultaneously allows the compression driver's sound wave to exit the horn with minimal back-reflections, lowering distortion and maintaining flat frequency response characteristics even at high continuous output levels.

Where can I buy the Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II in Toronto or Canada?

The Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Klipsch dealer located in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound serves customers across the Greater Toronto Area and ships throughout Canada, providing access to Klipsch's complete KI Series professional installation loudspeaker range. Purchasing from an authorised Canadian dealer ensures full manufacturer warranty coverage and access to professional system design and installation support.

What amplifier power does the Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II require?

Klipsch recommends pairing the KI-396-SMA-II with an amplifier providing headroom of approximately twice the speaker's continuous power rating, meaning at least 1200 watts into 8 ohms for optimal dynamic performance. The nominal impedance is 8 ohms, with a minimum of 5.1 ohms at 112 Hz, making the speaker compatible with standard 2-channel or 4-channel professional amplifiers from brands such as Crown, QSC, and Lab.gruppen. Klipsch cautions that both overpowering beyond 3 dB above rated handling and underpowering with a clipping amplifier can cause driver damage, and recommends amplifier headroom be calculated based on twice the published numerical power rating of the speaker.

What types of venues is the Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II designed for?

The Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II is engineered for demanding permanent-installation environments that require sustained high SPL and controlled dispersion. Klipsch identifies the primary applications as performing spaces, auditoriums, houses of worship, bars and music clubs, small to medium sports facilities, theme parks and leisure venues, and transportation facilities. The 22.5° symmetrical trapezoidal cabinet enables tight horizontal clustering and left-right mirror-image configurations, making the KI-396-SMA-II particularly well suited to above-stage flown arrays, corner clusters, and distributed coverage systems where precise pattern control across multiple units is critical to system performance.

Can the Klipsch KI-396-SMA-II be rigged or flown overhead?

Yes, the KI-396-SMA-II is purpose-built for overhead rigging and flying applications. The enclosure includes sixteen 3/8"-16 threaded flypoints, four per top, bottom, and each side panel, providing comprehensive rigging attachment options compatible with standard rigging bars, array hardware, and truss systems. C-bracket mounting points on the top and bottom panels accommodate standard commercial speaker bracket hardware for wall or ceiling surface mounting. All rigging and flying installations must be performed by qualified professionals in accordance with applicable load ratings, rigging standards, and local building codes.