Klipsch CDT-3800-C II In-Ceiling Speaker at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The CDT-3800-C II is a high-performance pivoting 8" in-ceiling speaker from Klipsch (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Designed to overcome the limitations 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 installation point. The speaker pairs a 1" Aluminum Diaphragm Compression Driver with a swiveling 100-degree round Tractrix Horn and an 8" pivoting Injection Molded Graphite (IMG) 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. The low-profile SlimTrim magnetic grille, treble attenuation switch, and Linear Travel Suspension tweeter make the CDT-3800-C II a flexible, high-value choice for whole-home audio and home theater ceiling installations, available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto and across Canada.

Controlled Dispersion Technology: Independently Aiming Both Drivers

The defining capability of the CDT-3800-C II is its patent-pending Controlled Dispersion Technology (CDT) gimbal mechanism, which allows both the 1" aluminum compression tweeter and the 8" IMG woofer to be independently aimed toward the listening area regardless of ceiling installation constraints. The tweeter swivels within its Tractrix Horn mount and can be directed toward any point in the room, while the woofer rotates a full 360 degrees and pivots up to 15 degrees in any direction. This combination means that both midbass and high-frequency energy can be concentrated at the seating position rather than dispersed at the floor, producing more lifelike impact, greater imaging precision, and better vocal clarity than conventional fixed in-ceiling designs. For residential installations in Toronto and across Canada where ceiling joists, ductwork, recessed lighting, or other structural elements prevent placing a speaker directly above the listening area, CDT turns a compromised ceiling location into an optimized listening position.

1" Aluminum Diaphragm Compression Driver with Linear Travel Suspension and Tractrix Horn

The CDT-3800-C II uses a 1" aluminum diaphragm compression driver mated to a swiveling symmetrical 100-degree round Tractrix Horn. The rigid aluminum diaphragm provides high stiffness and accurate transient response across the high-frequency band. Klipsch's Linear Travel Suspension (LTS) is applied to the tweeter to allow the diaphragm to travel in a more linear motion path, reducing non-linear distortion at higher frequencies and producing smoother, more detailed treble reproduction compared to conventional suspension geometries. The Tractrix Horn controls the high-frequency dispersion in a symmetrical 100-degree pattern, directing energy efficiently toward the listening area. The horn-loaded compression driver format produces significantly higher acoustic output per watt than a conventional dome tweeter, contributing to the CDT-3800-C II's 92 dB sensitivity and low distortion at the 3,455 Hz crossover point and above. The 3,455 Hz crossover frequency is set higher than the 2,230 Hz crossover of the CDT-5800-C II, reflecting the CDT-3800-C II's position as the entry-point CDT model with an aluminum rather than titanium diaphragm.

8" Pivoting Injection Molded Graphite (IMG) Woofer

The CDT-3800-C II uses an 8" IMG cone woofer mounted in a pivot mechanism that allows full 360-degree rotation and 15-degree tilt in any direction. IMG combines low cone mass with higher stiffness and better internal damping than standard polypropylene, producing tighter, more articulate bass down to 56 Hz and cleaner midrange through the 3,455 Hz crossover point. The IMG cone's low mass also improves transient response, allowing the woofer to accelerate and stop quickly for well-defined bass attacks. The woofer's pivoting capability means that its more narrowly dispersed midbass frequencies can also be directed toward the listening position in coordination with the aimed tweeter, producing a more coherent soundstage from a ceiling position than a fixed downward-firing speaker can achieve.

Key Features

• Controlled Dispersion Technology (CDT) Gimbal Mechanism: A patent-pending gimbal system allows the 1" aluminum compression tweeter to swivel independently and the 8" IMG woofer to rotate 360 degrees and tilt 15 degrees in any direction. Both drivers are independently aimed toward the main listening area for precise sound localization from any ceiling installation point.
• 1" Aluminum Diaphragm Compression Driver with Linear Travel Suspension and 100-degree Tractrix Horn: The rigid aluminum diaphragm uses Klipsch's Linear Travel Suspension for improved high-frequency linearity and reduced distortion. The swiveling symmetrical 100-degree Tractrix Horn delivers horn-loaded efficiency with controlled, aimable dispersion across the high-frequency range to 23 kHz.
• 8" Pivoting Injection Molded Graphite (IMG) Woofer: Low-mass, high-stiffness IMG cone with 360-degree rotation and 15-degree tilt delivers tight, defined bass from 56 Hz. Woofer aiming allows midbass frequencies to be directed toward 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. This high efficiency allows the CDT-3800-C II to play at meaningful levels from standard AV receivers and distributed audio amplifiers, handling 50W RMS and 200W peak.
• Treble Attenuation Switch: An onboard treble attenuation switch allows reduction of high-frequency output to adapt to acoustically bright rooms, highly reflective surfaces, or corner placements where boundary effects emphasize high frequencies, enabling a more balanced in-room response without external EQ equipment.
• 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 design, creating a near-bezel-free edge-to-edge appearance that blends into the ceiling cleanly. The aluminum grille is paintable and attaches magnetically for tool-free removal.
• Sure-Grip Mounting Dogs: Provide even clamping pressure against the drywall for consistent, long-term installation reliability without surface damage.
• ABS Infinite Baffle Enclosure, Front Flush with Ceiling: The ABS infinite baffle enclosure maintains a flush ceiling profile with a 5.4-inch mounting depth, accommodating a wide range of residential ceiling cavities.
• Compatible with IK-800-C Install Kit and ME-800-C Fire-Rated Enclosure: The optional IK-800-C installation kit (sold separately) provides a mud ring, breakaway wire tie, color-coded brackets, and perforated metal wings for new construction rough-in. The optional ME-800-C fire-rated enclosure (sold separately) supports building code compliance and sound isolation between rooms.

Technical Specifications

What's in the Box

• Klipsch CDT-3800-C II In-Ceiling Speaker (1 unit)
• SlimTrim Paintable Aluminum Magnetic Grille
• Note: Installation Kit IK-800-C sold separately
• Note: Fire-Rated Enclosure ME-800-C sold separately

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Klipsch CDT-3800-C II?

The Klipsch CDT-3800-C II is a high-performance 8" two-way in-ceiling speaker featuring Controlled Dispersion Technology (CDT), which allows a 1" Aluminum Diaphragm Compression Driver with a swiveling 100-degree Tractrix Horn and an 8" pivoting IMG woofer to be independently aimed toward the main listening area. It covers 56 Hz to 23 kHz (+/-3 dB), delivers 92 dB sensitivity at a 3,455 Hz crossover frequency, handles 50W RMS and 200W peak, and includes a treble attenuation switch and a low-profile SlimTrim magnetic grille.

What is the difference between the Klipsch CDT-3800-C II and the CDT-5800-C II?

The Klipsch CDT-3800-C II and CDT-5800-C II share the same Controlled Dispersion Technology gimbal mechanism, SlimTrim grille, 8" pivoting woofer, and swiveling 100-degree Tractrix Horn architecture, but differ in driver materials and onboard adjustment. The CDT-3800-C II uses an Aluminum diaphragm compression driver and an IMG woofer with a crossover at 3,455 Hz and 92 dB sensitivity. The CDT-5800-C II uses a higher-spec Titanium diaphragm compression driver and a Cerametallic woofer with a lower crossover at 2,230 Hz and higher 94 dB sensitivity. The CDT-5800-C II also includes both treble and midbass attenuation switches versus the single treble attenuation switch on the CDT-3800-C II. The CDT-3800-C II is the more accessible entry into the CDT family, while the CDT-5800-C II is the premium choice for demanding home theater and audiophile listening rooms in Toronto and across Canada.

Can the Klipsch CDT-3800-C II be used for Dolby Atmos height channels?

Yes, the Klipsch CDT-3800-C II is well suited for Dolby Atmos overhead height channels. Its CDT gimbal mechanism is a significant advantage in Atmos applications because Dolby's speaker placement guidelines often call for ceiling positions that are not directly overhead of the main listening row. The CDT-3800-C II's ability to tilt the woofer and swivel the tweeter toward the seated listener from an off-center ceiling location makes it far more acoustically effective for Atmos height duties than a fixed downward-firing speaker placed in an acoustically suboptimal position. Its 56 Hz to 23 kHz frequency range and 92 dB sensitivity provide adequate output and bandwidth for Atmos height channel use in small and medium-sized home theater rooms.

What is the treble attenuation switch on the CDT-3800-C II used for?

The treble attenuation switch on the Klipsch CDT-3800-C II is an onboard control that reduces high-frequency output without requiring any external EQ processor or receiver calibration adjustment. It is most useful in acoustically bright rooms with hard reflective surfaces such as tile, glass, or hardwood floors, and in corner installations where boundary effects can emphasize treble frequencies relative to the rest of the frequency range. Activating the treble attenuation switch allows homeowners and installers to achieve a more balanced and natural in-room frequency response directly at the speaker, making the CDT-3800-C II adaptable to a wider variety of residential acoustics across Toronto and Canada without specialized calibration equipment.

How does the Klipsch CDT-3800-C II compare to the Polk Audio 90-RT or Sonance VP88R for whole-home audio?

The Klipsch CDT-3800-C II offers more advanced driver aiming capability than the Polk Audio 90-RT and Sonance VP88R. The Polk Audio 90-RT steers the tweeter only, leaving the woofer in a fixed downward-firing position, while the CDT-3800-C II independently aims both the tweeter and the 8" IMG woofer for more accurate full-range localization. The Sonance VP88R uses a completely fixed driver configuration with no aiming mechanism. Both the Polk Audio 90-RT and Sonance VP88R also use conventional dome tweeters, while the CDT-3800-C II's horn-loaded aluminum compression driver provides higher efficiency and more controlled dispersion with its Tractrix Horn geometry. For whole-home audio in Toronto and across Canada where placement flexibility is a priority, the CDT-3800-C II's independently adjustable CDT system provides a meaningful performance advantage.

What is the mounting depth requirement for the Klipsch CDT-3800-C II?

The Klipsch CDT-3800-C II requires a mounting depth of 5.4 inches (13.72 cm) and a ceiling cutout diameter of 9.8 inches (24.89 cm). The overall speaker diameter is 11 inches. These dimensions are suitable for most standard residential ceiling cavities. For new construction installations, the optional IK-800-C installation kit (sold separately) provides a mud ring, breakaway wire tie, color-coded brackets, and perforated metal wings that attach to ceiling joists before drywall is installed, simplifying pre-wire and rough-in. For installations requiring acoustic isolation between floors or compliance with fire safety codes, the optional ME-800-C fire-rated enclosure (sold separately) is available.

Where can I buy the Klipsch CDT-3800-C II in Toronto or Canada?

The Klipsch CDT-3800-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-3800-C II and the CDT-5800-C II, and can assist with speaker selection, driver aiming guidance, system design, and professional installation for home theater and whole-home audio projects throughout the Greater Toronto Area and across Canada.