Klipsch RSM-800 Indoor/Outdoor Surface Mount Speaker (Pair) at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The RSM-800 is a full-range two-way residential surface-mount loudspeaker from Klipsch (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA), available as a pair at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Engineered for both indoor and outdoor installation, the RSM-800 combines an 8-inch IMG woofer, a 1-inch titanium compression driver on the K-1200M horn bridge, and Klipsch's patented Tractrix® Hyperfold Port to deliver 109 dB maximum continuous output from a 92 dB sensitivity enclosure. The all-weather ABS plastic cabinet carries an IPX5 water-resistance rating, the grilles are secured with set screws for environments where vibration or weather could displace a clip-on grille, and dual 5-way binding posts accommodate every common speaker wire and termination format. The RSM-800 is suited to decks, patios, pergolas, poolsides, sunrooms, covered outdoor living spaces, and interior applications in any room where wall-surface mounting is preferred over in-ceiling installation.

Tractrix® Hyperfold Port: More Bass, Less Space

The most significant engineering innovation in the RSM-800 is its patented Tractrix® Hyperfold Port, a proprietary five-step folded port geometry that dramatically extends the effective acoustic length of the bass reflex port without increasing the physical size of the enclosure. In a conventional ported speaker, port length must be long enough to tune the enclosure to the target bass frequency, which forces large cabinet volumes in speakers designed for low bass extension. The Hyperfold Port folds the port path five times within a compact form factor, achieving an acoustic port length equivalent to a much larger conventional port. The result is deep, clean bass extending to 52 Hz at +/- 4 dB and 44 Hz at the -10 dB point, with the airflow velocity kept low enough to eliminate chuffing and port noise at high output levels. This bass performance is exceptional for a compact surface-mount speaker of the RSM-800's physical dimensions.

1-Inch Titanium Compression Driver with Mumps Technology

The RSM-800's high-frequency section is built around a 1-inch titanium compression driver mounted on Klipsch's K-1200M horn and tweeter bridge. The titanium diaphragm is stiffer and lighter than conventional polymer or silk dome materials, extending high-frequency transient response and producing the crisp, detailed treble reproduction that characterizes horn-loaded compression driver designs. The floating driver bridge mechanically decouples the compression driver from the horn body, reducing resonance transmission between the two components. Klipsch's proprietary mumps technology — a waveguide modification that creates a controlled narrowing at specific points along the horn throat — produces a 100-degree coverage angle (+/- 20 degrees from 1 kHz to 20 kHz) that is both wide and consistent, maintaining even frequency response across the listening area rather than the hot-spot coverage pattern that conventional horn designs can produce. The acoustic crossover between the woofer and compression driver occurs at 2 kHz, placed in a frequency region where both drivers perform smoothly through the transition.

8-Inch IMG Woofer

The RSM-800's low-frequency section uses an 8-inch injection-molded graphite (IMG) woofer. IMG cone technology produces a driver that is simultaneously rigid and lightweight, minimizing cone breakup distortion at the high excursion levels needed to drive the Tractrix® Hyperfold Port and produce meaningful bass output in open outdoor environments. The 8-inch cone diameter gives the RSM-800 substantially more low-frequency acoustic output than the 6.5-inch woofer in the RSM-650, extending the usable frequency range and delivering greater presence in outdoor settings where low frequencies disperse rapidly in the open air. At 100 watts continuous power handling with a 400-watt peak rating, the RSM-800 can be driven by a wide range of residential amplifiers and AV receivers without risk of thermal overload.

All-Weather Construction and IPX5 Rating

The RSM-800's paintable ABS plastic cabinet is engineered for year-round outdoor installation across a full range of residential climate conditions, including the seasonal temperature swings, rain, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles typical of Toronto and the broader Canadian climate zone. The IPX5 water-resistance rating certifies the RSM-800 against water jet ingress from any direction, covering rain, garden irrigation overspray, and pressure cleaning of adjacent surfaces. The grille is secured with set screws rather than clips, ensuring it remains fixed to the enclosure in high-wind environments, during temperature expansion and contraction cycles, and in applications where vibration at high volume levels could otherwise loosen a clip-on grille over time. The cabinet is available in black or white and is fully paintable to match any exterior wall color, helping the RSM-800 blend into its installation environment.

Key Features

• 8-Inch IMG Woofer: A stiff, lightweight injection-molded graphite cone delivers deep, controlled bass response to 52 Hz (+/- 4 dB), well-suited to both open outdoor listening environments and indoor surface-mount applications where in-wall bass reinforcement is unavailable.
• 1-Inch Titanium Compression Driver on K-1200M Horn Bridge: A titanium diaphragm on a floating driver bridge delivers high-frequency detail with the efficiency and clarity of a compression driver design, covering the full treble range from the 2 kHz crossover through to 20 kHz.
• Patented Tractrix® Hyperfold Port: A five-step folded port geometry extends effective port acoustic length within a compact enclosure, enabling 44 Hz bass extension at -10 dB while eliminating chuffing and port noise at high output levels.
• Mumps Technology for Wide, Even Coverage: Klipsch's proprietary waveguide modification produces a consistent 100-degree (+/- 20 degrees) horizontal coverage pattern from 1 kHz to 20 kHz, delivering even frequency response across the full listening area without the hot-spot directivity of conventional horns.
• 92 dB Sensitivity / 109 dB Maximum Continuous Output: High efficiency and substantial maximum output capability make the RSM-800 one of the loudest and most efficient residential surface-mount outdoor speakers available at this enclosure size.
• IPX5 All-Weather Rating: Certified protection against water jets from any direction, qualifying the RSM-800 for permanent outdoor installation in rain, snow, and irrigation-adjacent environments year-round.
• Set-Screw Secured Grille: Grilles attach with set screws rather than clips, remaining fixed in high-wind, high-vibration, and outdoor thermal-cycling environments where clip-on grilles can loosen over time.
• Dual 5-Way Binding Posts: Accept bare wire, pin connectors, banana plugs, spade lugs, and stacking banana connectors for complete installation flexibility with any speaker wire termination format.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Klipsch RSM-800?

The Klipsch RSM-800 is a full-range two-way residential surface-mount loudspeaker, sold as a pair, featuring an 8-inch IMG woofer, a 1-inch titanium compression driver on Klipsch's K-1200M horn bridge, and a patented Tractrix® Hyperfold Port. It delivers 92 dB sensitivity, a maximum continuous output of 109 dB, and a frequency response of 52 Hz to 20 kHz (+/- 4 dB). The IPX5-rated ABS plastic cabinet is suitable for permanent outdoor installation as well as indoor surface-mount use on walls, soffits, and architectural surfaces.

How does the Klipsch RSM-800 compare to the Polk Audio Atrium 8 SDI or Yamaha NS-AW592 outdoor speakers?

The Klipsch RSM-800 outperforms the Polk Audio Atrium 8 SDI and Yamaha NS-AW592 in several key areas. The RSM-800's titanium compression driver on a K-1200M horn delivers meaningfully higher sensitivity at 92 dB compared to the dome tweeter designs used in both the Polk and Yamaha models, which typically measure in the 87 to 89 dB range. The Tractrix® Hyperfold Port gives the RSM-800 a 44 Hz bass extension at -10 dB, deeper than either competitor achieves from a comparable enclosure size. The RSM-800's 109 dB calculated maximum continuous output and 400-watt peak power handling also exceed the Polk and Yamaha models, making the RSM-800 the stronger choice for larger outdoor spaces, pool decks, and patio areas where high output and deep bass impact are priorities.

What is Klipsch mumps technology on the RSM-800?

Mumps technology is a Klipsch-proprietary modification to the horn throat geometry in which controlled constrictions are introduced at specific points along the horn's interior profile. These constrictions act as acoustic waveguide elements that widen and smooth the high-frequency dispersion pattern beyond what a conventional constant-flare horn achieves. The result is the RSM-800's 100-degree (+/- 20 degrees) coverage angle, which remains consistent from 1 kHz through to 20 kHz rather than narrowing progressively at higher frequencies as most horn designs do. This even, wide coverage is particularly valuable in outdoor surface-mount applications where listeners are spread across a large area and off-axis coloration is audible.

What is the Tractrix® Hyperfold Port on the RSM-800?

The Tractrix® Hyperfold Port is a patented Klipsch technology that folds the bass reflex port path five times within the speaker enclosure using a proprietary folded geometry based on Klipsch's Tractrix® acoustic principles. This folding extends the effective acoustic length of the port dramatically without increasing enclosure volume, allowing the RSM-800 to achieve 44 Hz bass extension at -10 dB from a compact surface-mount cabinet. The low air velocity inside the folded port path also eliminates the chuffing and port noise that conventional short, straight ports produce at high output levels, keeping bass reproduction clean and artifact-free even at the RSM-800's maximum output capability.

Can the Klipsch RSM-800 handle Canadian outdoor weather year-round?

Yes, the RSM-800 is designed for permanent year-round outdoor installation including the seasonal temperature extremes, freeze-thaw cycles, and precipitation conditions typical of Toronto and the broader Canadian climate. The IPX5 certification covers water jets from any direction, protecting the enclosure and driver components from rain, snow melt, and irrigation overspray. The paintable ABS plastic cabinet resists UV-driven color fading and does not absorb moisture. The set-screw grille attachment prevents grille displacement during thermal expansion and contraction cycles across the full range of Canadian seasonal temperatures. Some installers choose to bring outdoor passive speakers indoors during prolonged periods of sub-zero temperatures as an added precaution, though the RSM-800 is rated for permanent installation.

Where can I buy the Klipsch RSM-800 in Toronto or Canada?

The Klipsch RSM-800 is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Klipsch dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the complete Klipsch RSM Series outdoor speaker range and can assist with outdoor audio system design, amplifier pairing, placement recommendations, and installation guidance for residential and commercial projects across the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions of Ontario.

What amplifier does the Klipsch RSM-800 need?

The RSM-800 presents an 8-ohm nominal impedance load, dropping to a 4.2-ohm minimum at 150 Hz, and handles 100 watts continuous with a 400-watt peak rating. Any stereo amplifier or AV receiver capable of driving a 4-ohm load at 50 to 100 watts per channel pairs comfortably with the RSM-800 for residential outdoor audio use. At 92 dB sensitivity, the RSM-800 reaches strong outdoor listening levels from modest amplifier power, making it compatible with multi-zone residential amplifiers as well as high-power outdoor audio amplifiers for large coverage areas.

Is the Klipsch RSM-800 sold as a pair or individually?

The RSM-800 is sold as a pair of two speakers. For a stereo outdoor listening zone on a deck or patio, one pair provides left and right channel coverage. For larger outdoor areas requiring multiple zones, additional pairs can be added and wired to a multi-zone amplifier. The dual 5-way binding posts on each speaker accept parallel wiring connections directly at the speaker terminal for multi-speaker zone configurations.