Klipsch PIC-450-T BW In-Ceiling Speaker (Pair) at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The PIC-450-T BW is a professional 4.5" in-ceiling speaker from Klipsch (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA), available as a pair at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Part of the Professional In-Ceiling (PIC) Series, it is purpose-built for commercial and architectural distributed audio installations in hotels, restaurants, spas, retail spaces, airports, universities, conference centers, hospitals, and meeting rooms. The PIC-450-T combines a 4.5" woofer with a 1" Titanium Compression Driver on a K-1500 Tractrix horn, delivering a frequency range of 64 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-4 dB) with bass extension to 54 Hz at -10 dB via the patented Tractrix Hyperfold Port. With an IPX6 weather-resistance rating, patented Sky Hook Pro tool-free installation, and full 70V/100V distributed audio compatibility, the PIC-450-T BW is the compact, versatile member of the PIC family, replacing the Klipsch IC Series with meaningfully improved technology and installation speed. This listing includes two speakers. Both black and white paintable grilles are included with each unit.

Tractrix Hyperfold Port for Extended Bass from a 4.5" Ceiling Speaker

The most significant acoustic challenge for a compact in-ceiling speaker is producing genuine low-frequency extension from a constrained enclosure depth. The PIC-450-T addresses this with Klipsch's patented Tractrix Hyperfold Port, a proprietary five-step folded port geometry that routes three separate Tractrix-profiled port tubes through the backcan in multiple folded stages. The extended effective port length enables bass response down to 54 Hz at -10 dB from a speaker with just 7.3 inches of mounting depth, a result that conventional compact in-ceiling speakers with straight ports cannot approach. The Tractrix port profile also controls airflow velocity at high output levels, eliminating the chuffing and turbulence noise that degrades sound quality in demanding commercial environments. For retail backgrounds, hotel corridors, restaurant dining areas, and conference rooms in Toronto and across Canada where ceiling depth is limited and a smaller grille footprint is preferable, the PIC-450-T delivers bass presence that belies its compact size.

1" Titanium Compression Driver with K-1500 Tractrix Horn and Mumps Technology

The PIC-450-T uses a 1" titanium-loaded floating driver bridge mounted on a K-1500 Tractrix horn with a wide-dispersion phase plug. The titanium diaphragm compression driver format operates at significantly higher efficiency than a conventional dome tweeter of the same size, and the K-1500 Tractrix horn geometry controls high-frequency dispersion across a 90-degree nominal coverage angle. Klipsch's patented Mumps technology modifies the horn geometry at the throat to further broaden high-frequency dispersion, producing even and consistent energy across the listening area rather than the narrow, beamy high-frequency pattern common to smaller in-ceiling speakers. The acoustic crossover is set at 2 kHz, and the directivity index of 7 dB (+/-3 dB) from 800 Hz to 20 kHz ensures that treble energy is well controlled and intelligible across the coverage zone. The combination produces a maximum continuous output of 102 dB SPL, a substantial figure for a 4.5" commercial in-ceiling speaker.

Sky Hook Pro Patented Tool-Free Installation

The PIC-450-T uses Klipsch's patented Sky Hook Pro mounting system, designed to reduce installation time in commercial multi-speaker deployments. After cutting the 9.125" diameter ceiling hole, the speaker slides into position and four spring-loaded mounting tabs around the perimeter of the backcan are engaged by finger pressure from the front of the speaker with a simple click of four buttons. No screw gun, torque setting, or additional tools are required. A Philips-head screwdriver can optionally be used to further tighten the tabs. Drop-ceiling tile installation is supported via the included tile-bridge rails and tile-bridge ring, and an attachment point on the rear of the backcan accepts a secondary safety line for high-ceiling commercial environments. UL-2043 and UL-1480 certification confirms suitability for plenum air-handling spaces, a common requirement for commercial building code compliance across Canada.

70V / 100V Distributed Audio with 8-Ohm Bypass

Each PIC-450-T BW includes a multi-tap transformer for full compatibility with 70-volt and 100-volt distributed audio systems. Transformer taps on the 70V line are available at 15W, 7.5W, 3.8W, and 1.9W. For 100V systems, taps are available at 15W, 7.5W, and 3.8W. A bypass position provides 8-ohm direct operation for integration with standard low-impedance amplifiers and residential AV systems. The tap selection dial is accessible from the front of the installed speaker without ceiling removal, simplifying level balancing across multi-zone commercial installations. Wiring connections use a 4-pin Euroblock Phoenix connector accepting up to 12-gauge wire, with a metal cover plate and cable clamp providing protected terminal management after installation.

Key Features

• Patented Tractrix Hyperfold Port with Three Folded Tractrix Ports: Three Tractrix-profiled port tubes are each folded through five stages within the compact backcan, extending effective port length for bass response to 54 Hz (-10 dB) and eliminating chuffing and port noise at the 102 dB maximum continuous output level. This is the defining technology that enables genuine bass extension from a 4.5" in-ceiling form factor.
• 4.5" Woofer with 1" Titanium Compression Driver on K-1500 Tractrix Horn: The titanium-loaded floating driver bridge with wide-dispersion phase plug delivers clear, detailed high-frequency reproduction across a 90-degree nominal coverage angle. Klipsch's patented Mumps technology broadens the dispersion pattern for even, consistent coverage across larger commercial rooms.
• IPX6 Weather-Resistance Rating: Full protection against powerful water jets from any direction makes the PIC-450-T BW suitable for covered outdoor venues, bathroom installations, spa environments, poolside areas, and any commercial space with elevated humidity or exposure to cleaning water spray. The IPX6 rating on the PIC-450-T matches the higher rating of the PIC-800-SW and exceeds the IPX5 of the PIC-800-T.
• Patented Sky Hook Pro Tool-Free Installation: Four spring-loaded tabs engage from the front of the speaker with a four-button finger-press, requiring no tools, no screw gun, and no torque settings. Supports both drywall and drop-ceiling tile bridge installation. Safety line attachment point included on the backcan.
• UL-2043 and UL-1480 Certified: Certified for installation in plenum air-handling ceiling spaces, meeting the commercial building code requirements commonly enforced in hotels, hospitals, airports, and office buildings across Canada.
• Multi-Tap Transformer, 70V / 100V with 8-Ohm Bypass: Full distributed audio transformer tap selection for 70V (15W, 7.5W, 3.8W, 1.9W) and 100V (15W, 7.5W, 3.8W) with an 8-ohm bypass. Front-accessible tap dial eliminates ceiling removal for level adjustment after installation.
• Phoenix Connector (4-Pin Euroblock): All wiring made via 4-pin Euroblock Phoenix connector accepting up to 12-gauge wire, with metal cover plate and cable clamp for protected, professional-grade terminal management.
• 88 dB Sensitivity, 102 dB Maximum Continuous Output: Efficient horn-loaded tweeter design minimizes the amplifier power required to achieve commercial listening levels, making the PIC-450-T well suited for large multi-zone distributed audio systems where many speakers share a single amplifier channel.
• Black and White Paintable Grilles Included with Each Speaker: Both a black and a white magnetic paintable grille are included per unit, enabling each speaker to match any ceiling color or interior design scheme. Grilles attach magnetically for clean, tool-free removal during servicing.
• Seamlessly Integrates with Klipsch RSM and PSM Surface Mount Lines: The PIC Series shares voicing and transducer technology with the Klipsch Residential Surface Mount (RSM) and Professional Surface Mount (PSM) Series, ensuring tonal consistency when mixing ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted Klipsch speakers across zones in the same installation.

Technical Specifications

What's in the Box

• Klipsch PIC-450-T BW In-Ceiling Speaker x 2 (pair)
• Black Paintable Magnetic Grille x 2
• White Paintable Magnetic Grille x 2
• Tile Bridge Rails and Tile Bridge Ring x 2 (for drop-ceiling installation)
• Metal Cover Plate with Cable Clamp x 2

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Klipsch PIC-450-T BW?

The Klipsch PIC-450-T BW is a professional 4.5" two-way in-ceiling speaker from the PIC (Professional In-Ceiling) Series, designed for commercial distributed audio in hotels, restaurants, spas, retail spaces, airports, universities, and meeting rooms. It features a 1" Titanium Compression Driver on a K-1500 Tractrix horn, the patented Tractrix Hyperfold Port for bass extension to 54 Hz, an IPX6 weather-resistance rating, 88 dB sensitivity, and support for 70V, 100V, and 8-ohm operation. It is UL-2043 and UL-1480 certified for plenum ceiling installation. This listing includes a pair of two speakers, each with black and white paintable grilles included.

How does the Klipsch PIC-450-T BW differ from the PIC-800-T BW and which should I choose?

The Klipsch PIC-450-T BW uses a 4.5" woofer and requires a 9.125" cutout, while the PIC-800-T BW uses an 8" woofer and requires a 12.5" cutout. The PIC-800-T produces deeper bass extension to 46 Hz (-10 dB) versus 54 Hz for the PIC-450-T, and handles 100W continuous versus 50W continuous. The PIC-450-T is the better choice for smaller rooms, offices, corridors, and retail spaces where ceiling density is high and a compact grille footprint is preferred. The PIC-800-T is better suited for larger open-plan commercial spaces, hotel lobbies, restaurant dining rooms, and any venue where higher output and deeper bass are required. Both models share the Sky Hook Pro installation system, Phoenix connector, and 70V/100V distributed audio compatibility, making it easy to mix both models across zones in a single commercial system.

Can the Klipsch PIC-450-T BW be installed in a bathroom or outdoor covered patio?

Yes, the Klipsch PIC-450-T BW carries an IPX6 weather-resistance rating, providing protection against powerful water jets from any direction. This makes it appropriate for bathroom installations, spa treatment rooms, hotel pool areas, covered outdoor patios, and any commercial or residential space where water spray, condensation, or high humidity is present. The all-weather ABS plastic enclosure and metal backcan support long-term durability in these environments. For fully exposed outdoor installations without overhead protection from rain, a speaker with a higher overall environmental enclosure rating should be specified.

What does UL-2043 and UL-1480 certification mean for the Klipsch PIC-450-T BW?

UL-2043 certification means the Klipsch PIC-450-T BW has been tested and approved for installation in plenum-rated ceiling air-handling spaces, which are the air cavities above suspended ceilings used for HVAC return air in commercial buildings. This certification is required by commercial building codes across Canada and the United States for any speaker installed in these spaces, as it verifies that the speaker enclosure materials meet strict fire and smoke resistance standards. UL-1480 certification additionally verifies compliance with fire alarm and signaling system standards. Both certifications are essential for commercial installations in hotels, hospitals, airports, corporate offices, and other regulated commercial buildings where building inspectors require certified components.

How does the Klipsch PIC-450-T compare to the JBL Control 24CT or Bosch LC1-PC15G6 for commercial installations?

The Klipsch PIC-450-T offers a more extended bass response and wider high-frequency coverage than the JBL Control 24CT. The JBL Control 24CT uses a 4" woofer without a folded port and does not incorporate horn-loaded tweeter technology, producing a narrower dispersion pattern and a higher bass rolloff frequency than the PIC-450-T. The Bosch LC1-PC15G6 is a background music ceiling speaker prioritizing even coverage at modest output levels rather than the dynamic performance and bass extension that the Klipsch PIC-450-T's Tractrix Hyperfold Port and compression driver technology deliver. For commercial installations in Toronto and across Canada where both coverage quality and musical dynamics matter, the PIC-450-T's combination of Mumps horn technology, Tractrix Hyperfold Port, and IPX6 rating represents a higher-tier specification.

Is this listing for one speaker or a pair?

This listing includes a pair of two Klipsch PIC-450-T BW in-ceiling speakers. Each speaker in the pair includes both a black and a white paintable magnetic grille, tile-bridge rails and tile-bridge ring for drop-ceiling installation, and a metal cover plate with cable clamp. The pair format reflects the standard commercial installation practice of deploying speakers in matched stereo or zoned pairs across a room or zone.

Where can I buy the Klipsch PIC-450-T BW in Toronto or Canada?

The Klipsch PIC-450-T BW is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Klipsch dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the full Klipsch PIC Professional In-Ceiling Series, including the PIC-800-T, PIC-650-T, PIC-525-T-SC, and PIC-800-SW models, and can assist commercial integrators, contractors, hospitality designers, and project managers with system design, distributed audio planning, and professional installation guidance for projects throughout the Greater Toronto Area and across Canada.