Our take on the Klipsch R-5650-S II

by Marshall Chase

Get thrilling surround sound without cluttering your room with big, bulky speakers. The Klipsch® R-5650-S II speaker features a hideaway in-wall design and a grille you can paint to match your room's color scheme. Use this speaker as part of a full Klipsch surround sound system to enjoy clear, crisp wraparound effects from your favorite movies.

Speaker technology for dynamic performance

A rigid anodized aluminum woofer produces accurate bass and mid-bass. Two vertically stacked tweeters point in opposite directions. This clever design disperses ambient surround effects across a wide arc, for a diffuse soundfield that completely envelops the listener. It also allows this speaker to deliver great sound even if you place it in a less-than-ideal location.

Because high-frequency sounds are more directional than bass frequencies, it's especially important to target them toward your ears. Klipsch places their titanium tweeters inside a flared opening, known as a "horn." The array of two controlled dispersion horn tweeters angled away from each other yields an incredibly wide wave pattern, perfect for ambient movie sound or a realistic concert feel to music.

A slimmer chance of being seen

The '5650-S II keeps a low profile with its Slimtrim™ grille. The visible frame size is reduced by 90% and grille depth is reduced by 80% over previous designs, for a nearly flush finish that blends in beautifully. The paintable,aluminum, magnetic grille attaches securely with ease to virtually eliminate resonant distortion.

An optional in-wall bracket is recommended for installing the R-5650-S II in new construction.

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Highlights:

Tractrix® horn array with dual 1" titanium tweeters
6-1/2" Cerametallic™ woofer
Wide Dispersion Surround Technology™
handles up to 100 watts
frequency response 60-23,000 Hz (±3dB)
sensitivity 92 dB
8-ohm impedance
IR receiver knock-out for remote repeater systems
paintable Slimtrim® magnetic grille
cutout dimensions: 8"W x 13"H
mounting depth: 3-11/16"
lifetime warranty

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Features and specs chart | What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

Features and Specs


Enclosure Type Loading...	In-wall
Video Shielded Loading...	No
Tweeter Loading...	Horn-loaded dome
Midrange Size Loading...	N/A
Woofer Size Loading...	6.5
Woofer Composition Loading...	Cerametallic
Woofer Surround Loading...	Rubber
Power Range (Watts) Loading...	50-100
Sensitivity Loading...	92 dB
Impedance (Ohms) Loading...	8
Frequency Response Loading...	60-23kHz
Connector Type Loading...	Spring Posts
Bi-Amp Inputs Loading...	No
Parts Warranty Loading...	Ltd. Lifetime
Labor Warranty Loading...	Ltd. Lifetime

Product Research

What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

In-wall speaker
White metal mesh grille
Cardboard template
Owner's Manual (En/Fr/Sp)

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Features
Mounting Options

Features

In-Wall Surround Speaker: The Klipsch R-5650-S in-wall speaker is designed specifically for surround use in home theater applications. Its unique, patent-pending horn array technology allows system designers to create enveloping sound fields and localized effects without disruption the home's decor. For the main left, right, and center speakers in the home theater system, the Klipsch R-5650-W-II (714R5650W2, sold separately) is recommended.

Wide Dispersion Surround Technology (WDST): The R-5650-S II draws listeners into the middle of the action through the use of Klipsch's proprietary Wide Dispersion Surround Technology (WDST). The careful alignment of the two controlled-directivity Tractrix Horn tweeters angled opposite of one another yields an incredibly wide dispersion pattern.

High Efficiency: The high-efficiency design of the Klipsch in-wall speakers allows you to get much more output than most in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. Due to the long speaker wire runs that are common in whole-house audio systems, the power coming from the amplifier is significantly reduced by the time it reaches the speakers. The 92dB efficiency of this speaker means it will play much louder at low power than other less-efficient speakers.

2-Way Speaker System: The Klipsch R-5650-S in-wall speaker uses dual 1" Titanium compression drivers (tweeters) mated to dual 90° x 90° square Tractrix Horns, vertically stacked and skewed to maximize ambience, combined with a 6.5" Cerametallic woofer in a 2-way design.

Tweeter: The two vertically-stacked, Tractrix Horn-loaded 1" Titanium dome compression tweeters are pointed in opposite directions to maximize diffusion, clarity, and efficiency. The horn design dramatically increases efficiency by enabling the speaker to produce more output using less energy. The addition of a Linear Travel Suspension to the tweeters increases high frequency detail and smoothness.
Woofer: The copper-colored 6.5" Cerametallic woofer features a solid Aluminum diaphragm, anodized to add stiffness and provide perfect damping, that delivers increased rigidity for even tighter, more defined bass. The new integrated dust cap further strengthens the cone and helps ventilate the voice coil for increased driver durability.

Speaker Terminals: The speaker has a gold-plated pair of spring-loaded binding posts that can accept up to 12-gauge wire, single banana plugs, or pin connectors.

Tweeter/Mid-bass Attenuation Switches: Treble and bass contour switches allow sound customization in less-than-ideal speaker placement positions. If the speaker is installed in an acoustically bright room, such as a bathroom or a kitchen, you can attenuate the tweeter by -3dB, using the Tweeter Attenuation Switch. If the speaker is located in a corner and produces too much bass, you should adjust the Mid-bass level switch (-3dB). Both switches are located on the front of the speaker.

ABS Basket/Frame: The R-5650-W II has a sturdy ABS basket and frame. The frame can be painted to match any decor.

SlimTrim Magnetic Grille: With an all new grille, the visible frame size is reduced by 90% and grille depth is reduced by 80% over the previous design, for a more edge-to-edge consistent look that blends in with the wall more attractively. The new aluminum, paintable, magnetic grille attaches tightly and securely with ease to virtually eliminate resonant distortion.

Power Specifications Note: The manufacturer has specified the maximum power handling of this speaker as 50 watts RMS (200 W Peak). Klipsch has also published a recommended amplifier power specification as 100 watts. For the purpose of matching the speaker with the best amplifier, Crutchfield is listing the power specification as 100 watts.

Mounting Options

Installation: The speaker can be installed in new or existing construction. It requires a cutout diameter of 8" wide x 13" high. For new construction, purchase of the IK-650-W installation kit (714IK650W, sold separately) is highly recommended. For existing construction, the speaker should be installed in drywall (or other mounting surfaces) at least 3/8" thick.

IR Knockout: A 1/2" diameter knockout panel is provided in the lower left hand corner of the speaker frame for installing an IR sensor.