Our take on the Klipsch CDT-3650-C

by Loren Barstow

If you're looking for great sound but don't like idea of conventional speakers taking up your floor space, check out the Klipsch® CDT-3650-W. This speaker delivers full, dynamic sound and installs in your ceiling to virtually disappear into your room's décor. Use these speakers for surround sound in an all-Klipsch home theater, or install them in pairs for stereo listening with your multi-room audio system. Either way, you'll experience accurate Klipsch sound without the clutter of conventional speakers.

The '3650-C's tweeter swivels up to 100 degrees, so you can aim the sound precisely where you need it to go. You can even rotate the woofer a full 360 degrees and tilt it up to 15 degrees in any direction. This flexibility gives you full, detailed sound no matter where you place the speaker. Plus, a tweeter level switch lets you tailor the sound to suit your personal taste and room's acoustics.

Horn technology for room-filling sound
Because high-frequency sounds are more directional than bass frequencies, it's especially important to target them right toward your ears. Klipsch places their aluminum tweeter inside a flared opening, known as a "horn," which disperses the highs evenly across your listening area. This design brings out details in everything you listen to, while reducing reflections that can color the sound. The horn also improves dynamics and efficiency, for powerful, "front row" sound that remains crystal-clear at all volume levels.

An optional in-ceiling bracket is recommended for installing the CDT-3650-C in new construction.

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Highlights:

swiveling Tractrix® horn with 1" aluminum dome tweeter
pivoting 6-1/2" IMG (Injection Molded Graphite) woofer
handles up to 100 watts
frequency response 63-20,000 Hz (±3dB)
sensitivity 93 dB
8-ohm impedance
paintable grille
treble attenuation switch
cutout dimensions: 8-5/16" diameter
mounting depth: 4-1/2"
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-ceiling
Video Shielded Loading...	No
Tweeter Loading...	Horn-loaded dome
Midrange Size Loading...	---
Woofer Size Loading...	6.5
Woofer Composition Loading...	IMG
Woofer Surround Loading...	Rubber
Power Range (Watts) Loading...	10-100
Sensitivity Loading...	93 dB
Impedance (Ohms) Loading...	8
Frequency Response Loading...	63-20kHz
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

Ceiling-mount speaker
White metal mesh grille
Plastic paint mask
Cardboard template
Owner's Manual (Eng/Fren/Span/+ 5 other languages)

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Features
Mounting Options

Features

Controlled Dispersion Technology (CDT): The Klipsch CDT-3650-C in-ceiling speaker features a patent-pending gimbal mechanism, known as Controlled Dispersion Technology (CDT). The tweeter and woofer are independently adjustable, allowing both the high and low frequencies to be directed toward the listening area.

High Efficiency: The high-efficiency design of the Klipsch in-ceiling 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 93dB efficiency of this speaker means it will play much louder at low power than other less-efficient speakers.

Drivers: The CDT-3650-C is equipped with the following drivers:

Tweeter: a 1" aluminum dome compression tweeter mated to a swiveling 100° Tractrix Horn. The swiveling horn design dramatically increases efficiency by enabling the speaker to produce more output using less energy. The horn-loaded tweeter allows you to point the sound to a specific location, and has more controlled directivity than a conventional dome tweeter.
Woofer: a 6-1/2" copper-colored IMG (injection-molded graphite) woofer can rotate a full 360°, and then shift 15° in any direction.

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

Tweeter Attenuation Switch: 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, located on the front of the speaker.

Basket/Frame: The CDT-3650-C has a sturdy ABS basket and frame. The frame can be painted to match any decor (a clear paint mask is supplied to protect the drivers from overspray). The metal mesh grille is also paintable.

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 8.3". For new construction, purchase of the IK-650-C installation kit (item # 714IK650C) is highly recommended. For existing construction, the speaker should be installed in drywall at least 3/8" thick. It can also be installed in a drop ceiling (2' x 2' or 2' x 4' ceiling tiles only). In both cases, to maximize the acoustic performance of the in-ceiling speakers, Klipsch recommends you replace the original mounting panel with 1/2" or 3/4" plywood or MDF. A cardboard template is included to assist you in making the cutout.