Name: Klipsch ME-650-C
Brand: Klipsch
SKU: 714ME650C
Price: 59.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (23 reviews)

Overview

by Crutchfield's Dave Bar

Enjoy better sound from your Klipsch 6-1/2" Reference Series in-ceiling speakers while protecting them at the same time with Klipsch's ME-650-C speaker enclosure. This sturdy pre-construction enclosure is designed to be mounted before drywall is hung. It's constructed from high-grade cold-rolled steel and filled with a layer of insulation, and it installs behind each speaker location to prevent sound from bleeding through the ceiling. Plus, its optimized enclosure volume provides consistent acoustic performance for clear, crisp sound regardless of construction variations.

Product highlights:

metal back-box enclosure for in-ceiling speakers with 6-1/2" woofers (except for square models)
designed for pre-construction installation — not for retrofitting
manufactured from high-grade cold-rolled steel and features a layer of insulation
reduces sound leaking into adjoining rooms
optimized enclosure volume provides consistent acoustic performance regardless of construction variations
exceeds one-hour fire-rating requirements and meets UL2043 requirements for installation in plenum spaces
tested to meet UL 263, ASTM E119-98, NFPA 251, UBC 7-1, and ULC CAN/ULC-S101 - M89 standards
fits 16" joist spans
includes hardware needed for any installation application and provisions for standard conduit connections
pre-drilled holes simplify installation and ensure that all safety requirements are met
speaker cut-out diameter: 8.47"
overall dimensions: 17-3/4"W x 18"H x 6"D
warranty: 60 days
MFR # 1001183

What's in the box:

Klipsch ME-650-C owner's manual

Metal in-wall speaker enclosure
Insulation (installed inside of enclosure)
Installation Wire-clamp
Instructions

Reviews (23)

Loading reviews...

Average review:

23 reviews

Thanks for submitting your review

Most reviews are processed and published within 5 business days. You will receive a confirmation email once your review has been published.

Filter by rating

filterStar

Customer photos

Customer provided image, click to load a larger version.

Verified customer

Verified employee review

Reviewed on Samsung.com

This review was collected as part of a promotion

Pros:

Cons:

Have questions for

Crutchfield response

Was this helpful?

<< >>

Details

Researched by Crutchfield's Russ B.

Product Research

Features

In-Ceiling Metal Speaker Enclosure: The ME-650-C in-ceiling metal speaker enclosure allows you and residential contractors to meet building codes as well as diminish the undesirable transfer of sound from one room to the other. Its optimized enclosure volume provides consistent acoustic performance regardless of construction variations. While the insulation exceeds fire requirements, it also reduces the sound transmission into adjacent spaces by at least 10dB.

Compatibility: The ME-650-C metal enclosure is designed to fit all Reference Series in-ceiling speakers with 6.5" woofers. The inside edge of the ME-650-C's mounting ring is color coded to match up with the corresponding Klipsch installation kit size code.

Quality Construction: The ME-650-C is manufactured from high-grade cold-rolled steel and features a layer of insulation. It exceeds the one-hour fire-rating requirements and is designed to meet UL2043 requirements for installation in plenum spaces. This metal device has also been tested to meet UL 263, ASTM E119-98, NFPA 251, UBC 7-1 and ULC CAN/ULC-S101 - M89 standards.

Installation: The ME-650-C fits 16" stud spans and offers provisions for standard conduit connections. Pre-drilled holes simplify the installation process and ensure that all safety requirements are met. Mounting screws not included (sold separately).

Dimensions:

Overall: 17.75" (w) x 18" (h) x 6" (d)
Cutout: 13.3125" (w) x 16.8125" (h) x 5.5" (d)
Screw Hole Spacing: 15.125" - 16.6875" (w) x 11" (h)

Loading accessories...

Q&A

9 questions already asked

Hello will these work with the Paradigm H65-SM In-Ceiling 6.5" in ceiling speakers? Want to make sure before I purchase.

kaliman Mar 21, 2020

Why can't these be used for permanent instillation and only pre construction?

tim Feb 12, 2020

7 answers

Because they are designed to go beneath the drywall and attach between studs. You could install post construction but you'd have to remove a big section of drywall and mount the box then cover it again.

shaun Feb 16, 2020

The Klipsch ME 650-C is most easily installed during the pre-construction phase due to their size. Once installed they remain permanently in the ceiling or wall cavity. BTW - this product is very well built and an excellent value for the price.

donald Feb 13, 2020

These are used for permanent installation. The process is for new construction or pre construction as said. You would not want this in a remodel or existing situation.

scott Feb 12, 2020

These Klipsch speaker enclosure boxes are designed to be used when flush (recessed) mounting ceiling speakers. They are structurally strong and the 3/8 - 1/2" lip along the speaker opening (hole) ensures the drywall installer cuts the hole the exact diameter required for the speaker grill trim to neatly conceal the unfinished edge of the opening. These are designed for permanent installation during new or a total gut remodel. The boxes are a bit pricey but they are high quality, sealed, acoustic insulated boxes that protect the speaker from the various elements found in the attic. Once installed they become a permanent part of the structure. I used four of these in a recent project and could not have been happier with the ease of installation and quality of the product.

dunn Feb 12, 2020

I installed them post construction in the ceiling where I had attic access to tie them into the joists - so that it wasn't just drywall supporting the weight. I suppose you could do a wall installation as well if you're willing to do a fair amount of drywall patch work.

merlin Feb 12, 2020

Pre-construction is best, but if you have access to the area above the ceiling (Via an attic or crawl space) it is possible to mount the speaker box onto a pair of properly cut 2x4 or 2x6 sections and mount those in between the joists. If you dont have access to above the ceiling though, you would have to cut out and repatch the drywall. I would not recommend that. You want the boxes firmly and properly secured or they will vibrate. I did have access to the space above, and they sound amazing.

steven Feb 12, 2020

They become part of the permanent installation, however they are installed into the framing studs before the drywall goes on. Hence why they are called pre construction mounts.

christopher Feb 12, 2020

I've asked before about will this work for speakers of 8.375" cut out diameter... what about those that require 8.25" diameter hole. Will the 8.47" be ok or too big? It's less than 1/8" all around, hoping this will be OK?

christopher Dec 30, 2019

1 answer

HI Chris, thanks for your question! You should not have any problem with your speaker's cutout diameter of 8.375" instead of the 8.47"! Hope this helps!

jessica Jan 29, 2020 (Staff)

I'm planning an industrial looking basement job, can this be painted black easily?

mark Aug 26, 2019

5 answers

Yes, however, take note that there is about a 1/2" lip protrusion where the speaker will seat into the housing. This lip would normally end up being flush with a drywall ceiling as this kit is mounted to ceiling joists then drywall installed OVER the exposed white metal. If you choose to paint it black, and you CAN paint it black, you are likely going to run into speaker installation problems because of that lip.

ronald Aug 27, 2019

Yes, it can be painted.

dunn Aug 27, 2019

Sand paper and good paint. These are worth buying just fir the sound.

bryan Aug 26, 2019

Sure. It's just a metal box, it'd be easy to paint.

william Aug 26, 2019

I wouldn't think why not. Maybe not latex but an enamel might work best.

ryan Aug 26, 2019

What gauge steel is this?

zachary Jul 05, 2019

1 answer

Hi Zachary, thank you for your question. We do not have info on the gauge of steel that is used for these Klipsch enclosures. I do not see that info printed in their manual or on their site, either, so I suggest contacting Klipsch at 800-554-7724. Their team should be able to track that info down for you.

jessica Jul 16, 2019 (Staff)

Will this work with Polk V60 speakers?

maria Apr 11, 2019

2 answers

It appears that it would. The hole is sized for Klipsch 8 3/16" cutout speakers, and there was still a little wiggle room in all of mine.The Polk V60 is also an 8 3/16" cutout, so I don't think you would have an issue. The Polks are not as deep as any of the Klipsch reference lineup, so that should be fine as well. These are theoretically sized and tuned for the sound of the Klipsch series, so I do not know that you would get the same sound benefits with the Polk speakers. However, as an installation tool and dust cap, they should work great.

timothy Apr 11, 2019

Afraid I do not know I used Klispch 1650C's I suggest talking to a Crutch field specialist they are the experts. I will warn you they have to be installed before the drywall or from the attic and braced as they are heavy. Good luck on your project.

robert Apr 11, 2019

specs say speaker opening is 8.47" - Could they work for 8 3/8" diameter cut out speakers?

christopher Dec 04, 2018

1 answer

They sure can! That difference in cutout diameters will not cause any issues. My Bio: https://www.crutchfield.com/bio/Paul

jason Dec 11, 2018 (Staff)

Can this be installed before the sheetrock for new construction?

christopher Jun 30, 2018

5 answers

Yes, that is ideal. The square part sits behind drywall, the circular part will need to be cut in the drywall.

ryan Jul 02, 2018

Yes, and be sure to run wire before sheetrock, too.

michael Jun 30, 2018

Yes. That is how it is intended to be used.

michael Jun 30, 2018

Yes, this must be installed before sheetrock.

robert Jun 30, 2018

Yes, that's the intention. Sheetrock goes directly over the enclosure without any issues. Using a rotozip to mirror the circular enclosure opening works well.

jacob Jun 30, 2018

ME-650-C klipsch metal speaker encloser do I need any other mounting brackets when installing a Klipsch CDT-3650-CII ceiling speaker?

starlord Mar 01, 2016

2 answers

With the speaker enclosure, you do not need any additional mounting brackets. The enclosure serves as the bracket, and has a hole to run the wire through to the speaker. The IK-650-C brackets are not compatible with the ME-650-C enclosure.

timothy Apr 11, 2019

Klipsch recommends the IK-650-C mounting brackets (link: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_714IK650C/Klipsch-IK-650-C.html?tp=1165) for new construction installations. For existing construction, no other brackets are needed but they recommend pre-drilling the mounting holes to simplify the installation process and ensure that all safety requirements are met. Mounting screws are also not included. I hope that helps. My Bio: http://www.crutchfield.com/Support/Bio.aspx?bio=159

david Mar 04, 2016 (Staff)

SHOW MORESHOW LESS

Articles

Loading articles...