KLH Speakers

[Deleted User]

Went to a local thrift shop and found some vintage receivers. The guy also had a pair of KLH's. Not sure of the model (maybe Model 6) asking 40 bucks for them. Should I grab these ? Not really a fan or anything but I assume they belonged to the same person who owned the electronics. Feedback appreciated. Thanks in advance. Cheers. :cool:

dorokusai

You could part them out for more than 40 which is what I would do.

[Deleted User]

After checking a couple of KLH Field Spotter's guides they are definitely not Model 6's but closer to Model 17's. If they work with no issues I wouldn't have the heart to part them out. :cool:

dorokusai

Eventually you'll grow out of the Save the Speaker, Save the World mentality. One rule that may help you in your new resurgence of audio hobby love is that you only keep mint examples of the things you find. Or know what you need to get it back to spec and dress it up like new.

I buy and sell all the time now but used to buy anything I found for a good deal for years, until it was just overwhleming and gear and speakers were everywhere. I had 35 pairs of speakers at one time, not including electronics NAP. Now I have some rules which help keep it all in perspective yet allow me to still do what I love to do. It's just reality that you may find something that you only need the drivers for, or the knobs, or the chassis....and ditch the rest. You're still saving gear as you're helping get another version back online. It's the circle of audio life man.

wayne3burk

Generally KLH Model numbers are clearly marked on the plate where the speaker connections are....

Surprised it doesn't say KLH Model Seventeen. or Six or Twenty or Twenty-two.

If the woofers have foam surrounds - I'd avoid them. If they are 17s, and you buy them, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by their quality.

$40 is a fair price to be sure.

wayne

TroyD

I dunno, 40 bucks at at thrifty?? Seems pretty steep.

Cool for the nostalgia factor and I've not heard a KLH that I thought was bad....but Mark nailed it. I just don't have the desire to own a pair of everything any more. Once was a time that I'd change speakers, gear etc for fun...now it seems like a beating.

If I was going to hoard a pair of speakers of that vintage, I'd look for:
AR-3a's (duh)
Dynaco A-25 (favorite of the bunch)
Advent (large)
KLH Model 6 or 17

BDT

AudioGenics

could turn the model number upside down
and say you got KLH 9's for only $40 !

just kidding .....

RuSsMaN

17's are worth it.

cnh

The 17s are a nice speaker. Not to disagree with doro, he's been through tons more speakers than I have. But TroyDs list above is what I would go with. I have a set of Large Advents and will be picking up some 17s soon.

Two words: Henry Kloss--that's all you need to know--they're a part of Audio History. I'd also say that if you didn't grow up with KLH, Advent and AR then chances are that your 'ear' really won't be drawn to Vintage speakers from that time period unless you just spent a lot of time with these models later in time.

For those of us who can remember there will always be a place in our collection for the oldies but goodies! On the prowl for some nice Dynacos!

Oh, one more thing...you can drive 17s to near maximum volume with as little as 8 watts per channel. Get a nice little tube amp and they'll surprise you. See Jstas's!

cnh

wayne3burk

cnh wrote: »

The 17s are a nice speaker. Not to disagree with doro, he's been through tons more speakers than I have. But TroyDs list above is what I would go with. I have a set of Large Advents and will be picking up some 17s soon.

Two words: Henry Kloss--that's all you need to know--they're a part of Audio History. I'd also say that if you didn't grow up with KLH, Advent and AR then chances are that your 'ear' really won't be drawn to Vintage speakers from that time period unless you just spent a lot of time with these models later in time.

For those of us who can remember there will always be a place in our collection for the oldies but goodies! On the prowl for some nice Dynacos!

Oh, one more thing...you can drive 17s to near maximum volume with as little as 8 watts per channel. Get a nice little tube amp and they'll surprise you. See Jstas's!

cnh

ditto I couldn't have said it better.

[Deleted User]

Okay. I picked these up yesterday. I couldn't see the backs because they were high up on a shelf. But they are Model 32's. I was able to make a package deal for these, a receiver and a tuner for some $$ savings. My next question is what is the trick to putting the grills back on ? It looks like the attachment method was with brads. Anxious to give them a listen with the Pioneer SX525 receiver I got with them. :cool:

George Grand

KLH with a one or two digit model number is where it's at.

Model 32 is a nice little speaker.

TroyD

As far as the grills, I've put velcro on a couple pair of A-25's...

BDT

TroyD

AudioGenics wrote: »

could turn the model number upside down
and say you got KLH 9's for only $40 !

just kidding .....

A few years ago a guy was selling a pair of KLH 9's in Charleston....I'd love to have picked them up just for the cool factor but just not practical.

BDT

Joe08867

Little velcro strips stapled to the cabinet and grill. Works for these older speakers.

[Deleted User]

Troy and Joe thanks for the velcro tip. Probably muck around with these this weekend. Cheers. :cool:

20hz

On recessed front speakers I buy those adhesive velcro buttons and the frame I staple it (just to be sure) but on the speaker I just let the glue hold it , never had any problems .

Jstas

nap, all my KLH's have velcro tabs to hold them on. The larger ones have a single screw as well to keep cats, kids and other dust cap pokers out for sure.

As far as the keep every speaker thing, I agree to an extent. There are some speakers out there that everyone should experience or own. The classic KLH stuff if one of them. Not just because they are nice little speakers but because they are the embodiment of an audio pioneer's philosophy. HLK made the KLH speakers to be simple yet complete. They are inexpensive as a result. They are the antithesis to the 5 and 6 figure insanity jobs that are out there from companies you've never heard of. Because of that, I think they deserve to be preserved and passed around as an example of other extreme end of the spectrum.

Most of the KLH's are sensitive and easy loads to drive. They love tubes and vinyl but excel at most media. They can make a great starter rig and are a good example of a simple crossover network for a beginner in the DiY world. Add to that the fact that they are inexpensive and you can build a giant killer of a stereo with them for less than $300.

[Deleted User]

Are these velcro tabs available at Home Depot ? Or is there another recommended source. Cheers. :cool:

dorokusai

Get the ball and socket style fastener from 3M. It's much better and stronger.

20hz

nap wrote: »

Are these velcro tabs available at Home Depot ? Or is there another recommended source. Cheers. :cool:

yes home depot has them , kinda hard to find they are in a seperate display .
Usually there is a few colours , I use the velcro brand ones they are thicker and have a seious strong adhesive .

20hz

dorokusai wrote: »

Get the ball and socket style fastener from 3M. It's much better and stronger.

ball and socket ??
are those those the drill and glue in ones on parts express ?
or is that the industrial velcro you are speaking of ?

Jstas

nap wrote: »

Are these velcro tabs available at Home Depot ? Or is there another recommended source. Cheers. :cool:

I usually just get a small sheet of industrial grade stuff and cut squares out of it.

Unless doro is talking about the ball and socket type of velcro, I don't think the ball stanchions that get inserted in to sockets will work so hot. The grill panels are thin, usually Masonite or other, similar hardboard and aren't really so hot for the stanchions. I replaced a couple grill panels that were destroyed with 1/4" plywood instead.

wayne3burk turned me on this site where I was able to get similar fabric to the original grille fabric. They also have the sheer black fabric that goes under the linen cover.

http://www.fabrics-store.com/first.php?goto=big_fabric&menu=f&menu=f&fabric_id=1176

But honestly, velcro is all you need and even industrial stuff is over kill. Most grilles are tight enough inside the edge beading that finishes the front edges of the enclosure that velcro isn't really needed unless the grille is vibrating.