KLH Albany speaker review

Clipdat

I'm excited and proud to share my first gear review written for The Audio Beatnik!

I reviewed the KLH Albany bookshelf speakers: https://theaudiobeatnik.com/reviewing-klh-albany-speakers-sound-and-value/

Please enjoy, and let me know what you think!

lightman1

Hack....

rooftop59

Great review Drew!

mhardy6647

The design features a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter paired with a 5.25 inch woven Kevlar woofer situated inside a brushed aluminum linear response faceplate.

There seems to be some grammatical ambiguity goin' on in the sentence above. Reading it literally (as written) it appears that the "linear response faceplate" was on the woofer given the sentence construction -- but common sense (and the next sentence in the review) suggest it's the tweeter, not the woofer, with the faceplate.

This faceplate aids with imaging performance and ensures a wide treble dispersion.

Does "The Audio Beatnik" haven an editor @Clipdat?

mhardy6647

On topic (i.e., the review and the loudspeakers themselves!):

The "coolness" ascribed to the bass might have as much to do with amplification as it does with the small enclosure and acoustic suspension alignment of the loudspeakers, I would posit.

What amplification was used with them in the review, @clipdat? Acoustic suspension loudspeakers need lots and lots of power* to reveal their true character(istics); they're sort of the 21st Century's hifi equivalent of papyrus (or the Saturn V main stage's F-1 engines) -- sort of a lost art. Modern hifi fans may have no idea of what makes an AS loudspeaker tick -- much less how to get the most out of them.

Maybe I read through the review too quickly, but I saw no mention of ancillary equipment used. Maybe this is an Audio Beatnik thing?

_____________
* yes... soiled state power, for best results!

halo

Nice write up Drew! I have to agree with Mark on the grammatical "issue" and the omission of the audio equipment/gear used in your evaluation. Food for thought going forward

Viking64

mhardy6647 wrote: »

I would posit.

I had a Betamax copy of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and I would posit every time Phoebe Cates took off her bikini top.

Clipdat

mhardy6647 wrote: »

The design features a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter paired with a 5.25 inch woven Kevlar woofer situated inside a brushed aluminum linear response faceplate.

There seems to be some grammatical ambiguity goin' on in the sentence above. Reading it literally (as written) it appears that the "linear response faceplate" was on the woofer given the sentence construction -- but common sense (and the next sentence in the review) suggest it's the tweeter, not the woofer, with the faceplate.

This faceplate aids with imaging performance and ensures a wide treble dispersion.

Does "The Audio Beatnik" haven an editor @Clipdat?

Thanks so much Mark for bringing this to my attention. This was a sentence that was adjusted for content after I submitted the article for approval and publishing. I originally had the woofer listed first, and then the tweeter.

I will submit this to the site's editor so it can be corrected.

Thanks again.

Clipdat

mhardy6647 wrote: »

What amplification was used with them in the review, @clipdat?

Primarily the PS Audio S300, and also the Sony TA-A1ES.

joecoulson

Well done Mr G

Clipdat

Wow, Crutchfield has these on sale until tomorrow for $359.24 in black or walnut, now that's a slamming deal: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_405ALBBK/KLH-Albany-Black-Oak.html

mhardy6647

I do apologize that my earlier posts were grumpier sounding than necessary
I am not sure why; it was a gorgeous morning here in northern New England!

mhardy6647

It'd be interesting to A-B these little KLHs with some of the other low-priced darlings of recent years (e.g., the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 yadda-yadda-yadda ) -- maybe even interesting to compare to some of the perennial high-priced darlings (I'm lookin' at you, BBC LS3/5A specification nearfield monitors! )

I understand that the redoubtable Art Dudley reviewed the current Chartwell-produced LS3/5A variant in Stereophile for June 2019.

https://www.audioasylum.com/forums/critics/messages/9/95257.html

Clipdat

The line in question has been edited and reads correctly now: "The design features a 5.25 inch woven Kevlar woofer paired with a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter situated inside a brushed aluminum linear response faceplate."

Clipdat

mhardy6647 wrote: »

I do apologize that my earlier posts were grumpier sounding than necessary
I am not sure why; it was a gorgeous morning here in northern New England!

I didn't think you sounded grumpy at all.

verb

Nice write up Drew! Wow! One of our very own, a professional reviewer!

I do like your approach, on finding inexpensive pieces of gear that provide good performance for the budget minded customers out there. In other words, a great value! You may have found your niche!

indyhawg

Nice review Drew. Keep up the good work.

kharp1

mhardy6647 wrote: »

I do apologize that my earlier posts were grumpier sounding than necessary
I am not sure why; it was a gorgeous morning here in northern New England!

Dam Yankee

erniejade

Nice work!!!!!!!

TEAforONE

Nice review! Another interesting comparison might be the Albany vs Wharfedale Denton 80th anniversary edition.

Clipdat

Sweet, KLH shared a link to my review on their Facebook page!

joecoulson

That's very Cool man!!

mantis

Small Bump,
The ST amp is on it's way back from repair. These will either go to a new home or back in the box and sit. Excellent speakers which I don't have another use for and a shame to sit around not being played. I'm really enjoying my time with them.

Clipdat

Looks like you meant to bump your FS thread, not the review thread. Here it is: https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/190070/klh-albany-bookshelf-speakers