KLH Speakers -- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly? (2024)

Any opinions on KLH speakers? I'm looking to add a pair of speakers and wondered about the KLH. We all know that the "K" in KLH is Henry Kloss who was also the power behind the Large Advent. So I'm expecting that one or more of the KLH models will have similar sound. I've come across Models 5, 6, 17, 20, 24, and 50 but have no experience with any of the KLH speakers.

These are "How High is Up" questions:

Which is a good KLH speaker?
Which is a better KLH?
Which is the best KLH?

I owned a pair of KLH sixs for a while. Gave them to my wife's friend. I still hear them from time to time and I like them for a vintage rig. They have a similar sound to the Advents, but I recall clearly that I thought the Advent was the better speaker by a fair margin. Not a huge margin, but not close enough to make the decision of which to hang on to difficult.

Take care,

Ed

You'll find lot of info on the "east coast sound" here .

I currently have a set of KLH Model Six mated with a Fisher 400; a very nice combo. I recently picked up a set of Model Seventeen at a yard sale and they await fresh crossovers, and a new tweeter, when found. There are many folk here who love vintage KLH speakers.

KLH vintage speakers

I own the following KLH vintage speakers: Models 5, 6, 12, 15, 17, & 23s.
My preference in order from best downward: 6 & 23 (tie), 17, 12, & 5. The 5 & 12 have the same 4 drivers (10" woofer, 2 midranges, & 1 tweeter.) The model 12 is in massive 29" x 22" x 15" cabinets & has 2 separate equalizers, 1 for each enclosure. The model 5 is in a cabinet slightly larger & much heavier than the 6 (which is similar to the large Advent.) The 23's cabinet in slightly larger than the model 6, but smaller than the model 5. The 6, 23 & 17 have the most accurate & modern sound of the entire bunch. I'll be listening to them until the end.... ( btw, the model 15 contains two 4" fullrange drivers per enclosure. Sounds very good as an excellent table radio.)