HK 330c + KLH 17 or 23

[DubHead]

Doing speaker research while my “new” 330c is getting cleaned etc at my local repair shop.

The 330c is 20 wpc. Someone in my area is selling the klh 17 and 23 on craigslist. Here are my questions:

1. WhAt is a reasonable price for either pair - seller says they are recapped and refoamed

2. From what I’ve read the klh 17 can be driven by a minimum of 10 watts, but I can’t find anything online about the minimum for the 23.

3. Are these even worthwhile matches for the 330c, or should I keep watching and waiting

Thanks for any advice you can offer!
-DubHead

 

[captouch]

23 IMO. I had the 20’s which are a 4ohm version of the 17’s and was never impressed by them. Have read the 5’s, 6’s, and 23’s were among the best in that general size in the KLH line.

 

[crazy-in-az]

The 23's will be just fine with 20 watts. They are great speakers that should pair well with your HK.

 

[peerson]

First off, there is no foam on the woofers of the KLH Model Seventeen or the KLH Model Twenty Three. So, that should make you suspect that the seller does not know what they are talking about. I would not trust that the capacitors have been replaced either. Especially since you have to take out the woofers to get to them. Probably should have noticed that the KLH woofers do not have foam. All things being "equal", go for the Twenty Threes. The Seventeens are nice speakers (I have three pairs and a pair of Model Twentys. As well as a pair of the Twenty Threes). The Model Twenty Three is a special speaker.

 

[DubHead]

First off, there is no foam on the woofers of the KLH Model Seventeen or the KLH Model Twenty Three. So, that should make you suspect that the seller does not know what they are talking about. I would not trust that the capacitors have been replaced either. Especially since you have to take out the woofers to get to them. Probably should have noticed that the KLH woofers do not have foam. All things being "equal", go for the Twenty Threes. The Seventeens are nice speakers (I have three pairs and a pair of Model Twentys. As well as a pair of the Twenty Threes). The Model Twenty Three is a special speaker.

Thanks for the tip on the foams and caps. Foams were my mistake - listing does say surrounds treated with vintage AR (?) sealant. Assuming this person responds to my query I will ask about caps and try not to sound like a noob. Which is probably impossible but meh- so it goes.

Craigslist warnings are always appreciated!

 

[crazy-in-az]

If they have been sealed with the Vintage AR sealant then I'd say go for it!

 

[Nat]

I think the difference between the 17 and 23 is the enclosure. The 23 enclosure is bigger and fancier, and may be better damped - certainly it is heavier. For me it would all come down to price. Both can be very good sounding, but the 23 does look more luxurious, and goes deeper.

 

[GD70]

I think the difference between the 17 and 23 is the enclosure. The 23 enclosure is bigger and fancier, and may be better damped - certainly it is heavier. For me it would all come down to price. Both can be very good sounding, but the 23 does look more luxurious, and goes deeper.

It's a lot more than that. Besides the Twenty Three's larger cabs, the woofer is a 12 inch vs a 10 inch. The Twenty Three's woofer is the same as used in the Five, so it has the larger magnet than the Sixs 12 inch woofer and can handle more power. The Tewnty Three will go significantly deeper than the Seventeen. The Seventeen is a very nice speaker for rooms in the 10x10 ish size. Be careful with the volume and bass setting as the woofers can be over driven causing the VCs to bottom out.
If I was making the choice, it would be the Twenty Three's no question.
Glenn

 

[gbroot]

It's a lot more than that. Besides the Twenty Three's larger cabs, the woofer is a 12 inch vs a 10 inch. The Twenty Three's woofer is the same as used in the Five, so it has the larger magnet than the Sixs 12 inch woofer and can handle more power. The Tewnty Three will go significantly deeper than the Seventeen. The Seventeen is a very nice speaker for rooms in the 10x10 ish size. Be careful with the volume and bass setting as the woofers can be over driven causing the VCs to bottom out.
If I was making the choice, it would be the Twenty Three's no question.
Glenn

Not to start an argument..the 6's,23's, and 5's have all been listed as 12" but really are around 10 1/2" or 11" not a true 12". The 17's were advertised as a 10" and probably were closer to 9". I have actually put the 5's woofer in 6's just for shits and grins. nada. not a good idea. it fit but was overwelming for the cab size. Guess the engineers knew what they were doing.

Back to thread topic. 23's all the way. If the op needs to recap they only have the one 4uf cap. Plus the 23's will be able to handle a lot more power thrown at them should the op decide to move on to greater amplification. Cheers!

 

[1rebmem]

I bought a pair of 23's a couple of years ago. Love em.
Seller said he was told they'd been recapped. Not.
I opened them up and they had the original 4uF caps. No big deal. BUT as I removed the insulation from the first one, the stuff was jammed in tight.
The insulation in the second one was loose. Weighed each speaker insulation, 1.5 lbs in one and .5 in the other.

I now weigh out the insulation in any speakers I open up.

 

[Nat]

Well, what'ya know - I have a singleton 23, and when I looked at it, I assumed the woofer was the same size as the 17s I have. Oops.