Klh 17

[alteclipsch]

Nice pair of supposedly oroginal and nice sounding seventeens nearby for $80. Any opinions on value and how are they compared to model fives?

 

[mhardy6647]

I like the Five considerably -- the Five is, in fact (and FWIW) perhaps my single favorite KLH loudspeaker (at least, of those using dynamic drivers).

$80 seems awfully pricey to me -- but I don't follow such things. Generally vintage KLH are dirt cheap in New England; most of mine have been freebie foundlings, in fact.

 

[alteclipsch]

My fives came to me for $40 the pair, then another single five popped up for another $20, so i have three. Love them, just thinking of expanding my collection of KLH and they're not as common around here. I thought $80 might be a bit strong, I'll watch thdm a while. Thanks for the input.

BTW, I've driven BSAs, Ariels, and Triumphs, but I've never even seen a Vincent.

 

[mhardy6647]

So -- why the heck would you pay eighty samoleums for a pair of Seventeens?

 

[alteclipsch]

The fives seemed unusually cheap, so I thought I way underpaid. Never heard 17s, so don't know anything abkut them ecxept they're 2 ways and great lookers.

 

[GoldSounds]

Never heard a pair of model fives, but I am continually impressed by my model 17s. Surprisingly smooth despite a fairly basic crossover, and their tweeter reminds me of the Advent "fried egg"; similar frequency response but less beam-y. I think if the cabinets are in good shape $80 is a fair price. Expect to have to redope the woofers, in addition to the usual capacitor replacement.

 

[alteclipsch]

Here's the listing, no affiliation

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/ele/5164319256.html

 

[superdog]

I think it is a very reasonable price in that condition.

 

[Dingman]

I've had a set of Model 20's, which are identical to the 17's except 4Ω vs 8Ω.

I've just finished the re-capping and re-doping, new seals. Cabinets are tight and the darn speakers are sounding very nice. I've owned these for years (they sat in a closet) but only recently got them out.

I haven't come to a conclusion on the bass - it's there, it's nice... but not alot of it. It might be me, I'm coming off some larger Klipsch for comparison.

These are more "spacious" and less focused than the Klipsch, I can say that. Can't comment on volume, I haven't turned the KLH up much.

Here's my thread.. posts 12 and 14? I think show more pics
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=671260

EDIT: $80 would be OK for some who really wanted those particular speakers. Otherwise, I'd put them at $40-60 max.

 

[alteclipsch]

I have a pair of 20s already, and they are wonderful if a little less "present" than my 5s. I've doped the surrounds with V-AR goo and they're bassy without booming. I was only going to go after the 17s if they were a great deal. The cabs are really nice though.

 

[mtlmn1971]

I don't think the price is out of line at all. I have a pair of 17's that I have started using with the 23's on a quad setup. They all sound freaking awesome together. Since you are familiar with the V-AR goo, If you buy these I would also replace the capacitors. Made a world of difference in both of my KLH pairs.

 

[janikphoto]

The price would be fair in my area...

The fives are my favorite KLH so far, and a five or sic can bring $150-$300 around here. Most of the other models will bring $60-$120, depending on size and condition. The 17 would most likely bring around a hundred bucks on my CL.

 

[Hull Rust]

Jeff's thread on 17s:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102176

 

[alteclipsch]

Jeff's thread on 17s

I've referred to that thread several times in my quest to restore a few KLHs over the last couple of years. Lots of great info in there! Those 17s are still out there, I just can't justify the price on my retirement budget; they sure look nice....

 

[stereofanboy]

$80 would be at the top end of fair for unrecapped, unredoped 17s in my area.

I love how the seller wrote priced to move as if declaring it makes it so.

 

[superdog]

Around here a few years ago $80 would have been high as there seemed to be more of this stuff to be found.Fast forward to now... there is practically nil as far as vintage audio around.Therefore more people are willing to pay more.

 

[alteclipsch]

The ad's been takedown, so likely sold.

 

[Hull Rust]

Let me get mine recapped. You can take them over to your place and try them out. Get a feel for whether or not you want to get a pair next time some pop up for sale.

 

[janikphoto]

...I love how the seller wrote priced to move as if declaring it makes it so.

Maybe it does, since the ad is gone now!

 

[alteclipsch]

Let me get mine recapped. You can take them over to your place and try them out. Get a feel for whether or not you want to get a pair next time some pop up for sale.

Thanks for the offer; would be neat to A/B them against the Twenties.