KLH - 2 Speakers & Analog bass computer wiring

[lutryen]

Hello everyone,

Recently while I was helping my parents clean up an old family house, I found an audio system that seems to be working. Still I'm not sure, because I have no knowledge of audio systems at all. I have two KLH-2 speakers, a KLH-2 Analog Bass Computer, a Harman / Kardon PM645 amplifier, and a Denon Quartz DP-21F vinyle reader.

I already found some topics about this subject, but I dont understand a thing, as I am no native english speaker.
I found this: http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/...s_klh-1_klh-2_kl/klh-1_series_operating_guid/
Frankly, I tried as hard as I could to understand how to wire this, but mosts words and terms used are obscure to me. The diagram quality (p.7 of the operating guide of the link above) that shows how to wire is so bad I can't read the words.

I am no lazy ass, but I'm afraid to do something wrong that would damage the speakers or something else.

Based on these few pictures and knowledge, is there anyone that could help me wire this system? I would be much appreciated!

Pictures here:




P.S: The wires do not appear on the pictures, but I have them (or in any case find them easily)!

Thank you very much

 

[swechsler]

OK, this isn't too complicated:

1. Connect an RCA cable (that's the cable with a pair of plugs on each end; the plugs should be different colors but typically red is used for the right channel; although it doesn't really matter as long as you're consistent) to the Tape 1 OUT jacks on the Harman/Kardon amplifier. Connect the other end to the IN jacks on the KLH computer.
2. Connect a second RCA cable from the Tape 1 IN jacks. Connect the other end to the OUT jacks on the KLH computer.
3. Connect the Phono RCA cable (usually this is connected permanenttly to the turntable) to the PHONO INPUT jacks on the amplifier. Connect the ground wire (that's typically a separate wire with either a clip or a bare wire at the end) to the binding post next to the PHONO jacks on the amp.
4. Disconnect all the speaker wires (they're currently connected incorrectly). Connect the left speaker to the Red and Black Speaker System 1 binding posts marked LEFT. Connect the right speaker to the Red and Black Speaker System 1 binding posts marked right. Make sure that both speakers are connected the same way: one of the conductors on the wire should be marked with either a stripe or some ridges. For each speaker, connect that to the red binding post on the amp, and the red or + post on the speakers.
5. The Tape 1 monitor on the amp should be switched on.
6. The In/out button on the computer should be switched on. The tape monitor on the computer should be switched off. Experiment with the third button to see which sounds best.

Turn the volume control all the way down before you turn the system on. Then turn it up gradually. You may experience some crackling. This means the controls need to be cleaned.

Good luck. This is a nice system.

ETA: OK, after I wrote this I noticed the extra pair of wires exiting from the bass computer. If you include a photo of the rear of the speakers I can probably figure out how those should be hooked up (if someone who is more familiar with these speakers doesn't get here first).

Also, do you have the power supply for the bass computer?

 

[ra.ra]

The manual you located is the best source, but yes, too bad the wiring diagram is hard to read. Perhaps you can contact member hunter00 who shows his pair in this thread.

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/klh-2-speakers-with-anologue-bass-computer.582382/

 

[hunter00]

If the new member wants me to walk him thru it no problem.Ive got the 2's hooked up with the anologe bass comp to my old Dyna pas2 tube preamp and driving it with a 1961 electrohome el84 PP slave amp at the moment..looks like a dogs breakfast but sounds like a 5k boutique system from an electronics stereo store!

hunter

 

[ra.ra]

hunter, that sounds like a really fun set-up.....very cool. I hope you can help the new member here with this unusual speaker model.

 

[Goldjazz]

Excellent Speakers, hope you enjoy.

 

[bakes]

Follow everything swechsler suggested with the following addition:

Connect the brown marked wire from the ABC to right + speaker wire and attach to the amp. Connect the plain brown wire from the ABC to the right - speaker wire and attach to the amp. Repeat with the grey ABC wires to the left channel. This completes the feedback loop. Enjoy!

 

[BuddysDad]

Hello everyone,

Recently while I was helping my parents clean up an old family house, I found an audio system that seems to be working. Still I'm not sure, because I have no knowledge of audio systems at all. I have two KLH-2 speakers, a KLH-2 Analog Bass Computer, a Harman / Kardon PM645 amplifier, and a Denon Quartz DP-21F vinyle reader.

I already found some topics about this subject, but I dont understand a thing, as I am no native english speaker.
I found this: http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/...s_klh-1_klh-2_kl/klh-1_series_operating_guid/
Frankly, I tried as hard as I could to understand how to wire this, but mosts words and terms used are obscure to me. The diagram quality (p.7 of the operating guide of the link above) that shows how to wire is so bad I can't read the words.

I am no lazy ass, but I'm afraid to do something wrong that would damage the speakers or something else.

Based on these few pictures and knowledge, is there anyone that could help me wire this system? I would be much appreciated!

Pictures here:
View attachment 860123
View attachment 860124
View attachment 860126

P.S: The wires do not appear on the pictures, but I have them (or in any case find them easily)!

Thank you very much

Hi Everyone, just joined and I’ve been ripping my hair out trying to find out more about the KLH 2’s. I picked up a pair for $30. I do not have the analog base computer, nor can I find one. Can these be run without it and do you hook them up in a special way? I tried connecting like regular speakers and got nothing! Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

 

[swechsler]

They will produce sound without the computer, so if you didn't get anything when connecting them up, they're either completely shot (unlikely) or you didn't connect them correctly. What's your experience level with vintage/analog audio equipment. Are you sure you did everything right? What do you have the speakers hooked up to?

 

[BuddysDad]

They will produce sound without the computer, so if you didn't get anything when connecting them up, they're either completely shot (unlikely) or you didn't connect them correctly. What's your experience level with vintage/analog audio equipment. Are you sure you did everything right? What do you have the speakers hooked up to?

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I do not have any vintage audio experience. I literally hooked up the speakers directly into the speaker outputs on a Denon amp. I will give more specifics when I get home. Should they connected to something other than the speaker outputs?

 

[BuddysDad]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I do not have any vintage audio experience. I literally hooked up the speakers directly into the speaker outputs on a Denon amp. I will give more specifics when I get home. Should they connected to something other than the speaker outputs?

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I do not have any vintage audio experience. I literally hooked up the speakers directly into the speaker outputs on a Denon amp. I will give more specifics when I get home. Should they connected to something other than the speaker outputs?

Finally had time to hook them up. Good sound but it seems I had to turn the volume up close to half max. Running it directly through a Denon DRA-835R. Left tweeter needs replaced. How do I find out what tweeters are compatible with the KLH 2’s?

 

[swechsler]

How do I find out what tweeters are compatible with the KLH 2’s?

Compatibility is relative. You can take the numbers off the back of the tweeters and then see if you can find them used on eBay (assuming they were produced by a third party, it's unlikely that they're still in production; if they were made directly by KLH then they definitely aren't). Or just search for KLH tweeter and see if you find anything that looks correct. People part out stuff like that all the time, you just need to be patient.

If you can't find them, then your best bet would be to find a tweeter from Parts Express or Madisound that matches the impedance and mounting specs of the originals. You'll probably change the sound slightly but if you're lucky it will be only very slightly. You'll want to replace both, not just one.

 

[bakes]

Finally had time to hook them up. Good sound but it seems I had to turn the volume up close to half max. Running it directly through a Denon DRA-835R. Left tweeter needs replaced. How do I find out what tweeters are compatible with the KLH 2’s?

That series of KLHs used a Peerless LK10DT tweeter. They pop up on eprey pretty regularly.

 

[RandyPD]

The KLH 2s can be run without the ABC, been running mine without them for years. I feel that the sound is more detailed without it. The bass even without the ABC is plenty, and you can get the same effect using an equalizer, cutting off frequencies below 30hz or using a subsonic filter. I currently run them straight from a class D mini-amp in my den and they sound pretty detailed and modern for 40 year old speakers. The cabinets are heavy and solid. I did replace the binding posts but that's about it. I may do a recap later but it has to wait it's turn (too many speakers).