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KLH 23 logo plate placement?

davelarz

davelarz

Well-Known Member
Got some KLH 23's a couple months ago that I'm in love with but the grills didn't have the original logo plates, so I scored some from a fellow AK'er - ones that he took off a pair 17's. Just wondering how these attach - they obviously screw through the grill but the screw is long enough that it seems like it would have to go straight into the wood beneath to go flush with the grill. But... well I'm just thinking that can't be right. Are the logo plates for the 17's different from the ones for the 23's? Thanks for any info.
 
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Twenty Three plates are glued to the grill fabric. The Six's and Seventeens have the screw in badges, which do screw into the baffle.
Just google the Twenty Threes and you will see the proper badge location in the pics.
 
Well you can use them, just not correct. The advantage to these is if they sit horizontal, you can rotate them to match. Also, later model Six's were glued on.
 
davelarz said:
So if I did use these I would just screw them through the grills into the wood beneath?
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Yes, but I'd drill the hole in the grill, and a pilot hole in the cab. The screw on the grill can break loose.
Drill the hole in the grill first once you're satisfied with the position, then put the grill on the cab, and drill the pilot hole through the grill hole so it lines up when screwing in the badge. The badge screw is not that long and does not go completely through the front baffle.
 
I'm wondering if the badges were shipped loose with the 23s for the customer to glue on as one of mine was upside down and the other was not very neatly placed. I peeled the upside down one off and rotated it; used Aileen's to glue it on. OCD you know. My second set of 23s has no badges...
 
That's a nice specimen, GD. Yeah I'm wondering if I should screw these in or just leave them without. I'm just in love with these speakers and in my own OCD mode wanted the complete look, but drilling - especially when the originals were glued on - seems like a mistake. I am wondering about clipping off the screw part and gluing them on anyway - these plates are not that easy to find, I'm finding. What do you think of that idea?
 
davelarz said:
That's a nice specimen, GD. Yeah I'm wondering if I should screw these in or just leave them without. I'm just in love with these speakers and in my own OCD mode wanted the complete look, but drilling - especially when the originals were glued on - seems like a mistake. I am wondering about clipping off the screw part and gluing them on anyway - these plates are not that easy to find, I'm finding. What do you think of that idea?
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Thanks! I just recently finished restoring them. Take a look at the thread if you have some time so you can get an idea of what went into the restoration. Lots of fun!
The badges with the screws are different than the glue on type. The glue on are flat with silk screen printed logo, the screw on are thicker with the logo in relief. Both types show up on fleabay fairly often so I'd hold out for correct badges. You could also post a want to buy thread in BT.

Glenn
 
Thanks GD, will definitely check out that thread. Looks like you did a great job. I must say I am a total convert to the sound of the 23's, just want to listen to them constantly. And already picked up one of the glue-on logos on Fleabay just need one more. Did they originally come with the logos not yet stuck on the grills, do you know? Just curious.
 
davelarz said:
Thanks GD, will definitely check out that thread. Looks like you did a great job. I must say I am a total convert to the sound of the 23's, just want to listen to them constantly. And already picked up one of the glue-on logos on Fleabay just need one more. Did they originally come with the logos not yet stuck on the grills, do you know? Just curious.
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I would assume already glued on so they were consistently placed.
The Twenty Threes are very good. Now you need to get a pair of Fives!
 
I also recommend that you not drill or make a hole in the grill. Just saw or grind off the screw on the badges. I've used Alleen Tacky glue. Just lay the speaker on its back and position the badge with the glue and let dry overnight before standing back up. There is a seller with reproduction badges on ebay that you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between original and reproductions. I've bought a couple of sets and they are very good. (no affiliation).
The 23's are great speakers and one of the top 2 way speakers of the era. Make sure and recap them if you haven't already. Simple one 4uf cap per cabinet. Usually the tweets are either dead or only half working until recapped on most of the old KLH's accept the the really old 6's with the oil filled caps. Also make sure and get the sealer to apply to the cloth surrounds. Ebay seller vintage-ar sells the correct concoction. Once the surrounds have had the sealer applied it's night and day difference. Good luck!
 
Yeah, I don't think I would cut off the screw. They are more valuable that way and you just might be inclined to find a pair of 5's as Glenn is suggesting and they might need those. Just get a lone glue on replacement. Make sure you order the correct size though. Measure yours to match. My 23's are in my storage in line for work so I can't verify their original badge dimension.
 
Thanks all. Yeah I've decided just to keep the screw-ins as is and wait until I get both glue-ons. Already have one, pretty sure it's the right size. Trust me I've been looking for 5's but they don't seem like they are quite as under the radar as 23's. There is an absolutely gorgeous pair on fleabay right now going for around 700 clams. I will spring for a pair someday. Got 2 little kids so don't exactly have a lot of time for listening anyway. But these 23's, man! Quality of the high end blowing my mind. Previous owner was a serious collector and had sealed the surrounds, but I believe other than that they are all original. And they sound incredible. I haven't owned near the range of speakers that many ak'ers have but these are the best sounding speakers I've ever had for sure. Seem to really match the room as well. My sx-850 is in the shop getting a full restore so I'm driving them w a kenwood 4070, not bad but not great, can't wait to get my 850 back, think it will be a perfect match for the 23's.
 
N8nagel I'd love to know proper dimensions of 23 badges just to make sure I've got the right ones
 
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