KLH 5 2020 New VS Old

[Adamo0926]

I bought a pair of Deer Creek audio stands for my JBL 4312G's when the JBL stands were out of stock a few months ago. Don't hesitate on the Deer Creek stands. They are excellent, I probably like them a bit more than the JBL stands. Seem to be a little higher quality, especially in the area of fit and finish. And they only took a couple of days to get here!

I find the Lintons to be quite nice, I think I might like them over the long haul but rear ported speakers won't do it for me. The ones I listened to really needed to be about three to four feet out from the wall. I have a rather small listening room (11.5ft x 13ft x 8ft high) and do all of my listening from a distance of 6ft to 8ft so I guess you could say that it's midfield as opposed to near field.

I kinda gave up on the new KLH 5's. I enquired, but they had no dealers (anywhere) where I could hear them and (according to them) they were a couple of months out. I would have loved to check out their acoustic suspension sound. I listened to AR3a's when they were new on the market and I liked them but I didn't have enough amp to keep up with them when I cranked them up.

I'd love to see a new acoustic suspension speaker gain some traction in the market. It's about time

I'm with you on the rear vented design for the same reasons you gave. But I am not big on vented designs anyway. I know there are probably some excellent vented speakers that I have
yet to hear, but I just like the tightness and accuracy of the bass from acoustic suspension designs. I would love to hear the KLH Model 5's, but seems you can only buy them online. At least
a speaker manufacturer like Magnepan gives you a 60 day home trial when you buy them online. If the KLH's had something like that there would be no risk.

 

[PeerlessK]

So hearing is subjective but I’ll give you my input on the new model klh 5 . The tweeter is fantastic sounding the mids are fantastic but with bad recordings they’ll let you know it . The bass is rolls off in my friends room down to 30hz the new 5s have better bass I would say punchy and deep like the 70s . The problem and only problem I have with these speakers is price because I don’t think any speaker is worth me paying $2000 when I can get vintage for less . But how the new 5s sound ? Awesome . Haven’t tested in my setup yet but it’s in the plans . But if I can get pass paying the asking price for the new 5s I’ll order . FYI these or klipsch heresy Iv . The 5s without question

 

[Adamo0926]

So hearing is subjective but I’ll give you my input on the new model klh 5 . The tweeter is fantastic sounding the mids are fantastic but with bad recordings they’ll let you know it . The bass is rolls off in my friends room down to 30hz the new 5s have better bass I would say punchy and deep like the 70s . The problem and only problem I have with these speakers is price because I don’t think any speaker is worth me paying $2000 when I can get vintage for less . But how the new 5s sound ? Awesome . Haven’t tested in my setup yet but it’s in the plans . But if I can get pass paying the asking price for the new 5s I’ll order . FYI these or klipsch heresy Iv . The 5s without question

Good review.....gives me a good idea of what their characteristics are. I think almost all decent speakers will reveal the weaknesses in bad recordings. With great speakers being even more revealing. Fortunately, if you happen to have a bad recording of one of your favorites there are usually options out there. First pressings, re-masters, etc. I'm also with you on the price, if these things were around 1000.00 for the pair I might have already ordered a pair....

 

[hendertuckie]

I purchased a new pair of Model 5's the other day. Promised delivery date is in two weeks but that's from a dealer who just whats to make the customer happy. I will not be to surprised if it takes longer, given the pandemic and supply chain issues. The 5's will be replacing old Spica TC50. I'm hoping they will matched up to my Jolida JD-1000A Integrated.

 

[alteclipsch]

I purchased a new pair of Model 5's the other day. Promised delivery date is in two weeks but that's from a dealer who just whats to make the customer happy. I will not be to surprised if it takes longer, given the pandemic and supply chain issues. The 5's will be replacing old Spica TC50. I'm hoping the will matched up to my Jolida JD-1000A Integrated.

Your review will be awaited here!

 

[Ross6860]

I purchased a new pair of Model 5's the other day. Promised delivery date is in two weeks but that's from a dealer who just whats to make the customer happy. I will not be to surprised if it takes longer, given the pandemic and supply chain issues. The 5's will be replacing old Spica TC50. I'm hoping the will matched up to my Jolida JD-1000A Integrated.

FWIW, my old Jolida sounded pretty decent with just about everything, even Magnepans.

 

[Zack Sainz]

I listened to a set of the new 5s in Pittsburgh, a shop called Northern Audio, pretty sure the owner of the shop also owns Spin Clean.

The set up was downstairs in their record store, not in their dedicated listening room, that being said, they do sound good. The center imaging is dead on. With the record store and my limited time, the soundstage appeared to be only as wide as the speakers distance from one another, but the new 5s sound sweet. Very enjoyable. I didn’t get to listen long, for any seeking a reasonable upgrade I think it’s worth a listen. But all the YouTube reviews I have see are a very accurate representation. These speakers were designed to be enjoyed.

Like many of us, I have upgradeitis and recently I discovered a great guy named Dennis Murphy, he owns Philharmonic Audio. He is a master speaker designer. I am going to buy a set of his towers. During our conversations about speakers I mentioned that I have original KLH 5s. He told me about how much he loves his personal set and how he redesigned the crossover to have an even frequency response. He offered to redesign my crossover. I accepted. My friend and I met up with Dennis at Capital Audio Fest and listened to his tower speakers (which are incredible) when he saw my 5s his eyes lit up, I left them with Dennis and am eagerly awaiting the redesigned crossover!

I know graphs aren’t the end all, some live by them some hate them, our ears are subjective and deserve to be so, however we need some baseline to see objective differences. Dennis has worked some incredible magic.

The “Before” graph was done with my recap per KLH spec and with @GD70’s help, the “After” is Dennis working his magic. Negating the rooms modes, the range is within 5db from about 60hz on up.

Per Dennis:
“The response below about 300 Hz is the room response, not anechoic. So you're seeing a big floor bounce dip above 100 Hz and a room peak around 60 Hz. Those will be present on any stand-mounted speaker measured in my studio.”

Even without an anechoic chamber, the speakers respond VERY well. Which to me means, in my imperfect room the 5s will respond similarly.

Dennis is currently wiring the final touches on my original KLH 5s, I should have them back home very soon.

Once they are in my system I’ll report back!

Happy listening!!

 

[hendertuckie]

I purchased a new pair of Model 5's the other day. Promised delivery date is in two weeks but that's from a dealer who just whats to make the customer happy. I will not be to surprised if it takes longer, given the pandemic and supply chain issues. The 5's will be replacing old Spica TC50. I'm hoping they will matched up to my Jolida JD-1000A Integrated.

The Model 5's are out for delivery today. I am happy and a bit surprised they are coming so fast. When I purchased the speaker I left delivery instructions. I live in a tiny cabin in the mountains of Central Nevada. The area does not have a Zip Code and deliveries are difficult, if possible at all. I had the speakers shipped to my former home in Henderson, NV and requested notification when shipped so I could drive the 270 mile and be there when they arrived. LOL the best laid plans! My dealer emailed me yesterday afternoon the tracking number and when I click on the track number, it was out for delivery. They was not delivered and re-scheduled for today. Pour communications by my dealer and mother nature have done me in. I'm current fogged in and that huge snow storm hitting the Sierra Nevada mountains is moments away. I should know better to buy stereo gear during the holidays.

 

[alteclipsch]

Well, good luck to you on their delivery, I know the weather out there can get iffy real fast. I was stuck in a snowstorm near Truckee many years ago in a rear wheel drive Camaro, they wouldn't let us go without chains. Sure was pretty, though.

Can't wait to hear your impression of those Fives!

 

[hendertuckie]

Fedex didn't deliver today either. They sent a text It will be delivered tomorrow. One problem no one will be there and I'm snowed in for a couple days. I won't get the speakers set until after the 1st.

 

[hendertuckie]

We got plowed! It's is 37 miles from the main highway serving the area and it's not critical that it be snow plowed. Surprise Surprise, it got plowed early Friday morning and I drove the distance to the main highway thru 4" to 8" of snow, of course, I do have 4 Wheel Drive PU. My Son got off early and received the speakers. When, I got there I videoed the opening. I purchased the Model 5's from Upscale Audio. Each speaker was quadruple boxed. Upscale added to layers of two thick cardboard material and tape to the existing Double Box KLH packing. The outer boxes showed some slight indentations at the corners which caused me some concern. When the outer boxes were removed the internal OEM boxes were in great shape. A big Shout Out to Upscale for the great packing. Now the Fedex part. The speakers were scheduled for delivery on Wednesday, then not delivered, re-scheduled again for Thursday and again not delivered and finally on Friday they must have gotten tired of driving them around and delivered them. I called Fedex Customer Service. I had no idea what country took the call but after a few seconds, I was wishing for someone from India, at least they understand "Say Again". Dealing with Fedex is a lot like having a prostate exam. A real pain in the..........! Review pending.

 

[kfa888]

My brother has a pair of the new ones. I really like them.

 

[Adamo0926]

We got plowed! It's is 37 miles from the main highway serving the area and it's not critical that it be snow plowed. Surprise Surprise, it got plowed early Friday morning and I drove the distance to the main highway thru 4" to 8" of snow, of course, I do have 4 Wheel Drive PU. My Son got off early and received the speakers. When, I got there I videoed the opening. I purchased the Model 5's from Upscale Audio. Each speaker was quadruple boxed. Upscale added to layers of two thick cardboard material and tape to the existing Double Box KLH packing. The outer boxes showed some slight indentations at the corners which caused me some concern. When the outer boxes were removed the internal OEM boxes were in great shape. A big Shout Out to Upscale for the great packing. Now the Fedex part. The speakers were scheduled for delivery on Wednesday, then not delivered, re-scheduled again for Thursday and again not delivered and finally on Friday they must have gotten tired of driving them around and delivered them. I called Fedex Customer Service. I had no idea what country took the call but after a few seconds, I was wishing for someone from India, at least they understand "Say Again". Dealing with Fedex is a lot like having a prostate exam. A real pain in the..........! Review pending.

Looking forward to your review of those !

 

[SB12345]

I, too am looking forward to your review. I tried to buy a pair of new Model 5's last spring/summer but nobody had 'em, not even just to demo, so I bought a pair of JBL 4312G's instead. I'm still very curious about the 5's. I hope you love 'em.

 

[hendertuckie]

I just fired the Models 5 up. I can only use digital currently because of power restrictions. Related gear: Jolida JD-1000A, California Audio Lab Alpha DAC & Mac Mini. 20 minutes into them and my first thought was, they need to broken in. Play Rush "Time Stands Still" They seemed shallow and recessed, typical of new speakers. The 2nd song was Rush "Subdivisions" from the MFSL Gold Disc, getting better and now 3 tunes into Sinatra's "Nice *N* Easy" the bass is very good, the mid range and high frequencies cleared up. Switched to Foreigner's "Heart Turns To Stone" now I'm smiling. The last tunes were something I know very well, Abby Road 2009, Something and that's when I knew they are keepers. My problem is, I can't use them for a while. I live off grid and we've had lots of snow, and that mean no sun. Our batteries are low and I used the generator power to try them out. It will be a while before they used the way they need to be. Current weather conditions "White Out"

 

[GD70]

WoW! Exciting and frustrating! At least you have the Fives! Hang in there!

 

[Zack Sainz]

Very exciting!

They are very engaging speakers right? Very musical.

I can’t wait to hear more of your thoughts, once you get your power back!

I just fired the Models 5 up. I can only use digital currently because of power restrictions. Related gear: Jolida JD-1000A, California Audio Lab Alpha DAC & Mac Mini. 20 minutes into them and my first thought was, they need to broken in. Play Rush "Time Stands Still" They seemed shallow and recessed, typical of new speakers. The 2nd song was Rush "Subdivisions" from the MFSL Gold Disc, getting better and now 3 tunes into Sinatra's "Nice *N* Easy" the bass is very good, the mid range and high frequencies cleared up. Switched to Foreigner's "Heart Turns To Stone" now I'm smiling. The last tunes were something I know very well, Abby Road 2009, Something and that's when I knew they are keepers. My problem is, I can't use them for a while. I live off grid and we've had lots of snow, and that mean no sun. Our batteries are low and I used the generator power to try them out. It will be a while before they used the way they need to be. Current weather conditions "White Out"

 

[Dana65]

Well....... How are the five's sounding ?

 

[Ninjalife27]

I wish I had a place to demo these locally. As a fan of acoustic suspension speakers, I’m really keen on hearing them.

 

[Dana65]

Actually ! With all the reviews here and YouTube web l'm ready to pull the trigger but my wife says NO !
You don't need another pair of speakers