Klh 900b???

[87RangerXLT]

So I picked up a pair of KLH 900B bookshelf speakers form the SA for $10, because they where heavy for there size. The one sounds pretty good because all of the speakers work. But on the other one the tweeter does not work at all. it is not the crossover because I hooked up another and that worked, so it is the tweeter, so I went to Ebay looking for one, and nobody is selling one. SO I am looking for a replacement at this time. Actually 2 because the other one that works has all of the mounts broken so I had to tape it in. If anybody has contestant from PE that will fit let me know. But for now I will still say they sound good, and now I can have a pair of remote speakers that sort of match my Yamaha Bookshelf speakers.

And of course I have pictures.

 

[GordonW]

This is an exact PHYSICAL match... though, it's 4 ohms (is the original 4 or 8 ohm?):

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=279-116

If the original is 8 ohms, you might be able to get by, putting like a 1.5 to 2 ohm resistor in series with this new tweeter... that might well "fudge" everything into a usable range, for it to sound good. I'd replace both in the pair, just for safety sake, if I did that...

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[87RangerXLT]

Nice thanks.

It is a 6 ohm Tweeter. so how would I go about getting the correct ohms with Resistors? I know Audio, but not so much about electrical, so you may have to dumb it down.

 

[87RangerXLT]

I tried doing some research on how to make the 4 ohm speaker a 6 ohm speaker but was unable to find anything at all. can some one point me in the right direction or help me out, anything would be great.

 

[Jimesis]

I'll be watching this thread closely as I have been wondering the same thing.

I have 2 sets of the KLH 900b's.
From what I've heard and read, this is maybe the best bookshelf speaker KLH made in the late 90's.
I have had the first set for over 10 years and liked them so much I snagged a 2nd set when I found them cheap. Unfortunately (and like yours) the 2nd set had one blown tweeter. Thus my search for a replacement. And the resulting head scratching when all I could find was a 4 ohm.
There have been a few originals that came up on auction, but they are usually very pricey!

I've read the original tweeter was a Philips polycarbonate dome. I have seen the same tweeter in some early Polk models also.
Lots of good reviews here:
http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/klh/floorstanding-speakers/900b/PRD_120975_1594crx.aspx

Thanks for the thread. Hope someone can help.

-Jim

 

[87RangerXLT]

I will for sure let you know how they soundthe one I tested out for about an hour with some mono recordings I had sounded very good, I was surprised at the amount of bass this speaker has. Hopefully I will be able to find a way to get the ohms to be 6 with using resistors. I will have to find out from somebody, because I am sure somebody will know.

 

[backinthelou]

I've owned SEVERAL KLH speakers and those tweeters look just like the tweeters that alot of KLH speakers use.

 

[87RangerXLT]

I've owned SEVERAL KLH speakers and those tweeters look just like the tweeters that alot of KLH speakers use.

After looking around at other KLH tweeters, you are right they sure are used alot in other speakers aswell. Which is makes me confused as to why they would make it look the same, but not have the correct ohms.

 

[87RangerXLT]

So the repairs are done! And I am very happy to say they sound great. I ended up using a 2Ω resistor after I tested all the other I had bought. It seemed to have the closest to the original one. The reproductions that Gordon W suggested off of Parts-Express is what I bought, and fit right in, The only thing is that they are a tight fit compared to the originals, there is a metal cover around the magnet that makes it such a tight fit, but it still fit.

as for Jimesis I would suggest using the replacement ones suggested by Gordon W, and also buying some 2 OHM resistors, to get the correct sound.

Over all I am very happy with these speakers, plus I got them for a combined total $22. thanks to everybody for the help on this.

 

[87RangerXLT]

Pictures That I took during and after the Fix:

I got a new soldering station, and I was so impressed with my soldering skills, I just had to take pictures.

Without covers.

With covers.

 

[Big Tuna]

I had the bigger brother to those, the 912b, and I got the later ones from that series, the 9912b, which are similar, but the woofer and mid are polycarbonate coated, while tweeter is titanium domed. KLH's are great speakers for the money, no doubt about it.

The fella I sold my 912b's to, I played them for him on my SX-1250 and he had this huge smile on his face the whole time. Depth, soundstage, imaging were all so strong and clear.

Great Job on fixing them up! Gordon is a great guy, and he sure knows speakers :yes:

 

[nick12345]

I have a pair of the 911Bs, missing the tweeters, in my closet. They were decent little bookshelf speakers before I put the tweeters into some Yammies that I later sold to a friend. Maybe now I can get them running again.

 

[87RangerXLT]

For being speakers from the 90's, when I know that BPC was popular, they sound great, I have been listening to them for about 4 hours so far, and they sound awesome!

 

[Dr. Ears]

You can't make a 4 ohm speaker an 8 ohm, just by adding a resistor, they will plot completely differently.