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KLH 9s, yikes!

truevis

truevis

Well-Known Member
These seem like quite a challenge to own. Risk of fire included? Anyone tried some?

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/ele/4255186233.html
KLH Model 9 Electrostatic Speaker - $1000 (Southern Maine)
The legendary KLH that has been called one of the 12 most significant speakers of all time. The two panels are matched (001683). They really are as good as reviewers and users have said, though my room is better suited for smaller speakers. The wood trim is like new, there seems to be no fading at all on the wood or grilles, and have been in a cat free/non-smoking environment.

Bob Berkman, a KLH Nine owner/user/expert, said "these might be the world's cleanest nines."

They operate perfectly. But since I cannot ship them safely, they can be auditioned and picked up in southern Maine.​
 

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I've never seen KLH electrostatics like this. The closest thing i've tried were a set of Acoustats. Which were incredible. But anyway, these look like a nice set of speakers!!
 
That's a very fair price for such a nice pair. I've never heard of any fire damage, or such with any 9s, so not sure what you're referring to there. I've had double KLH9s for years, and except for some intermittent crossover issues on one, they have been trouble free. They are a hard speaker to drive well, they need a strong amp. - no modest tubes for these! I've actually used up to four bridged Soundcraftsmens to run mine.

Pretty tough speakers in general, but the power supplies are wax potted, so a PITA to service if they do act up. The tweeters are standard JansZen squares, so they are pretty easy to find, but the bass panels are proprietary (though JansZen designed), so you want to make sure they all work... replacements are only available through scavenging.
 
I need to tell my wife it's time for a road trip. I'm sure she'd let me drop 1G on these (not). But it does look like a pretty sweet deal. I've seen them on the *bay for starting bids of 1200 or there abouts.

Wayne
 
Found a few maintainance tips for those speakers at http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=mug&m=153871&VT=T

*** WARNINGS ***

WORK ON KLH NINE SUPPLIES IS FOR ELECTRONIC REPAIR PROFESSIONALS, NOT DIY'ERS. IF YOU ARE NOT SUCH A PROFESSIONAL, DO NOT ATTEMPT THE REPAIR; IT IS TOO HAZARDOUS. The following section is to remind professionals of the hazards.

The stepped up AC line voltage is 1000 VAC RMS and has plenty of current for causing pain, burns and electrocution. The stepped up audio signal is even more dangerous, and can reach 7000 VAC RMS at full power. THIS GOES RIGHT THROUGH THE INSULATION ON CLIP LEADS.

RULE #1: MAKE SURE YOUR BODY IS WELL INSULATED FROM EARTH GROUND.

RULE #2: NEVER USE TWO HANDS ON AN ACTIVE SUPPLY.
NEVER TOUCH ANY TWO PARTS, INCLUDING THE CASE, WITH TWO
HANDS. NEVER TOUCH ANY ITEMS THAT ARE CONNECTED TO ANY TWO PARTS WITH TWO HANDS.

If your body is well insulated from ground, this should keep current from
flowing through your heart and stopping it.

RULE #3: NEVER WORK ALONE ON AN ACTIVE SUPPLY. If you make a mistake, your muscles will probably cramp due to the AC current. This makes your grip on the electrified items tighten, so you can not let go. In this case, you will need someone to unplug the supply or knock you down and away from the wires before you die, perform CPR if they were too slow, and in either event, get you to the ER for medical attention afterward.

RULE #4: NEVER FEEL COMFORTABLE WORKING WITH THESE VOLTAGES.

RULE #5: IF THERE IS ANY RULE THAT YOU CAN NOT FOLLOW, OR IF YOU ARE THE LEAST BIT ACCIDENT PRONE, REFER THE WORK TO SOMEONE ELSE.

RULE #6: IF YOU ARE MARRIED, SHOW THIS TO YOUR SPOUSE BEFORE CONTINUING.​
 
Some of the designers of the Nines also designed my Acoustech X speakers. They gave the X a bit more bass. I love them. I would love to hear a set of the Nines. Maybe someday.
 
truevis said:
Found a few maintainance tips for those speakers at http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=mug&m=153871&VT=T

*** WARNINGS ***

WORK ON KLH NINE SUPPLIES IS FOR ELECTRONIC REPAIR PROFESSIONALS, NOT DIY'ERS. IF YOU ARE NOT SUCH A PROFESSIONAL, DO NOT ATTEMPT THE REPAIR; IT IS TOO HAZARDOUS. The following section is to remind professionals of the hazards.

The stepped up AC line voltage is 1000 VAC RMS and has plenty of current for causing pain, burns and electrocution. The stepped up audio signal is even more dangerous, and can reach 7000 VAC RMS at full power. THIS GOES RIGHT THROUGH THE INSULATION ON CLIP LEADS.

RULE #1: MAKE SURE YOUR BODY IS WELL INSULATED FROM EARTH GROUND.

RULE #2: NEVER USE TWO HANDS ON AN ACTIVE SUPPLY.
NEVER TOUCH ANY TWO PARTS, INCLUDING THE CASE, WITH TWO
HANDS. NEVER TOUCH ANY ITEMS THAT ARE CONNECTED TO ANY TWO PARTS WITH TWO HANDS.

If your body is well insulated from ground, this should keep current from
flowing through your heart and stopping it.

RULE #3: NEVER WORK ALONE ON AN ACTIVE SUPPLY. If you make a mistake, your muscles will probably cramp due to the AC current. This makes your grip on the electrified items tighten, so you can not let go. In this case, you will need someone to unplug the supply or knock you down and away from the wires before you die, perform CPR if they were too slow, and in either event, get you to the ER for medical attention afterward.

RULE #4: NEVER FEEL COMFORTABLE WORKING WITH THESE VOLTAGES.

RULE #5: IF THERE IS ANY RULE THAT YOU CAN NOT FOLLOW, OR IF YOU ARE THE LEAST BIT ACCIDENT PRONE, REFER THE WORK TO SOMEONE ELSE.

RULE #6: IF YOU ARE MARRIED, SHOW THIS TO YOUR SPOUSE BEFORE CONTINUING.​
Click to expand...

Ahhhhhh.. NO...I am happy with my Rat Shack 7's! :yes:
 
I'll stick with a set of RDL Acoustics FS-1 , much easier to live with , with regards to physical space :) but those do look cool.

Truevis, you'd get a kick out of this: a set of Ensembles bi-amped using a pair of McIntosh MC7270's. I'll have to set it up again in the spring so you can check it out.
 
But having those Nines would be like having a 1970s Lamborghini -- awesome looking and dangerous!
30-lamborghini-countach.jpg
 
I have been wanting to get some stats, but I would need bass. How are these compared to the Specras? I do like dynamics and thinking of selling my 2.3tl Polks.
 
Todd MacDona said:
My gut feeling is the Nines would not disappoint.
Click to expand...

Two pair here-in long term restoration, depotted the power supplies and working on replacing the diodes ...

And who is this expert fellow mentioned in the C L ad?
 
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If someone here is looking at these seriously I have some info on them. They were originally sold for $200 out of Boston with a Crown amp. I am sure work was done to them.
 
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