I am looking at a pair of KLM 20s. The description list that they "have recapped them and completely resealed them with modern butyl rubber sealant and the woofer has been properly resealed with clear tacky sealant as is vintage appropriate". I do not know a lot about speaker resortation, but to me they look very sloppily done. Are these poorly done or is this to be expected. Would it negatively effect the sound quality? The cabinets themselves look to be in excellent condition. They want about $350
KLH Model 20 reseal quality?
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77highlands
New Member
Cloth speakers don't generally look as "pristine" as paper speakers, so don't be put off by their appearance. These 20's look similar to my 17's that I rehabbed (cabinets, drivers, caps and insulation). I'd be happy to own a set like that. $350 for fully restored speakers seems reasonable. We're all looking for deals, but this seems like a good buy. Cheers.
Yeah pretty isn't really part of the game here, they were "sloppy" in original state. But the woofers... they don't really look sealed? Even so that's an easy inexpensive fix.
Price might be a little steep, but if they're as advertised it's not bad.
Price might be a little steep, but if they're as advertised it's not bad.
KLH stuff, woofers especially, of this time period can look pretty much like a kindergarten class with fingerpaints was let loose on 'em. They look fine. It is kind of hard to tell about treatment of the cloth surrounds and that could be a GOOD thing as the current right stuff is relatively clear and shouldn't be put on too thick. A good pair of 20s can sound NICE!
Ziinda
Active Member
I was thinking the same thing when I saw them I immediately thought of my old 17s that I sold with a Vector Research receiver for $125. I personally wouldn't pay over $100 for these in perfect condition based solely on what's available for $100 with a bit of patience there's far better speakers out there in both vintage and newer stuff especially when you're up at the $300 price pojnt. It's a no brainier once you start seriously looking. I have a feeling op just came across this sale and didn't do much other shopping. This seems like a Reverb price, typically about 25% to 33% over locally sold.
The Vector Research was 50wpc and I could crank it up to max and the 17s sounded clear and better than I imagined, it may have been a lucky perfect match but I still couldn't find anyone interested till I lowered my price from $175 to $125 and still sat for a month before I had a buyer who also picked up as many things as he could fit in his car for a 200 mile drive. I had originally posted both separately with a $120 price on the 17s and $75 for the VR receiver and not 1 message for 6 months then combined for $175 and still no interest.
It also depends on where you live, typically manufacturers used to sell way more locally and that leads to a saturated area where you see many for sale locally and other cities will have very few come up. This works both ways though since many times people won't recognize the brand and not even consider them making for cheaper prices.
Yeah, I'd agree on price but they CAN sound pretty damn nice. I'll take this opportunity to promote my super minimally invasive mod on moving one leg of the second 2uf cap to the other side of the last resistor. This provides a sustantial increase in top end above 6kHz when using the "DECREASE" switch position without affecting anything else:
Using the DECREASE position can help keep them from shouting at you and this mod helps keep the "sparkle". My opinion of course.
Using the DECREASE position can help keep them from shouting at you and this mod helps keep the "sparkle". My opinion of course.
I certainly didn't mean to suggest that they did not sound good. On the contrary, they are very good speakers. Just not 5 or 6 or 23 good, IMO. They are one of the many speakers that have passed through my listening rooms over the last while.
And, really, you can't go wrong with any of Henry's speakers.
They could also benefit from an inductor to tone down the upper range from the woofer.