KLH Model 5 restore

[therocket290]

I found a pair of KLH Model 5s at my local goodwill for $14.99 a while back.

20170310_065656

• therocket290
• Jul 13, 2017

I recapped them over the winter, made some stands (each filled with 25lbs of cat litter) for them in the spring, and finally got around to refinishing the cabinets and replaced the speaker cloth. I can't believe how clean everything inside them was when I opened them up for the recap.

20170713_175744

• therocket290
• Jul 13, 2017

20170713_180032

• therocket290
• Jul 13, 2017

20170713_180129

• therocket290
• Jul 13, 2017

I need to redo the cloth to get rid of the bunching on the sides, but I'm happy with how they turned out otherwise. I can't believe how good they sound considering their age. I currently have two systems in my living room:
Dynaco ST-70 -> Yamaha C-85 -> Model 5s
Carver M-1.0t -> Carver CT-24 -> Infinity 7 Kappas

 

[GD70]

The Fives are great speakers and you can't beat the price! You did a nice job restoring them.
The Dynaco is a nice amp, but the Fives will sound really good with some big SS power! Get them spread out if you have the room, and play something live and loud!
I like that you can see the drivers a bit through the grills.
Cheers, Glenn

 

[Old Guy8]

I also have a pair for restoration.

Can you tell me about how you refinished the cabs? Is it a Danish oil and natural or tinted or other finish?
Did you run into any laquer or were they just oiled as you found them?
Look very nice. And a great bargain.

 

[c5corvette]

Nice job, great speaker. Someone recently posted a source to grill fabric for the Fives that appeared very close to original cloth, but can't recall thread. Will update later.

 

[therocket290]

The Fives are great speakersand you can't beat the price! You did a nice job restoring them.
The Dynaco is a nice amp, but the Fives will sound really good with some big SS power! Get them spread out if you have the room, and play something live and loud!
I like that you can see the drivers a bit through the grills.
Cheers, Glenn

I think my favorite amp I have used with the Model 5s is my Yamaha A-1020 integrated (I don't have all that many amps in my stockpile). The Carver sounds good too, but there is something about the Yamaha that I like. Anyway, I want something to use my Dynaco with and it won't handle the Kappas. I'll probably put my Klipsch Quartets back in the living room eventually, but it's the Model 5s for now. They get surprisingly loud with the Dynaco.

 

[GD70]

I think my favorite amp I have used with the Model 5s is my Yamaha A-1020 integrated (I don't have all that many amps in my stockpile). The Carver sounds good too, but there is something about the Yamaha that I like. Anyway, I want something to use my Dynaco with and it won't handle the Kappas. I'll probably put my Klipsch Quartets back in the living room eventually, but it's the Model 5s for now. They get surprisingly loud with the Dynaco.

Not surprised! My Sixs with the Scott LK-72 sounds superb. It's my dedicated tube/speaker setup.

 

[don philipe]

Very nice restoration.I'm still hunting a pair of those as well as AR 3a's that aren't priced through the roof.

 

[Vintage999]

Nice lookin' set of 5s you have. One thing not to forget is to re-seal the cloth surrounds on the woofer and two midrange drivers. There is a great guy on AK that will sell you exactly what you need.

Good listening!

 

[GD70]

Nice lookin' set of 5s you have. One thing not to forget is to re-seal the cloth surrounds on the woofer and two midrange drivers. There is a great guy on AK that will sell you exactly what you need.

Good listening!

That guy is Roy C., who developed and tested the sealer to be as close to the factory sealer you can get. He supplies eBay seller "vintage-ar". He's a great guy.
Glenn

 

[Roboneal91]

Can someone give me a capacitor list for the 5s I have a set in near mint condition with dead tweets and I'm gonna have a buddy do the recap for me sooner than later, I'd do it myself but they're early design ones with consecutive serials 5614-5615 and I'm not comfortable enough to approach that mess of wires and such yet

 

[darkhosis]

Can someone give me a capacitor list for the 5s I have a set in near mint condition with dead tweets and I'm gonna have a buddy do the recap for me sooner than later, I'd do it myself but they're early design ones with consecutive serials 5614-5615 and I'm not comfortable enough to approach that mess of wires and such yet

It's not that hard, but it does take time and patience. I used this as a guide :
http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?/topic/5111-klh-model-five-crossover-photos/

To the OP: nice job!

I got my Model Fives from Goodwill as well. I'm sure the failing capacitors had everything to do with the former owner considering them 'broken'. A worthy investment as they have been in my living room for almost a year, I really enjoy them.