KLH Model 5 speaker replacement options

[Phydeaux]

Do exactly that. Be patient, get the correct tweeters, recap, get the correct surround sealer for the woofer surrounds and dust cap, and the mids surrounds only.
The Five was designed to compete with the AR-3a, so it sits in very good company.

Do you think I would be better off ordering the surround deal in the larger quantity? Or would the smaller amount be enough? It’s a little confusing on his listings as they both say it’s enough for 2-4 woofers.
Hoping those professional instructions included will guide me a bit as I’m not completely sure of where to apply that, I’m assuming only on the very outer ring of the woofers where they meet the metal housing. I’ll post a more close up pic of mine cause I’m not sure if someone botched them in a previous attempt.

The seller had no model number or any pics to help identify the exact model they were, at first thought they were sixes. After researching and finding out they were the fives I couldn’t pass them up... This being because I read yours and others comments on previous threads that these are arguably the best klh’s of the bunch.

thanks for guiding me in the right direction, I’m sure I will love these for years to come as I plan on building a few systems compiled of age appropriate components.

oh one more thing sorry to rant,
I was unaware that the recommended wpc was 25 minimum. Am I doing any harm to these by running them through my 17wpc receiver?

 

[RossW]

With the surround sealer less is more, use just enough to seal the pores in the cloth. I used RoyC's stuff (which I assume is pretty similar) to do 2 woofers, 4 mids, and still have a bit left over.

As far as power, 17wpc will be ok as long as you're not trying to crank them. However, some extra power will definitely wake them up!

 

[Tim D]

+1 on what RossW said.

No problem with 17W, but more is better. You won't get the full experience with just 17W. Just don't drive the amp to clipping/distortion. That's what blows the tweeters. As far as the amount of goo, I'd only buy the minimum unless you have more speakers in the near-term queue. Less-is-more w.r.t. the goo.

When you go to apply the goo, use it sparingly and apply a very thin coat to the cloth surrounds. After the first thin coat, use the push test to see if a second coat is needed. Here less is better because too much will restrict the woofer and harm the sound quality (SQ). You aren't aiming for total seal. You only want it to be substantially sealed.

[Push Test: With everything installed, gently push in the woofer and hold for a couple of seconds and let go. If it takes 1 or more seconds to return then you are good-to-go.]

 

[Phydeaux]

With the surround sealer less is more, use just enough to seal the pores in the cloth. I used RoyC's stuff (which I assume is pretty similar) to do 2 woofers, 4 mids, and still have a bit left over.

As far as power, 17wpc will be ok as long as you're not trying to crank them. However, some extra power will definitely wake them up!

Okay sounds good, I have them hooked up to my Harman/Kardon since it seemed a more appropriate match than my 80’s onkyo integrated amp. Also working on a 30wpc mid 70’s Akai which once I’m sure is working will pair better. Appreciate the help!

 

[Phydeaux]

+1 on what RossW said.

No problem with 17W, but more is better. You won't get the full experience with just 17W. Just don't drive the amp to clipping/distortion. That's what blows the tweeters. As far as the amount of goo, I'd only buy the minimum unless you have more speakers in the near-term queue. Less-is-more w.r.t. the goo.

When you go to apply the goo, use it sparingly and apply a very thin coat to the cloth surrounds. After the first thin coat, use the push test to see if a second coat is needed. Here less is better because too much will restrict the woofer and harm the sound quality (SQ). You aren't aiming for total seal. You only want it to be substantially sealed.

[Push Test: With everything installed, gently push in the woofer and hold for a couple of seconds and let go. If it takes 1 or more seconds to return then you are good-to-go.]

I have some Jensen TF-3’s that I think are even older than these, so might not hurt to take on both projects at the same time and knock it all out at once. Thinking those would benefit from a recap and surround seal also since they’re a bit muffled in the lows for my liking.

So the sealer goes on the woofer itself and not the rubbery edges? Makes sense looking at them now, thought the discoloring on the woofers was only dust. Any tips on safely cleaning them before applying the sealer?

 

[Tim D]

The goo doesn't go on the woofer cone - it goes on the flexible surround. That's why you use it sparingly. If you use too much goo the surround will get stiffer and that hurts it's ability to move with the music.

 

[gbroot]

Okay sounds good, I have them hooked up to my Harman/Kardon since it seemed a more appropriate match than my 80’s onkyo integrated amp. Also working on a 30wpc mid 70’s Akai which once I’m sure is working will pair better. Appreciate the help!

Don't discount the Onkyo Integrated Amp. I had an A-10 that absolutely cranked the 5's to "stand at attention" levels. Those older Onkyo's tended to be very neutral in coloration and had superb power supplies.

 

[GD70]

Here's a simple diagram showing where to apply the correct sealer from vintage-ar, or buy directly from Roy C.
Occasionally two THIN applications are necessary, but always test after the first application.
The woofer & dust cap applications apply to almost all vintage KLH speakers woofers.
Cheers, Glenn

 

[Tim D]

+1 on what Glenn said.

 

[Phydeaux]

Here's a simple diagram showing where to apply the correct sealer from vintage-ar, or buy directly from Roy C.
Occasionally two THIN applications are necessary, but always test after the first application.
The woofer & dust cap applications apply to almost all vintage KLH speakers woofers.
Cheers, Glenn
View attachment 1850525

Thanks Glenn, that clears it up a lot. was thinking it was applied to the cone, this makes a lot more sense now. Just a thin even coat on the surrounds and dust caps, I think I can pull this off without worrying too much as long as I’m careful.

Have been looking for the tweeters with no luck so far but when I see them I’ll grab em up. Any recommendations on what other klh’s pair best with the model five’s?
I can’t go back to the Jensen’s after hearing these, maybe those need a recap too but I think I’m hooked on klh speakers from this era.

Learning more everyday about all this and appreciate the help,

Sean

 

[Phydeaux]

Don't discount the Onkyo Integrated Amp. I had an A-10 that absolutely cranked the 5's to "stand at attention" levels. Those older Onkyo's tended to be very neutral in coloration and had superb power supplies.

Alright I will definitely hook them up to the onkyo then, would be better anyways since they meet the specs of the fives better than the Harman/Kardon.

and it is better than I gave credit, would like to get a 7070a eventually.

 

[GD70]

Thanks Glenn, that clears it up a lot. was thinking it was applied to the cone, this makes a lot more sense now. Just a thin even coat on the surrounds and dust caps, I think I can pull this off without worrying too much as long as I’m careful.

Have been looking for the tweeters with no luck so far but when I see them I’ll grab em up. Any recommendations on what other klh’s pair best with the model five’s?
I can’t go back to the Jensen’s after hearing these, maybe those need a recap too but I think I’m hooked on klh speakers from this era.

Learning more everyday about all this and appreciate the help,

Sean

Hey Sean!

Glad my little diagram was helpful.
Regarding which pairs best, whats your listening space like, and why do you want another set to pare with the Fives?
If you want to run another pair at the same time, either another set of Fives, otherwise the Twenty Three or Six.

Glenn

 

[Phydeaux]

Hey Sean!

Glad my little diagram was helpful.
Regarding which pairs best, whats your listening space like, and why do you want another set to pare with the Fives?
If you want to run another pair at the same time, either another set of Fives, otherwise the Twenty Three or Six.

Glenn

My listening space right now is a small bedroom, maybe even too small of a room for the fives. Tracking down the tweeters, applying the sealant, and recapping might take me a while...was thinking it wouldn’t hurt to run another pair in their place till then. That and I’m a lil compulsive and would just like another pair haha.

 

[GD70]

My listening space right now is a small bedroom, maybe even too small of a room for the fives. Tracking down the tweeters, applying the sealant, and recapping might take me a while...was thinking it wouldn’t hurt to run another pair in their place till then. That and I’m a lil compulsive and would just like another pair haha.

I'd go for the Sixs then. Great, iconnic speakers!

 

[Phydeaux]

I'd go for the Sixs then. Great, iconnic speakers!

Will definitely keep my eyes out for either another pair of fives or sixes. Some of the smaller ones like seventeens are more within my budget, but I’d rather get as close to these as I can...The twelves look very interesting to me but haven’t heard much on them

Wanted to ask since you guys are very knowledgeable in all things klh, is the klh 54 receiver the highest wpc rating of the bunch?
Was surprised that it’s 60wpc in stereo, and 25wpc in 4-channel.
I have a line on one for fairly cheap, looks like a very cool receiver, curious to hear your experiences with klh receivers in general.

 

[Guido57]

Was surprised that it’s 60wpc in stereo, and 25wpc in 4-channel.

Could the stereo mode use two quad amps bridged for each channel?

 

[gbroot]

Could the stereo mode use two quad amps bridged for each channel?

i used to have a Pioneer QX-949 4 ch receiver that I really regret selling. It was rated at 65 watts/per in stereo and 25 watts per in 4ch. So the power ratings are about the same as the KLH receiver. On the back panel of the receiver was a switch for 2 ch or 4 ch so I'd say yes to your question on the bridging of amps. I was amazed that in 4 ch mode I was able to drive two sets of fronts (KLH 5's and 23's) and a set of rears (KLH 6's) to very loud levels in a very sizable man cave at the time. I'd run front and rear analog outputs from my Denon DVD player to the front and rear tape inputs on the receiver so I was not using the receivers matrix decoder. It was playing true discreet signals. The Eagles Farewell 1 Tour DVD put me right in the middle of the concert! That receiver didn't break a sweat. No way most modern surround receivers could handle that load regardless of their bogus power ratings.

Phydeaux, I'd jump on the KLH quad unit. I'm sure it was their TOL offering and build quality should be tops. Good luck!

 

[Phydeaux]

i used to have a Pioneer QX-949 4 ch receiver that I really regret selling. It was rated at 65 watts/per in stereo and 25 watts per in 4ch. So the power ratings are about the same as the KLH receiver. On the back panel of the receiver was a switch for 2 ch or 4 ch so I'd say yes to your question on the bridging of amps. I was amazed that in 4 ch mode I was able to drive two sets of fronts (KLH 5's and 23's) and a set of rears (KLH 6's) to very loud levels in a very sizable man cave at the time. I'd run front and rear analog outputs from my Denon DVD player to the front and rear tape inputs on the receiver so I was not using the receivers matrix decoder. It was playing true discreet signals. The Eagles Farewell 1 Tour DVD put me right in the middle of the concert! That receiver didn't break a sweat. No way most modern surround receivers could handle that load regardless of their bogus power ratings.

Phydeaux, I'd jump on the KLH quad unit. I'm sure it was their TOL offering and build quality should be tops. Good luck!

Sadly the seller isn’t interested in shipping to me, found it on Craigslist just a bit too far out of my area. I had no clue klh even made receivers until I saw this one, it does seem like their totl cause all the others I’ve researched are a lot lower wpc compared to this one.

edit: and I bet that sounded really awesome, was thinking of doing something similar if I find another pair of klh’s I can afford...really loving these things, even though half of the high range is missing currently they sound amazing.

 

[gbroot]

Sadly the seller isn’t interested in shipping to me, found it on Craigslist just a bit too far out of my area. I had no clue klh even made receivers until I saw this one, it does seem like their totl cause all the others I’ve researched are a lot lower wpc compared to this one.

Unlike their speakers, KLH outsourced the production phase of their receivers.

Sadly the seller isn’t interested in shipping to me, found it on Craigslist just a bit too far out of my area. I had no clue klh even made receivers until I saw this one, it does seem like their totl cause all the others I’ve researched are a lot lower wpc compared to this one.

edit: and I bet that sounded really awesome, was thinking of doing something similar if I find another pair of klh’s I can afford...really loving these things, even though half of the high range is missing currently they sound amazing.

The Pioneer and Sansui 4 channel receivers are now sought after and prices certainly reflect it. However, the fun of this hobby is partially in the hunt!

 

[Phydeaux]

Unlike their speakers, KLH outsourced the production phase of their receivers.

The Pioneer and Sansui 4 channel receivers are now sought after and prices certainly reflect it. However, the fun of this hobby is partially in the hunt!

I mistakenly passed on a Sansui QRX 3500 the other day for pretty cheap when I bought the klh’s, kicking myself for that now cause I hear it’s pretty solid. I messaged the guy back and he wants double what he was asking before.

didn’t know anything about quad units or which ones were good, but now looking locally I see that I’m pretty limited and should do my homework a bit more.