KLH Model 5 Vintage Speakers

[Francis55]

Hey all,

I just picked up some vintage KLH Model 5 Speakers for about $30. On one only the woofer works, both midranges and the tweeter have nothing. On the other all drivers work except the tweeter. The cabinets are battered, but overall all elements are intact, albeit showing their age. Thoughts on trying to replace silent drivers? With original equipment? Comparable equipment? Cannibalize for the working drivers and sell those off? Any and all comments appreciated!

Note: Cabinets are HEAVY, I"m assuming real wood and not particle board.

 

[alteclipsch]

The individual drivers will need to be disconnected and checked for continuity with a meter. It's likely that all capacitors need to be replaced, that is more often than not the reason there is no sound from them. Controls also will need deoxit, woofer surrounds will need butyl dope of a special concoction, and cabinets will need to be checked for air leaks.

Fantastic, speakers and worth the work. They are made of dense particle board and thick veneer. With all that metal in there, they weigh about 51 pounds each, at least mine do.

God I love them.

 

[alteclipsch]

Also, let's see some photos of them. There are many, many threads on the Fives and other wonderful KLH speakers here on AK. Do a search and go through them.

 

[doctorolds]

Nice pickup for $30! Even if you possibly have to replace the veneer and purchase any driver(s) that may be bad, you will have little money invested for how good they sound! As @alteclipsch said above, checking the drivers separate from the crossover is a good place to start, but following all restoration procedures recommended here on AK will result in the best performance. Best of luck with your restoration, you will be happy when completed!

 

[GD70]

Great speakers. Sound advice, no pun intended, that has been given.
The woofers and mids surrounds sealer is made by Roy C., for eBay seller vintage-ar, of you can buy it directly from Roy.
Do a search as suggested, and I’m sure you’ll find all the answers you need to bring them back to life.

 

[Francis55]

Also, let's see some photos of them. There are many, many threads on the Fives and other wonderful KLH speakers here on AK. Do a search and go through them.

Will do, maybe later today! Pretty weathered. I think I can bring the cabinets back a bit with some wood oil.

 

[Francis55]

Nice pickup for $30! Even if you possibly have to replace the veneer and purchase any driver(s) that may be bad, you will have little money invested for how good they sound! As @alteclipsch said above, checking the drivers separate from the crossover is a good place to start, but following all restoration procedures recommended here on AK will result in the best performance. Best of luck with your restoration, you will be happy when completed!

Many thanks--yes, that one post is pretty comprehensive! Thoughts on purchasing OEM mids and tweeters off Ebay? Looks like I can do that for about $125 all in, used--maybe that's a better idea than getting those drivers repaired? I wish I was more sophisticated about all things electronic.

 

[Francis55]

The individual drivers will need to be disconnected and checked for continuity with a meter. It's likely that all capacitors need to be replaced, that is more often than not the reason there is no sound from them. Controls also will need deoxit, woofer surrounds will need butyl dope of a special concoction, and cabinets will need to be checked for air leaks.

Fantastic, speakers and worth the work. They are made of dense particle board and thick veneer. With all that metal in there, they weigh about 51 pounds each, at least mine do.

God I love them.

That is an impressive reply! Many thanks for that--now I'm deciding whether to purchase used mids and tweeters to replace or if I should take them in for repair.

 

[alteclipsch]

That is an impressive reply! Many thanks for that--now I'm deciding whether to purchase used mids and tweeters to replace or if I should take them in for repair.

If you take them in somewhere, check that it's a reputable shop. They should check all drivers after removing them from the circuit before doing anything else. Maybe show them this thread!