KLH Model 5

[KeithD]

These don't come up much, so it's hard to determine value even looking at e-bay. There's a pair for sale a few hours away from me. The seller is willing to meet somewhere closer. His asking price is $400, says crossovers have been redone. Cosmetically in decent but not pristine shape from pictures as far as I can see. Grill cloth on one has a couple of holes, one badge missing, one knob on the back is missing.

Is $400 a reasonable price? I'm not sure. Is it a really bad idea to buy a set of speakers without hearing them first?

 

[gogofast]

In such condition, $400 seems bit high. Crossover rebuild is a plus, but you want to make sure good quality parts were used and the sellers knew what he/she was doing.
If the one I see on ebay is the same one you're talking about, looks like there's a lot of veneer damage and would need re-veneering to make it look nice.
I personally prefer model 6. The KLH sound can be very very pleasant to most ears. Airy and smooth top with a lot of emphasis on midrange. May lack bass for some, but not me. If you have heard the sounds of large advent and bookshelf Electrovoice, I'd say KLH is somewhere in between those two.

 

[KeithD]

In such condition, $400 seems bit high. Crossover rebuild is a plus, but you want to make sure good quality parts were used and the sellers knew what he/she was doing.
If the one I see on ebay is the same one you're talking about, looks like there's a lot of veneer damage and would need re-veneering to make it look nice.
I personally prefer model 6. The KLH sound can be very very pleasant to most ears. Airy and smooth top with a lot of emphasis on midrange. May lack bass for some, but not me. If you have heard the sounds of large advent and bookshelf Electrovoice, I'd say KLH is somewhere in between those two.

Thanks for the reply and insights. It's actually a CL listing:

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/ele/d/clear-lake-klh-model-speakers/7326392218.html

There is also a pair of Original Large Advents listed on Milwaukee CL for $350 that I'd like to try. However, from what I've read the KLH 5 is more highly regarded. Any opinions? I'll be in Milwaukee in a couple of weeks, so I could see those in person.

 

[KeithD]

By the way I have a pair of KLH 6 and 17 that I use in my main (quad) system. Really like the sound. Maybe it's not worth the effort just to try the 5?

 

[gogofast]

By the way I have a pair of KLH 6 and 17 that I use in my main (quad) system. Really like the sound. Maybe it's not worth the effort just to try the 5?

Well, some people think that model 5 is much better speaker than 6. It's just my taste that prefer model 6. If you like the 6 and 17, definitely good enough reason to pursue the model 5 and expand your collection. I have model 6 and 17 in my regular listening setup rotation.

About the Large Advent, in my area, a nice condition pair would go for around $250 as far as I can remember. I'd think that you being closer to the east coast, more availability and better deals in your area.

 

[KeithD]

Well, some people think that model 5 is much better speaker than 6. It's just my taste that prefer model 6. If you like the 6 and 17, definitely good enough reason to pursue the model 5 and expand your collection. I have model 6 and 17 in my regular listening setup rotation.

About the Large Advent, in my area, a nice condition pair would go for around $250 as far as I can remember. I'd think that you being closer to the east coast, more availability and better deals in your area.

Actually, after looking at pictures of the Advents, it's clear they are "The New Advent" in the utility cabinet design. I assume not worth as much as OLA.

There is a long thread on AK on KLH 5 vs 6. Most seem to prefer the 6, but many positive votes for the 5. Many saying one not better than the other, just different, so personal tastes seems key.

I don't believe either my 6s or 17s are recapped, so maybe I should start there rather than going after more for the "collection."

 

[gogofast]

Actually, after looking at pictures of the Advents, it's clear they are "The New Advent" in the utility cabinet design. I assume not worth as much as OLA.

There is a long thread on AK on KLH 5 vs 6. Most seem to prefer the 6, but many positive votes for the 5. Many saying one not better than the other, just different, so personal tastes seems key.

I don't believe either my 6s or 17s are recapped, so maybe I should start there rather than going after more for the "collection."

You must recap to hear their true potential. Also re-dope the surrounds. There are recipes in this forum somewhere.
I clearly remember the time when I first heard the recapped model 6 years ago. First few minutes it sounded like crap and then boom! It was night and day difference.
One of really few handful of eye opening moments during a couple decades being in this forum (EconoWave being the most memorable....)

 

[RTally]

These don't come up much, so it's hard to determine value even looking at e-bay. There's a pair for sale a few hours away from me. The seller is willing to meet somewhere closer. His asking price is $400, says crossovers have been redone. Cosmetically in decent but not pristine shape from pictures as far as I can see. Grill cloth on one has a couple of holes, one badge missing, one knob on the back is missing.

Is $400 a reasonable price? I'm not sure. Is it a really bad idea to buy a set of speakers without hearing them first?

$400 seems high, even if recapped. I bought a pair of KLH Model Five this week. The ask was $200, I paid slightly less. I've waited a long time to find these. They are not recapped or otherwise restored, and the cabinets are in fine shape. I also have KLH Model Six and Twenty, fully restored, Model Seventeen waiting on parts and an epoxied woofer Model Six in line for restoring.

I don't believe either my 6s or 17s are recapped, so maybe I should start there rather than going after more for the "collection."

The original caps used in vintage KLH speakers are crap. If you have not recapped the speakers and re-doped the woofers, then you are not hearing them at their full potential.

Comparing my newly acquired Model 5 (unrecapped, un-redoped) to my restored Model 20 and 6 speakers, the Model 5 comes in a very close third. I am sure that once recapped adn re-doped, the 5 will at least be the equal to the 6, if not better. I also have a restored OLA. It is my garage speaker. My Model 6 betters the OLA by far. I drive my speakers with either Adcom or Denon POA amps.

 

[KeithD]

$400 seems high, even if recapped. I bought a pair of KLH Model Five this week. The ask was $200, I paid slightly less. I've waited a long time to find these. They are not recapped or otherwise restored, and the cabinets are in fine shape. I also have KLH Model Six and Twenty, fully restored, Model Seventeen waiting on parts and an epoxied woofer Model Six in line for restoring.



The original caps used in vintage KLH speakers are crap. If you have not recapped the speakers and re-doped the woofers, then you are not hearing them at their full potential.

Comparing my newly acquired Model 5 (unrecapped, un-redoped) to my restored Model 20 and 6 speakers, the Model 5 comes in a very close third. I am sure that once recapped adn re-doped, the 5 will at least be the equal to the 6, if not better. I also have a restored OLA. It is my garage speaker. My Model 6 betters the OLA by far. I drive my speakers with either Adcom or Denon POA amps.

Thanks for those insights. I know I re-sealed the surrounds on the 6s, and am pretty sure I did the 17s. How often should they be re-sealed?

I'll look into the parts I need to re-cap both sets of speakers. I think I'll ask the seller about a lower price on the 5s. Not sure he's willing to move on price unless I drive to get them, but $200 in your area sounds like a good price.

 

[RTally]

Thanks for those insights. I know I re-sealed the surrounds on the 6s, and am pretty sure I did the 17s. How often should they be re-sealed?

Properly re-doped surrounds should last many years. You can test the seal to verify that it is still good. Press in the cone and hold it down for about 10 seconds. Release the cone quickly. If the cone returns to position in less than 1/2 second, there is an air leak somewhere. It could be the surround, the dustcap, the woofer seal to the cabinet, the tweeter seal to the cabinet, the back terminal plate seal, or even the cabinet corner seals.

If the cone takes more than 1 second to return, you are good to go. There may be a very minor leak, but not enough to worry about.

If the cone takes more than 2 seconds to return, you have a very good seal. There must be some leakage, otherwise the cone would move with atmospheric pressure changes, just like a barometer.

 

[KeithD]

Offered the seller $300, but he turned it down. Found another set of Model 5s that need work listed for $200, but seller wants them out so could get them cheaper. However, woofer has been replaced with non-original in one speaker. How difficult is it to get an original replacement?

 

[hornbostel]

I am still hunting for a pair of KLH 5’s. I currently have KLH 22, 20 (x2 plus accompanying receiver/turntable combos), 6 and 23 all restored. The 6 is awesome and easily the best looking speaker but the 23s are on a whole different level sound wise. Super deep and clean bass and descent mid through high (when driven with the tone level switch on ‘increase’. The KLH 23 uses the exact same woofer and tweeter as the KLH 5. It just doesn’t have the pair of midrange drivers. I’d suspect that the KLH 23 and the 5 would sound pretty similar at reasonable listening levels.