KLH Speakers.

[JohnBrownace]

Hey guys been trying to put together a vintage system to play my old records. I came across two set of KLH speakers at the Goodwill. The first set is a model Twenty, and the other set is model twenty Six. I paid $7.00 for the model twenty and $3.00 for the twenty sixes. I currently have a pair of Advent Heritage speakers. How do the KLH compare to the Advents? I will be driving then with a Marantz 2230 receiver and my Turntable is a ARXA.

 

[HiFi in WYO]

Welcome.
There's only one test that matters:
How do they compare to you?

I would imagine the Advents will get the nod in the bass dept. May also win in the looks department. But how any of the three play with your setup is up to your ears. Nice scores!

 

[baeron]

You stole them, at them prices.
Good luck with them.
And have fun.

 

[homebrew]

At those prices, you got a deal for sure. You're probably aware there's going to be rehab on the crossover necessary. Maybe the following thread would be of interest.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/klh-model-twenty-speakers.764758/

 

[JohnBrownace]

Hey guys been trying to put together a vintage system to play my old records. I came across two set of KLH speakers at the Goodwill. The first set is a model Twenty, and the other set is model twenty Six. I paid $7.00 for the model twenty and $3.00 for the twenty sixes. I currently have a pair of Advent Heritage speakers. How do the KLH compare to the Advents? I will be driving then with a Marantz 2230 receiver and my Turntable is a ARXA.

 

[JohnBrownace]

Here are some pictures.

 

[JohnBrownace]

At those prices, you got a deal for sure. You're probably aware there's going to be rehab on the crossover necessary. Maybe the following thread would be of interest.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/klh-model-twenty-speakers.764758/

I posted some pictures of you would like to see them.

 

[hornbostel]

I’ve got a pair of KLH 20s and and pair of 22s (and a pair of first gen 6s). After replacing the capacitors and redoping the surrounds both the 20s and 22s sound good. I use the 22s for my desktop system. Your model 26 is basically the same as the 22 (8” woofer and same tweeter). It’s a good performer in this setting. Would also make a proper bookshelf speaker in a smaller room.

The model 20 can hold its own with some good speakers. I’ve been lately comparing the 20s with Smaller Advents and ADS L520s.

The L520s beats the pants off all of them. Hand down. The Advents have ridiculous bass punch. It’s really amazing. But the 20s are smooth as butter. I could listen to them all day long. A solid performer. Even when driven by the Realistic STA 77s 16 watts.

You’ll be pleased with both the 20s and 26s.

 

[gbroot]

The 20's are essentially the same as the 17's but were sold as part of a system and are 4ohm. So running the 20's and the 26's as A+B would not be advisable for the health of the 2230!

 

[JohnBrownace]

The 20's are essentially the same as the 17's but were sold as part of a system and are 4ohm. So running the 20's and the 26's as A+B would not be advisable for the health of the 2230!

How about a Yamaha M60? I have to do a lot of reading to get up to speed. So are you saying do not use the 20’s with the 2230? Thanks for the info.

 

[Dswankey]

The 20's are essentially the same as the 17's... and are 4ohm.

running the 20's and the 26's as A+B would not be advisable for the health of the 2230!

are you saying do not use the 20’s with the 2230?

No that's not what he's saying, he's saying if you run BOTH (A+B) pair of speakers at the same time it would not be advisable.

 

[hornbostel]

How about a Yamaha M60? I have to do a lot of reading to get up to speed. So are you saying do not use the 20’s with the 2230? Thanks for the info.

The KHL 20 speaker is an odd duck. It was specifically designed as pointed out earlier to be paired with the KLH 20 all-in-one turntable, tuner and amplifier. The KLH 20 system was the very first all-in-one system that included a moving magnet cartridge in the turntable. It also basically included the KLH 18 tuner, which at the time was very good (and still is!). Thus, the KLH 20 system was the first hi-fi (ok, mid-fi) all-in-one system - no need for separates. The speakers were 4 ohm versions of the KLH 17s with the idea that the speakers would draw more power from the low-ish wattage amplifier (was rated 40 watts 'musical power', which translates probably to something like 20 watts per channel RMS in todays terms). The KLH 20 system retailed for $400 in the late 60's... which is equivalent to ~$3,200 today! Ponder that for a few minutes. KLH sold tons of these systems.

The KLH 20 speakers are exactly the same as the highly regarded (at the time and even now) KLH 17s (basically an affordable AR 2) but were designed SPECIFICALLY to work with the KLH 20 system.

I have 2 pairs of KLH 20 speakers that I bought for peanuts mostly because these are enigmas to most folks with their RCA connector. Thus, you can find them often in great condition but for cheap. I also have 2 KLH 20 systems that I acquired separately from the speakers that I hope to fully restore this winter for my kids. The KLH 20 speakers with the system sound absolutely fantastic (I'll try to post a video).

I would discourage you from hooking up the KLH 20s to your M60. I have its little brother, the Yamaha M40, which puts out ~170 watts into 4 ohms continuous and 300+ watts instantaneous. I nearly ruined one of my KLH 20s listening to some acoustic guitar through the M40. Even at moderate listening levels ('live' loud, but not to a level that I thought was dangerous for the speaker) the voice coil during one passage of hard string striking extended so much that the cloth surround folded over and the coil got stuck. I've never seen this before! Ever on any speaker. These speakers are certainly not designed to accommodate these levels of transient power. Be careful. They'd be much happier with the 2230.

As for your KLH 26 speakers, these were also part of an all-in-one turntable, receiver system, the KLH 26, which followed from the KLH 24 system. This is not a problem at all. This was still from the heyday of KLH and so the speakers are going to be good. My pair of KLH 22's are the equivalent of the KLH 24s which came as part of the KLH 24 all-in-one system. The KLH 22/24 speakers are on par (although not quite) with the revered AR 4x. They are both the same size and both use similar 8" woofers and similar sized tweeters. But somehow my AR 4x's sound so much sweeter than my KlH 22's. The AR 4x's certainly punch much lower in bass.

 

[RTally]

I have a pair of KLH Model Twenty speakers. When I recapped and redoped my 17s, I also replaced the RCA connector with 5-way binding posts. I am listening to my 17's now, powered by a Luxman R115 (70 wpc at 8 ohms). I also have two pair of Sixes and one pair of Seventeens. They all sound great. The Model Sixes sound even better than the 17s and 20s. One pair of my Model Six speakers is powered by a Denon POA-5200 (200 wpc @ 4 ohms).

hornbostel's warning about playing them at loud levels is important. But it all depends on what one considers loud. Most live concerts I go to I wear ear plugs to avoid hearing damage. I cannot imagine wanting to simulate those listening levels with an old vintage speaker. Playing the KLH (or any old vintage speaker) at concert sound levels is flirting with disaster.

I use a phone app to measure SPL. My loud listening level is 80 to 85 dB, with peaks maybe 10 dB above that (depending upon genre of music). KLH speakers will last forever at those levels. I have newer speakers that are better suited for those times I want to hear the speakers outside and down the street.

As for the amplifier to use, the general consensus is that more power is better so as to avoid clipping, which is thought to destroy tweeters. I think the M60 would be great with the speakers considering the caveat above about listening levels.

 

[JohnBrownace]

I have a pair of KLH Model Twenty speakers. When I recapped and redoped my 17s, I also replaced the RCA connector with 5-way binding posts. I am listening to my 17's now, powered by a Luxman R115 (70 wpc at 8 ohms). I also have two pair of Sixes and one pair of Seventeens. They all sound great. The Model Sixes sound even better than the 17s and 20s. One pair of my Model Six speakers is powered by a Denon POA-5200 (200 wpc @ 4 ohms).

hornbostel's warning about playing them at loud levels is important. But it all depends on what one considers loud. Most live concerts I go to I wear ear plugs to avoid hearing damage. I cannot imagine wanting to simulate those listening levels with an old vintage speaker. Playing the KLH (or any old vintage speaker) at concert sound levels is flirting with disaster.

I use a phone app to measure SPL. My loud listening level is 80 to 85 dB, with peaks maybe 10 dB above that (depending upon genre of music). KLH speakers will last forever at those levels. I have newer speakers that are better suited for those times I want to hear the speakers outside and down the street.

As for the amplifier to use, the general consensus is that more power is better so as to avoid clipping, which is thought to destroy tweeters. I think the M60 would be great with the speakers considering the caveat above about listening levels.

I have a pair of KLH Model Twenty speakers. When I recapped and redoped my 17s, I also replaced the RCA connector with 5-way binding posts. I am listening to my 17's now, powered by a Luxman R115 (70 wpc at 8 ohms). I also have two pair of Sixes and one pair of Seventeens. They all sound great. The Model Sixes sound even better than the 17s and 20s. One pair of my Model Six speakers is powered by a Denon POA-5200 (200 wpc @ 4 ohms).

hornbostel's warning about playing them at loud levels is important. But it all depends on what one considers loud. Most live concerts I go to I wear ear plugs to avoid hearing damage. I cannot imagine wanting to simulate those listening levels with an old vintage speaker. Playing the KLH (or any old vintage speaker) at concert sound levels is flirting with disaster.

I use a phone app to measure SPL. My loud listening level is 80 to 85 dB, with peaks maybe 10 dB above that (depending upon genre of music). KLH speakers will last forever at those levels. I have newer speakers that are better suited for those times I want to hear the speakers outside and down the street.

As for the amplifier to use, the general consensus is that more power is better so as to avoid clipping, which is thought to destroy tweeters. I think the M60 would be great with the speakers considering the caveat above about listening levels.

Thank you for the input.

 

[alteclipsch]

There are quite a few threads on the classic KLH speakers from the 60s and 70s. Be aware of the dos and don'ts regarding maintenance for them, especially the use of the correct surround goo, which they all probably need after 50 years or so. And capacitors. There us a lot of info on AK about all if this.

 

[larrybody]

My Model 20 and Model 24 KLH stereos and matching speakers. All were goodwill finds.

Why are KLH badges always missing?

 

[alteclipsch]

My Model 20 and Model 24 KLH stereos and matching speakers. All were goodwill finds.

Why are KLH badges always missing?

The Twenties didn't have badges as part of the system, AFAIK.

 

[Bodyblue]

My Model 20 and Model 24 KLH stereos and matching speakers. All were goodwill finds.

Why are KLH badges always missing?

I bought repops from the guy on Ebay when I recovered my Sixes......they look great.

 

[Bodyblue]

I have a pair of KLH Model Twenty speakers. When I recapped and redoped my 17s, I also replaced the RCA connector with 5-way binding posts. I am listening to my 17's now, powered by a Luxman R115 (70 wpc at 8 ohms). I also have two pair of Sixes and one pair of Seventeens. They all sound great. The Model Sixes sound even better than the 17s and 20s. One pair of my Model Six speakers is powered by a Denon POA-5200 (200 wpc @ 4 ohms).

hornbostel's warning about playing them at loud levels is important. But it all depends on what one considers loud. Most live concerts I go to I wear ear plugs to avoid hearing damage. I cannot imagine wanting to simulate those listening levels with an old vintage speaker. Playing the KLH (or any old vintage speaker) at concert sound levels is flirting with disaster.

I use a phone app to measure SPL. My loud listening level is 80 to 85 dB, with peaks maybe 10 dB above that (depending upon genre of music). KLH speakers will last forever at those levels. I have newer speakers that are better suited for those times I want to hear the speakers outside and down the street.

As for the amplifier to use, the general consensus is that more power is better so as to avoid clipping, which is thought to destroy tweeters. I think the M60 would be great with the speakers considering the caveat above about listening levels.

I really, really like my rebuilt Sixes, in the top 4 of the speakers I own along with OLAs, Imperial 6s and AR 14s. But I did not feel the same way about the 17s for some reason. I just could not warm up to them. I bought a pair of Optimus Ones and recapped them and ended up liking them better so I sold the 17s.

I agree that the more power the better with acoustic suspension speakers. They really wake up with more power.