Knights speakers with KN 839 3-way Driver

[Noskovus]

I recently acquired some Knights speakers and was wondering if anyone had more information on them or the drivers in them.

Details and photos below.

Thanks!

Specification	Detail
Impedance	8 ohm
Power Handling	20 W RMS
Driver	Knight KN 839, full-range
Frequency Response	~45 Hz-17 kHz
Cabinet Type	Sealed (acoustic suspension)
Sensitivity	~90-91 dB SPL
Configuration	Single 8-inch driver, no crossover

The Knights (Knight Speakers)

• Brand: Knight (Allied Radio / Knight Kit)
• Model: Custom home-built kit speakers commonly referred to as “The Knights”
• Era: Late 1960s to early 1970s
• Type: Vintage 3-way speaker system
• Configuration: Each cabinet contains a single Knight KN 839 8-inch driver
• Country of Origin: USA (Knight/Allied brand, with U.S.-made drivers typical of the period)

Drivers

• Driver Model: Knight KN 839
• Type: 3-way driver (full-range design with integrated cone tweeter section)
• Size: 8 inches
• Impedance: 8 Ω
• Power Handling: 20 watts RMS
• Cone Material: Paper
• Surround: Cloth surround (treated, air-tight sealant applied originally)
• Magnet Type: Ceramic ferrite
• Frame: Pressed steel basket
• Frequency Response: Approx. 45 Hz – 17 kHz (typical of the KN 839 driver family)
• Efficiency: Moderately high, around 90–91 dB SPL (typical for Allied/Knight full-range designs of the era)

Cabinet

• Construction: Custom-built wooden enclosures from a Knight Kit project (home-assembled)
• Design: Sealed acoustic suspension
• Material: Real wood veneer over plywood or particleboard (depending on builder’s choice)
• Grilles: Likely removable fabric frames (typical of Knight kit speakers)
• Finish: Vintage walnut or oiled wood appearance

Internal Layout

• Although the cabinet design was intended as a 3-way system, only one KN 839 full-range driver is installed in each speaker.
• Other cutouts or crossover points may exist but are unused — this configuration appears factory-intended for full-range operation.

They are on the bottom right in the first photo.

 

[bowtie427ss]

EV Wolverine LT8.

 

[Noskovus]

EV Wolverine LT8.

Is that a similar speaker?

 

[bowtie427ss]

Is that a similar speaker?

It is the same speaker.

Knight didn't make speakers, they put their brand on speakers made by other manufacturers.

The KN-839 was made by Electro-Voice. It is the Wolverine LT8.

Same situation as the Lafayette speaker you asked about that was actually made by Goodmans of England.

 

[Noskovus]

It is the same speaker.

Knight didn't make speakers, they put their brand on speakers made by other manufacturers.

The KN-839 was made by Electro-Voice. It is the Wolverine LT8.

Same situation as the Lafayette speaker you asked about that was actually made by Goodmans of England.

Got it.