Opinions on KLH Model 5

[Bodyblue]

OK here are a few short clips while my wife was in the shower. I used my MCS 3260 @60wpc. These sound better the more power you put into them. We have a really big bedroom and any of the speakers we put in there sound pretty good.

Tomorrow I will take some time and put a lot more effort into a better video.

 

[Ron Z]

I have the same (minor) questions about whether the mids need it, but if the factory did it that is enough for me. Additionally, since the Fives have two mids I don't know that it's going to cause a suck-out of the mid frequencies with a light coating or if it would actually enhance them either. There's enough threads where I'm hearing others doping the mids to no reported detriment that I would do it too.

It'd be nice if someone could post the official KLH bulletin on the matter regarding the mids. That would firmly close the discussion.

This looks like a newer posting so I’ll reply. I found a pair of Model 5 for $150. Both woofers were stamped July 1968. One was marked that the caps were replaced in 1986. They both still had sone of those “crappy” black and red Temple caps so I replaced all caps with mostly Dayton 5%. Also sealed with the Mortite before dropping the woofers back in. I also bought the sealer from eBay as described and gave both the mids and woofers a coat including around the dust caps. Seemed to make the base in particular a bit tighter. Been running them fir prob 50hrs or so. They replaced fir now some Original Large Advents (OLA) that also had the little black and red temple 16uf caps replaced with Bennic (Dayton) 5% Woofers were marked Aug 1970. I’m letting them run. I always liked the OLA. I think they provide better low end frankly. I’m letting the caps “break in” on both the OLA and Model 5. It’s a toss up for me right now but both beautiful looking and sounding speakers that seem to match well with both my Marantz 2245 and Sansui 2000x. I do t see me selling either anytime soon. Kudos to Mr Kloss.

 

[alteclipsch]

I've never owned OLAs so haven't been able to a/b them with Model Fives, but I had a friend who had OLAs some years back and they were great sounding speakers with strong bass.

When I redoped my Fives there was a significant increase in the lower end and they sound cleaner too, but that could also be the recap. I only used a thin coating of the AR goo.

Yes, Mr. Kloss was pioneer and his efforts still hold up today.

 

[Ron Z]

I've never owned OLAs so haven't been able to a/b them with Model Fives, but I had a friend who had OLAs some years back and they were great sounding speakers with strong bass.

When I redoped my Fives there was a significant increase in the lower end and they sound cleaner too, but that could also be the recap. I only used a thin coating of the AR goo.

Yes, Mr. Kloss was pioneer and his efforts still hold up today.

The 5’s and the OLA are both great with jazz. Vocals on the 5’s seem quite nice. I had a Nora Jones cd in and sounded like she was in the room. I find the 5’s do like a little power to open up although I have never had the Marantz 2245 past 10 o’clock. I think the OLA’s are a bit more efficient. Both are a perfect size fir my roughly 12x18 ft room with wood floors. I may elevate them a bit on stands and see what happens. I built some simple stands out of pine plywood. App 12”x9”x4” and applied real walnut veneer. A couple coats of Watco danish oil. Modeled after a pair I saw online which I think were originally sold by AR or Advent. We shall see.

 

[shogun700]

I have the same (minor) questions about whether the mids need it, but if the factory did it that is enough for me. Additionally, since the Fives have two mids I don't know that it's going to cause a suck-out of the mid frequencies with a light coating or if it would actually enhance them either. There's enough threads where I'm hearing others doping the mids to no reported detriment that I would do it too.

It'd be nice if someone could post the official KLH bulletin on the matter regarding the mids. That would firmly close the discussion.

The only thing that comes to mind is these mids are used in their own acoustic suspension cabinet in the Model Eight and 21 radio, their extension speakers, and other similar speakers like the 718 and Fifty. I've restored a few, and the performance is improved greatly with a single, light coat of sealant, and it's not just the bass, to me they are better top to bottom. Of course in the Five the woofer is doing the bulk of the bass work, but perhaps those drivers need the sealer for proper sound reproduction, even when not being asked to carry the lower end?

I've been reading this thread because, in a truly glorious coincidence, a pair of Model Fives came my way via craigslist...the day after my Marantz 2275 was put back into service after a full restoration. It's been amazing with my Sixes, can't wait to restore the Fives.

 

[tubed]

 

[alteclipsch]

I had a pair of Five mids in my parts bin, so I put them in a pair of Optimus pro77 aluminum cabinets, replacing the rotted-foam rat shack drivers. Almost a drop in replacement, only requiring some caulk and a couple new screw holes. I doped them, plugged the rear port, and left the OEM tweeter in there with its capacitor. They sound terrific, more bass than the OEM, probably due to the dope.

 

[crdm6]

The butyl rubber sealant concocted by RoyC over on the Classic Speaker Pages sold by vintageAR on Ebay also acts as a terminator at the edge of the cone. While important on the woofers, it is vital on the mids. It should be thinned out with toluene before application on the mids. Toluene is very nasty stuff but is the "approved by Roy" thinner. Thin is in.

 

[shogun700]

The butyl rubber sealant concocted by RoyC over on the Classic Speaker Pages sold by vintageAR on Ebay also acts as a terminator at the edge of the cone. While important on the woofers, it is vital on the mids. It should be thinned out with toluene before application on the mids. Toluene is very nasty stuff but is the "approved by Roy" thinner. Thin is in.

Great info, thank you. I knew from doing the woofers that 'less is more', good to know thin is in!