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Replacement for KLH Model Twelve subwoofer?

M

musiqmuse

New Member
I have a friend who has vintage KHL Model Twelve speakers and his subwoofer on one of the speakers has died. I cannot find an original replacement (circa 1967) and am trying to figure out what, if any, suitable replacement there might be of a more up-to-date, current subwoofer. While the sound will not be the same, anything would be better than nothing at all (that's our opinion, anyway :). But... I am concerned that a drop-in replacement may damage the contour (crossover) boxes. Is this possible? I do not see any markings (other than the date Oct 31, 1967!) on the subwoofer itself.

Does anyone know what I might need to do in order to match an appropriate replacement subwoofer?

*thanks!*
 
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As frustrating as it may be, I would try and be patient and find an original Twelve woofer. They do turn up, especially when people ditch the Twelves because the crossovers go bad. They are a nice speaker and worth keeping original.
 
It's NOT a subwoofer, rather, a woofer.
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Subwoofer is something else altogether.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subwoofer
 
Find another working speakers (preferably vintage) and keep on the lookout for the same woofer meanwhile.
 
You can also use a woofer from KLH models Five and Twenty Three, but don't use one from models Seventeen, Twenty or Thirty Three....these are smaller magnet speakers.

The models 5, 23 & 12 will have cone weight in grams written on the cone, such as 25.6, 26.2, etc.

It's worth finding a KLH unit, remember they were a virtically integrated company, making their own speakers.....winding their own voice coils and they had their own lab to develop speaker cones.

When set up correctly, the model Twelve is a very good loudspeaker.
 
anden said:
You can also use a woofer from KLH models Five and Twenty Three, but don't use one from models Seventeen, Twenty or Thirty Three....these are smaller magnet speakers.
Click to expand...

Ah... thank you for that insight. I was contacted by another forum member this morning who just bought one KLH model twelve speaker this weekend (just one, no crossover) and was probably going to part it out anyway. So he is going to test the woofer to make sure it is working and viola! looks like the problem is nicely solved with an original vintage issue woofer.

So thank you all for your helpful advice and input. The folks in the audiokarma forums are simply excellent!
 
Both my original klh 12 woofers developed voice coil rub. Wasn't noticable till the loudness button got switched on or you put some power to them. The 12 have sort of an oddball size for the woofer and I didn't want to modify the opening either. I ended up using a pair of old rat shack nova 8 woofers. They fit right in with no modification and I know this is sacriledge but I have no intention of going back to the originals. Both of my klh 24 developed the same slight vc rub so right now vintage klh woofers aren't high on my list of favorite drivers. Epi's fit perfectly in the 24's opening and I don't have any plans of looking for original 24 woofers either.
 
motorstereo said:
Both my original klh 12 woofers developed voice coil rub. Wasn't noticable till the loudness button got switched on or you put some power to them. The 12 have sort of an oddball size for the woofer and I didn't want to modify the opening either. I ended up using a pair of old rat shack nova 8 woofers. They fit right in with no modification and I know this is sacriledge but I have no intention of going back to the originals.
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Thanks, good to know! Someone found me with an original, so will try that route first. But this is another good backup plan.
Both of my klh 24 developed the same slight vc rub so right now vintage klh woofers aren't high on my list of favorite drivers.
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That's what happened with this one--the rubbing is quite pronounced. It sounds like a washboard when you push the cone in and out. :) The other woofer, at this point, still glides smoothly.
 
if its just rubbing, try rotating the woofer 180 degrees in the cabinet. otoh, if the voice coil is open, time for that replacement.
 
Yes, turn them and let them sit. They will come back usually. The gap is smaller than many speakers and then it happens. About the only worse speaker in this regard are the old Wharfedales with very small gaps. Same problem and same way to fix. The trick is to immediately stop using them when you 1st hear it so you don't ruin the vc.
 
Brian said:
Yes, turn them and let them sit. They will come back usually. The gap is smaller than many speakers and then it happens. About the only worse speaker in this regard are the old Wharfedales with very small gaps. Same problem and same way to fix. The trick is to immediately stop using them when you 1st hear it so you don't ruin the vc.
Click to expand...
That makes sense, because when I was testing it out, I had removed it from the cabinet and it began to work (I had the woofer sitting on the floor). But then there was some vibration here and there again. And the rubbing does seem to be more on one side. Hmmmm... Well, I did just order a replacement (same model twelve woofer) from another forum member. So perhaps now perhaps my friend has a spare if this woofer could have worked just by rotating it! Really good and helpful to-know information. Thanks (both you and SpruceMoose).
 
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