The rare but wonderful KLH model 7!

[pabs911]

serial # is 7748

 

[boreas]

and here is my single KLH model 6. It looks like raw birch to me. I wish the tweeter cap wasn't pushed in, but it does sound pretty sweet anyway.

Birch veneer plywood "utility cabinet" if I'm not mistaken.

John

 

[anden]

Note about these sealed cabinets - through thew years various methods of getting into the cabinet have been disscussed at the Classic speaker pages site. it is kind of amazing KLH continued with this enclosure up to serial # 93,000 on the model six (about 1964, the year Singer bought the company). about 10 years ago I met a guy who serviced kLH in the early 60's....few speakers had problems, but when they did, it meant prying the baffle board out ! At the time, speakers had a 5 year warrenty - KLH provided a shipping box and paid for shipping. In the World of consumer audio,thats an amazing service.

 

[pabs911]

Note about these sealed cabinets - through thew years various methods of getting into the cabinet have been disscussed at the Classic speaker pages site. it is kind of amazing KLH continued with this enclosure up to serial # 93,000 on the model six (about 1964, the year Singer bought the company). about 10 years ago I met a guy who serviced kLH in the early 60's....few speakers had problems, but when they did, it meant prying the baffle board out ! At the time, speakers had a 5 year warrenty - KLH provided a shipping box and paid for shipping. In the World of consumer audio,thats an amazing service.

Yes, it definitely a head scratcher. The only reason I can think of to do it that way was to keep owners from messing with the drivers/crossovers. Otherwise, I just don't get it.

 

[45rpmspinner]

Indeed they do! Great low end with silky sweet highs. Human voice to die for and a dynamic large deep soundstage. Also, these model 7's don't sound rolled off on the top end at all, and they go LOOWW! They sound just like the model 6 I have (it's the 12-ply version you mention), but on steroids. A truly amazing speaker the model 7. I'll include a shot of my model 6 a bit later today.

Old thread, but I thought I'd echo the sentiment.
KLH fans should never pass on a pair of 7's. Bass is very good and goes lower than you might imagine.
Hard to believe they're close to 60 years old.

 

[CharlesWil13]

I got these two KLH model 7's along with a single model 6 a few weeks ago off CL here in Tucson for $80.00 cash total (the model 6 is in excellent condition, but it has no veneer). The cabinets were in fair condition on the 7's, but the drivers were in excellent condition, luckily. Three of the tweeters were peeling off their frames however, so I had to carefully super glue them back down. I also redoped the surrounds and dust caps with Permatex since the surrounds were obviously quite porous. One of the tweeter domes was dented a little, but that's about it for problems. All drivers work perfectly and the speakers sound GLORIOUS! This is pretty amazing considering how old these speakers/caps are (late 50's early 60's!). There is no way to get into the cabinets since they are completely sealed, but someday I'll have to to recap them so out will come the power tools. I really don't know how these 50 year old caps can still sound so good. It's shocking! These are currently my second favorite vintage speaker behind the AR-3A, but the difference is not huge. These speakers were $203.00 each back in the day and they certainly sound like it. They have the same drivers as the model 6 which are stellar, so I plan to keep the model 6 as backup (or find a mate if possible). I love these old KLH's.

All I did to them was fill where the veneer was missing and any deep gauges. I sanded them down with 240 grit sandpaper, then finished with 400 grit to really smooth them out. I stained the filler with walnut stain to match the wood. I then used Howard's Restore-a-Finish to pull them together. I used Howard's Feed-n-Wax to finish the cabinets off. I made the grills from scratch since these speakers never had them, only cloth that was attached to/rolled around the front baffle. I got the grill cloth/black backing at a local sewing store called Joanne's. With speakers like this (great veneer but pretty banged up), I don't even try to make them look new. I just go for "old yet pretty antique". What do you think?

I just inherited a pair of these from my father in law. I’m about to perform a complete restoration like you did. I can’t find any instruction manuals for them and have never seen A, B and C connections like this. How do you hook them up? I don’t want to damage them. Thanks

 

[45rpmspinner]

I just inherited a pair of these from my father in law. I’m about to perform a complete restoration like you did. I can’t find any instruction manuals for them and have never seen A, B and C connections like this. How do you hook them up? I don’t want to damage them. Thanks

FYI, the info in this thread isn't to be taken as gospel.
Do not use permatex on the surrounds.
Do not cut open the back of the speaker [unless you can't manage it otherwise].

There is another, much better, thread to follow. I'll look around and see if I can find it.
Imo, Models 7's are worth the trouble.

"A" is for the ground [negative] wire.
"B" and "C" should be hooked together and then connected to the positive speaker wire.

 

[45rpmspinner]

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/klh-model-7-sealed-klh-crossover-repair.619340/

 

[alteclipsch]

FYI, the info in this thread isn't to be taken as gospel.
Do not use permatex on the surrounds.
Do not cut open the back of the speaker [unless you can't manage it otherwise].

Ditto on all of the above. Those are pieces of history and need the appropriate restoration. Done right, they'll be beautiful and sound just as nice!

 

[moebuster]

I have a pair.
basically you'll need to/want to chip out the epoxy that resides UNDER the metal badge.
then have a hand small enough to reach in and do the do...

IF they are functioning as intended then i recommend not opening up this can of worms.

 

[Mr. Cryalot]

KLH + Sansui = Audio Nirvana!!! I'd love to have a pair of 7s that beautiful in my collection, but i suppose quad 5s and a pair of 12s'll have to do for now, as i don't have anything before or in between other than both kinds of 11s - and there's no comparison there, lol!