渋い For the Musicphile. KLH Model 5 Loudspeaker Review!
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- Henry Kloss, Malcolm Low, and Josef Hofmann would be proud.
klhaudio.com/model-five-pair
$1,999.98 US / Pair.
0:00 Intro
0:27 Product Design and Features
4:22 The Attenuation Switch
5:49 The Sound (Short Summary)
8:07 The Sound (Detailed Summary)
14:53 The Problems
17:21 Setup and Equipment Recommendations
21:18 My Biased Opinion
26:14 (Bonus!) Comparison Talk
Zero Fidelity Patreon: / zerofidelityhifi
Lava Lamp to go with Speakers!: amzn.to/39CmXnt
Intro Music By: Future Joust - Sunset Drive
--- Electronics Used In This Review----
- AMR CD-777 SE
- Iotavx SA3 | PA3
- Marantz Model 30
- Yamaha AS1200
- Parasound HALO HINT 6
- Luxman L550 AXII
- Accuphase E480
- Parasound HALO Hint 6
- Tsakiridis Aeolos 
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Sean, you did it again! A real winner of a review. Great info AND judgement.
I am 84 years old and worked in network broadcasting for 40 years. I started in 1960 and retired in 2000. Before becoming a network executive I was a stage manager and associate director, and heavily involved with live music. The Tonight Show, Perry Como, and other musical shows were where I lived. Small live clubs in the village were where I hung out with friends. We ALL had major systems at home.
I still have my KLH Six speakers sitting in my basement, but am not allowed to climb down the stairs any longer, so they just sit there. I have owned AR, KLH, Dynaco, Deluxe Advent and Radio Shack Nova 8, KLH 5 clones, and others over the years. Currently in my small study the Pioneer SP BS22 LR speakers do the job and in my living room KEF Q300’s handle the work.
You got me drooling again! You made an excellent and honest description of the new Fives. In looks, they remind me of the Deluxe Advents and I am a musicphile just like you described, you brought me home again fella!
Keep up the excellent work, folks need people like you advising them about gear! 😃
I love that you describe this speaker's market as being for someone who's sick of being an audiophile and just wants to listen to music.
That's always a suspicious statement. Many times it means that the speaker has weak attack and/or bad timing - but has a nice presentation anyway :)
That sounds like me. I'm tired of wondering what else is out there. I just want a nice stereo that rocks.
Don't call it "retro trend" this is a TIMELESS IMMORTAL trend of beautiful aesthetic and great sound.
Great looking spekaer
U right, u right.
Yep
Well said!
@@ZeroFidelity - Hi, wondering how the pairing with the Marantz model 30 was since you’ve listed as an amp you tried with? Thanks!
It's nice to see speaker manufacturers that are building speakers that looks like speakers and not like vacuum cleaners.
Or museum of modern art rejects ;-)
Amen! The "slim tower" has been done to death.
@@StringerNews1 With all it's drawbacks.
He he.
hahahha i died lolllll
Thanks SO much for taking the time to talk about their performance with full scale classical music. That’s something I seldom encounter in a review and is what I really want to know before I buy. Greatly appreciated, Sean! 😀
Outstanding effort my friend! You put a tremendous amount of work into this review. I appreciate the very indepth description to detail you offer while also offering your personal opinion. Hope you have a nice Easter weekend!
Thought I should add, now a month later I'm the proud owner of these fabulous speakers. Thanks again to you Sean. You were spot on with your review. After enjoying these for a few days, I hoestly don't feel the need for any other speaker. They look and sound straight forward, with no frills or gimmicks. The same could be said of you and your reviews.
Good stuff!
Hoping that you review it soon as well! ❤️
Knew you’d think these were cool, Steve! I honestly thought I was watching a review for the original model fives first! Really excited after realizing these are NEW mode fives!!! Love my model sixes :))
Steve old man, can you weigh in on the OG
KLH Modle 5's and 6's.
The fives had the nice beveled cabinets , a cotton fiber tweeter and 2 mid range drivers a paper 11 inch mid woofer in a sealed box.
Was the 5 a 3 way speaker?
I never looked at the x over.
@alles alles He's not going to review them. He just made a video explaining that he doesn't understand the hype. He also explained that it doesn't mean they aren't good and everyone has different tastes. It also means that he only reviews things that he likes.
@@13odman think it is slightly more nuanced than that…
Well done. This is the epitome of the exact type of review I look for from you and your channel. Thank you
Such a well done review. 30 mins of jam packed info - don't know how you do it. This is a skill!
When I entered jr. high... 7th and 8th grade, KLH was highly celebrated in hi-fi journals at the time. I had dreams of owning such speakers. Now, KLH is back in a big way. Henry Kloss was the Andrew Jones of his day. He was a tinkerer and inventor with a big name and the inventor of the acoustic suspension design. Hats off to the company and thank you Sean for the honest review.
The asshole turns off comment, so I cannot make any comment except in here. HE GOT PAID FOR THE SHIT.
@@RossEvans12 who are you talking about?
Edgar Vilchur invented acoustic suspension. He founded Acoustic Research. HK was an early hire...an MIT dropout who was tasked with actually making the speakers. Vilchur was the theorist/engineer/inventor, Kloss was the production guy. Vilchur also invented the dome tweeter. When the grind of running the company lost its luster and Vilchur sold out to Teledyne to pursue other interests (hearing aid research), Kloss took his knowledge and partnered with Hoffman (a mathematician, author of "The Iron Law") and Lowe (the businessman) to found KLH. His involvement eventually ran its course and he too sold out, later founding or partnering in Advent, Kloss Video and Cambridge Soundworks. [This story is based on my long residency in the Boston audio scene, and once was friendly with Edgar's son...not first hand or inside personal knowledge.] The comparison to Andrew Jones is not without merit, the wandering entrepeneur/speaker designer.
It sounds like you are about 10 years younger than me.
@@robertfriedman3802 HS Class of '69!
These take me back! You're probably too young to remember when speakers like this were everywhere for under 500, but it's nice to see someone can appreciate that old school sound.
Love your reviews, man! Thanks for making content. Stay well!
I thoroughly enjoy this format the review. Very informative and also a more relaxed cadence in your delivery, outstanding.
sean, wonderful review! thanks for letting us know how it performs with classical music! that's such a nice bit of additional information! thanks!
Edgar Villchur patiented the acoustic suspension design with his protege Henry Kloss back in the late 50’s. I had AR’s and Advents back in the day and love that sound!
I still have the classic AR-3a speakers and still love them. KLH are in the same class. The Advents were great except for a slight dip in the midrange which seemed to be popular at the time. (makes them sound more "open" and "airy")
I’m running double stacked Large Advents. They are very satisfying, even though the positioning and setup isn’t optimized. Eventually I will sell them for something different (and the KLH Model 5 is VERY enticing!) simply because my current listening room is pretty small.
AR also designed the dome tweeter.both still strong basic desgns
@@rickc661 David and Rick...Yes. I posted these points before reading down this far. Kudos to you both!
WAITED FOR THIS! I havent watched yet but I am looking forward to your honest review.
Damn, what a positive review .. I can't imagine how good these would sound with a very good integrated like a Hegel H120/H190 .. energy, dynamics, soft & clear sound, with details, and a big soundstage .. everything those speakers need !
Great review Sean. Thanks. The comparisons at the end were very useful too and your descriptions of the different sounds from each are enlightening.
It's always a please to hear your reviews, and that one was not an exception. Thanks!
Sean, your channel is the most honest and truthful audio review in the planet. Thank you for taking time to do this. 100% respect to you sir!
Thank you Chris!
You're right on point with your evaluation of the KLH speakers. Right on Bro!
Hi Sean! Man I love the retro look, that stand rocks also. I am a three way acoustic suspension guy from way back. Man I really like that treble selector switch. I am a great example of the musicphile you talk about.
Nice review! I was looking forward to these and I think I am going to give them a shot.
Just arrived at MKOM, Toronto and straight out of the box, these models are making music...Agree with you on all points...Nicely done on your review & Keep up the great work...Happy Listening.
I grew up listen to my fathers KLH 5's. Loved them. He still has them. The new 5's remind me of the Polk Audio Monitor 7's and the Lintons. Great review and a very intriguing speaker.
Easily one of your best reviews to date. Very likeable part about the funfactor of the speakers (showing clearly from your face) and what's it all about. Even without sound one would get the message loud and clear. ;)
Hey Sean
KLH was my first speakers
Now you have my attention again
Thanks
They were my first speaker also.
Thanks for another great review. Lots of useful information.
You can totally tell when he loves a piece of gear :) he becomes so much more animated and visibly excited, it’s awesome to watch!
Sean, great review! You always provide great details with your review. I love the look of these. A real homage to Henry Kloss and his designs of the speakers of the 70s. I’m absolutely a musicphile or whatever. I’ve got Revel F36 and they leave me cold. Very detailed but no lushness of sound for mid range and vocals. I wish these were available when I bought the Revels.
Great review!! Great stuff Sean!
i like to refer to us as a group, as audiophools. we are generally affable and love to hear as many components as possible. however, in these times, people such as yourself and steve, help us to hear that which most of us cannot. your clear and concise presentation, along with your love for the sport, makes your videos, a highlight of our you tube experience.
Great review as always and appreciate the subjective comments portion!
First off, great review Sean! 34 mins on the dot, always appreciate the effort you put in. You told me to wait for this review, it was worth the wait.. curiosity level extremely high. I really wanted to hear the Yamaha a-s2200 in my setup, you say they match well with the model 5s, now I want to audition them even more now.. currently running a Hegel h120 with Evoke 20s. The luxman behind you got me drooling too. I'm not too crazy about the aesthetics of the model 5s (subjective), but I can definitely live with it. Aesthetics always plays a part, but performance is my main focus... who knows.. maybe these look better in person. As a Canadian consumer.. import fees are probably gonna suck though.. Once again, great review!!!
Great review. Glad you compare it to other speakers I was interested in. Double impact, Forte IV. Made the choice for me...Thanks. Cheers!!! Just luv the looks also.
Great review and information Sean 👍. Thanks!
Really a masterclass in speaker reviewing as well Sean
Love your enthusiasm in this review. I personally am not a fan of the retro look but am sure they sound great.
When you mentioned that the very important stand was included with the model 5 at no additional cost, I immediately thought of the JBL L100 Classic, the stand being sold as an extra. imo, JBL slammed every potenial buyer by not including the stands at the $4K price.
KLH did the right thing.
Now thats a killer review !!
Thanks Sean
Its great to hear that you got to enjoy the music !! Gorgeous looking speaker ! Wifey approval i am sure of !
I was an early adopter when David Kelley rebranded the KLH brand, I’ve listened to some interviews he’s done and he says they also have the rights to Henry’s designs. I bought the Kendall’s and absolutely love them with my Yamaha A-S2200.
You got me really interested in this one KLH.
I've been an audiophile for 53 years. I've gone through more systems than I care to remember. Some of them I wished I had kept and some I'm glad I got rid of and spent tons of money over the years, searching for perfection that can never be fully achieved. But it's the hunt that's enjoyable I would guess.. Acoustic suspension has always been one of my favorite designs for the clean and deep bottom end. Henry Kloss will always be legendary to me in his speaker designs to which this speaker shares that special heritage. I know they're speakers today that do some things better but those older designs still have redeeming qualities in sound, that make you want to listen to them all night. Good and honest review as always.
Lava Lamp not included! To people in the EU, please send an e-mail to: Sheldoncombs@klhaudio.com to get info on Model 5 availability. Yes, the Model 5 will soon be available in Europe. One minor correction to what I said in the review: The switch on the back of the Model 5 attenuates signals above 400Hz, which is technically not JUST the treble. However, because the impact is heard mostly in the treble region, I'm going to stubbornly stand behind my calling it a treble switch. :)
Man, this speaker is quickly becoming one I have to check out, was pretty settled on my choice up until these.
Hi Sean thanks for the great review. I just have a few questions if you don't mind. With respect to the kind of equipment that would sound great with it, wouldn't that depend on the setting you have the treble switch at? I don't quite understand having the treble at the lowest setting and then pairing it with something like the yamaha which has boosted treble. Maybe i just misunderstood that part of your review. Thanks again for being the best in the business. Have a great day.
@@kamilhr - That's a very good question. Yes, the switch can help with equipment matching flexibility in terms of high frequency response, but what it wont impact is lower midrange/bass punch and presence. Hence why I still think lively and muscular sounding amps make for the most exciting combo. However, gear with other traits will also sound just fine with these. Think of the switch as more of a fine tune adjustment versus introducing a gigantic change in the sound.
@@ZeroFidelity oh okay I understand now, thanks again for clearing it up. Umm I have another question if you don't mind, you said you felt a warm/smooth or even neutral sounding amp would not be as good a match as something that's lively but what if you kept the treble at the max setting and paired it with something smooth sounding like a nad m10/parasound 2350 etc?
@@kamilhr It should be fine, but this is when we begin to split hairs a little. Truth is, I cannot give you or anybody else a broadbrush answer as our definitions of what makes for a lively sound make be different.
So...I took delivery of these speakers late yesterday. I've probably only got about 10 hours or so on them, but I can see what Sean was so excited about. You don't want to stop listening! I'm going through endless playlists right now, and it's a beautiful day outside...I really need to get out! Before these I was listening to Tekton Impact Monitors, so I was really intrigued by Sean's comparison to the Double Impact. The Tektons are more neutral, and I'd agree that they are a little cleaner in the midrange, but these Model 5's are fun, fun, fun! Something about the way they're voiced makes everything I've tried so far very enjoyable to listen to. I love the mahogany finish, in part because it talks to the reddish wood trim and floor in my listening room, and the standard grills look great to me. I've found the middle setting on the "acoustic balance switch" to work best for me on most music. The build quality on these is fantastic, including the stands. The binding posts are beautiful and look to be high quality. I don't really know how to explain the sound of these. This is definitely a toe tapping and head bobbing speaker. I've caught myself doing that a lot, and even jumping up to dance once in awhile. I can't remember the last time I did that with my Tektons. Don't get me wrong, the Impact Monitors are great and I'm keeping them for now, but I'm really enjoying the KLH's. Many thanks to Sean for this review. I've found that my taste in speakers tend to align with his, and he has a real gift for explaining the sound of a speaker, at least for me. Forgot to mention, I'm driving these with a VTV Purifi-based power amp and a Pro-Ject Pre-Box S2 DAC/Preamp.
I have similar thoughts. More than anything else, these speakers are fun as hell to listen to. Curious what changes you've noticed with break in. For me, as I keep breaking them in, the imaging and soundstage keeps getting better. I'm around 15 or so hours.
@@TheHammerofDissidence Honestly, I haven't noticed a lot of changes. The manual that came with the speakers suggests that they break in over the first 8 hours of play, and I think they did sound better after about that much time. I think the imaging maybe did tighten up a bit. I'm now comparing them side by side with my Tektons, and they both sound very good. I believe the Tektons are voiced to be very linear and neutral, while the Model 5's seem voiced to be a bit more engaging? The Tektons are better with large scale symphonic classical music. The 5's aren't bad with this genre, but the instrument separation is not as good. I would still say that "fun" is their defining feature, and Sean was right to classify these as "musicphile" speakers.
I was considering a set of the Forte III until I saw this video. Now I am going to check the 5's out. Great review.
Another great review!!!
Thanks
Out of luck here in Europe. Couldn't find a single dealer. Great and fair assessment Sean as ever. Your heart took over your head. Long life to the new king
Just received word that Europes shipment is on the way. See the stickied link.
Thanks for the review Sean... I just pulled the trigger on a pair.
Sean you knocked it out the park dude. Well done
Thanks for including the Luxman A550 comment. Put these on the short list for sure.
Sean, I greatly appreciate your addressing how this speaker fairs with classical music. I listen to classical music, mainly, and some jazz, and I feel deserted by most RUclips reviews. Yours is the only review I can remember that takes on the issue with specificity. Since I've been considering this speaker and am confined to my home with no opportunity to hear speakers for myself, I'm grateful for you opinion.
You said it wasn't going to be a rave review, but it was :D Thank you!
You express yourself very well . That's an understatement. My JBL 4430'a need a recone job. Been waiting on the parts since May. Some supply chain issue. These are the speakers I might replace them with. Rave reviews everywhere.
I was set on the Polk R700's after seeing everyone's reviews on this line, but this and Andrew's review has me questioning that.
You are one of the few reviewers to mention classical music. I'd love to have see a video recommending speakers for the classical music enthusiast.
Kloss...Who can beat him! Excellent review. I'll probably get a set. I used to have the 100's back in the early 70's
Even though they are ported speakers and not directly comparable to the KLH Model 5, I felt the same about my Wharfedale Linton Speakers. I use them with an old McIntosh preamp MX-130 in 2 channel mode and a XTZ Edge amp. Not my most expensive system at all. It is my least expensive, but it is the system I can just sit down listen to and enjoy. This is a great review.
Lintons are on my list to evaluate. My local dealer is quite high on them.
I have a set of the original Model 5 speakers with refinished cabinets, grills redone similar to the video, crossovers re-caped and the cloth surrounds of the drivers se-sealed. Still one of my favorite speakers.
I grabbed a pair of vintage KLH Model 6 a couple years ago. They sound perfect with music from the 60s-70s.
Wish you get to review the Wharfedale Linton Heritage and comparing it to this KLH model 5.
Me 2. But these seems hard to find.
@@danielcarlsson615 what are harder to find? U mean the Lintons now are rare hard to find?
A happy smiling nice sunburnt reviewer,, and coool speakers.
I want one,, ehhh I meant a pair. 😂
A very good and enjoyable review Sean. Thank you and Cheers,, 🍻😎👍
Bhahah The color temp of my ring-light made look like an orange. :D.
I’ll take a well-crafted acoustic suspension design over other box designs every time bc I know my preferences. I do not have a hankering to change what I know and love, but I’ve always liked to hear about what is around, so I thank guys like you for your effort. I noticed you covered the usual suspects, but didn’t really address dynamics compression or the lack of with these spkrs. I now add that to my scorecard when I evaluate speakers. I find the amount of compression varies in different designs and affects my perception of the sounds I hear.
Great analysis!
Admirable choice of words.
Thank you.
love how they look!!
I think the 5s are possibly the best thing to come out of speakers in some time. Thanks for the review, subscribing!
So glad to see KLH getting back into good speakers! So many years ago they went from great speakers to cheap speakers that sounded okay for the price. I would love to hear these!! The company has the ability to make great speakers - but they chose to make cheap speakers - but now it seems they are getting back to their roots!
When Kloss sold and formed advent. My 5s from 68 still sound like the Clev Orch does in Severance Hall... we agree, this is a step forward for audiophiles who know an extra 5 or 10K for speakers is not worth it...
Sean: with this, you have hit your stride on the review process. And thanks for perhaps legitimizing the term "musicphile."
I started off the audio journey back in the '70s with the ADS L-810. The KLH looks just like it with the grill on. I still like the mid-size speaker on stand style.
Great review! I'd love to hear them... I'm a fan of 3 way and warm natural mid. If your more in "classical and jazz" the Wharfedale Linton 85 are fantastic! (Same kind of size and style with 2 gorgeous finition Colors - red or oak) cheaper if you don't buy the stands.
I love the vintage look!
Thank you I just ordered them with grills. I'm going to pair them with my Outlaw amplifier .
How is the Outlaw amp working out with these? I was thinking of doing the same.
@@michaelp7185 I found it to be too bright. I have Willsenton R8. A Chinese to tube Amp. And that is out of this world great. My suggestion is pair them with a softer sounding Amp.
Great review!
Really great review! I’ve been considering the Model 5s for a while now and think they might pair pretty well with my X7 despite lower power rating on the tube amp side of things.
Kudos great review thanks
Thanks Shawn, I've been eyeing something in this price range for awhile, was considering the L82 seriously before I heard of these. Decided to wait on the review before pulling the trigger, there are just my style. Just wish the grilles were black and the wood oak or walnut. But close enough!
Same here been sitting on the fence on the L82s...i like JBL dynamics...but grew up with KLHs in the 70s!
With the tube amp I heard it paired with it sounded even SMOOTHER than my Harbeths! Just incredibly refined for a $2000 speaker!
can you share which tube amp you heard them paired with?
Hi Sean . This must be a remarkable speaker in deed.I think KLH 's main competitor is the new ELIPSON Heritage xls 15 [French]. If it is already available in the USA give it a shot ,please .Stay safe ,pal .
Great video! For me KLH always is fantastic! My Design Acoustic PS6 speakers on their original metal stands amaze me and anyone who hears them can't believe their ears!!
Can't imagine why these speakers would sound "awful" sitting on regular stand mounted stands built for their size. "Voiced" to be placed on a stand 8" high and a 5 degree angle of the level ground vs placed at midrange/tweeter level to hear height might be a good subject for a video. I just got mine the other day. I'm going to try at normal Bookshelf speaker height and see what happens. As long as the generally agreed upon isosceles triangle is used, what could go wrong. I'll be back to edit my response one way or another. Updated one week later. I have the model 5's up on very heavy, robust stands with the tweeter/midrange speaker group at exactly ear level. The speakers are 6 and a half feet apart and I am listening at anywhere from 5 to 8 feet from the speakers. I thought they sounded good right from the start and only got better. I'm very happy I didn't take this gentleman's advice and put the speakers on the provided stands. I would encourage anyone who buys these speakers to ditch the provided stands and mount these up high. It was well worth the time and effort for me.
3/2023: Excellent review. I just watched Andrew Robinson discussing these Model 5's and between the two of you, this sounds like the new speakers that I want to buy to replace/upgrade from my Polk model TSi500 Speakers that I have had for over 10 years now. I still like them a lot though. The Heresey IV speakers are close in my thoughts, and I really do like "horns", but the model 5 wins and costs less, for more, maybe. I love the "retro" of the model 5 and I have always been intrigued by Acoustic suspension speakers (had a pair of book shelf ones a million Years ago). These would work fine in my den. Now, I just have to finish paying off the Fender 4x10" Super Reverb amp that I recently bought. Thanks again for the good information and personal comments.
this was good. glad you did compare to the Polk since you just reviewed it. i guess w/ the R500 being about half the cost, one could throw the other half into a nice pair of subs. it would be interesting to see the $2000 R700 compared to the KLH both at the same exact price point. Polk's Reserve line has versatility in price points at its advantage. all in all, this is a good year for speaker shoppers. low and behold, i think i have a pair of unicorn RCA towers. i always wondered why these 1995/96 speakers didn't have a port. now I know. acoustic suspension design! RCA used to make quality speakers apparently. as you were describing the KLH, I was thinking "sounds like he's describing my setup now." caveat, my ears aren't as well trained and i haven't heard nearly as many speakers. but that easy to achieve dead center image, good soundstage but lack of complete "disappearance", fast clean bass...yeah that's me. i did add subs, and they just enhanced the game further. i'm with you on that 8pm - 2am and my sleep has suffered due to late night listening.
I really love the Model 5, thanks for the great review! I have been interested in the KEF Q950 and the Polk Reserve R700 also! They are in the same price range. Just have to make up mind, I am in a big room 15'x25' so that will be an issue, but other reviews have these all performing well in a bigger room. Your thought would be great!
I have watched this video several times!
Great review, Sean! I’ve been anticipating these for a while. Based on your time with the Marantz Model 30, how do you think it would pair up with the Model Fives?
In many respects it sounds like the description of my vintage Wharfdale Linton 3. Simular construction, 3-way seald. So much fun listening to them.
It's nice to see KLH is back with this design speaker with the vintage look and added tweeter control switch as it was back in the old days... But the price is too steep for me as I am still enjoying my New Large Advents with the same features as being acoustic suspension and toggle control switch on back as I keep mine on "normal"... I recently found in near pristine condition "Mini" Advents at a thrift store for less than $16.00 and the surrounds were replaced at some point... They sound nice playing classical music or soft music with vocals thru my vintage Pioneer SX-550 also found at a thrift store also cleaned up nicely with some minor repairs I done myself on it.. Great review on those KLH 5 speakers.
Excellent review; your knowledge and experience are evident. Sean, you are one of very few reviewers whose opinion I actually trust. I bought the Vista Audio Spark based on your recommendation and love listening to it. How would the Vista Spark pair with the KLH 5?
Tonally speaking, it's a wonderful match. However, I would only recommend this combo to people who are in a small room and/or listen at moderate to low listening levels.
I really appreciated the comparisons at the end. That greatly clarified for me your take on these speakers.
Awesome reviews
Your reviews are top notch. I wish they would have more choices of veneer. But hold on, now that this is the only choice i won t get tempted to try them :) The attenuation option is really good and i think that more manufacturers should opt for it. A really popular brand in Germany is Nubert and they offer this since many many years, on some models even for the bass response.
Great review… Have just ordered a pair ..
how did they do for you?
I’ve been doing this for a very long time. Great job without resorting to audiophile babble talk.
Thank you Sean for that thorough review. Your description is exactly what I've been looking for over the last year, which is balance, refinement, fun, and engagement. I'm ready to get off the merry go round and just enjoy the music again. SOLD!
P.S. Thanks for the tips on speaker placement and equipment matching, something that sets you apart!
Thanks! I hope you love em'!
Nice review @Zero Fidelity now I want one!! 🤒 I love the premise of a speaker that just plays most things well and let you focus on the music ❤️ Q: Would you take these or the Elba II, for someone who lives in that sub 70db range exclusively? I have the S400 but would like to try something else and possibly something more suited to low level listening.
I grew up with KLH Model Sixes and inherited both the tube preamp and monoblock tube amps from my dad and I'm thinking that these speakers are just going to fit perfectly both aesthetically and sonically. Nostalgia? Maybe, but I loved the sound of the old KLH.
Hey Sean, thanks for your awesome reviews and all the work you put into making these videos. curious if you tried using this speaker with your dynafrips stack.
As for the look, and basic design, these are 1st cousins to my 50 year old Dynaco A25s (I bought them used and they're still waking me up on my bedroom FM radio) and how I remember a college roommate's Acoustic Research AR2axs. Sean's description of the sound could also be applied to my Dynas, if they had new or rebuilt woofers. And the Dynas also have the three way tweeter attenuation knob. So these are retro through and through, in a good way.
Sean, I just want to say that while I don’t watch all your videos (I select based on interest in the component under review and how full my RUclips dance card is,) this, to me, is BY FAR your best review, at least in a long time. You have absolutely nailed what interests me - a blend of technical excellence but more importantly how the MUSIC is conveyed, how it moves you. Six hour listening sessions? Oh yes, THAT demonstrates the real standard. Thank you.
Absolutely superb...thank you. Hands down the most comprehensive, informative and engaging review I’ve ever seen. Masterclass. I currently have the AS1200 running into wharfedale evo 4.4. Love the combination and will keep the evos, but I was toying with the idea of trying the Heresey iv, or Fortes. The proposition of the KLH 5 seems to have potentially hit the sweet spot for me, and I love the aesthetics. Coupled with the amp synergy...I’m going to pull the plug and try some. Kudos...keep up the good work Sean.
Thanks Gary!