This is how you modernize a vintage speaker. KLH Model 5 speaker thoughts and review
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- #klhaudio #audio #hifi #speakers #audiophile #stereo
Non-affiliated link
Quebec dealer: www.centrehifi...
Rest of Canada dealer: motetdistributi...
Saskatchewan dealer: www.everestaud...
Patreon account : / thomasandstereo
klhaudio.com/m...
$1,999.98 US / Pair.
Gear used in this evaluation
Exasound E28 DAC
Doge 7 Tube DAC
Doge 8 Tube Preamp
VTL 2.5 Tube Preamp
Cayin CS88 tube integrated amp with KT77 tubes
PierAudio 580 Hybrid Tube integrated amp
Mcintosh MAC 6700 integrated amp
IOTAVX SA3 and PA3 Integrated amp
Synthesis Roma 96 DC integrated amp
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Track: Left Alone - Airixis [Audio Library Release]
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I forgot to mention the Piers Audio 580 is 50w. With that amp, I lost about 30% of the bass compared to the Mcintosh MAC6700. Non-affiliated links
Quebec dealer: www.centrehifi.com/fr/produit/674073-klh-model-five?searchterm=KLH
Rest of Canada dealer: motetdistribution.com/find-klh.html
Saskatchewan dealer: www.everestaudio.com/klh-model-5-floor-standing-speaker-pair.html
I hope my Bryston 3bst would power it well. Company specs are 120w per ch 8 ohms, but they tested it as 155w rms per ch 8 ohms 20-20,000 hz.
I drive mine with a sherwood mosfet Amp 100wpc
Do you think it’s possible to drive these with just the SA3 instead of the stack at around 45wpc.
Hey Thomas,.
If you had to guess what do you think R800i 845 would sound in synergy with the model 5?
In 1973 I owned a pair of KLH 5. After all the years I can still hear the Doobie Brothers in “Long Train Running” and “Listen to the Music” played on vinyl through those great sounding speakers. That was some of the sweetest sound I have ever heard! Those songs have never sounded as good on anything else for me, and I have owned more than my fair share of great sounding speakers. I have a nice audio setup now that suits me, but this new KLH 5 might be just too strong a temptation to go back to 1973 once again, maybe even better.
The Wharfedale Lintons might be worth looking at as well. According to reviews they have an even better vintage sound than the Model 5.
I just ordered a pair... That is the sound I am looking for.
I know the sound you speak of, I remember the same tunes being played on the "record player" through similar speakers of the day. I was returned back in time when I played the first bit of music through the KLH Model 5's, Hotel California was my first pick... They sounded so good, sweet, ENVELOPING and BIG in my living room. I was darn near brought to tears. My 78 yo mother was sitting there with me, she could not believe how good these sounded, she actually stopped what she was doing to actually listen. It was an enjoyable experience for both of us. The sound was just incredible, we were both sitting there saying "Did you hear that?", we were both blown away. If you are on the fence, and have the money, do yourself a favor and purchase a pair of these, as I honestly do not believe you will regret it.
@@emmanuellamp2977 there were many different vintage KLH speaker models (1960’s and early 1970’s), 5, 6, 7, 14B, 15, 17, 19 and 24 I found by Google search today. I am only personally familiar with the model 5 and 6 floor standing. It seems that the model 24 was a system of speakers (bookshelf) plus a turntable with amplification; from a review on the model 24 system I found the reviewer said that the sound was superb. Maybe the model 24 is what you remember? I think there were many more models from references I found online, also on Google - I searched for KLH vintage speakers.
You are the most through reviewer on RUclips. I will never miss another video again!
Thomas, thank you for this. I was still in a quandary as to exactly how these KLH’s would present themselves, until your video. Beyond equipment pairing, and typical assessment, you got into the soul of the presentation. Plus different perspectives from others in your audio circle. Super comprehensive, and enjoyable. 🙏🏼
Glad it was helpful! I try to share real world experience.
@@ThomasAndStereo heyy Thomas will u be able to help me find a really really good audio system my friend I would really really love to discuss on what I should get for speakers and stuff
@@xxgamerxxchrischris2325 Trust me I would love to help every one of you. The problem is to find the right system is not that easy and I don't stuff half-ass. It takes days and days of emails going back and forth so rather, I made a video to help people do their homework first so I can just drop in at the end to give my opinion. Take a look at these. ruclips.net/video/2CKey_opnmE/видео.html
Then you can go to my playlist audio discussion here, its the 3rd one down. ruclips.net/channel/UCMVtSHXafOEcFN10FYygDTAfeatured
Hey John. Did you get the KLH 5's? If so what are you powering them with? I have to demo them. I like that they are sealed cabinet b/c I don't have much room to move a speaker out from the wall, especially rear ported types. I may have at max 2 feet to move something out. I am thinking of perhaps paring it with a Parasound amp or maybe even just try out the Outlaw integrated amp. Not sure yet.
@@markd4292 Hi Mark,
I don’t have them. I was considering them (or a similar design) down the road. I’ve just been following different perspectives on them, but Thomas really does brings us there. But I’m thinking my room might be a bit too small for them. I’m currently running QuadS2’s through a creek amp. These would be a very different sound. Would probably need to try a different kind of amp as well.
Thomas is the Professor of hifi. Really enjoyed the breakdown of the vintage speakers and I’m not surprised they demand quite a bit of power to drive them. Bigger woofers on the vintage speakers, and also for the lesser vintage, a high level impedance forcing amps to work harder.
Thanks, I mean you can good sound with a normal amp but if you really want to bring out the full potential of a sealed port design, you need power.
@@ThomasAndStereo - Thanks much Thomas! As usual great review! Been wondering how the model 5 will pair with the new Marantz model 30. Not something you’ve reviewed, but would be great to hear your take on it and the combo.
@@crossover706 Thanks, I have never heard the Model 30 but as long as it is on the warm side and has a bit of power, I would consider it myself.
@M B High level impedance forcing amps to work harder ? AFAIK it's exactly the opposite !
@@ThomasAndStereo heyy man do u think you can be able to help me find some speakers
Thomas, you are getting so good at reviews. Makes us feel like we are hearing it ourselves. Great job!!
Well, I hooked up the KLH M5's, and OMG! This is the sound I have been dreaming of. This brings back the days of my youth. The big cabinet speakers that enveloped the room. These KLH do that and more. The soundstage is incredible in my room. You feel like you are sitting right there at the foot of the stage. The highs and miss are just sweet to the ear, I could listen to these all day long, they simply bring music to life. I will never go back to a ported bookshelf speaker, I don't care who makes them or the price. The SVS Ultra's are going on the block.
The KLH bass, right now, I do not see pairing these with my SVS SB3000 subs. I really do not see the need. The bass, again, in my room, is easily hitting down in the 30hz range according to other articles I have read. I will still try the SB3000, or both, and see how everything plays together. I kind of doubt I will keep them in the mix for two channel, but may leave them for two channel movie night.
I found all of the reviews I have seen on these difficult to believe, but I was proven wrong. These are staying, and I see no need to continue looking for "that sound", as I have found it.
I hooked these up to my SVS Soundbase and streamed off my iPad via Apple Music... If what I heard is any indication, these will sound even better playing solid source material. I don't know what KLH did, but they nailed it with the Model 5's.
The Zero Fidelity reviewer said the opposite - these speakers don't seem to disappear, "you know where the music is coming from." Overall, he liked the KLH5s, but cautioned that people who play lots of classical music with a full orchestra might be disappointed. It sounds like they work best in a smallish room.
@@user-xx2hj7xb6b They were very good speakers, I have since replaced with a pair of Zu DW6 Supremes...
For those about to rock...We salute you Thomas!!!
sealed boxes tend to have good mid-bass and are particularly good in smaller rooms
Thomas, I "enjoy" how you do your reviews. Getting your buds to listen to the same speakers is a great idea. Your reviews are excellent!
Mr. Pete----------->
aging hippie
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Terrific review Thomas. I loved that you had your friends listen to them, and the detail you went into talking about the speakers, especially amp matching. Thanks Thom.
Did you use an amp or does the soundbar have an amp built-in?
I am glad to see that I am not the only guy that loves his woofer speaker with his tweeters all in the same package 🙂
Another great review. Thoughtful, informative and entertaining. You brought this experience to life. The sound clip at the end even reinforced what you heard with the Mac amp.
Thanks, yeah I was originally going to record a sound demo with every single amp I drove it with to show up point but then the video would have been too long.
Thanks for the balanced review. Most reviewers only focus on the good.
Thanks for the solid unbiased review. I just ordered a pair and am excited to see how they sound paired with my Mac MA6300, Rega P3, with Ortofon LVB cart.
Great review, Thomas. Thorough and it nice you got feedback from your audiophile friends. Thanks!
Great review Thomas! I have had the Model 5s in my setup for about 3 months now and absolutely adore the speakers. I will never sell them. Ironically, the only area I think could be improved upon is the bass. Currently driving them with the Doge 10 and while I really enjoy the pairing it seems they are just a little shy of being able to fully bring out the glory of the Model 5 down low. Currently considering Vincent audio hybrid integrated (tube pre amp- solid state output stage - 150w into 8 / 250w into 4), Yamaha, Musical Fidelity, and after your review I'm going to have to look closer into McIntosh! Pairing with a powerful warm amp makes a lot of sense to me after listening to your experience. Thanks for bringing something new of value to the conversation on these speakers by discussing amp pairing in detail and the feedback from your friends is always helpful!
Edit: I really think these Model 5s being a 6ohm speaker is in part what makes it a little tricky getting them to their highest potential.
Outstanding review. I never heard of the KLH Model 5, but your unbiased, clear description made me listen to the full review
I've got 4 pairs of the KLH and they sound awesome with all kinds of music, I have a wide variety of music and they handle all of it with ease
Hello Thomas Sir,
All your reviews are lively and great.! Very natural, and you make us feel as if we are actually listening to the speakers, just by the way you describe it. Thank you so much.
Was looking for true Acoustic Suspension speaker. Glad KLH makes them!!!
Damn Thomas you really tested these. I'm glad you guys had fun! 👍😀
Thanks for the great review Thomas! I used to own vintage model 4's and Model 5's but Vintage look with modern tec is pretty cool to me! I really appreciate your revews and the genuine quality of your character as a great person.
Apreciate these videos as both advice and entertainment
I just found your channel. I had to sub. I bought my first Hi Fi system in 1975. I also prefer sealed cabinets. Back in my day you had to buy large speakers with ports to get deep bass. Man, you have some awesome gear!
Thanks for the sub!
I did not realize how bad these Model 5's were sounding until I bought the Denafrips Ares II DAC... I wish I would have bought the Pontus II now... But, the Ares II was the game changer and honestly brought the KLH speakers to life. I loved the sound of the Ares, so I went and purchased their Iris DDC, Hades preamp and their Thallo amplifier. I also picked up the new BS Node to stream with. The Denafrips gear has a smooth and warm sound to them, which just as Thomas stated, they sound the best with this setup. I can now sit for hours and actually enjoy the music without wondering what the hell is wrong with my system, or why my ears are bleeding. It was the DAC! The Ares II solved ALL of those issues. Pontus II coming soon.
I was given a pair of old KLH Heritage USA bookshelf speakers. 6.5” and tweeter. They are impressive for their size. I made them my garage speakers and have a very nice sounding garage.
Takes me back to my STEREO REVIEW days.
Time for you to start a youtube channel.
@@ThomasAndStereo l certainly have gone thru enough gear to have one.
Hey Thomas. KLH was the speaker that got me going into this hobby. I owned 3 different models and really liked them all. Mr. Kloss created some amazing speakers with terrific performance.Thanks for the video.
Nice, I wish I can listen to some older KLH
Ah Mr Henry Kloss a genius I own some of the award radios and even Advent speakers I gonna look forward to purchase the model ,5 for my birthday
🤗. ANOTHER GREAT REVIEW FOR “OLD SCHOOL “ AUDIOPHILES 😍😍😍
I had one like that in the 70s.
Recently I bought a pair of speakers which did not sell. Got it cheap and spent some money on new crossovers.
Man it sounded great.
Another great review. I am old and still love vintage gear. Amazing that even with RUclips compression you could hear the difference with the McIntosh 6700 seems like a good match and a fun sound.
Yeah, depending on the amp, it changes the experience big time and I am glad it shows in the sound demo.
one of the best reviews I have watched. Makes me quite envious of the electronics.
Thomas you are such a great audiophile story teller. I have little interest in this speaker and yours is the first video I've watched about them, I just can't resist a Thomas and Stereo story time. I really loved the bit at the end about showing your setup to your mentor.
Awesome, thank you! My new channel name Thomas and Stereo story time, I should make a mug with it.
Mine will be here in the next two weeks😎😎😎
I’m also glad they have the walnut finish available in the U.S. now !
yeah man so much nicer, waiting for them to be in stock
I agree. I am waiting for the walnut too. I have yet to demo them however. If I like them then there is the matter of what to pair it with. I'm thinking the Parasound 2250. Or maybe a Schitt amp? Arcam? I don't know.
@@markd4292 Thomas says Mcintosh hybrid did wonders for the klh 5, and I trust him.
Excellent description and overview. I grew up on all paper cones with woofers of ten inches and up. I still like paper. If I had the space I would buy these without hearing them because I know the sound you are describing. Thank you for this video. Great !!!
Thomas, you out did your self on this one. Thanks for your efforts
My pleasure!
Best review yet on model 5s.
Now lets get an update in the braun 810s and compare ir ADS 810S.
this is the sound i have been waiting to hear , it reminds me of the old mission 710 , i can not afford them now but its the one for the future KLH YOU HAVE BROUGHT THAT VINTAGE SOUND BACK SOUND BACK
I took my 1974 KLH Model 32s out of mothballs. I replaced the capacitors with better quality modern audio grade capacitors and replaced the iron core inductors with high quality air core inductors of similar value. I reinforced the inside of the cabinet and applied Noico sound deadening mats inside and on the backs of the speaker magnets and frame plus inserted sheets of 3/4” Rockwool on top of the Noico and put more fiberglass fill inside. The cloth surrounds of the woofers were recoated with Permatex. Overkill? Maybe but I considered them relatively cheap modifications and the improvement was remarkable. I made up a new set of higher quality speaker cables and with my old 1979 JVc 60wpc receiver it was well worth the time and it was minimal expense to improve a classic KLH 2 way Speaker. Plus it was an enjoyable project.
Love the KLH vintage looks. Reminds me of dad’s Sony speakers from the 80’s. Enjoyed your review and explanation about draw of the vintage sound. Looks like KLH has nailed it with this version of model 5. I see you have the Doge 8 pre … look forward to your review of it. I have the 2021 XLR version with Telefunken and Brimar yellow tubes.
Yeah, I got some Brimar tubes with it too.
Nice, they seem to be the ones that give you the best of both worlds. Enjoy, because that the ultimate goal!
Waiting for mine to arrive in a couple of weeks. I hope they sound as good in my room too!!
Thanks for all your awesome reviews, Thomas. it's always so refreshing to watch your reviews!! I think you are one of those lucky ones to have a bunch of audiophile friends to have different views/thoughts in the gear you review. Their contribution is so valuable too.
Mine too man. So it’s the end of July huh? My dealer only said July and I was going to email him to ask exactly when. I got the walnuts.
@@rensopinto2139 Well now they say it will be in September :( Something is telling me this could even be a longer wait..!!
@@astertm99 they wrote you? I heard end of august, first week of sept..
@@rensopinto2139 I ordered them through my local audio dealer - he emailed me and said it will be early September when we get it. But I wouldn't hold my breath on it :)
@@astertm99 yeah same here. I gave him half of the payment to hold onto mine. I can wait though. If it’s after that I might be tempted to go with used heresy 4’s.
Love the detail and not vague analysis. Told me what I wanted to know. Thankyou
Glad you liked it
Excellent information. You're adding scope to my listening abilities. 😊
I had some KLH one speakers I dearly love them until they just fell apart. I used them to fill an entire school auditorium with music for a dance recital using a Marantz 30 white per channel amplifier and it was loud.
Yeah these can go up to 112db. Impressive if you were able to fill an entire school auditorium.
You are really talented in your descriptions. In framing this review you really conveyed a clear idea of the sound profile..outstanding review!
Glad you enjoyed it!
First time listener/watcher, and I thought your review was very good. I am very much considering purchasing the Model 5's, if there's room in our living room. I'm a bit "late to the table" regarding watching this review, though. And the main takeaway I get(from your review, and then reading a slew of comments below) is that the only amp that will make these sound great is the McIntosh MAC6700, or a similar McIntosh. I understand that your thoughts are that the amp generally needs to be "warm", and it needs to have a bit of power, but after all was said and done, I still get the feeling that the only way to go is with a very expensive McIntosh amp.
Now I'm not so sure whether I want to purchase the Model 5's. I don't know if my amp is capable of making them sound their best. If I'm getting ready to plunk down $2K+ on a pair of speakers, I'd like to know my amp can "make them sing".
I bet Mr. Vintage loved it!
Great A-B comparison. Thank you so much. They are and were no.1 on my list.
One does not simply walk into a store and buy a model5 ,but rather the model 5 buys you!!!
Deep!
Hi Thomas another great review, my first set of speakers KLH 2 way in 1974, still miss them. Hope to get these speakers at some point. Take Care
Awesome review as usual. Comparing the sound signature with various equipment is very helpful to understand not only the speakers but the equipment as well. Well done.
Wow. Just beautiful. I wouldn't say vintage. I would say timeless.
Couldn't agree more!
Thomas - Hey great review on the KLH Model 5's. I think I'll add a pair to my collection as well. Keep up the great reviews!
I own a pair of 900B's and the clarity and bass are just beautiful,and if that sound quality continues ... i am dying to hear these model 5's in person.
I have these paired with the Yamaha as1200s. I never tried them with the McIntosh.
But I have found a solution that works for me to take care of the edginess that you are referring to with brighter sounding amps.
If I EQ the 200hz region to plus 2db you can get a warmer less peaky sound. Erin’s audio corner says there is a baffle step mismatch in the measurements in this region where there is a slight lack in the mid bass. This really makes this set up much fuller in sound and almost perfect to my ears.
I do this using the digital EQ on my WiiM pro. I found you can’t achieve this using the analog EQ on the Yamaha or the attenuators on the back of the speakers. Just my experience. Cheers.
I started my audio journey with the Original Large Advents,and I'll never the BASS ,good to 32 hz fundamental...midrange was clear but a tad shy on the very top end;I'm in the process of having them "re-foamed",totally worth it
Thanks for the review, love the old school look.
Hey I bought these when they first came out this year. I tried not to overpraise them to others, but I've been very happy with them vs where I came from. I didn't realize the soundstage was so big comparatively. Probably cause my old speakers were omnipolar.
What did you have before these?
Yeah, the sound stage is very big. Well, depends on the amp driving it.
@@jasonreyes9504 I had old Mirage omnisats (the original big ones, not the nanosats)
Hi Thomas, new to your channel and just subscribed...I love your layed back approach. I have in my system vintage KLH Model 5's a beautiful well crafted speaker inside and out....I needed to replace the caps in the crossovers, the build inside the Model 5 was so impressive.
I ordered mine back in April, I was assured they would ship in May, now when I inquire, I'm told that they will be shipped in two weeks but I have got this same message several times. I have given up asking them - ship dates come and go.
I saw a post in a forum of a message from klh a member got saying they’d be shipping end of august/early September. I’m waiting too man…
Wow.. first of your videos I've watched. Incredible review format Thomas, really enjoyed.
'Scotty, man, I need more power' made me laugh so hard! You made my day! Thank you! Again, the synergy between amp and speakers seems to be at the forefront of audio nirvana.
Thank you for yet another intelligent and well-presented video
I think speakers around this price range should be tested with amps around this price range-to make the review relevant to a lot of us for whom the 10K amps will forever be unattainable. How does KLH work with Rega, Rotel a11, a14-mki; Audiolab 6000A; Atoll; Sphinx Rougue; Msi5 -from low to the mid-tier hi-fi amps? I appreciate the reporting of the pairing with Iota.
Exactly!
Good at everything. Master of none. Which is high praise.
I’m currently in a very small room and can only really support bookshelf speakers so went with the Buchardt S300s. But these look perfect for a larger space, when I move in a couple of years I think I’ll probably invest in a pair of these for the front room.
Great review Thomas !! These are definitely on my radar .. alot to think about…
Nice review Thomas. Also I like the look of the speakers, nice to see some more old school look again.
The Mac setup sounds so much warmer with tons of clarity. Thanks for sharing.
Yup, the strong bass brings out the strength of these speakers.
Thank you. Very interesting review. It sounds like these might be very good for most classical music as long as you add a sub for organ passages.
I am old enough to remember when 10" woofers we're generally for bookshelf speakers. 😉
Technically Acoustic Suspension is distinct from sealed in that the driver's parameters are specifically designed to use the compression of air in the smallish box as part of the suspension. In a way it is a matter of degree but in a classic sealed system the box is primarily serving to capture the rear wave rather than to be a part of Qms.
hello I discovered these historic speakers, which I would like. in France we have cabasse historique cabasse has produced and still produces over the years, wonderful speakers. models from the 70s / 80s always ready to offer the best thanks for this presentation.
I'm really surprised that being French you didn't mention the oldest speaker manufacturer in France named Epsilon and their legendary Heritage XLS 15?
@@jimtek59 eclipson of course has produced exemplary models. it s a very well known look, films from the 70s / 80s often have them in the sets. I have a weakness for my Cabasses, sampan and clipper. thank you
Modern high resolving systems accurately reproduce the flaws of poor recordings. One reason people like tubes and vinyl is that they blur or gloss over these imperfections and make them sound much "nicer" and therefore "heartwarming". It's like an open fire vs radiant heating. A fireplace is badly flawed but it's got poetry and character.
The "quest" drives me to higher resolution sources that highly resolving gear will portray as they should, i.e. "great". In my case I'd rather have my emotions stirred by truly great and accurate sound, not by throwing a veil over the defects.
I'll also have to concur with what Thomas says here about power. Though I don't really have audiophile type amplification on these (I have a Yamaha AVR Aventage RX1080), the receiver does allow me to either power these at small (as low as 40hz cutoff) vs large (full range). Despite popular advice of always setting your speakers to small unless you speakers can do 20-ish hz., with these there is a very noticable loss of bass quality if you do a low pass cutoff. They sound better driven at full range with as much power as is available.
Also I've tried, but any sort of electronic room EQ doesn't do the speakers any favors, so I run the receiver in the "front" setting which leaves the speakers uncorrected, and just eq's rest of the system around that baseline. Every room is different though so maybe EQ will help in other peoples situations. I did find these easy to place in room and blend with my subwoofer though, and having the crossovers overlap (sub is still at 60hz) hasn't caused any issues, sounds great. Toe-in affected my sound the most, backwall placement was not an issue, I could get pretty close with no noticable change (I'm not a stickler for imaging though, I just like some soundstage and non-exaggerated bass response).
Thanks for sharing your experience.
recently listened to a pair / set of these, in a specialist Hi-Fi store. Man these definitely sounded fantastic, and I have Focal Chorus speakers..
I visited some friends beautiful mid century California home the other day. While they have no audio system, it occurred to me that the KLH 5 speakers (Or Lynton for that matter) driven by some Mac electronics (Leak is too underpowered) would be just perfect for the home from a nostalgia design stand point. Add some LPs and a record player of the era and It would take me back to my youth. Just put on Dave Brubeck, Take Five, add slippers, a cardigan sweater and some nice whisky and the picture is complete. Sounds like a place Id like to be. heh.
Haha, I can picture that.
@@ThomasAndStereo It's a hillside home resting above the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. You would have a beautiful view while listening. Sigh.
I have the original 5's. They truly rock. They have twin midrange drivers side by side. If you can find & review them and compare with these "new" ones that would be very interesting. Thanks for this excellent video.
Thanks for the info!
Wonderful review as alway. Thx Thomas!
Thomas wait until you review the new Revival Audio Atalante 5 Speakers ! They are the very best cheaper speakers out there right now that can hang with the Big Boys...
Super presentation... well done. Thank you.
no one says the word 'fantastic' in such a funtastic way as Thomas does 06:38
Been waiting for this review...and it was worth the wait! I've been enjoying these speakers for a few months now, and your assessment more or less matches mine. When I first got them, I was concerned that I wouldn't be satisfied with the relatively non-"punchy" bass, but I've not felt any lack in the bass performance. In fact, the bass is excellent. It obviously doesn't go super low, but it sounds very natural to me. I've definitely had your experience of being drawn away from what I was doing to just enjoy the music. These are the most emotionally engaging speakers I've had, and for me that's what it's all about. My previous speakers were Tekton Impact Monitors, which are technically excellent, but they just don't speak to my heart like these. I'm driving them with a Purifi-based amp from VTV Amplifier, which has plenty of power. I think the combo sounds great, but I haven't tried them with any other amps. I'm VERY curious to hear the upcoming Models 3 and 7.
Thanks Peter for sharing.
Are you using a DAC with these speakers and if so which one?
Gorgeous speakers by KLH!👌
I can see how these KLH 5s stand out among other speakers. The Spendor classic series cost several times the price of these. Makes the KLH offerings much more accessible.
Now that you mentioned Spendor, I have a pair of S3/5R2 on my desk and I like that sealed cabinet bass.
Thomas, I love your stories, keep them coming.
Speakers today, sterile, that is what I hear in these modern speakers... I currently have the SVS Ultras, the bookshelf models. I had the big Emotiva towers, have some Klipsch, some Wharfedales, etc... Nothing does it for me. After awhile, they all sound small and boxy, no excitement and quite honestly, not that much fun to listen to. I want that old school sound I grew up with, those big cabinets, BIG Woofers, etc... Throw the Led Zeppelin on, The Who, Floyd, Dire Straits, Yes, Jimmy Hendrix, Queen, some old Stones, Muddy Waters, Boston, Ted Nugent, The Beastie Boys.... So much stuff out there that was never meant to be played on speakers the size of shoe boxes, it is time to regress! And screw the detail, LOL! I want to tap my toe and say hell ya! LOL! I am genuinely excited, and I hope this silly speaker nonsense can come to an end for awhile.
I did just order a pair. I love the sealed box, these should play well with my SVS SB3000 subs... Yes, I'm a bass head... This should be fun, I have a few A/B amps, some D's, along with a couple of Schiit preamps and DACs. I should be able to make these sing and find the sound I am looking for. Thank you for the review Thomas, you and Mr Vintage sealed the deal.
If this does not fill the bill, a set of X-Statik open baffles from GR-Research, if the parts are available.
Hi Thomas,
I absolutely love your channel! Thank you for all of your time and efforts to really impart your genuine thoughts and feeling about audio equipment. It’s clear that you really put a lot of heart into all of your videos, and I must say, it’s truly appreciated!
I wasn’t sure how to email you, so I figured I would just leave you a message on your latest video. I recently purchased the SVS Prime Pinnacles and for their relatively meager price of $800.00 a speaker ($1,600 for the pair), I think they’re pretty special. I’ve had a hard time finding a speaker that has detail, but isn’t too bright. This speaker has done that in my space where other speakers really struggled (my area is not sound treated), but they also have a surprisingly controlled bass response and a wonderfully transparent sound stage IMO.
Probably their best feature is that I can see only through just about any source at them and they do a pretty great job - they’ve been super versatile. Perhaps my only complaint is a thin lower midrange, but there’s always a trade off and all things considered, I believe this is a very smooth, balanced loud speaker.
There aren’t many reviews of the Pinnacle towers - it would be amazing if you were able to do one. I would love to hear your thoughts about them! For what it’s worth, for home theater I’ve paired them with an SVS Ultra center and two SVS Prime satellite speakers for ceiling mounted rears. I also have two HSU Research subs that have been great.
Anyways, think about checking out the SVS Prime Pinnacle towers. I haven’t seen you review anything recently that is quiet like them.
Regardless, keep up the great work!
Thanks, I actually owned the SVS prime complete set a few years ago. I remember it being warm sounding. I liked it and that is why I asked SVS to send me a pair of Ultra which I have made a video on it. I can't make a video based on my memory because how I listen to speakers has changed over the years.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks for getting back to me, Thomas!
Understood on your other videos, the Prime Pinnacles though are actually newer speakers from SVS that are neither the original Primes nor the Ultras, though I'm not sure it would be fair to say their somewhere in the middle of those two either. From what I understand, they're much closer to the Ultras in overall quality, but with a much different cabinet design that really changes their sound. Each woofer has it's own chamber within the cabinet with their own ports. They are also a much smoother sounding speaker than either the Primes or the Ultras from what I hear, but I haven't heard the others to compare myself. I've seen a decent number of people say they prefer the Pinnacles to both the Ultras and the Primes, for what that's worth.
If any of this sounds interesting to you, you might want to ask SVS about getting you a pair - I would really love to hear your thoughts on them. I’m sure you have so many different options when it comes to speakers you think are worth taking a look at, but you might want to look into the Pinnacles specifically, because I think they’re pretty great.
Thanks again!
Was so excited for this one I streamed it in the car on the way to work hahah. The equipment matching here really surprised me as other reviewers said they sound good with everything. I found that hard to believe, so I'm glad you clarified for us the differences. Thank you! Mcintosh has the signature of adding white gloves and beauty to speakers, so sounds like KLH really benefits from that, for other speakers it can be "boring". Now I need Mcintosh gear and KLH, boy life is tough hahah. Thanks Thomas
Need to win a few lotto tickets to keep up with this hobby.
@@ThomasAndStereo hahah more day trading and more RV sales, just have to work harder lol
Wow very impressive review Thomas! The fantastic review itself aside I’m so impressed with the filming, lighting, audio, editing, and also getting multiple audio friends to try the speakers!?!
I think we viewers can take for granted how many hours it takes to put together a review this polished and all the practice in front of a camera to come across as natural as you do - especially without a “professional” video crew doing everything!! Well done. *slow golf clap*
(Ps I have had these speakers for awhile now after having a few other pairs over the years and love these!! Don’t see myself switching for a long time. Have them paired with a Hegel amp and it gives lots of bass control, power, warmth and imaging Hegel is known for and makes them come alive)
Thanks, yeah, I was up until 2am in the morning and was worked on this video for many days. I can see a H300 Hegel pairing well with it but I have never heard the newer Hegel.
If I need a McIntosh to drive no.5 - I’m in trouble. Thanks for the most informative KLH no5 review.
You don't in the sense you can get it to sound good with lesser gear. Just like any speakers, it scales up.
@@ThomasAndStereo thanks Thomas. I hope to try the klh with my Rotel a11.
The acoustic suspension principle is not just a fancy name for a sealed box enclosure. It was invented by Edgar Villchur in the mid 1950s and quickly became the standard for bass reproduction. Villchur was neither a scientist or an engineer. He's what I'd call an intuitive inventor. He got the best answer even though he didn't fully understand why it was the best answer.
Unlike other speakers an acoustic suspension woofer is a very high compliant long throw driver. Other speakers depend on mechanical forces in the speaker suspension to provide much of their restoring force and damping. The acoustic suspension depends on differences in air pressure between the inside and outside of the enclosure to apply restoring force. It is applied uniformly over the surface of the cone and is linear. The damping factor is controlled by the stuffing in the enclosure. It is filled with stuffing. This forces the motor to push and pull air between the fibers. Their aggregate surface area is enormous. The damping factor is the frictional force between the air and the fibers, the same principle that explains why the space shuttle heats up at high speed re-entering the earths atmosphere. The force is linearly proportional to velocity.
In technical terms the design exploits Newton's second law of motion applied to forced oscillation and to the ideal gas laws, the gas being air. It is therefore immune to problems that plague other designs. It can be tuned to have any frequency response extension and any Q (damping resonance factor) simply by adjusting the mass, spring constant (volume of air in the enclosure), and damping factor (amount and quality of stuffing.) With a Q of 0,707 or less it is never a Johnny one note. The king of the deep for me is Teledyne AR 9. With two 12" side firing woofers and installed as AR recommends it exploits both the principles above and the discoveries of Roy Allison about how bass couples to a room and how to avoid the 200 hz suckout. As a result it can produce room shaking bass while it is still entirely musical.
Another closed box design that is not acoustic suspension designs are the infinite baffle. Bozak Concert Grand is an example.
Nice info, thanks.
YOU GOT ME, I MUST HAVE THESE.
A very interesting and detail analysis. Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
Excellent review and analysis!
Thanks for watching
Thomas is, for all intent, an audiophile's audiophile... he has the friends and connections to keep his videos interesting. It doesn't matter if you like his comments or not; but rather, he gives you an honesty based on his own tastes and prerequisites, which is, in my opinion, the best an honest human being with the desire to teach, communicate, and develop a report (without compromising his values)... can achieve.
There are many differences between a good reviewer and an excellent one... a good reviewer has the technique of organizing information and giving it life and structure, but not necessarily with honesty nor integrity (if any)... for as in any profession, one can always compromize and sdttle in order to succeed and move ahead of the pact. There are some reviewers (anonymous) that only seem to please those who make their livelihood possible--they are both predictable, boring... and have come to have developed rear-end kissing and patronization of their listeners to an irritating state of the art, that can be insulting and quite obnoxious to say the least.
Thomas is his own person--not setting out to be another run of the mill benefacter of flattering the manufacturers or selling the consumer on high-end products just to gain a paycheck... but to invest himself in communicating and educating subtly the reality of the stereo industry in order to maintain individuality and unbiased reviews... but to develop a career that may also leave an outstanding heretige and reputation attached to a career he most likely would have at one point done for nothing but the privilege and shear enjoyment of it.
Agree with him or not... there is that love of the music, the hope of making a surprising and outstanding discovery to share... and see how long it takes opiniated nincompoops to make fools out of themselves... and prove his point. Keep up the good work, Thomas... here's to your continued growth and good success! 🙂😁
Thanks for the encouragement.
@@ThomasAndStereo My pleasure... after all, it is the truth....
Excellent, detailed review. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
I just got my Model 5 hooked up with a Fezz Silver Luna tube amp. A but thin but I have a Rel sub tied in to fatten it up 😊
as the owner of a original pair of Technics SB-F3 (restored) and an original pair of Pioneer CS-A700 (restored) here is my opinion
you are absolutly right, i just litened to the KHL in an audio show... yes there where much more expensive speakers like the la scala or margules (margules is just real high end so there is nothing to compare but...) and the harbeth 30.2 which i loved so much
but the KLH is different and is not afraid of beign different, is very catchy you know, the kind of speaker that you want to listen to more and more songs... i mean the P30.2 are really betifull and balance sound presentation still vívid with a nice treble but the KLH is more life to the music but still never really aggresive, really detailed but never fatiguing with a very nice dynamic bass that turns weak with 40hz and lower frequencies but still really nice for the size, i mean still they are medium size speakers and they are almost full range (specially 5 feet away from them)
now the Technics SB-F3 are vivid speakers and have really nice resolution of deatils, amazing sound stage and a nice central immage and a beatifull high end... the KLH is more vivid (like between 1 or3db) and i feel they extend that region wider covering upper frequencies, i also listened to the SB-F2 70's version (there are various versions) is a really small speaker and is very resolutive, the KLH does not want to be a monitor and is not only focused in details, mids and treble
now the Pioneer CS-A700, that is a FLAT speakers, i mean REALLY FLAT it has some exitement in the mid-treble, and the highs are amazing with a trully metalic presentation but also controled and rolled off... this is a very hard to drive speaker 'cause is very efficient an amplifier that has a modern bass compensation will make the speaker sound boomy and opaque.... is really neccesary to use an amplifier with loudness available to used it as disable
well, the KLH is like the pioneer's child in bass for being a 10 inch woofer and also a way smaller box, the pioneer does not have more bass, is more dynamic with the sensation of a full range speaker i think is also more presice if driver properly
the tonal neutrality in the mids i think is just perfect in the CS-A700 compared with the vivid tones of the KLH,the tweeter in the CS-A700 has a metallic tone... since the crossover is set at 5000Hz not even a violin of flute aquires a metallic presentation and still the roll off makes not brigh presentation at all... lets say that the metals feels so real but behind the scene so they are never harsh... in fact the speaker might aquire some harshness in the uppder mid region while in high volume (but i mean, really HIGH volume) and in cosntrast the KLH has a more modern "Hi-Fi" type of sound but it never gets harsh, still i didn't listened to it at high volumes.... is the type of speaker to put 1W (remember, 90.5dB) of power and just enjoy and realx to the beautifull and fun presentation
and lastly all this 3 speakers does everithing particularly fine... my pioneers are god tier for acoustic music the SB-F3 and the KLH spunds a little synthetic for so to say...
Nice, thanks for this comment.
It looks like a good speaker I often saw while growing up in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The ones that sound good whether playing Abba or Iron Maiden.
Yeah, love Abba.