Kenwood KL-5080 (1970–71)
The KL-5080 was the middle model of a three-speaker Kenwood family - the KL-7080, KL-5080, and KL-4080 - built around what Kenwood called a "multi-channel" concept. It was unusual for the era. Instead of feeding a passive full-range speaker from one amplifier, you could drive the low, mid, and high sections from three separate amplifiers per channel, with an electronic crossover upstream replacing the usual passive LC network. The manual is blunt about the payoff, claiming six main amps instead of two produced "the ultimate in clear, truly distortion-free stereo sound." It is just as blunt about the risk: misconnect the low-range amplifier output to the mid or high terminals and speaker damage is "almost certain."
You didn't have to go the multi-amp route. The KL-5080 worked fine as a conventional full-range speaker. A four-position selector switch chose between the SEPARATE inputs (multi-channel) and CLEAR, NORMAL, or SOFT positions, which routed a normal amplifier or receiver through the built-in three-way LC crossover. CLEAR added a slight high-frequency emphasis, NORMAL gave flat response, and SOFT rolled off the mids and highs. For multi-channel operation Kenwood recommended crossover points of roughly 570-800 Hz and 5,000 Hz at 12 dB/octave.
The KL-5080 is a damped pipe duct bass reflex design. The smaller KL-4080 uses the same enclosure type, while the flagship KL-7080 used acoustic suspension. The drivers are a 12-inch free-edge woofer, a 6½-inch cone midrange, two horn tweeters, and a 1¼-inch metal cone super tweeter, which handles everything above 10 kHz. Kenwood's own literature is proud of the crossover network and describes it as a smooth, distortion-free four-way design using a 12 dB/octave L-C network with heavy-duty copper wire-wound inductors. The grilles are removable wooden lattice. Rated impedance is 8 ohms, sensitivity 102 dB, and maximum input 70 watts. In the multi-channel split that works out to 70 watts low, 25 watts mid, and 25 watts high. Frequency response is quoted at 30 Hz to 22,000 Hz. A one-year parts-and-labor warranty came standard.
Two specs in the surviving record conflict, so they are flagged here rather than glossed over. Kenwood's own comparison table lists crossover frequencies of 600, 5,000, and 10,000 Hz for the KL-5080, while other sources give 800 Hz and 5 kHz. The manual's multi-channel setup notes recommend approximately 570-800 Hz and 5,000 Hz, which doesn't settle it. The driver count is also a problem. It is usually described as four-way with five drivers, though at least one seller lists it as five-way. The four-way/five-driver description is the better-supported one.
Reception in the period audio press is essentially absent from the record. The surviving magazine material from this era is mostly classified listings rather than reviews. Audio (November 1974, p.109) and Audio (December 1974, p.83) are both classified sections, and the latter offers a used Sony 366 quad deck and a wanted ad for a pair of Ohm F speakers. Nothing in the available period coverage says how the KL-5080 sounded to contemporary reviewers. What does survive is owner commentary. Sellers describe a balanced, detailed sound with strong bass and crisp highs, and one Russian listing notes that it suits listeners who like a brighter presentation. A YouTube owner reported finding a pair at a thrift store for $40.
Production is generally dated 1970-71, with most sources settling on 1971. The woofer carries part number T10003105, and replacement woofers and OEM horn tweeter drivers do circulate, so parts support exists. Cabinets are the usual weak point. The removable lattice grilles and walnut-veneer boxes are decades old now, and condition varies widely.
Known Specifications
- Type: 4-way, 5-driver full-range loudspeaker system
- Enclosure: Damped pipe duct bass reflex
- Drivers: 12" free-edge woofer ×1, 6½" cone midrange ×1, horn tweeter ×2, 1¼" metal cone super tweeter ×1
- Crossover: 12 dB/octave L-C network (points disputed — see above)
- Impedance: 8 Ω
- Sensitivity: 102 dB
- Maximum input: 70 W (25 W mid, 25 W high in multi-channel mode)
- Frequency response: 30 Hz – 22,000 Hz
- Woofer part number: T10003105
- Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
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