Kenwood KL-555-D
A 3-way, 5-driver bass reflex speaker system from Kenwood’s late-1970s lineup
Overview
The Kenwood KL-555-D is a stereo loudspeaker system from the late 1970s, designed as a 3-way, 5-driver configuration housed in a bass reflex cabinet with a front-facing port. It features a 12" (300mm) woofer, two mid-range drivers, and two tweeters, With a sensitivity of 96 dB at 1W @ 1m and an 8-ohm impedance, it was built to handle up to 110 watts RMS. The system includes a crossover network (X21-1610-80,61) with selectable settings labeled "NORMAL", "CLEAR", and "SOFT", allowing tonal shaping to suit different listening preferences.
Specifications
| Sensitivity | 96 dB/ 1W @ 1 m |
| Crossover Frequencies | 900 Hz, 5000 Hz |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Max rated power | 110 Watts |
| System | 3-Way / 5-Driver system in a Bass Reflex Cabinet |
| Woofer | 12" (300mm) cone |
| Driver complement | 12" Woofer, 2 x Mid-range, 2 x Tweeters |
| Port Position | Front |
Design
The KL-555-D features a true 3-way crossover network with control settings for "NORMAL", "CLEAR", and "SOFT" tonal output. The cabinets are finished in wood grain vinyl wrap and include poly molded grills with a distinctive 'cathedral' lattice design. The crossover board (X21-1610-80,61) incorporates an inductor (L1 21mH) and capacitors (C2 15 M). Drivers and the rear panel are sealed with gasket material during restoration to ensure cabinet integrity.
Market
Common issues include oxidized attenuators leading to distortion or signal drop-out, which can be resolved by cleaning the contacts. A service manual is available for restoration work. The KL-555-D is considered a rare find from Japan and appears across over 400 secondhand hi-fi markets globally.
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