KLH

Henry Kloss's first act — affordable speakers that didn't compromise

History

Key Facts

Legendary Products

Model Six (1960)

Model Five (1968)

Model Eight (1963)

Sound Signature

KLH speakers embody the New England sound that Henry Kloss helped pioneer at Acoustic Research before founding this company. The acoustic suspension design delivers bass that is deep, tight, and articulate — there is no boom or overhang, just clean low-frequency extension that belies the compact cabinet size. The midrange is open and transparent, with a clarity on vocals and acoustic instruments that makes these speakers feel like they are getting out of the way and letting the music speak directly to you.

The overall tonal balance is remarkably neutral for speakers of their era. KLH did not chase excitement or dramatic coloration — they aimed for accuracy, and they achieved it at price points that made genuine high-fidelity accessible to ordinary music lovers. The Model Six and Model Five are easy to drive, working beautifully with modest tube amplifiers or entry-level solid-state gear, which means building an entire vintage KLH system does not require a fortune.

Collecting KLH

The Model Six is the KLH collector's prize — a three-way floorstanding speaker that set the standard for transparent, neutral sound reproduction in the early 1960s. Pre-Singer Corporation examples (manufactured before 1964 under Henry Kloss's direct oversight) are the most desirable, carrying an authenticity that later production cannot match. The Model Five is one of the best-selling hi-fi speakers of all time and offers remarkable performance for its compact size.

The Model Eight, which integrates a high-quality FM tuner with an acoustic suspension speaker, is a fascinating collector's piece that embodies KLH's philosophy of bringing quality audio to everyday consumers. When shopping for vintage KLH speakers, condition of the foam surrounds is the primary concern — nearly all original surrounds will have deteriorated and need replacement. Speakers with professionally refoamed woofers, original crossovers, and clean cabinet finishes represent the best value. Restored pairs of the Model Six typically range from $400 to $1,200 depending on condition and vintage.

Competitors & Comparisons

Audio Equipment

• model-twenty-one-fm-radio — Compact solid-state FM tuner designed by Henry Kloss, known for warm sound and iconic mid-century design. With detailed specs.

Music System

• Model Model 24 — KLH Model 24 — a mid-1960s integrated record player, FM stereo tuner, amplifier, and matching speakers rated at 40 watts. Thin documentation, real hardware.
• Model Model Twenty — KLH Model Twenty stereo receiver (1966-1968). Hybrid solid-state amp with tube FM/AM tuner front end. Companion to Model Twenty speakers. 20W/channel.

Music Systems

• Model 15 — KLH Model 15 (1962–1965) acoustic suspension bookshelf speaker. Documented as a 2-way with folded horn cabinet; source conflicts on driver count noted honestly.
• Model Nineteen — KLH Model Nineteen (1958) — a successful early KLH loudspeaker, successor to the Model Ten. Handles 14W, 45–13,500 cps, 8 ohms, 28 lb. Thin surviving documentation.
• Model Twenty-Four — KLH Model Twenty-Four stereo FM receiver from the 1970s-80s. 80W/ch, FET front end tuner, 0.1% THD. Second version of the model; little else documented.

Phonograph

• Model Eleven — KLH Model Eleven (1959–1965): the transistor portable stereo that proved battery-powered could mean high-fidelity, with acoustic suspension bass and a 6W/ch amp.

Radio

• Model Model Eight — KLH Model Eight (1962) — Henry Kloss's first radio, a tube FM receiver with separate acoustic suspension speaker. Sold for $159. Seven-tube hand-wired chassis.

Receivers

• Model Fifty-Five — KLH Model Fifty-Five stereo receiver, advertised at $219.95 in 1974. Little else is documented about this entry-level KLH receiver.
• R-3000 — KLH R-3000 AM/FM stereo receiver, 100W per channel, 1.0% THD. Shares remote with R3100. Known D158 diode failure; schematics scarce.
• R5100 — KLH R5100 home theater receiver, sold as part of the Theater FM 5.1 system. Dolby Digital, AM/FM, 100W per channel into 8Ω. Documentation is thin.

Record Player

• Model Model 20 — KLH Model 20 — a little-documented late-1960s all-in-one music system with turntable, FM receiver, and two-way air suspension speakers.

Reel To Reel

• Model Forty — KLH Model Forty stereo tape deck, KLH's first recorder. $600 at launch, compared favorably to a $3,500 professional machine in a 1968 Audio demonstration.

Speakers

• 1 (1959) — KLH Model One (1959–1962) — the first speaker from KLH, a compact acoustic suspension bookshelf design with 10-inch woofer, 8-ohm impedance, and 40W power handling.
• 12 — KLH Model 12 acoustic suspension loudspeaker, c. 1962-1968. Two 12-inch woofers, 10-inch midrange, two 2-inch tweeters, bi-amp capable. Competed with AR-2ax.
• 17 — KLH Model 17 two-way acoustic suspension bookshelf speaker from the 1960s. 8-inch woofer, 2-inch cone tweeter, 33Hz-22kHz response, 8 ohms, 90dB sensitivity.
• 2 — KLH Model Two (1967–1970) — the top-of-line acoustic suspension speaker built to take on the AR-2a and AR-3. 10-inch woofer, 2-inch tweeter, 8 ohms, $159 each new.
• 23 — KLH Model 23 — a little-documented vintage audio model. No confirmed specs or period review coverage survives in the Archive.
• 3 — KLH Model 3 (1958–mid-1970s) — the original acoustic-suspension bookshelf speaker with 10-inch woofer, 2-inch cone tweeter, and 8-ohm impedance.
• 30 — KLH Model 30 stereo receiver (1970-1974), 75W/ch solid-state AM/FM with MM/MC phono stage. Warm, detailed sound; $450 new.
• 33 — KLH Model 33 (1968–1969) — a compact 8-tube FM/AM table radio with magic eye tuning, priced at $79.95. Little documented beyond basic specs.
• 35 — KLH Model 35 floor-standing two-way speaker from 1965, $57.50 each, 10-inch woofer and 4-inch mid-high driver, 38–20,000 cps response. Enclosure type disputed in surviving records.
• 8 — KLH Model 8 (1962) — all-transistor FM table radio with built-in speaker, slide-rule dial, and optional battery power. About $100 new; now a sought-after vintage set.
• Model 17 — KLH Model 17 full-range speaker system, mid-1960s. Oiled walnut, 8 ohms, $69.95 new. Reviewed in High Fidelity as a natural-sounding compact that rivaled costlier designs. Limited documentation surviv…
• Model 3 — A modern bookshelf speaker continuing KLH’s acoustic suspension legacy. Covers full specifications and production years.
• Model 32 — KLH Model 32 speaker system. Little is documented beyond its dimensions (19-inch x 10-inch x 8.75-inch) and a $145 used auction price.
• Model 5 (1968-1977) — A floorstanding acoustic suspension loudspeaker that brought high-fidelity sound to a broad audience. With full specifications and production years.
• Model 6 — A three-way floorstanding speaker that set a benchmark for accurate, affordable hi-fi sound. Find full specifications and production years here.
• Model Eight — KLH Model Eight (1958) — compact self-contained FM receiver with 1W output, wooden case, and 88-108 MHz tuning. Little-documented early KLH tabletop radio.
• Model Five (1968-1977) — A compact two-way bookshelf speaker using acoustic suspension technology, introduced in 1968. Includes the complete spec table and when it was made.
• Model Model 23 — KLH Model 23 (1968–1972) — a highly regarded two-way acoustic suspension speaker designed by Henry Kloss, often preferred over the Model 5.
• Model Model 32 — KLH Model 32: compact 2-way acoustic suspension bookshelf speakers from 1966-1972, with 8-inch woofer and 1.75-inch tweeter. One of the less common KLH models.
• Model Model Five (1968-1977) — The KLH Model Five holds an unusual place in the archive: it's simultaneously one of the most historically significant speakers KLH ever made, and one of
• Model Model Nine — KLH Model Nine — one of the few full-range electrostatic speakers ever made, with no woofer and no crossover. Designed by Arthur Janszen in the mid-1960s.
• Model Model Six — KLH Model Six bookshelf speaker — a 1960s acoustic-suspension classic from Henry Kloss, praised by Stereo Review and still sought after by collectors.
• Model Nine (1968) — The KLH Model Nine was the first full-range electrostatic speaker, combining groundbreaking dipole sound with iconic mid-century design.
• Model One (1959) — KLH Model One bookshelf speaker from 1959. An obscure early KLH model, documented mainly through a single Japanese resale listing. 8Ω, wood cabinet, 37×29×23.5 cm.
• Model Seventeen — KLH Model Seventeen — 1960s two-way acoustic suspension speaker with 10-inch woofer and 2-inch cone tweeter, priced at $79.00. A budget classic positioned below the Model Six.
• Model Twenty — KLH Model Twenty (1965): an FM stereo receiver / modular component system from mid-1960s KLH, 18W per channel solid-state, sharing design cues with the flagship Model Twenty-Four.
• model-11 — The KLH Model 11 was the first transistorized portable stereo, packing a Garrard turntable, FM tuner, and acoustic suspension speakers into a suitcase.
• model-12 — KLH Model 12 bookshelf speakers from 1962 featuring acoustic suspension design and warm, balanced sound. This page has detailed specs.
• model-21 — Compact bookshelf speakers designed by Henry Kloss, featuring acoustic suspension and warm, natural sound. With detailed specs.
• model-345-(little-baron) — Compact bookshelf speakers from KLH's 1968 lineup, featuring acoustic suspension design and walnut veneer cabinets. Includes detailed specs.
• model-eight-fm-radio (1961) — Compact solid-state FM radio with acoustic suspension speaker designed by Henry Kloss, known for warm high-fidelity sound and iconic mid-century design.
• model-eleven-portable-phonograph (1963) — KLH Model Eleven Portable Phonograph from 1963, a compact 3-speed suitcase turntable with built-in speaker and Garrard mechanism.
• model-forty-one-reel-to-reel (1966) — KLH Model Forty-One Reel-to-Reel from 1966 featuring 4-track stereo/mono playback and solid-state electronics in a classic wood cabinet.

Systems

• Model 20 — A portable stereo hi-fi system combining phonograph, AM, and FM functionality, introduced in 1965. With the complete spec table and when it was made.
• Model 24 — An all-in-one FM stereo phonograph system combining a turntable and tuner, produced for a short run in the mid-1960s. Covers detailed specs.

Tuners

• Model 88 — KLH Model 88 tabletop radio with built-in subwoofer, designed by Henry Kloss, introduced 1998 at $199.99. Little else is documented.

Unknown

• Model 18 — The KLH Model 18 is a compact stereo/monophonic FM tuner, notable for being, according to a contemporary review in High Fidelity (July 1965, p.56).
• Model 354 — KLH Model 354 speaker system from circa 1977, documented only by a HiFi-Stereo review showing good tone-burst response. Includes production dates.
• Model 40 — KLH Model 40 (1969) — the first consumer tape deck with Dolby B noise reduction, $600, built for 3¾ ips. A historic open-reel machine.
• Model 52 — KLH Model 52 AM/FM stereo receiver, profiled in Audio (Aug 1973). KLH's receiver line built to match its speakers; scarce documentation, ~$350 list.

Other Models

• 5-speakers — KLH Model Five vintage speaker — 1970s Cambridge bookshelf documented in a 1974 Audio reader's system. Archive specs thin; buy with care.
• AR-3 — The AR-3, attributed to Acoustic Research despite the KLH query, was the first consumer speaker with a dome tweeter. A 3-way acoustic-suspension design from 1958, $185 each.
• Model 10 — KLH Model 10 — a tall, shallow full-range speaker from the early 1960s that High Fidelity found less boxy than pricier systems, with surprising impact for its size.
• MODEL 30 — A mid-1960s all-in-one FM receiver and music system featuring integrated tuner, amplifier, and speakers. Covers the complete spec table and when it was made.
• MODEL 33 — A vented 2-way loudspeaker system from KLH’s early years, noted for smooth, fatigue-free sound and good dispersion. Includes full specifications.
• MODEL 35 — KLH Model 35 (1968) floorstanding speaker with 8-inch woofer and acoustic suspension design — a vintage hi-fi workhorse built for clarity and control.
• Model 8 — KLH Model 8 portable stereo system (c.1964-1970). One-cabinet unit with Garrard turntable, Pickering cartridge, 5W solid-state amp, acoustic-suspension 10-inch woofer. Follow-up to Model 11, $200 new.
• MODEL FORTY REEL TO REEL — The first consumer reel-to-reel tape player from KLH and the first consumer product to feature Dolby Noise Reduction. Includes full specifications.
• Model Seven — KLH Model Seven (1962-1966) — Henry Kloss-designed 2-way acoustic suspension speaker, compact sibling to the Model Six. $119 each, 10-inch woofer, curved front cabinet.
• Model Six — A two-way acoustic suspension loudspeaker system designed by Henry Kloss, produced for 14 years. Includes the complete spec table and when it was made.
• Model Twelve — KLH Model Twelve — KLH's ambitious 4-way acoustic suspension speaker, ~$200 each in late-60s catalogs. 10-inch woofer, 5-inch mid, 2-inch upper-mid, phenolic dome tweeter. A poor man's Quad that outpe…