KLH Model Six
The KLH Model Six is one of the most important loudspeakers of the 1960s. Henry Kloss designed it. He co-created the AR-1 and was a founder of KLH. The Six was introduced in 1957 (though one source lists its production start as 1968) as a budget alternative to the AR-2a, and it went on to become the best-selling loudspeaker of its time. It sat above the Model Five in the lineup and was succeeded by the Model Six A in 1968.
The Six was an acoustic-suspension (sealed) design. It was the first loudspeaker to use a cone tweeter in an acoustic-suspension system. High Fidelity (October 1967, p.125) noted that KLH makes speaker systems that sell from $50 to $1,140, each of which delivers clean performance. Many audiophiles used the Six as a reference speaker throughout the 1960s.
Period reviews were enthusiastic. High Fidelity (October 1967, p.125) noted that KLH makes speaker systems that sell from $50 to $1,140, each of which delivers clean performance. At $162 in 1973, the Six was still a good value more than fifteen years after its introduction.
Known specs (sources conflict on a few driver details):
- **Design:** 2-way, sealed acoustic-suspension enclosure
- **Crossover:** 1500 Hz
- **Impedance:** 8 ohms
- **Sensitivity:** 89 dB/W/m
- **Frequency response:** Approximately 40 Hz - 20 kHz (specs vary by source; Stereo Review measured 48 Hz - 17 kHz)
- **Dimensions:** 22" × 11.5" × 8.75" (W × H × D)
- **Weight:** 24 lbs
- **Maximum power handling:** 60 watts
Collectors still look for the Six. Original examples in good condition with intact drivers are increasingly hard to find. Common restoration jobs are replacing deteriorated woofer surrounds and out-of-spec crossover capacitors. Replacement parts are still available from specialty suppliers. Prices have been creeping up, though functional pairs can still sometimes be found for under $200.
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