KLH Model One
The KLH Model One is a bookshelf speaker from the late 1950s, when KLH was making a name for itself in loudspeaker design. Little is documented about this model. Almost everything the record shows comes from a single Japanese resale listing: an 8Ω speaker in a wood cabinet, measuring 37×29×23.5 cm and weighing 8.0 kg.
The Model One's place in KLH's early lineup is the interesting part. Audio (May 1958, p.42) described the company's speaker line at the time. It noted that the Model One was sold in combination with the Model Five high-frequency speaker system - the "Model One and Model Five" pairing filling the spot where a tweeter would normally sit. That suggests the Model One was a woofer or full-range unit meant to be paired with a separate treble driver. The exact driver complement and crossover arrangement are not documented.
The listing notes an age-related problem. The left speaker has a bad connection caused by degradation of what the seller describes as "fabric tubes(?)" - likely deteriorated internal wiring insulation or damping material. The asking price was ¥44,000, though no date goes with that figure.
- Impedance: 8Ω
- Size: 37 × 29 × 23.5 cm (W×H×D)
- Weight: 8.0 kg
- Cabinet: Wood
Beyond this, the record is thin. No production years, original price, frequency response or sensitivity figures have survived. If you own a pair, the Archive would welcome measurements and photos.
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