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Small KLH speakers

Tapehead47

Tapehead47

Addicted Member
Hey, AKers. I have a pair of small KLHs from a yard sale about 25 years ago. I'm at work and can't for sure say which model they are. Thought they were Model 5, but from photos posted on AK they look nothing like them.

They have two 4" drivers in each, and a stereo RCA jack for speaker terminals.

I don't know much about KLH except they have a great reputation. I wonder if these are worth fixing. They just don't sound very good. I'm thinking of upgrading the small drivers. Maybe something from Parts Express.

Will also put some real speakers terminals on them. But I'd like to keep the crossover.

Think it's worth it?

Thanks,
Rick
 
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They sound like either 15's or 19's. I'm really not too sure just how good a sound you can expect from a pair of 4" drivers in a small, ported enclosure. I don't think I'd go throwing much money into them.

Dave
 
Thanks, relaximus

Love that name! How about RelaxaMax? :D

Yes, they are Model 15s. I got the '5' right, anyway.

Don't want to put a lot of $$$ into them but would like to have a small pair to mess around with. Just to do something.

Now that I have Klipsch Fortes I'm going to give my JBL 4311's to a friend and want some bookshelf speakers to save room.

As they are, the 15's put out sound that is so brash and unpleasant, with little bass, that I thought a pair of Pioneer 4" drivers from PE would sound better. I don't expect a huge improvement, however. PE has drivers for about $10.00 each. If they match the crossover I may go that way. If the sound isn't to par I'll give them to a friend or put them out by the pool.

From the photos attached you can see the cabinets need refinishing. I painted them to please my wife way back when. They're in pretty sad shape. Used them for a few months and retired them when I got a pair of JBL 2600s.
 
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Maybe they go with the Model 21 radio?

I know KLH made some extension speakers for the radios, about the same size. I have the model 21, its' ~ 6" h x 12" w.....
 
kirk57 said:
I know KLH made some extension speakers for the radios, about the same size. I have the model 21, its' ~ 6" h x 12" w.....
Click to expand...
Yep, the 15's were part of the System 15 and the 19's part of the System 19. The 19 was also included with the 8 and 21 Radios. Both speakers were 8" x 8" x 14" with the 19 being a supposedly improved version of the 15.

Dave
 
the cabs look decient! maybe theres more to them that origionally thought? the drivers dont look to pretty in the photos though.. maybe they are worth the effort..
 
relaximus said:
You sure there's even a crossover in there? I would assume both drivers are merely run full-range.

Dave
Click to expand...

Hey, man! Good info. Explains the skinny speaker wire and the RCA connectors.

Also, you're probably right about no crossover. Seems like a good project now.

Thanks!

Rick
 
Thanks, Zilch

Zilch said:
Indigniafy them.... :yes:
Click to expand...

Not a bad idea, except I'd rather buy new cabinets. I followed that thread for awhile but it became too technical. Need to go back to see the final outcome.

Otherwise, any suggestions?

Rick
 
Rick
The 15's don't have any cross over they can sound really good. If yours don't I would think it would be that the surounds have become less than air tight. They are the same drivers that are used as midranges in the KLH 5. some of the "5's" don't sound so good in the midrange. This is mostly do to ether bad caps or the surounds as above. Insure the box has no air leaks and lightly seal the surounds replace the wire the terminals and upgrade the stuffing before replacing the drivers. If you still don't like the sound pack them up and let me know how much it cost to send them to me.
Thanks. Borus
 
KLH 15 boxes for Ewave hi end

Rick
The KLH 15's box are the right size for the pyle 612 waveguide use by some of the Ewavers
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Borus
 
No but many Ewavers place these on top of the enclosures they are using. With the waveguide inside a box they can look less industrial. The enclosures can also be filled with sand or shot to help deaden the horn ringing. It also increases the mass on the bass box to help deaden it's wall vibrations as well.
 
Thanks, Borus. I only want to make a set of bookshelf speakers for casual listening. I have Klipsch Fortes that I'm extremely satisfied with for my major listening events.

I'd enjoy trying to upgrade the 15's. On PE's website I saw some HiVi B-something 4" full range drivers. They look interesting and I'm thinking would really add some impact compared to the stock KLH speakers. The KLH have a date stamped on them (no other info) of Sep 1966!

One would think modern technology would have improved some speaker designs. Especially small speakers.

And the 15's don't have a crossover!

I realize that 'upgrading' the speakers and terminals would probably cost more than buying another set of speakers. I just wanted to do something that would give me some satisfaction and impress my friends. They know nothing about stereos. It would be fun. :yes:
 
Yes I was just showing off. The surounds are the likely problem seal them up and you may be able to show off the 15's yourself.
Borus
 
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