KLH Model Three Bookshelf Speaker at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Model Three is a stand-mounted acoustic suspension bookshelf speaker from KLH Audio (Noblesville, Indiana, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Second in line in the KLH Model Collection and sharing essential DNA with the celebrated Model Five, the Model Three pairs an 8" pulp-paper cone woofer with a 1" aluminum dome tweeter in a sealed acoustic suspension enclosure, delivering a frequency response of 46Hz to 20kHz at ±3dB and an in-room sensitivity of 88dB at 2.83V/1m. A three-position Acoustic Balance Control, a thirteen-component crossover using iron-core inductors and Mylar capacitors, and a structurally reinforced 3/4" MDF cabinet finished in real wood veneer combine to produce audiophile-quality performance in a compact form factor suited to smaller listening spaces. The Model Three is a Stereophile Recommended Component and Sound and Vision Top Pick, and is available in Canada through authorized KLH dealers including Vinyl Sound. Sold individually; two units required for a stereo pair.

Acoustic Suspension Design: The Legacy of Edgar Villchur and Henry Kloss

The acoustic suspension enclosure, pioneered by Edgar Villchur and Henry Kloss in 1954 and brought to market through their founding of KLH, uses the sealed internal air volume as a spring against the rear of the woofer cone, producing bass that is linear, controlled, and distortion-free even at the highest cone excursions. Unlike bass reflex designs that rely on a tuned port to extend low-frequency output, the Model Three's sealed enclosure delivers bass that remains clean and accurate under dynamic demands, with low-frequency extension reaching 35Hz at -10dB. The 8" pulp-paper cone woofer features a reverse roll rubber suspension, a 1.5" flat-wire voice coil, and a die-cast aluminum frame engineered specifically for the high-excursion demands of acoustic suspension loading, with an aluminum flux-stabilizing ring to reduce non-linearities in the magnet assembly and modern laser-based measurement refinement throughout development.

Three-Position Acoustic Balance Control and Thirteen-Component Crossover

The rear-panel Acoustic Balance Control provides three positions that attenuate output above 400Hz by 0dB (HI), -1.5dB (MID), or -3.0dB (LO), allowing the Model Three to be tuned to the specific reflective or absorptive characteristics of the listening room without acoustic treatment or external equalization. The crossover hands off from the woofer to the 1" aluminum dome tweeter at 1,500Hz using a 2nd-order electro-acoustic network built from thirteen components, including high-quality iron-core inductors and Mylar capacitors selected for their contribution to low distortion and stable frequency response across the crossover region. Five-way gold-plated binding posts at the rear accommodate spade lugs, banana plugs, and bare wire for connection to any amplifier delivering between 30 and 150 watts.

Real Wood Veneer Cabinetry and 8-Degree Slant Riser Base

The Model Three cabinet is constructed from structurally reinforced 3/4" MDF finished in genuine real wood veneer, available in English Walnut with Stone Wash Linen grille, West African Mahogany with Old-World Linen grille, and Nordic Noir with Medici Grey Linen grille. Each speaker is supplied with its own 8-degree slant riser base fabricated from powder-coated 14-gauge steel, angled to direct the tweeter toward the listener's ear level at a typical seated position and providing a stable, non-resonant platform that preserves cabinet isolation from the supporting surface. The magnetically attached grille allows tool-free removal for grille-off listening, and alternative grille cloths in Old-World Linen, Stone Wash Linen, and Basalt Black Knit are available separately for further customization. KLH backs the Model Three with a 10-year warranty.

Key Features

• Acoustic Suspension Design: Sealed enclosure uses internal air volume as a linear spring for controlled, distortion-free bass performance at all volume levels, delivering frequency response from 46Hz to 20kHz at ±3dB and extension to 35Hz at -10dB.
• 8" Pulp-Paper Cone Woofer: High-excursion driver with die-cast aluminum frame, reverse roll rubber suspension, 1.5" flat-wire voice coil, and aluminum flux-stabilizing ring, engineered specifically for acoustic suspension loading.
• 1" Aluminum Dome Tweeter: Machined aluminum faceplate with soft rubber suspension and 1,500Hz crossover handoff for detailed, accurate high-frequency reproduction.
• Three-Position Acoustic Balance Control: Rear-panel switch attenuates output above 400Hz by 0dB, -1.5dB, or -3.0dB to tailor the speaker's tonal balance to the listening room's acoustic characteristics.
• Thirteen-Component Crossover Network: High-quality iron-core inductors and Mylar capacitors in a 2nd-order electro-acoustic design for low distortion and stable frequency response across the crossover region.
• Included 8-Degree Slant Riser Base: Powder-coated 14-gauge steel base angled to direct the tweeter toward the listener's ear level, providing a stable, non-resonant platform with each speaker.
• Real Wood Veneer Cabinetry: Structurally reinforced 3/4" MDF enclosure finished in genuine wood veneer, available in English Walnut, West African Mahogany, or Nordic Noir.
• Magnetic Low-Profile Grille: Tool-free magnetically attached grille with interchangeable cloth options including Stone Wash Linen, Old-World Linen, and Basalt Black Knit available separately.
• Flexible Placement: Acoustic suspension design allows closer wall placement than typical bass reflex speakers, and the compact footprint suits bookshelf, credenza, or stand-mounted use.
• 10-Year Warranty: Full manufacturer warranty covering parts and workmanship for a decade from the date of purchase.

Technical Specifications

Awards and Critical Recognition

• Recommended Component — 2023, Stereophile
• Top Pick — Sound and Vision
• StereoNET Applause Award — StereoNET International

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the KLH Model Three?

The KLH Model Three is a two-way acoustic suspension stand-mounted bookshelf speaker from KLH Audio of Noblesville, Indiana, USA, featuring an 8" pulp-paper cone woofer, a 1" aluminum dome tweeter, a frequency response of 46Hz to 20kHz at ±3dB, and a three-position Acoustic Balance Control. It is a Stereophile Recommended Component and Sound and Vision Top Pick, sold individually, and is available in Canada through authorized KLH dealers including Vinyl Sound in Toronto.

How does the KLH Model Three compare to the Wharfedale Denton 85th and Harbeth P3ESR?

The KLH Model Three competes closely with well-regarded bookshelf speakers including the Wharfedale Denton 85th Anniversary and Harbeth P3ESR but differentiates itself through its acoustic suspension sealed enclosure, which delivers tighter and more controlled bass than the Denton's ported design, and its included 8-degree slant riser base, which optimizes listening axis without additional stand purchase. The Harbeth P3ESR uses a proprietary RADIAL cone material and is broadly regarded as one of the most neutral monitors in its class, while the KLH Model Three offers a wider, more enveloping soundstage character that Stereophile reviewer Robert Schryer described as delivering understated transparency alongside fun, engaging bass performance. The Model Three also provides the three-position Acoustic Balance Control for room-specific tonal adjustment, a feature absent from both competing designs.

What is acoustic suspension and why does it matter?

Acoustic suspension is a sealed enclosure design pioneered by KLH co-founder Henry Kloss in the 1950s, in which the sealed internal air volume acts as a spring against the rear of the woofer cone to provide a linear, controlled restoring force during high-excursion bass reproduction. Unlike bass reflex designs that use a tuned port to boost low-frequency output, an acoustic suspension enclosure produces bass that remains clean, accurate, and distortion-free even at demanding volume levels and low frequencies. The tradeoff is that acoustic suspension speakers are less efficient than ported designs of the same size, which is why the Model Three's 6-ohm impedance and 88dB sensitivity pair best with amplifiers delivering 30 to 150 watts per channel.

What does the Acoustic Balance Control on the KLH Model Three do?

The Acoustic Balance Control is a three-position rear-panel switch that attenuates the Model Three's output above 400Hz by 0dB in the HI position, -1.5dB in the MID position, or -3.0dB in the LO position. This allows listeners to compensate for rooms that are acoustically bright due to hard reflective surfaces, or to adjust the tonal balance to match the character of a partnering amplifier without requiring external equalization. StereoNET's reviewer noted the MID position as the most versatile starting point for most rooms, while Stereophile's measurements confirmed the control operates as specified.

Can the KLH Model Three be placed on a bookshelf or close to a wall?

Yes, the acoustic suspension sealed enclosure of the Model Three allows closer wall placement than typical bass reflex speakers, whose port output becomes uneven when the port is near a boundary. KLH's user manual recommends positioning the rear of the cabinet between 15cm and 60cm from the front wall, and a minimum of 60cm from room corners. The speaker can be placed on a bookshelf, credenza, or any surface capable of supporting its weight, with or without the included slant riser base, giving listeners placement flexibility that ported competitors at this price point cannot match.

What amplifier pairs well with the KLH Model Three?

The KLH Model Three is specified for amplifiers delivering between 30 and 150 watts per channel into its 6-ohm nominal impedance, with a minimum impedance of 3.7 ohms at 320Hz. This load is manageable for most solid-state integrated amplifiers, and tube amplifier users are advised to use the 4-ohm output transformer tap for optimal matching. Stereophile's measurements and StereoNET's listening tests both found the Model Three to take on the character of its partnering amplifier, making it a revealing and flexible load that rewards a quality amplification partner. Vinyl Sound in Toronto can advise on suitable amplifier pairings from available in-store brands.

Where can I buy the KLH Model Three in Toronto or Canada?

The KLH Model Three is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized KLH dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the KLH Model Collection and can provide in-store demonstrations, expert pairing advice, and authorized Canadian warranty support. The Model Three is sold individually, so two units are required to complete a stereo pair.