KLH Model 5 Loudspeaker at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Model Five is a 3-way acoustic suspension loudspeaker from KLH Audio (Noblesville, Indiana, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. A modern reimagining of the iconic original released in 1968, the Model Five carries forward the acoustic suspension principles pioneered by KLH founder Henry Kloss and co-founder Malcolm Low, now built with contemporary materials including real wood veneers, die-cast aluminum driver frames, and a precision 13-component crossover network. It features a 10-inch pulp-paper cone woofer, a 4-inch dedicated midrange driver, and a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter, with a rated frequency response of 42Hz to 20kHz (±3dB) and low-frequency extension to 32Hz at -10dB. Measured at the NRC anechoic chamber in Canada, the Model Five has earned consistent critical acclaim since its launch, including a Home Theater Review Editors Choice Award in 2022. It is sold as a single unit and must be purchased as two to form a stereo pair.

Acoustic Suspension Design: Precision Bass from a Sealed Enclosure

The acoustic suspension principle was developed by Edgar Villchur and brought to commercial success by Henry Kloss at the original KLH company in the late 1950s and 1960s. Rather than using a rear-firing port to reinforce bass output, a sealed acoustic suspension enclosure uses the trapped air volume inside the cabinet as a pneumatic spring that controls cone motion precisely at all frequencies. This results in bass reproduction that is tighter, more linear, and better controlled than the output of most ported designs, while rolling off gently at 12dB per octave below resonance rather than the steeper 24dB per octave typical of ported speakers. The Model Five's 10-inch pulp-paper cone woofer operates within a structurally reinforced three-quarter-inch MDF enclosure, delivering bass that extends to 32Hz at -10dB with commendable control and speed. The sealed design also offers placement flexibility, performing consistently when positioned closer to rear walls than many ported speakers require.

Three-Way Driver Array and Crossover Network

The Model Five separates the audio spectrum across three purpose-built drivers. The 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter handles high-frequency detail with a die-cast aluminum faceplate that provides a rigid, non-resonant mounting surface. The 4-inch pulp-paper cone midrange driver, featuring an inverted-roll surround and its own internal mounting arrangement, handles the critical vocal and instrumental frequencies where human hearing is most discerning. A 13-component crossover network built with high-quality iron-core inductors and Mylar capacitors divides the signal at 380Hz and 2,850Hz (both second-order) and maintains accurate driver integration across the full audio band. A three-position Acoustic Balance Control on the rear panel allows high-frequency output above 400Hz to be attenuated by 1.5dB or 3dB per step, enabling adjustment for room liveliness without requiring external equalization.

Key Features

• Acoustic Suspension Design: Sealed-cabinet topology pioneered by KLH founder Henry Kloss delivers linear, accurate bass response with a gentle 12dB per octave rolloff and no port-related colorations.
• 10-Inch Pulp-Paper Cone Woofer: Provides extended low-frequency reproduction reaching 42Hz at ±3dB and 32Hz at -10dB, with tight, controlled character that suits acoustic music, jazz, classical, and rock equally well.
• Dedicated 4-Inch Midrange Driver: Pulp-paper cone with inverted-roll surround isolates vocal and instrumental frequencies from woofer back-wave interference, preserving detail and imaging precision in the most critical range of the audio spectrum.
• 1-Inch Aluminum Dome Tweeter: Die-cast aluminum faceplate provides a rigid, resonance-free mounting surface while the dome delivers smooth, extended treble reproduction with low distortion.
• Three-Position Acoustic Balance Control: Rear-panel switch attenuates frequencies above 400Hz by 1.5dB or 3dB per step to match the speaker's output to rooms of different acoustic character, from highly reflective to heavily damped.
• 13-Component Crossover Network: High-quality iron-core inductors and Mylar capacitors deliver accurate second-order crossover slopes at 380Hz and 2,850Hz for coherent driver integration across the full bandwidth.
• Non-Resonant Die-Cast Aluminum Driver Frames: Rigid cast baskets anchor midrange and woofer drivers to the baffle without contributing mechanical noise, reducing coloration and maintaining accurate driver geometry.
• Structurally Reinforced Cabinet: Three-quarter-inch MDF enclosure with internal bracing minimizes cabinet resonance for a clean, neutral acoustic signature.
• Real Wood Veneers: Available in English Walnut with Stonewash Linen grille or West African Mahogany with Old World Linen grille, both featuring book-matched panels for visual consistency.
• Included 5-Degree Slant Riser Base: Powder-coated 14-gauge steel stand lifts the speaker approximately 8 inches from the floor and tilts the baffle 5 degrees to aim the drivers toward a seated listener's ear level.
• Low-Profile Magnetic Grille: Attaches without visible hardware and is available separately if an alternative color combination is preferred.
• Five-Way Gold-Plated Binding Posts: Accept bare wire, spade lugs, and banana plugs for flexible cable termination options.
• 10-Year Warranty: All KLH Model Collection Series speakers carry a full 10-year manufacturer warranty.

Technical Specifications

What's in the Box

• KLH Model Five Loudspeaker (1 unit)
• 5-Degree Slant Riser Base, Powder-Coated 14-Gauge Steel
• Low-Profile Magnetic Grille

Awards and Critical Recognition

• Editors Choice Award, Home Theater Review, 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the KLH Model Five?

The KLH Model Five is a 3-way acoustic suspension loudspeaker built on the legacy of the original KLH Model Five produced from 1968 to 1977. The current model features a 10-inch pulp-paper cone woofer, a dedicated 4-inch midrange driver, and a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter, with a frequency response of 42Hz to 20kHz (±3dB) and 90.5dB in-room sensitivity. It is manufactured by KLH Audio, a brand founded in 1957 by Henry Kloss, Malcolm Low, and Josef Hofmann in the United States, and is sold as a single unit requiring two for a stereo pair.

How does the KLH Model Five compare to the JBL L100 Classic?

The KLH Model Five and the JBL L100 Classic are the two most prominent acoustic-suspension-inspired, wide-baffle, mid-century-modern loudspeakers in their class. The Model Five uses a sealed acoustic suspension enclosure for tighter, more linearly controlled bass, while the JBL L100 Classic uses a ported design that prioritizes bass output level. The KLH's 13-component crossover network with iron-core inductors and Mylar capacitors is a more elaborate circuit than the L100 Classic's network, and the Model Five's three-position Acoustic Balance Control provides room-tuning flexibility the L100 Classic does not offer. Shoppers who value bass accuracy and imaging coherence tend to favor the Model Five; those who want maximum bass weight often prefer the L100 Classic.

Can the KLH Model Five be used without a subwoofer?

Yes, the KLH Model Five can be used as a full-range system without a subwoofer for most music listening. The sealed enclosure extends to 42Hz at ±3dB and reaches 32Hz at -10dB, which covers the fundamental range of most musical instruments including upright bass, piano, and kick drum. For home theater use or for listeners who want reinforcement below 40Hz, adding a subwoofer is beneficial, but the Model Five performs as a capable standalone music system without one.

What is the Acoustic Balance Control on the KLH Model Five?

The Acoustic Balance Control is a three-position rear-panel switch that adjusts the output level of frequencies above 400Hz by 1.5dB per step, with three settings: Lo, Mid, and Hi. It allows users to tailor the speaker's tonal balance to suit room acoustics without requiring an external equalizer or amplifier tone controls. Rooms with hard surfaces and significant high-frequency reflectivity benefit from the Mid or Lo position, while well-damped listening rooms are typically best served by the Hi setting. KLH chief engineer Kerry Geist designed this feature specifically to make the Model Five adaptable across a wide range of real-world domestic environments.

What amplifier works best with the KLH Model Five?

The KLH Model Five works with amplifiers rated between 20W and 200W per channel into a 6-ohm load, with a minimum impedance of 3.5 ohms at 140Hz. The 90.5dB in-room sensitivity means the speaker is moderately efficient and performs well with integrated amplifiers and stereo receivers in the 50W to 150W range. Most modern solid-state and tube amplifiers rated at 6 or 8 ohms will drive the Model Five comfortably, though the 3.5-ohm dip at 140Hz means amplifier stability at lower impedances should be confirmed, particularly with vintage or budget designs.

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

The KLH Model Five is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized KLH Audio dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound stocks the KLH Model Collection Series and offers hands-on expertise for speaker matching, room setup, and system building. The Model Five is sold as a single unit, so purchasing two is required to complete a stereo pair. Customers outside Toronto can contact Vinyl Sound directly for shipping and availability across Canada.

How does the KLH Model Five compare to the KLH Model Seven?

The KLH Model Five and Model Seven are siblings in the KLH Model Collection Series, sharing the same acoustic suspension architecture, 13-component crossover design, and mid-century modern aesthetic. The Model Seven steps up with a larger 13-inch woofer (versus the Model Five's 10-inch), deeper bass extension (38Hz vs. 42Hz at ±3dB), higher power handling (250W vs. 200W RMS), and greater physical scale. The Model Five remains the more compact and placement-friendly choice, while the Model Seven is suited to larger rooms and listeners seeking flagship-level output and authority.