KLH Model Five Loudspeaker at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY

The Model Five is a three-way acoustic suspension standmount loudspeaker from KLH Audio (Noblesville, Indiana, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York. First introduced in 1968 and revived for 2021 by chief engineer Kerry Geist, formerly of Klipsch for 32 years, the new Model Five honors the acoustic suspension legacy of KLH co-founder Henry Kloss with fully modern drivers and crossover engineering. It is a three-driver system featuring a 10-inch pulp-paper cone woofer, a dedicated 4-inch pulp-paper cone midrange driver, and a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter, delivering a frequency response of 42Hz to 20kHz ±3dB and an in-room sensitivity of 90.5dB. The Model Five is widely regarded as one of the most awarded loudspeakers in its class, earning Stereophile Recommended Component status, a Sound and Vision Top Pick designation, and Speaker of the Year recognition from five international publications.

Acoustic Suspension Design: Sealed-Box Accuracy Reimagined

The acoustic suspension principle was co-developed by Edgar Villchur and Henry Kloss at Acoustic Research in 1954 and later refined at KLH for the original Model Five, which remained in production from 1968 to 1977. A sealed enclosure uses the compression of the trapped air volume as a pneumatic restoring spring for the woofer, enabling deep, linear bass from a compact cabinet without the coloration artifacts associated with port tuning. The 12dB per octave roll-off below the tuned frequency is gentler than the 24dB per octave cliff of a ported design, making the Model Five significantly more tolerant of room equalization and subwoofer integration. The new Model Five reaches -3dB at 42Hz and extends to -10dB at 32Hz, performance that rivals many floorstanding tower speakers. Because no rear port is present, placement flexibility is considerably greater than comparable ported standmounts, and the speaker remains well-behaved when positioned closer to the front wall.

Three-Way Driver Architecture and Crossover Network

The dedicated 4-inch pulp-paper cone midrange driver is the defining feature that separates the Model Five from the two-way Model Three. By assigning the critical 380Hz to 2,850Hz band to its own purpose-built driver, the Model Five avoids the overlap and intermodulation distortion that occur when a single woofer handles both low frequencies and the midrange simultaneously. The 10-inch pulp-paper cone woofer uses a reverse-roll rubber suspension and a non-resonant die-cast aluminum frame, and the 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter features a soft rubber suspension and a die-cast aluminum faceplate. All three crossover points use 2nd-order 12dB per octave networks, with the woofer crossing to the midrange at 380Hz and the midrange crossing to the tweeter at 2,850Hz. The thirteen-component crossover network is built with premium iron-core inductors and Mylar capacitors, preserving phase coherence and dynamic accuracy across the full audio bandwidth. A three-position Acoustic Balance Control on the rear panel provides 0dB, -1.5dB, and -3dB attenuation above 400Hz to adapt the speaker's tonal balance to any listening environment.

Key Features

• Three-Way Acoustic Suspension Design: Sealed-cabinet architecture with dedicated woofer, midrange, and tweeter drivers delivers the most linear and accurate loudspeaker presentation available, with controlled bass roll-off and freedom from port-tuning artifacts.
• Dedicated 4-Inch Midrange Driver: A purpose-built pulp-paper cone midrange handles the 380Hz to 2,850Hz band exclusively, reproducing the critical vocal and instrumental frequency range with clarity and low coloration.
• 10-Inch Pulp-Paper Cone Woofer: Features a non-resonant die-cast aluminum frame and reverse-roll rubber suspension, delivering tight, textured bass with a -10dB extension to 32Hz from a sealed enclosure.
• 1-Inch Aluminum Dome Tweeter: Soft rubber suspension and die-cast aluminum faceplate combine for extended high-frequency response with natural dispersion across a wide horizontal listening window.
• Three-Position Acoustic Balance Control: Rear-panel selector attenuates output above 400Hz by 0dB, -1.5dB, or -3dB, providing room-specific tonal adjustment without affecting the bass register.
• Thirteen-Component Crossover Network: Iron-core inductors and Mylar capacitors maintain signal integrity and phase accuracy through all three driver hand-off points at 380Hz and 2,850Hz.
• Real Wood Veneer Cabinetry: 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; all over a structurally reinforced 3/4-inch MDF enclosure.
• Included 5-Degree Slant Riser Base: Powder-coated 14-gauge steel base raises the speaker approximately 8 inches and angles the driver array toward the seated listening position for optimal vertical coverage without any additional stand purchase.
• Gold-Plated Five-Way Binding Posts: Accept bare wire, banana plugs, spade lugs, and pin connectors for flexible compatibility with all amplifier and cable termination types.
• Low-Profile Magnetic Grille: Magnetically attached grille cloth removes and reattaches tool-free, with multiple grille cloths available separately for custom finish combinations.
• 10-Year Manufacturer Warranty: KLH Audio backs the Model Five with a full decade of coverage, consistent with the brand's commitment to long-term build quality.

Technical Specifications

What's in the Box

• KLH Model Five Loudspeaker (1 unit)
• 5-Degree Slant Riser Base (Powder-Coated 14-Gauge Steel)
• Magnetic Grille (English Walnut: Stone Wash Linen / West African Mahogany: Old-World Linen / Nordic Noir: Medici Grey Linen)
• KLH Model Five User Manual

Awards and Critical Recognition

• Stereophile Recommended Component - KLH Model Five Loudspeaker, Stereophile magazine
• Sound and Vision Top Pick - KLH Model Five Loudspeaker, Sound and Vision magazine
• Speaker of the Year - awarded by five international audio publications following the 2021 launch
• Home Theater Review Editor's Choice Award - HomeTheaterReview.com
• StereoNET Applause Award - KLH Model Five, StereoNET International

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the KLH Model Five?

The KLH Model Five is a three-way acoustic suspension standmount loudspeaker manufactured by KLH Audio in Noblesville, Indiana, USA. It features a 10-inch woofer, a 4-inch dedicated midrange driver, and a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter, with a frequency response of 42Hz to 20kHz ±3dB and an in-room sensitivity of 90.5dB. Originally introduced in 1968 and reengineered for 2021, the Model Five is sold individually and two units are required to form a stereo pair.

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

The KLH Model Five and Model Three share the same acoustic suspension sealed-cabinet philosophy, aluminum dome tweeter, MDF cabinetry, thirteen-component crossover network, and Acoustic Balance Control system, but differ significantly in driver count and output scale. The Model Five adds a dedicated 4-inch midrange driver for a full three-way design, uses a larger 10-inch woofer versus the Model Three's 8-inch, and achieves a higher in-room sensitivity of 90.5dB compared to 88dB for the Model Three. The Model Five extends bass to 32Hz (-10dB) versus 35Hz for the Model Three and handles up to 200 watts versus 150 watts. It is better suited to medium and large listening rooms, while the Model Three targets smaller spaces. Compared to competing three-way standmounts such as the JBL L100 Classic, Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary, and Klipsch Heresy IV, the Model Five is distinguished by its sealed-box tuning, which delivers superior bass linearity and room placement flexibility.

Can the KLH Model Five be placed near a wall?

Yes. Because the Model Five uses a sealed acoustic suspension enclosure with no rear-firing port, it tolerates close-wall placement far better than comparable ported standmounts or floorstanding tower speakers. KLH recommends starting approximately 60cm from the front wall, but users have reported excellent results at distances as close as 20cm without bass coloration. The absence of port-room interaction makes the Model Five one of the most placement-flexible high-fidelity speakers in its class.

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

The Acoustic Balance Control is a three-position switch located on the rear panel of the Model Five that attenuates the combined output of the midrange and tweeter above 400Hz. The HI position is flat, the MID position reduces output above 400Hz by 1.5dB, and the LO position reduces it by 3dB. Designed by chief engineer Kerry Geist, the control allows listeners to pull excess energy out of acoustically bright or reflective rooms without affecting the bass register. Most listeners in typical rooms find the MID position provides the best long-term tonal balance.

What amplifier power does the KLH Model Five require?

The KLH Model Five is rated for 20 to 200 watts of amplifier power per channel, with a 6-ohm nominal impedance and a minimum impedance of 3.5 ohms at 140Hz. Its in-room sensitivity of 90.5dB means it is relatively easy to drive to satisfying levels even with modestly powered amplifiers. KLH has confirmed that the speaker works well with integrated amplifiers, AV receivers, and both solid-state and tube amplifiers; tube users should connect from the 4-ohm output taps for best compatibility.

Where can I buy the KLH Model Five in Buffalo, NY?

The KLH Model Five is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized KLH Audio dealer located in Buffalo, New York. Vinyl Sound carries the full KLH Model Collection and can assist with auditioning, system matching, and purchasing a complete stereo pair. The speaker is sold individually, so two units must be purchased to assemble a stereo pair.

What finish and grille options are available for the KLH Model Five?

The KLH Model Five is available in three cabinet finishes: English Walnut with a Stone Wash Linen grille, West African Mahogany with an Old-World Linen grille, and Nordic Noir with a Medici Grey Linen grille. Additional grille options including Stone Wash Linen, Old-World Linen, and Basalt Black Knit are sold separately, allowing owners to mix and match grille cloth with any cabinet finish. All grilles attach magnetically for quick, tool-free removal during critical listening sessions.

Does the KLH Model Five need a separate speaker stand?

No separate stand is required. Each KLH Model Five unit includes its own 5-degree slant riser base fabricated from powder-coated 14-gauge steel, approximately 8 inches in height. The angled base tilts the three-driver array toward the listener at a typical seated position, aligning the tweeter axis with the listener's ears at approximately 8 feet of distance. The riser base provides a non-resonant, stable platform and is included with every unit at no additional cost.