KLH Model 5 Speaker Review! Is it better than Klipsch?

ReviewLoudspeaker

Mar 31

KLH Audio debuts the brand new Model 5 loudspeaker bringing a sub $2000 speaker that will compete right alongside the likes of JBL and Klipsch.

KLH MODEL 5 SPEAKER REVIEW - IS IT BETTER THAN KLIPSCH?

Depending on when you came up in the hifi hobby, the name KLH either conjures up memories of truly top-flight loudspeakers like the Model 9, which Stereophile magazine called one of the greatest loudspeakers ever built OR as in my case, KLH was a brand known for making cheap knock-offs, usually sold alongside other inexpensive brands like Insignia. In their 64 year history, they’ve definitely seen change and in 2021 with their latest endeavor, the Model 5, I think you are about to see another.

MODEL 5 SPEAKER REVIEW

Before we dig deep into our Model 5 speaker review, here is what you need to know about this new speaker from KLH Audio. The Model 5 is a 3-way, stand mounted speaker that utilizes an Acoustic Suspension Design, something KLH helped to pioneer back in the 50s. Acoustic Suspension is somewhat a fancy way of saying that the Model 5 is sealed -in that there are no ports or vents to help augment the speaker’s response. This type of design is said to provide for better, more controlled bass response, which we’ll get to in a bit.

KLH MODEL 5 SPECS

As for the KLH Model 5 specs, it has a one inch aluminum dome tweeter, a four inch paper cone midrange driver and a 10 inch paper cone woofer. Frequency response is reported to be 42Hz to 20kHz with an in room sensitivity of 90.5dB into 6 Ohms, though the speaker can dip to 3.5 Ohms. It has a three position acoustic balance control whereby the listener can dial up or down the speaker’s mid and high frequency presence to better match one’s listening environment. All Model 5s come with a 10 year warranty.

Finished in African Mahogany - while not my first choice, I understand the decision of going this route for its debut finish. The speaker ships standard with the Old World Linen grilles which are a bit green in color and somewhat clash with the red tones of the wood, however, the optional Stonewash Linen grilles are the better pairing visually but they will set you back roughly $200. Personal tastes aside, construction-wise the Model 5 is solid and I’m rather happy to see that KLH has included stands rather than charging extra for them.

Next to our Klipsch speakers, which include the new Forte IVs, I don’t think we’ve logged more hours on a speaker than we have the 5s. As a result we’ve paired this beauty with virtually everything from our NAIM Uniti Atom to our modified Pioneer SX-780. We’ve even used old-school tube amps on this speaker to both positive and not so positive effect. For me the best match was the Yamaha A-S3200 although I firmly believe you could go with either of it’s siblings and get close to the same experience without emptying your bank account. The bottom line is the Model 5 is an easy enough speaker to drive so long as your amp has a good 40 plus Watts on tap and can handle a 4 Ohm load.

MODEL 5 Sound qUALITY

In terms of the Model 5 sound quality -how do I put this in a way that won’t be open to interpretation- it’s fucking great! Which is exactly what I say to myself each and every time I listen to these gems. The Model 5 is, for me, a near perfect hybrid between the clarity and immediacy one gets from high efficiency loudspeakers combined with the raw grip and control really only found in high-end powered monitors. Of course that last part is somewhat amplifier dependent, but like I just said, so long as your amp has a healthy 40 or 50 Watts, you’re going to get ALL this speaker has to offer!

The bass is one of this speaker’s party tricks. No, this is not a true, full-range loudspeaker, but it's 42Hz sounds and feels honest. Plus, there is so much raw attack even at its limit that it comes across as deeper than it would likely measure. Moreover, it’s the type of bass response that if you’re a fan of electronica, or rock music -for example, Robyn’s “Honey”, Rage Against the Machine’s “Take the Power Back” or Beck’s “Wow” -you’re going to hear all of the low notes in those recordings with a type of speed and clarity few speakers this side of silly money can match. I’ve heard mildly deeper renditions of all of these recordings from other speakers, but few as focused.

The bass remains focused on up to where it crosses over with the midrange whereby there is no real gap, as the transition between the two is seamless. The midrange is uncolored, that is to say it’s if the speaker has a tone or color of its own, I’m not hearing it. Yes, I could detect minor variations in the speaker’s tone when changing between different amplifiers, but as far as I’m concerned the Model 5’s midrange is neutral without being boring or lifeless.

The midrange presence -that immediate, in-room quality you know I love -is present with any recording. The speaker has a clarity that I find incredibly addictive. It is not forward nor is it shouty. It’s not as revealing or transparent to the source as say the La Scala -at least with respect to midrange -but it’s close.