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  1. Home
  2. KLH Speakers
  3. KLH Model Five vs KLH Model Four

KLH Model Five vs KLH Model Four Comparison

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KLH Model Five

Passive Floor-standing | 42-20k Hz

KLH Model Five
Check price atAmazon›
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KLH Model Four

Passive Bookshelf | 46-20K Hz

KLH Model Four
Check price atAmazon›
KLH Model Five KLH Model Five
Check price atAmazon›
KLH Model Four KLH Model Four
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KLH Model Five
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KLH Model Four
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KLH Model Five vs KLH Model Four Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by KLH. KLH Model Five is a Floor-standing speaker whereas the Model Four is a Bookshelf speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of KLH Model Five and KLH Model Four first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsKLH Model FiveKLH Model Four
BrandKLH
United States · founded 1957
KLH
United States · founded 1957
Design3-way3-way
Tweeter1" Hard-Dome1" Hard-Dome
Midrange4"4"
Woofer10" Pulp-Paper8"
Frequency response42-20k Hz46-20K Hz
Sensitivity90.5 dB88 dB
Impedance6 ohms6 ohms
Power range20-200 watts—
Weight20.00kg / 44lbs21.32kg / 46.9lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)34-1/4" x 13-3/4" x 13"
870.0 x 350.0 x 330.0mm
32.2" x 13" x 10.9"
817.9 x 330.2 x 276.9mm

Model Five and Model Four are members of KLH's Model series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

KLH Model Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
KLH Model Three
  
Bookshelf 46-20k Hz 88 dB6Ω 1 x 8"
KLH Model Five
Floor-standing 42-20k Hz 90.5 dB6Ω 1 x 10"
KLH Model Seven
  
Floor-standing 38-20k Hz 91 dB4Ω 1 x 13"
KLH Model Four
Bookshelf 46-20K Hz 88 dB6Ω 1 x 8"

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.


Drivers

Both Model Five and Model Four are 3-way speakers.

Tweeter - 1 inchMidrange - 4 inchWoofer - 10 inch
KLH Model Five
Tweeter - 1 inchMidrange - 4 inchWoofer - 8 inch
KLH Model Four

TweeterMidrangeWoofer

Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.

Driver KLH Model Five KLH Model Four
Driver Setup 3-way 3-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange 1 x 4-inch 1 x 4-inch
Woofer 1 x 10-inch 1 x 8-inch

Model Five features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 1 x 10" Pulp-Paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 380Hz and 2850Hz. On the other hand, the Model Four features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 1 x 8" Woofer.

Frequency Response

Model Five has a frequency range of 42-20k Hz whereas Model Four has a frequency range of 46-20K Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Model Five can go slightly deeper then the Model Four's min frequency of 46Hz.

The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

Model Five
Model Four
Min
Average
Median

Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

Model Five and Model Four have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Model Five sensitivity is rated at 90.5 dB and the Model Four's is at 88 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the KLH Model Five a more sensitive speaker compared to KLH Model Four, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

Model Five
Model Four
Min
Average
Median

Which plays louder on your amplifier?

Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are considering, and watch both numbers move.

KLH Model Five
 
KLH Model Four
 

Physical Specs

The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare KLH Model Five's and KLH Model Four's external dimensions. KLH Model Five has external dimensions of 870.0 x 350.0 x 330.0mm (34-1/4 x 13-3/4 x 13inch) whereas KLH Model Four has external dimensions of 817.9 x 330.2 x 276.9mm ().

KLH Model Five is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 19.8mm wider, 52.1mm taller and 53.1mm deeper than KLH Model Four.

Size, drawn to scale

FRONTKLH Model Five front: 350 x 870 mm (13.8 x 34.3 in)KLH Model Four front: 330 x 818 mm (13 x 32.2 in)KLH Model Five350 × 870 mmKLH Model Four330 × 818 mmTOP / FOOTPRINTKLH Model Five footprint: 350 x 330 mm (13.8 x 13 in)KLH Model Four footprint: 330 x 277 mm (13 x 10.9 in)KLH Model Five350 × 330 mmKLH Model Four330 × 277 mm
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.

One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.

KLH Model Five needs about 26% more floor or shelf area. KLH Model Five is 53mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. KLH Model Five is 52mm taller.

Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base surface area of the KLH Model Five is approximately 1155.0cm2 / 179.0inch2 and base area of the KLH Model Four is approximately 914.3cm2 / 141.7inch2. The Model Five requires 26% more surface area than the Model Four which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of KLH Model Five?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Model Five:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • Riser base
  • Grille
  • Owners Manual


Reasons to choose KLH Model Five over KLH Model Four

Sensitivity 91 dB vs 88 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Woofer Size 10 inches vs 8 inches Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response 42 Hz vs 46 Hz Generates deeper bass

Reasons to choose KLH Model Four over KLH Model Five

Height 817mm vs 870mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area 914cm2 vs 1155cm2 Takes less floor space

KLH Model Five vs KLH Model Four Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General KLH Model Five KLH Model Four
Brand KLH KLH
Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
Sensitivity 90.5 dB 88 dB
Impedance 6 ohms 6 ohms
Impedance 3.5 ohms n/a
Frequency Response 42-20k Hz 46-20K Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 10" 8"
Woofer Composition Pulp-Paper
Woofer Surround Material Rubber n/a
Tweeter Size 1" 1"
Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Hard-Dome
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver 4" 4"
Crossover Frequency 380Hz and 2850Hz n/a
Physical Specs
Height 870.0mm (34.3") 817.9mm (32.2")
Width 350.0mm (13.8") 330.2mm (13")
Depth 330.0mm (13") 276.9mm (10.9")
Weight 20.00kg (44lbs) 21.32kg (46.9lbs)
Enclosure Acoustic Suspension
Finish MDF/Wood Veneer MDF/Wood Veneer
Available Colors English Walnut, West African Mahogany Black Ash
Mounting Bracket No
Grille Yes n/a
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs No n/a
Other
Parts Warranty 10 Years 10 years
Labor Warranty 10 Years 10 years

Verdict

Siblings in KLH's Model series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.

AreaBetterWhy
BassAKLH Model Five digs deeper - 42Hz against 46Hz. A subwoofer would even that out.
Amplifier needsAKLH Model Five is more sensitive (91dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier.
SizedependsKLH Model Four is easier to place; KLH Model Five is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
TypedependsA Passive Floor-standing against a Passive Bookshelf - a different job rather than a better one.

A KLH Model Five  B KLH Model Four
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.

Which should you choose?

KLH Model Five has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, KLH Model Five is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.

And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.


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