KLH Model Four vs KLH Model Seven Comparison

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KLH Model Four

Passive Bookshelf | 46-20K Hz

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KLH Model Seven

Passive Floor-standing | 38-20k Hz

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KLH Model Four

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KLH Model Seven

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KLH Model Four

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KLH Model Seven

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KLH Model Four vs KLH Model Seven Speaker Comparison

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

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

Key Specs	KLH Model Four	KLH Model Seven
Brand	KLH United States · founded 1957	KLH United States · founded 1957
Design	3-way	3-way
Tweeter	1" Hard-Dome	1" Hard-Dome
Midrange	4"	5"
Woofer	8"	13" Pulp-Paper
Frequency response	46-20K Hz	38-20k Hz
Sensitivity	88 dB	91 dB
Impedance	6 ohms	4 ohms
Power range	—	20-250 watts
Weight	21.32kg / 46.9lbs	35.82kg / 78.8lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)	32.2" x 13" x 10.9" 817.9 x 330.2 x 276.9mm	41" x 18" x 12-1/4" 1042.0 x 458.0 x 312.0mm

Model Four and Model Seven 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	Sensitivity	Impedance	Woofer
KLH Model Three	Bookshelf	46-20k Hz	88 dB	6Ω	1 x 8"
KLH Model Five	Floor-standing	42-20k Hz	90.5 dB	6Ω	1 x 10"
KLH Model Seven	Floor-standing	38-20k Hz	91 dB	4Ω	1 x 13"
KLH Model Four	Bookshelf	46-20K Hz	88 dB	6Ω	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 Four and Model Seven are 3-way speakers.

KLH Model Four

KLH Model Seven

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 Four	KLH Model Seven
Driver Setup	3-way	3-way
Tweeter	1-inch	1-inch
Midrange	1 x 4-inch	1 x 5-inch
Woofer	1 x 8-inch	1 x 13-inch

Model Four features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 1 x 8" Woofer. On the other hand, the Model Seven features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 5" Midrange and 1 x 13" Pulp-Paper Woofer.

Frequency Response

Model Four has a frequency range of 46-20K Hz whereas Model Seven has a frequency range of 38-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the Model Seven can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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 Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Model Four

Model Seven

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 Four is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Model Seven which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Model Seven can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Model Four sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Model Seven's is rated at 91 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the KLH Model Seven a more sensitive speaker compared to KLH Model Four, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Model Four

Model Seven

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.

Amplifier - change this

Distance

Playing as

KLH Model Four

KLH Model Seven

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 Four's and KLH Model Seven's external dimensions. KLH Model Four has external dimensions of 817.9 x 330.2 x 276.9mm () whereas KLH Model Seven has external dimensions of 1042.0 x 458.0 x 312.0mm (41inch x 18inch x 12-1/4inch).

KLH Model Seven is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 127.8mm wider, 224.1mm taller and 35.1mm deeper than KLH Model Four.

Size, drawn to scale

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 Seven needs about 56% more floor or shelf area. KLH Model Seven is 35mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. KLH Model Seven is 224mm 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 Four is approximately 914.3cm² / 141.7inch² and base area of the KLH Model Seven is approximately 1429.0cm² / 221.5inch². The Model Four requires 36% less surface area than the Model Seven which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of KLH Model Seven?

Here are the items that come with the Model Seven:

2 Floorstanding loudspeakers
2 Riser bases
2 Grilles
Owner's Manual

Reasons to choose KLH Model Four over KLH Model Seven

Nominal Impedance	6 ohms vs 4 ohms	Less selective with amplifiers
Height	817mm vs 1042mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area	914cm² vs 1429cm²	Takes less floor space

Reasons to choose KLH Model Seven over KLH Model Four

Sensitivity	91 dB vs 88 dB	Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Woofer Size	13 inches vs 8 inches	Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response	38 Hz vs 46 Hz	Generates deeper bass

KLH Model Four vs KLH Model Seven Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	KLH Model Four	KLH Model Seven
Brand	KLH	KLH
Speaker Type	Bookshelf speakers	Floor-standing speaker
Sensitivity	88 dB	91 dB
Impedance	6 ohms	4 ohms
Frequency Response	46-20K Hz	38-20k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity	1	1
Woofer Size	8"	13"
Woofer Composition		Pulp-Paper
Woofer Surround Material	n/a	Rubber
Tweeter Size	1"	1"
Tweeter Type	Hard-Dome	Hard-Dome
Aimable Tweeter	No	No
Midrange Driver	4"	5"
Physical Specs
Height	817.9mm (32.2")	1042.0mm (41")
Width	330.2mm (13")	458.0mm (18")
Depth	276.9mm (10.9")	312.0mm (12.3")
Weight	21.32kg (46.9lbs)	35.82kg (78.8lbs)
Enclosure
Finish	MDF/Wood Veneer	MDF/Wood Veneer
Available Colors	Black Ash	Mahogany
Mounting Bracket
Moisture Resistancy	No	No
Connections
Biamp Inputs	n/a	No
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.

Area	Better	Why
Bass	B	KLH Model Seven digs deeper - 38Hz against 46Hz. A subwoofer would even that out.
Amplifier needs	B	KLH Model Seven is more sensitive (91dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier.
Amplifier match	A	KLH Model Four is the easier load at 6 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it.
Size	depends	KLH Model Four is easier to place; KLH Model Seven is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
Type	depends	A Passive Bookshelf against a Passive Floor-standing - a different job rather than a better one.

A KLH Model Four B KLH Model Seven
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 Seven 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 a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 46Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, KLH Model Seven has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, KLH Model Four is the easier speaker to get right.

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.