In this review, we will be comparing Model Three and L82 Classic, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KLH and JBL.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KLH Model Three and JBL L82 Classic first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KLH Model Three | JBL L82 Classic |
|---|
| Brand | KLH
United States · founded 1957 | JBL
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" Pulp-Paper Cone | 8" Pulp |
|---|
| Frequency response | 46-20k Hz | 44-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-150 watts | 25-125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 13.20kg / 29lbs | 12.80kg / 28.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 19.0" x 12.25" x 10.5"
482.0 x 311.0 x 267.0mm | 18.6" x 11.0" x 12.4"
472.8 x 281.0 x 315.5mm |
|---|
What size room are the KLH Model Three and JBL L82 Classic speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
KLH Model Three |
JBL L82 Classic |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Model Three and L82 Classic are 2-way speakers.
KLH Model ThreeJBL L82 Classic
TweeterWoofer
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 Three |
JBL L82 Classic |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 8-inch
|
Model Three features a 1" Aluminum Tweeter and 1 x 8" Pulp-Paper Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1600Hz. On the other hand, the L82 Classic features a 1" Titanium Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" Pulp Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1700Hz.
Frequency Response
Model Three has a frequency range of 46-20k Hz whereas L82 Classic has a frequency range of 44-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the L82 Classic can go slightly deeper then the Model Three'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
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 Three is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the L82 Classic which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 88 dBdB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Model Three can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas L82 Classic has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Model Three.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Model Three features Five-way gold-plated binding posts type posts and L82 Classic has a Five-way gold-plated binding posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KLH Model Three's Binding post terminals
JBL L82 Classic's Five-way gold-plated binding posts terminals
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 Three's and JBL L82 Classic's external dimensions. KLH Model Three has external dimensions of 482.0 x 311.0 x 267.0mm (19.0 x 12.25 x 10.5inch) whereas JBL L82 Classic has external dimensions of 472.8 x 281.0 x 315.5mm (18.6 x 11.0 x 12.4inch).
JBL L82 Classic is 30mm narrower and 9.2mm shorter than KLH Model Three but it is also 48.5mm deeper.
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 Three is approximately 830.4cm2 / 128.7inch2 and base area of the JBL L82 Classic is approximately 886.6cm2 / 137.4inch2. The Model Three requires 6% less surface area than the L82 Classic which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The KLH Model Three weighs 13.20kg / 29lbs and the JBL L82 Classic weighs 12.80kg / 28.2lbs. This makes the Model Three 3% heavier than the L82 Classic.
Here is a comparison of how Model Three and L82 Classic's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Model Three?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Model Three:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Riser base
- Grille
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of JBL L82 Classic?
Here are the items that come with the L82 Classic:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Grille
- Owner's Manual
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Base Surface Area |
830cm2
vs
886cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2000USD
vs
2750USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
44 Hz
vs
46 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
472mm
vs
482mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
KLH Model Three |
JBL L82 Classic |
| Brand |
KLH |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-150 watts |
25-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
46-20k Hz |
44-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Pulp-Paper Cone |
Pulp |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1600Hz |
1700Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
482.0mm (19") |
472.8mm (18.6") |
| Width |
311.0mm (12.2") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Depth |
267.0mm (10.5") |
315.5mm (12.4") |
| Weight |
13.20kg (29lbs) |
12.80kg (28.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
English Walnut, West African Mahogany |
Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
15.5" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (46Hz vs 44Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | JBL L82 Classic is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (150W vs 125W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | A | KLH Model Three is cheaper - $2,000 against $2,750, about 27% less. |
A KLH Model Three B JBL L82 Classic
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?
JBL L82 Classic is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 38% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - KLH Model Three looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the JBL L82 Classic appeals to you. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $750 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.