KLH Model Three vs KLH Model Seven Comparison

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KLH Model Three

Passive Bookshelf | 46-20k Hz

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KLH Model Seven

Passive Floor-standing | 38-20k Hz

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KLH Model Three

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KLH Model Seven

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KLH Model Three

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KLH Model Seven

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KLH Model Three vs KLH Model Seven Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by KLH. KLH Model Three 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 Three and KLH Model Seven first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key Specs	KLH Model Three	KLH Model Seven
Brand	KLH United States · founded 1957	KLH United States · founded 1957
Design	2-way	3-way
Tweeter	1"	1" Hard-Dome
Midrange	—	5"
Woofer	8" Pulp-Paper Cone	13" Pulp-Paper
Frequency response	46-20k Hz	38-20k Hz
Sensitivity	88 dB	91 dB
Impedance	6 ohms	4 ohms
Power range	30-150 watts	20-250 watts
Weight	13.20kg / 29lbs	35.82kg / 78.8lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)	19.0" x 12.25" x 10.5" 482.0 x 311.0 x 267.0mm	41" x 18" x 12-1/4" 1042.0 x 458.0 x 312.0mm

Model Three 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

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Model Three is a 2-way design whereas the Model Seven is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.

KLH Model Three

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 Three	KLH Model Seven
Driver Setup	2-way	3-way
Tweeter	1-inch	1-inch
Midrange	-	1 x 5-inch
Woofer	1 x 8-inch	1 x 13-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 Model Seven features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 5" Midrange and 1 x 13" Pulp-Paper Woofer.

Frequency Response

Model Three 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 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

Model Three

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 Three 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 Three 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 Three, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Model Three

Model Seven

Min

Average

Median

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 Seven can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas Model Three has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Model Seven.

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.

Amplifier - change this

Distance

Playing as

KLH Model Three

KLH Model Seven

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Model Three features Binding post type posts and Model Seven has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

KLH Model Three's Binding post 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 KLH Model Seven'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 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 147mm wider, 560mm taller and 45mm deeper than KLH Model Three.

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 72% more floor or shelf area. KLH Model Seven is 45mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. KLH Model Seven is 560mm 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 Three is approximately 830.4cm² / 128.7inch² and base area of the KLH Model Seven is approximately 1429.0cm² / 221.5inch². The Model Three requires 42% 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 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 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 Three over KLH Model Seven

Nominal Impedance	6 ohms vs 4 ohms	Less selective with amplifiers
Height	482mm vs 1042mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area	830cm² vs 1429cm²	Takes less floor space
Price per pair*	2000USD vs 4998USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Reasons to choose KLH Model Seven over KLH Model Three

Max Input Power	250 watts vs 150 watts	Handle more power from your amplifier
Driver Setup	3-way vs 2-way	Have a dedicated mid-range driver
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 Three vs KLH Model Seven Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	KLH Model Three	KLH Model Seven
Brand	KLH	KLH
Speaker Type	Bookshelf speakers	Floor-standing speaker
Power Range	30-150 watts	20-250 watts
Sensitivity	88 dB	91 dB
Impedance	6 ohms	4 ohms
Impedance	3.7 ohms	n/a
Frequency Response	46-20k Hz	38-20k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity	1	1
Woofer Size	8"	13"
Woofer Composition	Pulp-Paper Cone	Pulp-Paper
Woofer Surround Material	Rubber	Rubber
Tweeter Size	1"	1"
Tweeter Type	n/a	Hard-Dome
Aimable Tweeter	No	No
Midrange Driver	No	5"
Crossover Frequency	1600Hz	n/a
Physical Specs
Height	482.0mm (19")	1042.0mm (41")
Width	311.0mm (12.2")	458.0mm (18")
Depth	267.0mm (10.5")	312.0mm (12.3")
Weight	13.20kg (29lbs)	35.82kg (78.8lbs)
Enclosure	Acoustic Suspension
Finish	MDF/Wood Veneer	MDF/Wood Veneer
Available Colors	English Walnut, West African Mahogany	Mahogany
Mounting Bracket	No
Grille	Yes	n/a
Moisture Resistancy	No	No
Connections
Biamp Inputs	No	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 Three is the easier load at 6 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it.
Headroom	B	KLH Model Seven takes more power (250W vs 150W) - more in hand in a big room.
Size	depends	KLH Model Three 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.
Price	A	KLH Model Three is cheaper - $2,000 against $4,998, about 60% less; arguably a different class.

A KLH Model Three 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?

The usual trade-off: KLH Model Seven measures better, KLH Model Three costs about about 150% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 46Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper KLH Model Three much easier to justify. 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 Three 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.