In this review, we will be comparing Model Three and TSi100, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KLH and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features of KLH Model Three and Polk TSi100 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how KLH Model Three and Polk TSi100 compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Model Three and TSi100 are 2-way speakers. 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, TSi100 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Organic Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Model Three has a frequency range of 46-20k Hz whereas TSi100 has a frequency range of 61-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the Model Three can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the TSi100's min frequency of 61Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers under Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Impedance and Sensitivity
Model Three is a 6 ohms speaker compared to TSi100 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Model Three sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and TSi100's is at 89 dB. This 1 dB difference makes Polk TSi100 a more sensitive speaker compared to KLH Model Three, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Model Three has a power range of 30-150 watts RMS whereas TSi100 has a power range of 20-100 watts.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Model Three features Pair of 5-way Binding Posts - Gold-Plated type posts and TSi100 has a Pair of 5-way Binding Posts - Gold-Plated type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KLH Model Three's Binding post terminals
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Polk TSi100'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 Polk TSi100 has external dimensions of 279.4 x 177.8 x 259.0mm ( 11.0 x 7.0 x 10.1inch) .
KLH Model Three is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 133.2mm wider, 202.6mm taller and 8mm deeper than Polk TSi100.