In this review, we will be comparing Sabrina V and Kendall, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Wilson Audio and KLH.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wilson Audio Sabrina V and KLH Kendall first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wilson Audio Sabrina V | KLH Kendall |
|---|
| Brand | Wilson Audio
United States · founded 1974 | KLH
United States · founded 1957 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | 7" | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" Paper pulp | 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 27-24k Hz | 25-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | from 50 watts | up to 250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 55.79kg / 122.7lbs | 22.14kg / 48.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 39" x 12" x 15-3/8"
990.0 x 305.0 x 391.0mm | 40-3/16" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"
1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Sabrina V and Kendall are 3-way speakers.
Wilson Audio Sabrina VKLH Kendall
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Wilson Audio Sabrina V |
KLH Kendall |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 7-inch |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Sabrina V features a 1" Doped silk fabric Dome Tweeter, a 7" Midrange and 1 x 8" Paper pulp Woofer. On the other hand, the Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
Sabrina V has a frequency range of 27-24k Hz whereas Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go slightly deeper then the Sabrina V's min frequency of 27Hz.
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
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
Sabrina V is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Kendall which has a nominal impedance of 8 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 Sabrina V can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Sabrina V sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Kendall's is rated at 96 dB. This 9 dB difference makes the KLH Kendall a more sensitive speaker compared to Wilson Audio Sabrina V, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
Kendall can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas Sabrina V has a max power handling value of watts RMS, 250 watts less than the Kendall.
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
Kendall features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Sabrina V has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KLH Kendall's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
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 Wilson Audio Sabrina V's and KLH Kendall's external dimensions. Wilson Audio Sabrina V has external dimensions of 990.0 x 305.0 x 391.0mm (39 x 12 x 15-3/8inch) whereas KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm (40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch).
KLH Kendall is 93mm narrower and 11mm less deeper than Wilson Audio Sabrina V but it is also 31mm taller.
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.
Wilson Audio Sabrina V needs about 48% more floor or shelf area. KLH Kendall is 31mm 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 Wilson Audio Sabrina V is approximately 1192.6cm2 / 184.9inch2 and base area of the KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2. The Sabrina V requires 48% more surface area than the Kendall which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Wilson Audio Sabrina V weighs 55.79kg / 122.7lbs and the KLH Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs. This makes the Sabrina V 152% heavier than the Kendall.
Here is a comparison of how Sabrina V and Kendall's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Kendall?
Here are the items that come with the Kendall:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Foam port
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet (with nuts)
- 4 Protective discs
- Manual
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
24k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
990mm
vs
1021mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Base Surface Area |
805cm2
vs
1192cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
28500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wilson Audio Sabrina V |
KLH Kendall |
| Brand |
Wilson Audio |
KLH |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
from 50 watts |
up to 250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
2.23 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
27-24k Hz |
25-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper pulp |
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Butyl Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
7" |
5.25" |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
990.0mm (39") |
1021.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
305.0mm (12") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
391.0mm (15.4") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Weight |
55.79kg (122.7lbs) |
22.14kg (48.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
10 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Wilson Audio Sabrina V costs roughly 19x what KLH Kendall does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (27Hz vs 25Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | KLH Kendall is more sensitive (96dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | KLH Kendall is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Size | depends | KLH Kendall is easier to place; Wilson Audio Sabrina V is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | KLH Kendall: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | KLH Kendall is cheaper - $1,500 against $28,500, about 95% less; arguably a different class. |
A Wilson Audio Sabrina V B KLH Kendall
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 Kendall is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Wilson Audio Sabrina V if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. In a large or open-plan room, Wilson Audio Sabrina V has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, KLH Kendall is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, KLH Kendall 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.