A Modern Take on a Classic KLH Idea
When Henry Kloss founded KLH in 1957, he helped popularize the acoustic suspension loudspeaker, a sealed cabinet design that trades a little efficiency for genuinely tight and controlled bass. The revived KLH continues that tradition, and the KLH Model Three is a wonderful expression of it. This is a two way, sealed acoustic suspension stand mount speaker that wraps serious engineering in a mid century modern cabinet you will actually want to display.
The Model Three pairs a 5.25 inch KLH woofer with a 1 inch aluminum dome tweeter, crossed over at 2.2 kHz. The sealed enclosure is the heart of its character. Rather than using a port to boost low frequency output, acoustic suspension relies on the trapped air behind the woofer acting as a spring, which yields low end that is remarkably clean, agile, and free of the boom or overhang you sometimes hear from ported designs.
Design and Build
KLH keeps the heritage details intact. The Model Three arrives in real wood veneer cabinets offered in English Walnut, Nordic Noir, and Mahogany, each finished with a knit grille that nods directly to the brand's classic look. At 13.5 by 8 by 9.75 inches and 16 pounds each, it is a substantial but manageable stand mount that suits real rooms without dominating them.
These are furniture grade cabinets. Whether you place them on dedicated stands or a solid shelf, they read as intentional design objects rather than black boxes hidden in a corner.
Sound Character
The signature of the Model Three is control. The sealed woofer delivers a frequency response that reaches down to 60 Hz with a natural, well damped quality. Bass lines are easy to follow, kick drums have snap rather than bloat, and the low end never smears into the midrange. The aluminum dome tweeter adds air and detail up top to 20 kHz, giving vocals and acoustic instruments an open, unforced presence.
This is a speaker that rewards good recordings and good electronics. It is honest and revealing rather than artificially warm or hyped.
Amplification Matters
Here is the most important part of building a system around the Model Three. Like all KLH loudspeakers, it is a passive design that produces no sound on its own, and its acoustic suspension nature combined with 85 dB sensitivity and a 6 ohm nominal impedance means it genuinely rewards a capable amplifier with real current. KLH recommends 30 to 100 watts, and the Model Three sounds its best when you feed it clean power on the higher end of that window.
A few excellent matches from our shelves:
- Yamaha A-S801 Integrated Amplifier offers ample current and a built in DAC, making it a clean one box heart for a Model Three system.
- Advance Paris X-i75 Classic Integrated Amplifier brings a musical, robust presentation that suits the Model Three's honest voicing.
- Mission 778X Integrated Amplifier is a refined choice with the drive these sealed cabinets appreciate.
- Onkyo Muse Y 40 Network Streamer and Integrated Amplifier combines streaming and amplification if you want a tidy, modern setup.
Sources to Complete the System
For digital listening, a dedicated streamer or DAC lets the Model Three's resolution shine. The EverSolo DMP-A6 Gen 2 is a superb all in one streamer, DAC, and preamplifier, while the Audiolab 7000N Play and the Matrix Audio mini-i Pro 4 are equally strong options depending on how you like to build.
If vinyl is your thing, the Dual CS 518 Turntable makes an ideal analog partner, pairing beautifully with any of the integrated amplifiers above that include phono input or with an added stage.
Where the Model Three Fits
The Model Three is an ideal choice for a listener who wants classic KLH acoustic suspension character in a compact, room friendly package. It excels in small to medium rooms, in a dedicated two channel setup, or on a beautifully finished shelf where its cabinet is part of the decor.
How It Compares
Within our stand mount offerings you have several excellent designs, each with its own goal. The LEAK Sandwich 150 leans on a heritage cone technology and a warm, engaging presentation. The Mission 750 and Mission 700 follow Mission's time honored approach to imaging and vocal clarity. The MoFi SourcePoint 8 uses a concentric driver for a big, spacious soundstage, while the Spendor A1.2 follows the British tradition of natural midrange voicing. None of these is simply better than the others. The Model Three's distinction is its sealed acoustic suspension bass and mid century real wood aesthetic, so the right pick comes down to the sound and look you prefer.
Come Have a Listen
All Elite Audio is an authorized KLH dealer with a showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Our demo units rotate and not every model is always set up, so please reach out to us to arrange a listen to the Model Three and to plan the right amplification and source for your room.