KLH speaker specials at BB, cheap and plenty good enough for the non-audiophile (3 pc. HT or 2 bookshelf speaks for $20)

[glenn1]

Was in the Short Pump, VA Best Buy today. Saw some KLH speaker deals that i thought were worth posting here. Both the below items are on sale for $20....

KLH 3-pc (center and 2 satellites) 220w Home Theater system speakers (model HT-9930)

KLH L853B 125w bookshelf speakers

And before the audio purists start talking about how badly these suck in comparison to their _______ brand speakers, remember, you're getting either a 3 pc. HT set or a pair of bookshelf speaks for just $20.

 

[halik]

the speakers in the review arent the ones youll be getting with the 2 piece set. The amazon pic shows no tweeters in the satellites...

i have the ones in the review (20 bucks a pop from BB) and they sound great for the price

 

[SWirth86]

I've got the L853B, they sounded ok for a while, but just recently the tweeter on one died. Lasted about 6 months.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Originally posted by: SWirth86
I've got the L853B, they sounded ok for a while, but just recently the tweeter on one died. Lasted about 6 months.

That's 4 months longer than one of mine.

 

[mzkhadir]

I had this one for a while now, its pretty good for the price.
KLH

 

[kehi]

None of the Model 9930 online but I found These for $20.

 

[antmanbee]

I got these KLH L853B's the last time BB was selling them for $20 a pair and I think they are great for the money. I just ordered another pair to complete my surround system with the Kenwood 6050.

 

[ConnCarl]

Thanks Glenn!

I've been using the 853b's for a while now, they're as close as you can get to a free home theater speaker and they really don't perform that badly.

If anything, the 9930's are an even better buy. The satellites come with keyholes for wall mounting (no building or buying costly speaker stands!) and the center channel speaker isn't half bad, roughly comparable with units selling for $60 to $100 or so.

For anyone interested, the West Haven, CT BB has three left in stock.

 

[eyeguy]

for $20 to ship 34 lbs...
and binding posts - not spring clips
they were a good deal, now OOS.
be fine for a 6.1 system with a small sub and a refurb onkyo
now if i can find a good deal on a 16:9 projector......

 

[ConnCarl]

Just came from the West Haven, CT Best Buy. They still have two HT-9930 sets in stock, they're not marked but they ring up at $19.99.

 

[eyeguy]

ok - got the cheap speakers L853, they should not even be imported from China (worse than the Wharfdales from buy.com)

3/8" walls, poor damping, harsh aluminum tweeter, muffled midrange

will order dampening pads from Parts Express and some egg crate foam (every other wall should be lined -
especially behind that silly midrange - then they will be ok for a kid or maybe for surround speakers

ok for 20$, thats the maximum they are worth, note that best buy does not have a comments section like Circuit city

and they came will the snaps for the grills broken

better to get the Radio shack lx5 when it goes on sale - great little speaker for $50 (actually I can not find it online - may be on clearance again, the linaeum tweeter is worth the $50)

 

[wetcat007]

KLH is bad news from what I heard but hey if their cheap what do u expect?

 

[BigSmooth]

I have the L853B's as well. The sound is a little muddy but I think it is acceptable for something like a bedroom or basement system. They're certainly a good value considering they are dirt-cheap.

 

[tadpole]

Originally posted by: wetcat007
KLH is bad news from what I heard but hey if their cheap what do u expect?

bad news NOT i love mine, i have had them for a couple years and they still sound GREAT i ordered a couple more pairs for the garage!

 

[eyeguy]

ok for the garage - a couple of years ago I doubt they were chinese. KLH used to be a great Henry Kloss company (moment of silence)

ok - so buy $2 worth of panel dampening parts express

and cover 50% of each wall, in the center of each wall


and buy $4.25 of foam and glue to every other wall foam

and put a piece of foam behind the midrange

and now you may have something. These speakers are not worth reworking the crossover.

read some articles

http://www.coolhifi.mcmail.com/theory.htm

 

[geecee]

KLH is mostly synonymous with CRAP nowadays. That being said, I've had a KLH sub/sat system for nearly 7 years, used with various different systems in various different secondary setups. Yes, high and mid frequencies are a bit muddy and the bass from the subwoofer is a bit too boomy but considering how little I paid for them (like $75 or so) and how long they've lasted, they are rather serviceable speakers overall. Definitely good for the money and that's what I would expect from the two sets above.

That being said, a 3pc HT package that would only cost a little more and would probably sound better than the KLH package is 3 of these:

For HT use

Again, not audiophile level speakers but decent sound and small and three shipped for just under $45.
With a decent sub, not too bad for music either.

EDIT:
Actually, five of these ($75) with a powered/passive sub that one might have lying around would be a nice cheapo HT system for very little money. It's basically CSW's Ensemble IV system with your own sub. I guess they're clearing these out (the entire Ensemble IV with these 5 sats and a small passive sub is only $112.50), to make room for their new Newton series or something.

 

[bman46]

Actually KLH makes good quality products (ESPECIALLY for the price) I am an audiophile and own a recording studio and trust KLH products. They make excellent subwoofers with good frequency response. Any good KLH deals out there you guys should pick up and maybe you can find a coupon code to make these even cheaper.

 

[geecee]

Originally posted by: eyeguy
ok for the garage - a couple of years ago I doubt they were chinese. KLH used to be a great Henry Kloss company (moment of silence)

ok - so buy $2 worth of panel dampening parts express

and cover 50% of each wall, in the center of each wall


and buy $4.25 of foam and glue to every other wall foam

and put a piece of foam behind the midrange

and now you may have something. These speakers are not worth reworking the crossover.

read some articles

http://www.coolhifi.mcmail.com/theory.htm

Interesting article. Especially if you're interested in modding or building your own speakers. Thanks.

I don't think KLH has been a Henry Kloss company for quite some time. Don't know this firsthand, but KLH's heyday was the 60s-70s I think. Back then, the "KLH" actually meant a good speaker, not just a "bang for your buck/value/crap sound" type thing. Not sure when he sold or left the company. but he was at Advent in the 80's I'm pretty sure. Then at Cambridge Sound Works in the 90's. I think he co-founded AR in the 50's and left to co-found KLH.

If what bman46 says is true, then there's a small KLH powered sub at Smartbargains for $50.

KLH powered sub

I personally have NOT heard many good things about KLH subs though, again other than good value type comments.

 

[tadpole]

KLH sub? i would never buy another.....i had one for a while and blew it out, it would crackle, and pop and seemed that my amp (old sony receiver) was overpowering the sub, quite disappointed, now i am looking for a POLK and will accept nothing less! but YES i'll sacrifice front and rear sound with KLH!