By: Dipin Sehdev
At a time when many speaker companies are chasing slimmer cabinets, bigger drivers, and increasingly complex DSP solutions, KLH is taking a different approach. The company is continuing its revival of classic acoustic suspension speaker design with the introduction of the KLH Model Four, a new floorstanding loudspeaker that slots between the highly regarded Model Three and Model Five in the company's growing Model Collection.
And honestly, it's nice to see.
More competition in the loudspeaker market is always a good thing, especially when brands are bringing something genuinely different to the table. Rather than simply releasing another ported tower speaker, KLH is doubling down on the acoustic suspension technology that helped define its legacy while adapting it for how people actually live today.
A Modern Speaker Designed for Real Homes
One of the biggest challenges facing many audiophiles is finding great speakers that work in real-world living spaces. Not everyone has a dedicated listening room. Most people are placing speakers in apartments, condos, lofts, family rooms, or multi-purpose spaces where speaker placement is often dictated by furniture rather than acoustics. That's where the Model Four becomes interesting.
KLH designed the speaker around a relatively compact footprint, utilizing a wide front baffle and shallow cabinet depth that allows placement closer to walls without the bass issues commonly associated with many rear-ported speakers. According to KLH, the design requires only a few inches of rear-wall clearance while maintaining tight, controlled low-frequency performance.
The result is a speaker intended to fit modern living spaces without demanding the compromises often associated with smaller bookshelf speakers.
Borrowing the Best From KLH's Lineup
The Model Four has combined elements from several successful products in its current lineup.
The speaker utilizes the same 8-inch woofer introduced in the Model Three while sharing the midrange driver, tweeter, and crossover architecture found in the acclaimed Model Five. The cabinet proportions are inspired by the larger Model Seven, incorporating a wide-baffle, shallow-depth design optimized for wall-friendly placement.
That combination gives the Model Four a unique position in the lineup:
- Smaller than the Model Five
- More full-range than the Model Three
- More room-friendly than many traditional floorstanders
A Dedicated Midrange Driver Matters
One feature that immediately stands out is the three-way design.
Many speakers in this price category rely on two-way configurations, forcing a single driver to handle both bass and much of the critical vocal range. KLH instead utilizes a dedicated 4-inch pulp-paper midrange driver paired with a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter and 8-inch woofer.
That dedicated midrange driver should help improve vocal clarity, instrument separation, and overall tonal balance.
KLH also includes its classic Acoustic Balance Control switch, a feature dating back to the company's original designs from the 1960s. The three-position control allows listeners to tailor the midrange and treble response to better suit room acoustics and personal preferences.
Specifications
| Specification | KLH Model Four |
|---|---|
| Design | 3-Way Acoustic Suspension |
| Woofer | 8-inch Pulp-Paper Cone |
| Midrange | 4-inch Pulp-Paper Cone |
| Tweeter | 1-inch Aluminum Dome |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz – 20kHz (+/-3dB) |
| Low Frequency Extension | 35Hz (-10dB) |
| Sensitivity | 88dB |
| Impedance | 6 Ohms |
| Power Handling | 150W Continuous / 600W Peak |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB |
| Crossover Points | 380Hz / 2.5kHz |
| Binding Posts | Gold-Plated 5-Way |
| Warranty | 10 Years |
| Included Accessories | 6° Riser Base, Magnetic Grille |
Finishes and Design
KLH continues to lean heavily into its mid-century modern aesthetic.
The Model Four will be available in three finishes:
- English Walnut with Stonewash Knit Grille
- Black Ash with Grey Knit Grille
- White Oak with Black Knit Grille
Each speaker includes a purpose-built 6-degree angled riser designed to properly align the drivers with the listening position while maintaining the speaker's distinctive visual profile.
Availability and Pricing
The KLH Model Four will begin shipping in September 2026 through authorized KLH dealers and directly from KLH Audio.
Pricing
| Region | Price (Each) | Price (Pair) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $999.99 | $1,999.98 |
| Europe | €999.00 | €1,998.00 |
| United Kingdom | £899.00 | £1,798.00 |
The included riser stands are part of the package.
What KLH Is Trying to Accomplish
KLH CEO Scott Hagen summed up the company's thinking behind the Model Four:
"Model Four represents exactly where KLH is headed: honoring the acoustic principles that made this brand stand out while designing products for how people actually live and listen today."
That philosophy may ultimately be what makes the Model Four appealing.
The speaker isn't trying to be the biggest, loudest, or most technologically complicated design on the market. Instead, KLH is focusing on a balance of performance, placement flexibility, and aesthetics. Three things that matter far more in everyday listening environments than many audiophiles would like to admit.
The Bottom Line
It's encouraging to see KLH continue its resurgence. The speaker market doesn't need another generic tower speaker. It needs companies willing to revisit proven ideas and adapt them for modern homes and modern listeners.The Model Four appears to do exactly that.
For listeners who want the imaging and bass control of an acoustic suspension design but don't have the space for larger floorstanders, the Model Four could end up being one of the more interesting speaker launches of 2026.
We'll have to hear them for ourselves before making any final judgments, but on paper, KLH may have found a very attractive middle ground between the compact Model Three and the highly regarded Model Five.
