KLH Model Four Debuts: The Missing Middle Child
KLH just filled the hole in its modern Model Collection.
The new KLH Model Four is a $1,999.98-per-pair, three-way, 8-inch acoustic-suspension loudspeaker due in September 2026. It debuts at High End Vienna 2026. The main story here is the footprint: 13 inches wide, 8.25 inches deep without the riser, and 10.9 inches deep with the included 6-degree tilt base.
Translation: this is the KLH for people who want the sealed-box behavior and mid-century look without letting the speakers take over the living room.
I have been watching this chapter of KLH since David Kelley bought the brand and put the modern revival in motion. I reviewed the Model Five. I am about to publish a Model Seven review for ProjectorScreen.com. The Seven, in particular, truly impresses. KLH’s current work is not just nostalgia wearing a walnut suit.
The Model Four looks like KLH taking that lesson and aiming smaller, cheaper, and more room-friendly.
What KLH Built
KLH says the Model Four uses the Model Three’s 8-inch pulp-paper woofer, shares the Model Five’s 4-inch midrange, 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter, and crossover architecture, and borrows the shallow, wide-baffle stance that defines the larger Model Seven. That is a smart parts-bin move.
The spec sheet is refreshingly direct:
- 3-way acoustic-suspension design
- 8-inch pulp-paper woofer, 4-inch pulp-paper midrange, 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter
- 46Hz-20kHz frequency response, +/-3dB
- 35Hz low-frequency extension at -10dB
- 88dB in-room sensitivity
- 150 watts / 600 watts peak power handling
- 108dB in-room maximum SPL
- 6-ohm nominal impedance, with 3.5-ohm minimum at 120Hz
- Three-position Acoustic Balance Control
- 32.2 x 13 x 10.9 inches with the included riser base
Note what is not happening here: the Model Four does not outrun the Model Three on bass extension. Both are rated to 46Hz, with 35Hz extension at -10dB. The upgrade is architecture. The Four gives you a dedicated midrange and the more complete three-way layout that made the Model Five such a compelling modern reboot.
Where It Fits
KLH now has a neat staircase, from compact sealed box to statement sealed box. The Model Four lands right in the practical part of that staircase.
| Model | Design | Bass spec | Sensitivity | Footprint with riser | Current role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model Three | 2-way, 8-inch acoustic suspension | 46Hz, +/-3dB; 35Hz at -10dB | 88dB in-room | 28.25 x 12.25 x 11.5 inches | Small-room/bookshelf-friendly entry point |
| Model Four | 3-way, 8-inch acoustic suspension | 46Hz, +/-3dB; 35Hz at -10dB | 88dB in-room | 32.2 x 13 x 10.9 inches | The shallow, room-friendly three-way |
| Model Five | 3-way, 10-inch acoustic suspension | 42Hz, +/-3dB; 32Hz at -10dB | 90.5dB in-room | 34.25 x 13.75 x 13 inches | The classic revival with more output and bass reach |
| Model Seven | 3-way, 13-inch acoustic suspension | 38Hz, +/-3dB; 26Hz at -10dB | 91dB in-room | 41 x 18 x 12.25 inches | The flagship and the muscle of the line |
Against the Model Three, the Model Four is not the bigger-bass play. It is the fuller-range-driver play: same woofer size, same low-frequency rating, but with a dedicated midrange doing the critical vocal and instrument work.
Against the Model Five, the Model Four gives up woofer size, output, sensitivity, and a few hertz of extension. In return, it costs less and is noticeably shallower. For many real rooms, that trade may matter more than one more line on a spec sheet.
Against the Model Seven, the Four is not pretending. The Seven is the serious one: 13-inch woofer, 26Hz extension at -10dB, 115dB in-room max SPL, and a physical presence to match. The Model Four is for the listener who wants the KLH idea without the flagship commitment.
Why This Matters
The old hi-fi trap is assuming every serious loudspeaker needs a dedicated room, perfect placement, and a household willing to negotiate around speaker stands. KLH is leaning into acoustic suspension for the opposite reason: sealed cabinets are generally easier to place near boundaries than ported boxes, and this cabinet is shallow enough to look intentional when placed against a wall.
That is exactly where a budget-conscious audiophile product should live. Not in fantasyland. In apartments, dens, offices, and living rooms where the speakers have to share space with furniture, kids, lamps, and the rest of life.
Bottom Line
On specs, the KLH Model Four is not a baby Seven, and it is not a discount Five. It is the practical three-way in the family: slimmer than the Five, more sophisticated than the Three, and far less imposing than the Seven.
I still need to hear it. Specs are not sound, and press releases are not reviews. But after hearing what KLH pulled off with the Model Seven, I am paying attention. If the Model Four keeps the family voicing intact and really does make near-wall placement low-drama, KLH may have just found the sweet spot in its own lineup.
Sources: KLH Audio Model Four announcement and KLH published specifications for Model Three, Model Five, and Model Seven. Prices and availability are current as of June 3, 2026.
