KLH Model Four floorstanders arrive in September 2026 as a bridge between the brand’s Model Three and Model Five, combining retro 1970s aesthetics with modern driver technology at a price that actually makes sense. At $999 per speaker in the US, this three-way design positions itself as genuine heritage audio without the elite asking price that typically accompanies vintage-inspired loudspeakers.
Key Takeaways
- KLH Model Four costs $999 per speaker ($1,998 per pair) in the US, launching September 2026
- Three-way design uses eight-inch woofer, four-inch midrange, and one-inch aluminum tweeter
- Shallow 8.25-inch cabinet depth (11 inches with included riser) fits rooms requiring wall-adjacent placement
- Shares midrange, tweeter, and crossover architecture with the higher-priced Model Five
- Available in US and select international markets; UK pricing £899 per speaker
Design and Cabinet Architecture
The Model Four’s defining feature is its shallow footprint, purpose-built for placement closer to walls. The cabinet measures just 13 inches wide and 8.25 inches deep—the shallowest in KLH’s Model Collection—making it genuinely useful for rooms where deep floorstanders create layout problems. Add the included six-degree slanted riser and total depth reaches just under 11 inches. This proportional approach borrows from the Model Seven’s wide baffle and shallow depth design philosophy, proving KLH understands that heritage audio doesn’t mean sacrificing practical room integration.
The retro styling works because it avoids pastiche. The cabinet proportions and finish treatments evoke 1970s speaker design without theatrical excess. This matters because heritage-look speakers often feel like costume pieces—the Model Four reads as genuinely period-appropriate rather than nostalgic novelty.
Driver Configuration and Acoustic Architecture
Inside, the Model Four deploys a straightforward three-way architecture that borrows selectively from KLH’s higher-tier offerings. Each speaker houses an eight-inch pulp-paper cone woofer with reverse roll rubber suspension, the same driver unit introduced in the Model Three. The midrange and tweeter—a four-inch pulp-paper cone and one-inch aluminum dome respectively—match the Model Five’s configuration, meaning you’re getting acoustic engineering designed for a more expensive speaker. This cross-pollination strategy suggests KLH’s engineering team made deliberate choices about which components justify their cost at each price tier.
The crossover architecture mirrors the Model Five as well, which is significant. Crossover design directly shapes how drivers blend and how the speaker images across a room. Inheriting this from the Five means the Model Four avoids the acoustic compromises that sometimes plague budget-tier designs.
Positioning Within KLH’s Lineup
The Model Four slots precisely between the Model Three and Model Five, but the price gap tells the real story. You’re paying for the midrange and tweeter upgrade over the Three while accepting the shallower cabinet and wall-friendly proportions in exchange for avoiding the Five’s premium. This positioning makes sense for listeners who prioritize room placement flexibility and heritage aesthetics over absolute performance headroom. For apartments, smaller rooms, or spaces where speakers must live near walls, the Model Four’s architectural advantages become genuine selling points rather than compromises.
Pricing and Availability Reality Check
At $999 per speaker, the Model Four demands you buy two for stereo listening—$1,998 for a functional pair. KLH does not offer a multi-unit discount, so there’s no savings incentive for committing to both speakers at once. UK pricing sits at £899 per speaker, roughly £1,798 for a pair. The September 2026 launch window covers the US and select international markets, so global availability remains somewhat limited. This pricing positions the Model Four as genuinely accessible compared to heritage-styled speakers from other manufacturers, though it still requires meaningful budget commitment.
Should You Wait for the Model Four?
If you’ve been hunting for retro-styled floorstanders that don’t cost three times what vintage originals sold for, the Model Four answers that search. The shallow cabinet solves a real problem for modern living spaces, and the driver inheritance from the Model Five suggests acoustic competence beyond the price point. The September 2026 launch means you have time to consider alternatives, but the combination of styling, practical dimensions, and engineering choices makes this worth watching.
What makes the Model Four different from the Model Three?
The Model Four upgrades the midrange driver and tweeter to match the Model Five’s architecture while keeping the eight-inch woofer from the Three. It also features a significantly shallower cabinet designed for wall-adjacent placement, making it more practical for smaller or tightly furnished rooms.
Do you need a subwoofer with the Model Four?
The eight-inch woofer handles bass reproduction across the Model Four’s operating range. Whether a subwoofer enhances your listening depends on room size, musical preferences, and how deep you want bass extension—the speaker itself is a complete three-way system without requiring external amplification.
Is the Model Four available outside the US?
The Model Four launches in the US and select international markets beginning September 2026, with UK pricing at £899 per speaker. Global availability remains limited, so check KLH’s regional websites for confirmed markets in your area.
The Model Four represents what happens when a manufacturer takes heritage design seriously without treating it as a license to inflate pricing. September 2026 cannot arrive soon enough for listeners tired of choosing between authentic 1970s aesthetics and modern room practicality. This speaker splits that difference convincingly.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: TechRadar
