KLH Model Four Makes Its U.S. Listening Debut at Audio Advice Live 2026

Todd Anderson · 2026-08-22T19:36:00-0500

(August 22, 2026) KLH’s Model Four already had our attention when it was announced earlier this year, but Audio Advice Live 2026 gave the speaker something to excite: a room full of ears. The new three-way acoustic suspension design made its first public U.S. appearance in Raleigh, slotting neatly into KLH’s revived Model Collection between the compact Model Three and the larger Model Five. At $1,999 per pair, it lands in a pricing/performance sweet spot where vintage-inspired design, real-world placement flexibility, and serious hi-fi performance can often cost multiples more.

We caught up with Josh Finkelstein of KLH, who walked us through the Model Collection and the acoustic principles that tie it together. The entire line is built around acoustic suspension technology, which relies on sealed cabinets instead of rear ports or vents. Rather than letting air move freely in and out of the cabinet, the design uses the trapped air inside the enclosure to help control woofer movement. The intention is tighter, better-controlled bass and a speaker that’s far less fussy about placement near walls.

That placement flexibility is central to the Model Four’s appeal. The speaker uses an 8" acoustic suspension woofer, a dedicated midrange driver, and a 1" aluminum dome tweeter in a cabinet that’s only about 8" deep. Its wide-baffle design is also part of the story, helping focus more acoustic energy forward while giving listeners a broader, more forgiving setup window. Finkelstein said the speaker can sit as close as 6" from a wall, which is exactly the kind of real-world flexibility many homeowners need. Not everyone wants large cabinets pulled halfway into the living room, and KLH clearly knows that.

The surprise, at least for me, was the Four's scale of sound. When I walked into KLH's room, I assumed the larger Model Sevens, which flanked the Fours, were playing. They weren’t. The sound I heard came from the new Model Fours, and the output was far greater than their cabinet size suggests possible. A single 8" woofer in a shallow sealed cabinet shouldn’t necessarily exhibit bold and rich confidence, but the Model Four had weight, presence, and a sense of ease that made the demo genuinely impressive.

Finkelstein said my reaction had been common during the show, while noting that KLH was driving the Model Fours with a 200W amplifier. Even so, this isn’t a speaker that requires exotic power to come alive. With a sensitivity around 89dB, he described the Model Four as easy to drive, even with a modest integrated amp. That opens the door to a compelling system: Model Fours, a reasonably priced amp, and a total investment that can likely stay well under $3,000.

KLH’s vintage styling remains a big part of the package here. Every speaker in the Model Collection includes a matching riser base, with the Model Four using a 6-degree angle to best help aim the tweeter toward seated ear height. Magnetic linen-style grilles complete the look, and KLH offers additional grille options for buyers who want to change the presentation. It’s retro to the max, sporting a design factor that feels refreshingly intentional, especially because the shallow cabinet, wide front baffle, and riser base all serve functional purposes.

The Model Four is scheduled to be available September 15, 2026, in English Walnut, Black Ash, and White Oak finishes. Based on what I heard at Audio Advice Live, this could easily become one of the most important models in KLH’s revived lineup. It has the size, price, and flexibility to make sense in a wide range of rooms, and, more importantly, the kind of sound that belies its size.

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KLH Model Four Makes Its U.S. Listening Debut at Audio Advice Live 2026

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