Victrola Acquires KLH Audio to Revolutionize Premium Consumer Audio
Victrola, America's longest-running record player brand established in 1906, has announced its acquisition of the renowned loudspeaker manufacturer KLH Audio. This strategic move combines Victrola's extensive heritage in vinyl playback with KLH Audio's legacy of high-fidelity sound, aiming to set a new benchmark in premium consumer audio. The acquisition leverages Victrola's innovative turntables, such as the Hi-Res Onyx Turntable compatible with Sonos, alongside KLH's acclaimed Model Five Loudspeakers, which have garnered significant attention with their advanced acoustic suspension designs and a price point of $2,499 per pair.
KLH Audio, founded in 1957 by industry pioneers Henry Kloss, Malcolm S. Low, and Josef Anton Hofmann, has a storied history of producing over 30,000 loudspeaker pairs before changing ownership in 1964. After a period under Kyocera, which ceased audio component production in 1989, the brand was revitalized in 2018 by David P. Kelley, a former executive at Klipsch and VOXX. The successful relaunch included the highly praised Model Five Loudspeakers, resulting in a substantial backlog of orders and renewed interest in KLH's offerings.
Scott Hagen, CEO of Victrola, highlighted the synergy between the two brands, emphasizing their shared commitment to innovation and exceptional design. "Bringing these two brands and teams together merges uncompromising performance with rapid innovation and design, enabling us to deliver the best music playback solutions in the most relevant formats for music lovers today and in the future," Hagen stated. This partnership is expected to enhance Victrola's product range, which currently appeals to both beginners and audiophiles, by integrating KLH's premium loudspeakers tailored for discerning listeners.
David P. Kelley has been appointed as Brand President of KLH under the Victrola umbrella, bringing his extensive experience in the audio industry to drive KLH's continued evolution. Kelley expressed optimism about the acquisition, noting that the additional resources from Victrola will bolster research and development efforts, expand global market presence, and support the creation of groundbreaking audio solutions for dealers and distributors worldwide.
The acquisition arrives at a pivotal time in the audio industry, where consolidation has been prevalent among major brands. By uniting Victrola and KLH Audio, the combined entity aims to maintain stability and foster innovation, continuing to deliver high-quality, technically advanced products that meet the evolving needs of music enthusiasts.