Victrola, America’s longest-living record player brand and a pioneer in consumer audio, today announced the acquisition of legacy loudspeaker brand KLH Audio. This strategic partnership unites two iconic American companies, merging deep heritage and advanced innovation to define the future of premium consumer audio.
The company started by Henry Kloss, Malcom Low, and Josef Anton Hofmann in 1957 sold over 30,000 pairs of loudspeakers before it was sold off in 1964. The brand had numerous owners including Kyocera who stopped manufacturing audio components in 1989. In 2018, KLH was purchased by former Klipsch and VOXX executive, David P. Kelley who resurrected the brand. The subsequent release of the Model Five Loudspeakers (now $2,499/pair) proved to be a huge success that created a lot of interest in the brand and a massive backlog of orders.
Founded in 1906, Victrola has been at the forefront of delivering exceptional music experiences, evolving from classic phonographs to modern turntables and high-fidelity audio systems. Victrola continues to push the boundaries of design and technology to meet the needs of today’s listeners.
“KLH has maintained a legacy of being one of the most influential names in audio,” said Victrola CEO Scott Hagen. “For nearly 100 years, both KLH and Victrola have repeatedly delivered innovation through beautifully and thoughtfully designed products. 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.”
This acquisition signifies a renewed investment in audio craftsmanship by bringing together two exceptional brands. With Victrola’s broad range of record players appealing to music enthusiasts from beginners to audiophiles, and KLH Audio’s premium loudspeakers catering specifically to discerning audiophiles, each brand will continue serving distinct audiences while sharing a commitment to exceptional sound quality.
At a time when the audio industry is experiencing significant shifts, with several well-known manufacturers undergoing disruptive acquisitions or facing uncertainty, Victrola and KLH stand as pillars of stability and innovation. With a strong financial commitment, the companies will continue investing in cutting-edge, consumer-friendly products that set new standards for quality and performance.
“This acquisition marks a significant milestone for KLH,” said KLH Brand President David Kelley. “With the additional resources and support from Victrola, we are poised to elevate our research and development efforts, expand our global market presence, and continue creating groundbreaking audio solutions for our dealers and distributors around the world.”
As part of the acquisition, David Kelley, former President of Global Sales for Klipsch and KLH CEO, has been appointed Brand Presidentof KLH under the Victrola umbrella. With decades of industry expertise, Kelley will lead KLH’s continued evolution, preserving its legacy while driving new growth.
The Bottom Line
If we learned anything from the past few years — every audio brand is potentially for sale and we saw that with McIntosh, Sonus faber, Klipsch, Onkyo, and GoldenEar. However, having many brands under one roof doesn’t guarantee success. It’s been a little over three years since Masimo acquired all of the brands under the Sound United umbrella including Denon, Marantz, and Bowers & Wilkins and it’s uncertain if they will all remain together.
The acquisition of KLH Audio makes sense from the perspective that Victrola has found success within the vinyl playback category and lifestyle market. While they do offer a range of inexpensive wireless speakers, they really don’t offer a range of high-end loudspeakers that could broaden the base.
Does this move the needle in the same manner as the Bose acquisition of the McIntosh Group? Hardly — but anything that keeps KLH Audio in the game is probably a good thing because they offer a solid product.
About Victrola
Victrola has been a leading manufacturer of audio products since 1906, beginning with the first in-home record player in the U.S. Since then, Victrola has grown into a global company with a mission of bringing lifelong music memories to everyone. Victrola continues to deliver innovative turntables and audio solutions designed with simplicity, beauty, and superior sound, providing an immersive experience for music lovers everywhere. For more information, visit www.victrola.com.
About KLH Audio
KLH Audio is a legendary name in high-fidelity sound, pioneering innovative loudspeaker technology since 1957. With a heritage of industry firsts, including groundbreaking acoustic suspension designs and collaborations with audio visionaries, KLH has shaped the evolution of premium sound. KLH remains dedicated to excellence, delivering superior audio experiences. For more information, visit www.klhaudio.com.
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Anton
April 3, 2025 at 12:22 am
Just wait till the tariffs kick in.
KLH makes a decent product but this merger with Victorla would seem to lower its perceived value.