finn@pur-ee.UUCP (07/14/83)
I was supposed to summarize what I discovered about KLH, since I was
the one who posed the original question about the company, but due
to very few responses, I kept putting it off. Now I will do so, hopefully
without repeating what everyone already knows.
KLH is currently owned by the Kyocera group in Japan. This is the same
multi-national corporation that owns Cybernet (another maker of audio equip).
It seems that, at the very least, KLH *used* to make good, solid equipment,
and I think that they still do. A friend of mine just bought a KLH Solo
from DAK (mail order), and it is just fantastic for the price. It cost $71
(inc postage), $85 including a recharger and 4 nicad batteries (it only takes
two so keep two charging). It is 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 1 1/2" in size. To give
an accurate idea of that, put two cassette cases together and add 1/4" to the
depth and width. Pretty small!! It has mute and metal switches and an
insertable FM stereo cassette that receives very well (I got the local stations
from inside a building), plus ultra-light headphones, and rock steady play due
to 2 stability flywheels and 2 capstans. The clincher is bi-directional play!!
It works and sounds great. Now, to be realistic, there were a few things that
bothered me. The volume seemed to be rather low for the setting, and couldn't
get too loud even at full. And the fast forward/reverse was rather slow, sort
of like in the walkman 2. However, I think that both of those were at least
partially due to bad batteries (he said he threw in a pair of batteries that
he had lying around), so I wouldn't expect to have bad problems with either
of those with new or charged up batteries.
In any event, it is a sharp looking, well made piece of equipment. How it
will stand up remains to be seen, but the from what I have seen so far, it
is by far the best buy in walkman-type cassette decks that I have ever seen.
And, if the Solo is any indication, KLH is still turning out good stuff from
over in Japan.
For any interested parties, the address of DAK is:
DAK Industries Inc.
10845 Vanowen St
N. Hollywood, Ca 91605
A final note of caution to any who may send for DAK's catalog. They have
some VERY good buys, HOWEVER, you will have to steel yourself to read past
the high-pitched sales pitch. They have some of the worst sales gimmicks and
dialogue that I have ever seen (read 'obnoxious'), but that's life.
Keep On Listenin'...
David Hesselberth, Purdue University Computer Center
{harpo, decvax, ucbvax} !pur-ee!finn (or) !pur-ee:pucc-h:adr