Short answer: the KLH Model Five. It ranks #125 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5); the CSS Criton 3TD-X DIY ranks #147 (rated 3.9/5).
Why pick the KLH Model Five: Exceptionally wide and even horizontal radiation of roughly +/-70-80 degrees gives a spacious soundstage without sacrificing image focus when toed out about 10 degrees. The tradeoff: On-axis response is visibly irregular because the wide vintage baffle creates diffraction, and the upper/lower midbass mismatch around 200Hz can sound lean away from the intended wall placement.
Why pick the CSS Criton 3TD-X DIY: A DIY three-way tower kit from Creative Sound Solutions with two 7” LDW7 woofers, a 6” LDW6 midwoofer and an LD25X tweeter. The catch: It is a kit to build yourself, standing 105cm tall and weighing 70.5 lbs (32 kg) each, with a 4 ohm load.
Buy the KLH Model Five. It is rated higher for sound quality than the CSS Criton 3TD-X DIY.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| KLH Model Five | CSS Criton 3TD-X DIY | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,998.00 per pair | €2,999.95 per pair |
| Ranked | #125 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #147 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 54.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 36.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 26”H x 13.8”W x 11.5”D (660 x 350 x 292 mm) without stand | 41.5”H x 8.5”W x 13.5”D (1054 x 216 x 342 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum at 140Hz (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | About 85dB @ 2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.5dB free-field manufacturer specified) | 87.8dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 10” paper-cone woofer, 4” paper-cone midrange, 1” aluminum-dome tweeter | 2x CSS LDW7 7” woofers, CSS LDW6 6” midwoofer, CSS LD25X 1” tweeter |
| Weight | 44.1 lbs (20 kg) each without stand; 52 lbs (23.6 kg) with stand | 69.9 lbs (31.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed acoustic suspension | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.76 | 4.68 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 | 6.69 |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 30Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: KLH Model Five (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and CSS Criton 3TD-X DIY (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
KLH Model Five: $2,998.00 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the KLH Model Three (bookshelf, estimated 3.8/5), the KLH Model Four (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.8/5) and the KLH Model Seven (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 4/5).
Pros: Exceptionally wide and even horizontal radiation of roughly +/-70-80 degrees gives a spacious soundstage without sacrificing image focus when toed out about 10 degrees. Three rear-panel mid/high attenuation settings are genuinely useful for room and placement matching; Erin preferred Low in his room, with the grille fitted and slight toe-out. The sealed 10-inch acoustic-suspension woofer reaches an Erin-measured F3 near 52Hz and integrates gradually with a subwoofer. At 96dB/1m, harmonic distortion stays mostly below 1%, and multitone distortion is also well controlled. Compression is good at ordinary and high listening levels until the most extreme sweep, supporting convincing dynamics. The included slanted stands aim the unusually low tweeter toward seated ear height. Near-wall placement naturally fills the mild 200Hz baffle-step depression, as the manual intends. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: On-axis response is visibly irregular because the wide vintage baffle creates diffraction, and the upper/lower midbass mismatch around 200Hz can sound lean away from the intended wall placement. Erin heard a mild 800-900Hz resonance that coincides with a clear impedance blip, plus occasional hardness around the 2-4kHz crossover region at elevated level. Vertical directivity is narrow; the included five-degree slant bases are important because the tweeter otherwise aims below seated ears. The top end rolls off relative to the midrange, producing a warm balance that may not suit listeners seeking maximum air. At the highest test level the tweeter develops substantial compression. Large size, 52lb weight with stand and roughly $2998/pair price are significant commitments, and subwoofers remain necessary for the lowest octave.
Full KLH Model Five review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 26”H x 13.8”W x 11.5”D (660 x 350 x 292 mm) without stand |
| Drivers | 10” paper-cone woofer, 4” paper-cone midrange, 1” aluminum-dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum at 140Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | About 85dB @ 2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.5dB free-field manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 |
| Weight | 44.1 lbs (20 kg) each without stand; 52 lbs (23.6 kg) with stand |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed acoustic suspension |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
CSS Criton 3TD-X DIY: €2,999.95 per pair SoundImports eBay
Same family: the CSS Criton 1TD-X DIY (bookshelf, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: A DIY three-way tower kit from Creative Sound Solutions with two 7” LDW7 woofers, a 6” LDW6 midwoofer and an LD25X tweeter. Sensitivity is 87.8dB. Audio Science Review measured a preference score of 4.68 that reaches 6.69 with an ideal subwoofer, with 0.45 listening window deviation. Measured bass extension of 54.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: It is a kit to build yourself, standing 105cm tall and weighing 32kg each, with a 4 ohm load. Bass reaches 54.2Hz (-3dB) and about 37Hz (-10dB).
Full CSS Criton 3TD-X DIY review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 36.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 41.5”H x 8.5”W x 13.5”D (1054 x 216 x 342 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x CSS LDW7 7” woofers, CSS LDW6 6” midwoofer, CSS LD25X 1” tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87.8dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.68 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 |
| Weight | 69.9 lbs (31.7 kg) each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons