The manufacturer of Victrola products with offices and employees around the world in Denver, San Diego, New York, Paris, and Hong Kong is now a dynamic operation that seems determined to leverage the reenergized vinyl market, offering a combination of vintage-inspired and modern, Bluetooth-connected portable record players, all at very affordable prices, and manufactured in China. Its product catalog offers a bit of everything imaginable, including retro-inspired stand-mount turntables with a frontal analog clock and side-loading cassette player, plus Bluetooth connectivity (USD $299) to the more recent Victrola Stream Carbon, a CES 2023 Innovation Award Honoree.
The company also manufactures wireless speakers to go with those turntables, and carrying on the heritage of KLH means expanding its portfolio with a range of hi-fidelity speakers and other more “premium” products. Much as the company has done to the 115-year-old brand of turntables. Victrola CEO Scott Hagen is an experienced consumer electronics executive that understands the current market, and so is Victrola Head of Product, Don Imnon, both of whom have a career that spans from traditional tech retailers such as Best Buy, to established North American companies such as Sound United and Klipsch.
The acquisition of renowned loudspeaker brand KLH Audio unites two iconic American companies and is a natural expansion for the current business, bridging consumer and affordable hifi. KLH Audio is still a revered name in high-fidelity loudspeakers, recognized for its original groundbreaking designs, while 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,” says 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,” the company announcement states.
KLH was acquired in 2017 by former Klipsch Global Sales President David P. Kelley, who set up new operations in Indianapolis and relaunched the brand in 2019 with a full range of value-oriented stereo, home theater, and personal audio products. As part of the acquisition, David Kelley has now been appointed Brand President of KLH under the Victrola umbrella.
"This acquisition marks a significant milestone for KLH,” says 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.”
www.victrola.com
www.klhaudio.com
