In Memory of Henry Kloss

I am going to link you to the obituary on the first page of the Obituary section of today's New York Times. A very touching obituary for a man whose major contributions to this world were technical. Yet, the humanity of the man shows through. I almost feel like all Audiogoners should observe a moment of silence.

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/05/obituaries/05KLOS.html

I got to meet Mr. Kloss A few years back in Boston, didn't look or act like a genius, but after talking to him for a few minutes, I knew I was in the prescence of one. I cannot begin to think what all of us owe Henry Kloss, I know that through his Model 6's I learned what music could and should sound like, and I will be forever greatful. I will miss knowing he's here.

Great Man Outstsanding contribution to Audio May your soul rest in peace

I remember a story that I am not quite old enough to confirm. When I bought my first pair of Large Advents, I was told that Advent, under Henry Kloss's leadership, had bought back one of its early products from every purchaser who wanted a refund after Advent discovered that it did not perform as well as Kloss thought it should perform. [I think this was an early cassette deck. model 200 perhaps?] Can anyone confirm this story?

Even if that story is not true, it is certainly true that when I sold Advent speakers in 1973, the company would send us woofers and tweeters and tell us to replace any blown driver. The customer did not have to produce a receipt or anything else. The speaker was to be fixed, and fixed for free. Talk about standing behind your products!

Henry Kloss was a hero.

Memoboy, I believe your story has roots. While the store I was a part of sold Advents..there was never a question as to replacement drivers.

For speed and sonic merit, the Advent voicecoil wires were light and quick to move..but would not stand up to some of the head-bangers that used them. Advent would replace the drivers even when user damage was obvious.

Little know was Henry's (as well as many others at Advent) excellent taste in what were great demo recordings. Some of the early LP's that Advent suggested for demo's are still some of the best of recorded music.