Advent

Henry Kloss bet everything on one loudspeaker — and won

History

Advent Corporation was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1967 by Henry Kloss, the legendary audio engineer who had previously co-founded Acoustic Research (AR) and KLH. The company name "Advent" came from the description of Kloss's new venture as "the advent of a new principle in sound."

Kloss left AR in 1957 to found KLH with Malcolm Low and J. Anton Hofmann, but eventually sold his interest in that company as well. Advent represented his third major speaker company and his most commercially successful venture.

The Advent Loudspeaker (1968) was revolutionary: it offered genuine high-fidelity sound—including meaningful bass response to 40Hz—at a price of just $98 each (about $175 per pair, or roughly $1,400 in today's money). This was accomplished through careful engineering of acoustic suspension woofers, efficient manufacturing, and direct sales.

The original Advent used a 10" acoustic suspension woofer and a 3\/4" dome tweeter in a modest-sized cabinet. It achieved sound quality comparable to speakers costing three times as much, democratizing high-end audio.

The Advent\/2 (1970) and Advent\/3 (1972) provided smaller, more affordable options. The Large Advent (1970) improved upon the original with a 12" woofer and better crossover. The New Advent (1977) updated the design with improved drivers and a more refined cabinet.

Advent also made significant contributions to video technology, introducing one of the first large-screen projection televisions in 1972. The company was acquired by Jensen in 1979, and the brand has changed hands multiple times since.

Key Facts

Legendary Products

The Advent Loudspeaker (1968)

The speaker that changed the industry. By offering genuine high-fidelity sound—including bass to 40Hz—at an affordable price, the Advent made quality audio accessible to mainstream consumers. Used a 10" acoustic suspension woofer and 3\/4" dome tweeter.

Large Advent (1970)

An improved version with a 12" woofer, enhanced crossover, and larger cabinet. The Large Advent offered deeper bass and higher output capability while maintaining the affordable price point that made Advent famous.

New Advent (1977)

A complete redesign featuring improved drivers, a more sophisticated crossover network, and better cabinet construction. The New Advent represented the pinnacle of Advent's engineering and remains highly collectible.

Advent\/2 and Advent\/3 (1970s)

Smaller, more affordable speakers that brought Advent quality to compact spaces. The Advent\/2 used an 8" woofer, while the Advent\/3 was even more compact—perfect for dorm rooms and apartments.

Sound Signature

The Advent sound is what audiophiles call the "New England sound" — a direct descendant of Henry Kloss's work at Acoustic Research and KLH. These speakers deliver a full, warm bass response from their acoustic suspension design that feels remarkably natural, never boomy or overblown. The 10-inch and 12-inch woofers in sealed cabinets produce bass that goes genuinely deep for their size, with the kind of taut control that makes upright bass and kick drums sound convincingly real.

Up top, Advent speakers are smooth and forgiving without sacrificing detail. The dome tweeters roll off gently rather than throwing brightness at you, which means you can listen for hours without fatigue. This is the kind of speaker that makes you forget about the equipment and just enjoy the music — exactly what Kloss intended.

Collecting Advent

Advent speakers are one of the best entry points into vintage audio collecting. The Large Advent with its 12-inch woofer is the model most collectors seek first — it represents the peak of the original Kloss design philosophy and can still hold its own against modern speakers costing several times more. The New Advent (1977) is considered the best-sounding of the line, with refined drivers and a more sophisticated crossover that smoothed out the original's few rough edges.

When shopping for vintage Advents, look for pairs with original drivers intact — refoamed originals sound better than aftermarket replacements. Early production walnut-veneer cabinets are more desirable than the later vinyl-wrapped versions. The Advent/3, while modest in size, has developed a cult following as a near-perfect small speaker for bedrooms and offices. Prices remain remarkably accessible, making Advents the rare vintage speaker where the sound quality far exceeds what you pay.

Competitors & Comparisons

Advent vs AR: Similar acoustic suspension; Advent more affordable

Advent vs KLH: Both Kloss designs; similar philosophies

Advent vs Large Advent: Latter has deeper bass, higher output

Speakers

• Advent - The New England Sound — Founded by Henry Kloss in 1967. Creator of the legendary Advent Loudspeaker, the first high-performance speaker under $100. Known for excellent bass from compact cabinets and the iconic New England so…

Amplifiers

• advent-videobeam-1000-(projection-television) — Early consumer projection television with built-in audio system, part of Advent's expansion into home entertainment.

Audio Equipment

• prodigy-towers — High-value floor-standing speakers from Advent's Prodigy series, offering balanced sound and solid construction for budget-conscious audiophiles.
• the-new-advent-loudspeaker — A classic high-fidelity loudspeaker featuring acoustic suspension design and renowned for its natural sound and accurate bass response.
• the-smaller-advent-loudspeaker — Affordable bookshelf speaker from 1970 with acoustic suspension design and warm sound signature.

Cassette Decks

• advent-dolby-noise-reduction-unit-(stand-alone) — Stand-alone Dolby B noise reduction processor for reducing tape hiss in cassette and reel-to-reel systems.

Cassette Decks

• Built-in Dolby B Noise Reduction in Model 201 (1974) — Early consumer cassette deck featuring integrated Dolby B noise reduction for improved audio fidelity and reduced tape hiss.
• MODEL 201 (1971, Improved Version with Dolby B) (1971) — Improved 1971 version of the Advent MODEL 201 featuring Dolby B noise reduction, marking a milestone in high-fidelity cassette recording.
• Model 201 (1971) (1971) — An improved 1971 version of the Advent Model 201 featuring Dolby B noise reduction and enhanced transport mechanics for high-fidelity cassette playback and recording.

Receivers

• advent-model-400-fm-radio/tuner (1975) — FM radio tuner from Advent's 1970s consumer audio lineup, representing the brand's expansion into solid-state receiver technology.

Speakers

• 4002 (1975) — Vintage bookshelf speakers from the 1970s featuring acoustic suspension design and warm, balanced sound.
• 5002 (1975) — Vintage floor-standing speaker from the 1970s featuring acoustic suspension design and warm, balanced sound.
• advent-6003-(later-called-maestro) (1975) — Vintage floor-standing speaker with acoustic suspension design and warm sound signature.
• baby-ii — Compact bookshelf speakers from the 1970s featuring acoustic suspension design and warm audiophile sound.
• heritage-center — Passive bookshelf speakers with acoustic suspension design and 8-ohm impedance, part of Advent's Heritage series from the 1980s.
• heritage-h100 (1980) — Advent Heritage H100 floorstanding speaker from 1980 featuring acoustic suspension design and walnut veneer cabinet.
• heritage-h200 (1980) — Advent Heritage H200 floorstanding speaker from 1980, featuring acoustic suspension design and warm, balanced sound.
• heritage-h300 (1989) — High-performance floor-standing speaker from Advent's Heritage series, combining classic acoustic principles with modern materials for warm, balanced sound.
• heritage-h400 (1980) — High-fidelity floor-standing speaker from Advent's Heritage series, featuring acoustic suspension design and warm musical sound.
• heritage-h500 (1980) — High-quality bookshelf speaker from Advent's Heritage series, known for balanced sound and value in the 1980s.
• laureate (1974) — High-fidelity acoustic suspension loudspeaker from Advent's premium 1970s lineup, known for accurate sound and solid walnut construction.
• Maestro (A-1012, Top of the Line) (1979) — High-end floor-standing speaker from Advent's Maestro series, model A-1012, representing the pinnacle of the brand's late 1970s speaker engineering.
• mini — Compact bookshelf speakers from the 1970s with acoustic suspension design and walnut veneer finish.
• model-1 (1975) — Affordable high-fidelity speaker from the 1970s featuring acoustic suspension design and warm sound signature.
• model-4 (1975) — Advent Model 4 floorstanding speaker from the 1970s featuring acoustic suspension design and walnut veneer cabinet.
• MODEL-400-FM-RECEIVER-(MONO,-WITH-SPEAKER) (1958) — Advent Model 400 FM Receiver with built-in speaker, a vintage mono tube receiver from 1958 featuring warm tube sound and classic design.
• The Advent Loudspeaker (Original/Larger Advent, 1969) (1969) — The original Advent loudspeaker, designed by Henry Kloss, brought high-fidelity performance to the masses through innovative acoustic suspension and mass production.

Other Models

• Advent - The New England Sound — Founded by Henry Kloss in 1967. Creator of the legendary Advent Loudspeaker, the first high-performance speaker under $100. Known for excellent bass from compact cabinets and the iconic New England so…
• /1 — The Advent /1 (1978–1983) delivers startlingly natural sound in a compact vintage bookshelf design—still competitive with modern speakers.
• /2 — The Advent /2 (1973–1977) promised Large Advent sound in a small box — instead, it delivered a bright, service-prone bookshelf speaker with a cult following.
• /4 — The Advent /4 (1979–1983) brought efficient, balanced bookshelf performance to the classic Advent sound—durable, musical, and still a smart buy today.
• /9 — The Advent /9 (1980–1984) is a modest but musical bookshelf speaker—a refined evolution of the /4 with smooth mids and honest acoustic suspension bass.
• 200 — The rare 1970 Advent 200 cassette deck—Nakamichi-built, CrO₂-optimized, and quickly replaced—marks the dawn of high-fidelity cassette.
• 2002 — The Advent 2002 (1979–1983) delivers refined, balanced sound in a compact floorstanding design—Henry Kloss’s legacy, quietly realized.
• 201 — The Advent 201 (1971) was the first true hi-fi cassette deck, combining Dolby B, CrO₂ support, and a rugged Wollensak transport to redefine cassette fidelity.
• 201A — The Advent 201A made high-fidelity cassettes real with Dolby B, rugged transport, and audiophile tuning — a landmark in home audio history.
• 3 — The Advent 3 (1973–1976) delivers balanced, coherent sound in a compact sealed box—but lacks efficiency and can bottom out when pushed.
• 300 — The Advent 300 receiver packs a legendary phono preamp by Tomlinson Holman into a modest 15W chassis—beloved by vinyl fans, debated by purists.
• 3002 — The Advent 3002 (1978–1983) delivers neutral, detailed sound in a compact bookshelf design—but expect to re-foam and recap to hear it at its best.
• 4002 (1975) — Vintage bookshelf speakers from the 1970s featuring acoustic suspension design and warm, balanced sound.
• 5002 (1975) — Vintage floor-standing speaker from the 1970s featuring acoustic suspension design and warm, balanced sound.
• advent-6003-(later-called-maestro) (1975) — Vintage floor-standing speaker with acoustic suspension design and warm sound signature.
• advent-dolby-noise-reduction-unit-(stand-alone) — Stand-alone Dolby B noise reduction processor for reducing tape hiss in cassette and reel-to-reel systems.
• advent-model-400-fm-radio/tuner (1975) — FM radio tuner from Advent's 1970s consumer audio lineup, representing the brand's expansion into solid-state receiver technology.
• advent-videobeam-1000-(projection-television) — Early consumer projection television with built-in audio system, part of Advent's expansion into home entertainment.
• AR-3a — The Advent AR-3a redefined high fidelity with deep, clean bass and natural sound in a compact design—still revered 50+ years later.
• Baby — Compact bookshelf speaker system with acoustic suspension design and Ferrofluid-cooled tweeter
• baby-ii — Compact bookshelf speakers from the 1970s featuring acoustic suspension design and warm audiophile sound.
• Built-in Dolby B Noise Reduction in Model 201 (1974) — Early consumer cassette deck featuring integrated Dolby B noise reduction for improved audio fidelity and reduced tape hiss.
• Graduate — Bookshelf speakers designed by Henry Kloss, featuring an 8” long-throw woofer and 3/4” soft dome tweeter in a sealed acoustic suspension enclosure.
• Heritage — The Advent Heritage is a late-era acoustic suspension floorstander known for balanced sound and understated design—foam replacement is essential for longevity.
• heritage-center — Passive bookshelf speakers with acoustic suspension design and 8-ohm impedance, part of Advent's Heritage series from the 1980s.
• heritage-h100 (1980) — Advent Heritage H100 floorstanding speaker from 1980 featuring acoustic suspension design and walnut veneer cabinet.
• heritage-h200 (1980) — Advent Heritage H200 floorstanding speaker from 1980, featuring acoustic suspension design and warm, balanced sound.
• heritage-h300 (1989) — High-performance floor-standing speaker from Advent's Heritage series, combining classic acoustic principles with modern materials for warm, balanced sound.
• heritage-h400 (1980) — High-fidelity floor-standing speaker from Advent's Heritage series, featuring acoustic suspension design and warm musical sound.
• heritage-h500 (1980) — High-quality bookshelf speaker from Advent's Heritage series, known for balanced sound and value in the 1980s.
• Large — The original Advent Loudspeaker, a two-way acoustic suspension design that delivered high-fidelity sound at a fraction of competitor prices.
• laureate (1974) — High-fidelity acoustic suspension loudspeaker from Advent's premium 1970s lineup, known for accurate sound and solid walnut construction.
• Legacy — Floor-standing two-way acoustic suspension speaker system designed by Henry Kloss, marketed as a “digital ready” successor to the Large Advent.
• Loudspeaker — The Advent Loudspeaker (1969–1977) brought high-end acoustic suspension sound to the masses—deep, neutral, and built to last.
• Maestro (A-1012, Top of the Line) (1979) — High-end floor-standing speaker from Advent's Maestro series, model A-1012, representing the pinnacle of the brand's late 1970s speaker engineering.
• mini — Compact bookshelf speakers from the 1970s with acoustic suspension design and walnut veneer finish.
• Model 201 — The Advent Model 201 (1971) was the first hi-fi cassette deck, combining Dolby B, CrO2 tape support, and a rugged transport to redefine cassette audio quality.
• MODEL 201 (1971, Improved Version with Dolby B) (1971) — Improved 1971 version of the Advent MODEL 201 featuring Dolby B noise reduction, marking a milestone in high-fidelity cassette recording.
• Model 201 (1971) (1971) — An improved 1971 version of the Advent Model 201 featuring Dolby B noise reduction and enhanced transport mechanics for high-fidelity cassette playback and recording.
• model-1 (1975) — Affordable high-fidelity speaker from the 1970s featuring acoustic suspension design and warm sound signature.
• model-4 (1975) — Advent Model 4 floorstanding speaker from the 1970s featuring acoustic suspension design and walnut veneer cabinet.
• MODEL-400-FM-RECEIVER-(MONO,-WITH-SPEAKER) (1958) — Advent Model 400 FM Receiver with built-in speaker, a vintage mono tube receiver from 1958 featuring warm tube sound and classic design.
• Prodigy — Compact floor-standing two-way speaker system from the Recoton/Jensen era of Advent, known for clean bass and smooth dispersion.
• prodigy-towers — High-value floor-standing speakers from Advent's Prodigy series, offering balanced sound and solid construction for budget-conscious audiophiles.
• The Advent Loudspeaker (Original/Larger Advent, 1969) (1969) — The original Advent loudspeaker, designed by Henry Kloss, brought high-fidelity performance to the masses through innovative acoustic suspension and mass production.
• the-new-advent-loudspeaker — A classic high-fidelity loudspeaker featuring acoustic suspension design and renowned for its natural sound and accurate bass response.
• the-smaller-advent-loudspeaker — Affordable bookshelf speaker from 1970 with acoustic suspension design and warm sound signature.