Buy KH 150s now or wait

[bachatero]

I really want to get a pair of KH 150s to replace my Kali LP-6v2s which have hiss and noticable distortion. But I don't like how a pair is a whopping $3500.

However, with upcoming US tariffs, there's a huge chance they'll become even more expensive in the future. Should I buy them now or wait?

 

[beeface]

I’d buy them second hand if possible

 

[bachatero]

I’d buy them second hand if possible

If I buy them new from Sweetwater then I've got the opportunity to use 0% financing which equates to about $175/mo for 22 months. Then if I can use investment interest to pay for that then I've got two new KH 150s for FREE. Would that meaningfully change your opinion?

 

[Jaxjax]

I'm a sweetwater many times over guy & I'd go that route as if you don't like em for whatever reason your good. I eye ball all the neumann lately & hard not to pull trigger. My sales guy there about had it with me last round though..twin6 nope.. Focal anything..nope.others nope. It's my room & it absolutely sucks..

 

[Ziltoe]

Are you really sure the KaliLP-6v2s have a noticeable distortion and hiss? How did you noticed it? What's your application respectively how
you are using them, in what room and what are your sources? Unless you really want the 150's then go for them. Just asking whether or not
you wanna upgrade for some reasons.

I would not, but looking at the graphs, having the money, then yes, just do, again, think twice

LP6v2 vs KH 150

 

[levimax]

I recently bought some Neuman speakers. If rather than just clicking " buy" on the web site you pick up the phone and call them in most cases you can get a significant discount. I ended up buying at Alto Music.... you might want to give them a call. I would say life is short and buy them now, you won't be disappointed.

 

[GXAlan]

Sweetwater can offer discounts if you ask over the phone. I definitely would recommend getting audio stuff you want now IF you have the finances to do so. Just as tariffs will raise the price of the toys you want, they can raise the cost of living for the necessities you need.

 

[bachatero]

Are you really sure the KaliLP-6v2s have a noticeable distortion and hiss? How did you noticed it? What's your application respectively how
you are using them, in what room and what are your sources? Unless you really want the 150's then go for them. Just asking whether or not
you wanna upgrade for some reasons.

I would not, but looking at the graphs, having the money, then yes, just do, again, think twice

LP6v2 vs KH 150

I'm using these at my computer desk and I have carefully optimized everything so that the hiss from the Kalis is literally the loudest thing I hear, which gets extremely annoying if it's the only thing you hear. Plus, I have an entire thread about this distortion:

Is this distortion or something else?

When I play a 440Hz sine wave test tone through my Kali LP-6v2 speakers, I hear a faint artifact in the background that sounds like a high pitched squeal or noise. I can't tell if it's distortion or not but its pitch changes depending only on the volume of the test tone, and that pitch change...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[DJBonoBobo]

I'm using these at my computer desk and I have carefully optimized everything so that the hiss from the Kalis is literally the loudest thing I hear, which gets extremely annoying if it's the only thing you hear. Plus, I have an entire thread about this distortion:

Is this distortion or something else?

When I play a 440Hz sine wave test tone through my Kali LP-6v2 speakers, I hear a faint artifact in the background that sounds like a high pitched squeal or noise. I can't tell if it's distortion or not but its pitch changes depending only on the volume of the test tone, and that pitch change...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Why not KH120II?

 

[kemmler3D]

Then if I can use investment interest to pay for that then I've got two new KH 150s for FREE. Would that meaningfully change your opinion

If you're making that kind of return the KH150s effectively cost you more than $3500 because if you just kept the money invested it would also compound.

That said it's not a terrible deal.

 

[GXAlan]

There is something to be said about going end game. Buy once, cry once.

I would see if you can get a deal on the open box ones

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KH150--neumann-kh-150-6.5-inch-2-way-powered-studio-monitor-anthracite?cond=KH150d1&dhla=1&mrkgadid=&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=&mrkgbflag=&mrkgcat=&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700080545109784&lid=92700080545109784&ds_s_kwgid=58700008752923980&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=1944904778873&product_id=KH150d1&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=m&network=g&matchtype=&adpos=largenumber&locationid=9031953&creative=708126878879&targetid=pla-1944904778873&campaignid=21517650372&awsearchcpc=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_RQYnlpTviIQYR-50j9vCY3Jz_k&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8fW9BhC8ARIsACwHqYq-06jX7I2yuUTzNjCnpGD5rsIQjx7pOnMjx1z_z75fshfxxUT1WxAaArb3EALw_wcB

 

[bachatero]

If you're making that kind of return the KH150s effectively cost you more than $3500 because if you just kept the money invested it would also compound.

That said it's not a terrible deal.

Wouldn't this be true the other way around? If my account lost $3500 right now then that's $3500 that can't compound or $3500 less of buying power for my futures trading. But if I paid $175 a month, I'd still have almost $3500 for most of the 22 month period.

 

[kemmler3D]

Wouldn't this be true the other way around? If my account lost $3500 right now then that's $3500 that can't compound or $3500 less of buying power for my futures trading. But if I paid $175 a month, I'd still have almost $3500 for most of the 22 month period.

It's true both ways, (some of the money is not in the account earning a return) but you're right that paying in installments is less expensive in terms of missed compounding. But in the end you pay $3500 in cash plus (effectively) some gains you could have made as it leaves the account incrementally.

I guess the real question in terms of money is, is that amount more or less than what you save buying used?

Not going to open up Excel here, but my real advice is, life is short, don't spend too much time listening to speakers you're not happy with.

 

[bachatero]

I guess the real question in terms of money is, is that amount more or less than what you save buying used?

The problem with used is that with high quality things like these, they tend to hold value with less dependence on condition. The example on Sweetwater was only $500 less than new for fair condition, so rewording it, is it worth $500 to get guaranteed quality and eliminate risk of defects?

I'm only willing to buy used if the item is downright mispriced like PA speakers/amps sometimes are or if a new version depreciates super quickly (like a car) or if I'm planning to sell it soon after. That's the idea behind trading which is to basically identify mispriced assets and capitalize on that.

 

[teashea]

I really want to get a pair of KH 150s to replace my Kali LP-6v2s which have hiss and noticable distortion. But I don't like how a pair is a whopping $3500.

However, with upcoming US tariffs, there's a huge chance they'll become even more expensive in the future. Should I buy them now or wait?

I can endorse the monitors. I have two pairs in my studio. They are excellent. You should not however, believe me. Study Amir's review.

 

[kemmler3D]

The problem with used is that with high quality things like these, they tend to hold value with less dependence on condition. The example on Sweetwater was only $500 less than new for fair condition, so rewording it, is it worth $500 to get guaranteed quality and eliminate risk of defects?

I'm only willing to buy used if the item is downright mispriced like PA speakers/amps sometimes are or if a new version depreciates super quickly (like a car) or if I'm planning to sell it soon after. That's the idea behind trading which is to basically identify mispriced assets and capitalize on that.

I've noticed the same thing with Genelecs, they tend to hold maybe 75% of new price for years, way more than most speakers. Either way the TCO will be low and they don't go on sale often, so...

 

[bachatero]

Looks like Trump is putting a 25% tariff on the EU, so I just ordered the KH 150s with a $130 discount (thanks Sweetwater) and 0% financing!

 

[bachatero]

Why not KH120II?

Those have worse distortion and would only put them halfway between the Kalis and the KH150, although they DO have better directivity.

 

[DJBonoBobo]

Those have worse distortion and would only put them halfway between the Kalis and the KH150, although they DO have better directivity.

Sure, if this is relevant for you even if the speakers are very close. I never managed to trigger meaningful distortion, but YMMV. I was eyeing KH150 as well but just went for KH120II because they cost only half.

 

[bachatero]

Update: I got the KH 150s and set them up and it's like wearing good quality headphones but without the clunk! They are just the best