I am currently testing Genelecs 8330 vs Neumann KH 120 II but due to the fact that I have limited space on my desk, I had to decide on some compromise for the tests in order to be able to compare them by switching from one to the other.
Therefore, I set them up in such a way that I placed the Neumanns on hundred-page magazines to separate them from the desk top (initially I wanted to use thicker books, but in such a case finding 2 of identical thickness would be quite difficult, so I decided to use magazines - I know that it is far from ideal and dedicated stands, but maybe for the needs of amateur tests it is enough (?)). And then I placed Genelecs on Neumanns.
I performed the GLM and MA1 calibration - due to the fact that my room is untreated, the difference "before" and "after" calibration is as clear as day and night. Both sound very good, I remember that I came across opinions on the forum that they sound quite similar, but to my ear they sound definitely different!
I would like to ask you if such a "test setting" can significantly work to the disadvantage of Neumanns? I mean that because something is placed on them they play worse (?). I admit that I have the impression that even after calibration it is as if the low tones dominated a bit over the rest on Neumanns (compared to Genelecs) and speech from YouTube videos sounds definitely clearer on Genelecs - and this despite the fact that Genelecs are definitely above my ear level. Of course, it is not that Neumanns sound bad or that speech is incomprehensible, but simply that the difference compared to Genelecs is quite noticeable. It is possible that if I did not have the possibility to change the sound from one to the other, I would not pay attention to it at all. What do you think?
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