In a near field setup: KH80+KH750 or KH120+KH750?

[starfly]

Coming from a JBL LSR305 that I've had for 10 years, I last week picked up the Kali IN8-V2 monitors. They sound great, a significant upgrade from the JBLs. However, due to my room setup, I want to add a sub to both even out the low-end response (a bit more flexibility with placement), and to also have deeper extension, as the Kalis roll off below 40hz significantly (measured in-room response with a UMIK-1).

I was considering adding the Kali WS6.2 sub, which measures well for what it is. But it doesn't really extend below 30hz, and ideally I want a sub that can reach down to 20hz. It also doesn't have ideal group-delay and such. The Kali WS12 sub also doesn't appear to extend much below 30hz.

Then I started doing some research into studio focused subs (most home theater subs don't have balanced inputs/outputs). And then I landed at Neumann.... obviously a very different price range, but at the same time I'd never be wanting anything else as it's perfection.

So now I'm playing around with the idea of getting 2x KH80s or 2x KH120 II + the KH750 sub + MA1 mic. The KH120 setup would cost me around $3700 (incl sub and mic), the KH80 closer to $3000.

For near-field listening, will the KH120 still be better overall than the KH80? This will only be used in my office.

(also open to other sub-only suggestions that would go with the Kali IN8-V2).

 

[starfly]

I for now decided to just get a different sub altogether: Dynaudio 9S. Could'nt find any measurements, so the jury is out on how well it actually performs, but on paper it should reach down to 20hz +/-3dB.

The Neumann setup is just a huge chunk of change. But if I'm still not satisfied with the Kali monitors + Dynaudio sub setup, I'll probably just splurge for the Neumann setup with KH120 monitors.

 

[bachatero]

There is actually another hidden option, and it's a DIY sub. You can easily make a sealed monster for just a few hundred dollars as long as you have an amp!

 

[starfly]

There is actually another hidden option, and it's a DIY sub. You can easily make a sealed monster for just a few hundred dollars as long as you have an amp!

Hmmm, maybe. If this Dynaudio route doesn’t work out I might consider it. But it’d need a plate amp, as this is all for my office setup which uses active monitors and an audio interface to drive it all.

 

[teashea]

Coming from a JBL LSR305 that I've had for 10 years, I last week picked up the Kali IN8-V2 monitors. They sound great, a significant upgrade from the JBLs. However, due to my room setup, I want to add a sub to both even out the low-end response (a bit more flexibility with placement), and to also have deeper extension, as the Kalis roll off below 40hz significantly (measured in-room response with a UMIK-1).

I was considering adding the Kali WS6.2 sub, which measures well for what it is. But it doesn't really extend below 30hz, and ideally I want a sub that can reach down to 20hz. It also doesn't have ideal group-delay and such. The Kali WS12 sub also doesn't appear to extend much below 30hz.

Then I started doing some research into studio focused subs (most home theater subs don't have balanced inputs/outputs). And then I landed at Neumann.... obviously a very different price range, but at the same time I'd never be wanting anything else as it's perfection.

So now I'm playing around with the idea of getting 2x KH80s or 2x KH120 II + the KH750 sub + MA1 mic. The KH120 setup would cost me around $3700 (incl sub and mic), the KH80 closer to $3000.

For near-field listening, will the KH120 still be better overall than the KH80? This will only be used in my office.

(also open to other sub-only suggestions that would go with the Kali IN8-V2).

The KH80's are remarkable for their size .... but the KH120 II's are in a different league. The percent price difference of the system is not very much. I would strongly recommend the combination with KH120 II's.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Do you prefer an all-in-one approach for room EQ or a system of components that you combine and optimize? And what are the capabilities of your upstream system for managing the EQ / delay for mains & subs? Those factors will help dictate your best overall solution.

I currently have the KH 120A with LH-65 stands on my desk, no subwoofer, and an RME ADI-2 PRO FS-R in a 10'x10'x10' room. I sit ~3' from the speakers; and they are about 4" from the wall. It is a fantastic setup for my situation, and I would not be as happy with either the KH80 or the KH150s given the distances and configuration... even if adding subwoofer, I still would not start with a KH80 for me personally.

At some point, I will add a subwoofer. But the cost of the expensive KH750 far exceeds the improved benefit in the listening value that it would bring for me personally.

So my next jump would be lower cost subwoofers with balanced inputs and a jump up to an RME device that provides both PEQ and Delay (Room Correction)... something I hope will be added to a future RME ADI-2 Pro 2/4 SE version ... or some other system that can provide economical room correction with separate outputs to dual subs vs. Front / Left mains.

On the other hand, a KH750 + MA-1 brings an automated system with integrated room correction solution. And there is a huge benefit in the simplicity that brings!!! (so I may still go down that route)

Bottom line: think through your entire audio chain, your listening environment, your listening positions, the value benefit different improvements will bring, and how much time you are willing to spend time on manual tuning vs. using automated systems. And if using automated systems, which system is the one you want to use.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Do you prefer an all-in-one approach for room EQ or a system of components that you combine and optimize? And what are the capabilities of your upstream system for managing the EQ / delay for mains & subs? Those factors will help dictate your best overall solution.

I currently have the KH 120A with LH-65 stands on my desk, no subwoofer, and an RME ADI-2 PRO FS-R in a 10'x10'x10' room. I sit ~3' from the speakers; and they are about 4" from the wall. It is a fantastic setup for my situation, and I would not be as happy with either the KH80 or the KH150s given the distances and configuration... even if adding subwoofer, I still would not start with a KH80 for me personally.

At some point, I will add a subwoofer. But the cost of the expensive KH750 far exceeds the improved benefit in the listening value that it would bring for me personally.

So my next jump would be lower cost subwoofers with balanced inputs and a jump up to an RME device that provides both PEQ and Delay (Room Correction)... something I hope will be added to a future RME ADI-2 Pro 2/4 SE version ... or some other system that can provide economical room correction with separate outputs to dual subs vs. Front / Left mains.

On the other hand, a KH750 + MA-1 brings an automated system with integrated room correction solution. And there is a huge benefit in the simplicity that brings!!! (so I may still go down that route)

Bottom line: think through your entire audio chain, your listening environment, your listening positions, the value benefit different improvements will bring, and how much time you are willing to spend time on manual tuning vs. using automated systems. And if using automated systems, which system is the one you want to use.

Why don't you upgrade to KH120 II?

 

[unpluggged]

Why don't you upgrade to KH120 II?

The addition of the KH 750 DSP (especially with the MA 1 calibration) will bring much more substantial improvement than replacing speakers that are already very good with similar speakers.