Neumann/Genelec: 2.1 vs top-of-the-line monitors, what's your choice?

[astcal]

The choice is to pick top-of-the-line pair of monitors, or, bottom-of-the-line monitor plus subwoofer then calibrating/integrating via software. The price listed here is only for scale and reference purpose. The setup is more for study room/computer desk intimate env.

Option	Brand	Setup	Total Price	LF Performance	Comment
N1	Neumann	KH 420	$10,000​	26Hz (±3dB)
N2	Neumann	KH80 + KH750 + MA 1	$2,900​	18Hz (±3dB)	system integrated via MA 1
G1	Genelec	8361	$10,000​	36Hz (±1.5dB)
G2	Genelec	8331 + 7350 + GLM	$6,320​	25Hz (±3dB)	system integrated via GLM

I went with Option N2, I am cheap To my ears, they sound perfect -- totally neutral, coherent, clean, tight, and with chest pounding thump.

Curious what you guys would choose, if you start from scratch.

 

[Gene LeClair]

The answer depends heavily on room size and listening distance.

Anyway, I went with 8351B + 7360A over 8361A, because I prefer to have a sub.

 

[Sancus]

Subs do not make up for the lack of power above 80-100hz in tiny 4-5" monitors. A better comparison would be 8351B or KH310 w/subs vs the largest.

Really you should never buy anything with a woofer smaller than 6.5" unless you are space constrained or at sub-1m listening distances.

 

[astcal]

Subs do not make up for the lack of power above 80-100hz in tiny 4-5" monitors. A better comparison would be 8351B or KH310 w/subs vs the largest.

Really you should never buy anything with a woofer smaller than 6.5" unless you are space constrained or at sub-1m listening distances.

yeah that's why I emphasized on "study room/computer desk intimate env".

 

[Sancus]

yeah that's why I emphasized on "study room/computer desk intimate env".

Ah my bad, I assumed including the KH420 meant there was a good amount of distance still. You wouldn't want to use a non-coaxial 3-way like that on most desktops because you need some distance for driver integration when the drivers are spaced out. The KH420 manual says 1.25m minimum and 1.5m-3.0m recommended.

I think the 8331A is the best small desktop speaker you can buy pretty much. The KH80/KH120 are good too though, and definitely the better value.

 

[YSC]

The choice is to pick top-of-the-line pair of monitors, or, bottom-of-the-line monitor plus subwoofer then calibrating/integrating via software. The price listed here is only for scale and reference purpose. The setup is more for study room/computer desk intimate env.

Option	Brand	Setup	Total Price	LF Performance	Comment
N1	Neumann	KH 420	$10,000​	26Hz (±3dB)
N2	Neumann	KH80 + KH750 + MA 1	$2,900​	18Hz (±3dB)	system integrated via MA 1
G1	Genelec	8361	$10,000​	36Hz (±1.5dB)
G2	Genelec	8331 + 7350 + GLM	$6,320​	25Hz (±3dB)	system integrated via GLM

I went with Option N2, I am cheap To my ears, they sound perfect -- totally neutral, coherent, clean, tight, and with chest pounding thump.

Curious what you guys would choose, if you start from scratch.

I will get a G3... get 8030 and 7050 (7040 atm as space limitation) + REW and EQ APO..

but seriously, if space isn't an issue and assuming that the GLM/MA1 is required to make it stored inside monitor and no need external EQ, I would really choose depending on my listening distance. for really close range N2 seems like great idea, if sitting further then I would go G2, especially when a few more listeners will be using together so the coaxial setup works, or get KH120 instead of KH80.

 

[dfuller]

In all seriousness, the KH420s are not suited to any less than about 4 feet distant - and that's more the KH310's home anyway.