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

astcal

Active Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2021
Messages
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Location
California
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.

OptionBrandSetupTotal PriceLF PerformanceComment
N1NeumannKH 420
$10,000​
26Hz (±3dB)
N2NeumannKH80 + KH750 + MA 1
$2,900​
18Hz (±3dB)system integrated via MA 1
G1Genelec8361
$10,000​
36Hz (±1.5dB)
G2Genelec8331 + 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.
 
Last edited:
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.
 
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".
 
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.
 
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.

OptionBrandSetupTotal PriceLF PerformanceComment
N1NeumannKH 420
$10,000​
26Hz (±3dB)
N2NeumannKH80 + KH750 + MA 1
$2,900​
18Hz (±3dB)system integrated via MA 1
G1Genelec8361
$10,000​
36Hz (±1.5dB)
G2Genelec8331 + 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.
 
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.
 
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.

OptionBrandSetupTotal PriceLF PerformanceComment
N1NeumannKH 420
$10,000​
26Hz (±3dB)
N2NeumannKH80 + KH750 + MA 1
$2,900​
18Hz (±3dB)system integrated via MA 1
G1Genelec8361
$10,000​
36Hz (±1.5dB)
G2Genelec8331 + 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.
Hey, I have similar choices at the moment, leaning towards your N2 setup
Have you listened to all the speakers from your list?
Interesting how they compare
 
I haven't got the chance to listen to all of them. I trust the measurement ;) So I am all settled.

The N2 option that I have sounds so solid and real ( can't find better words to describe ) to my ears, it is scary.
 
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