Neumann KH 120 II or iLoud Precision 6 or EVE Audio SC207

[Deemoz]

Hello everyone, this is my first thread here!

I’m currently looking for studio monitors primarily for production and mixing, especially electronic music (techno, experimental, etc.). I’d love to hear your suggestions based on your experience. DSP is a big plus as I work in the living room.

Note: I should really trust the speakers to produce/mix without guessing and overthinking.

Here’s what I’m considering so far:

Neumann KH 120 II​

I simply trust this brand and this speaker model. I’ve seen measurements and like what I see. The front port is also a plus, as I am quite close to the wall. I’m a little bit worried that the 5.25" woofer might be too small for low-end focus, but I’m also considering adding a sub in the future if I stick with them.

iLoud Precision 6​

I currently own a pair of their smaller speakers and I am satisfied with them. I like the fact that they already come with a measuring mic, and the 1.5" tweeter seems interesting. The lack of a waveguide is weird, but it probably has something to do with the tweeter’s dispersion. However, I don’t trust paid YouTube reviews, and there are no measurements available except for those on the iLoud product landing page.

Eve Audio SC207​

Much more affordable and with pretty much the same specs as the others. It doesn’t have DSP, but I can use Sonarworks to fix the acoustics. It has been on the market for a long time and has many good reviews.

What I’m NOT Considering:​

• Focal Alpha EVOs: The inverted dome tweeter scares me, and there are several reports of harshness in the lower treble. This is critical for me as I produce distorted, industrial music.
• Adam A7V: Poorly designed port and concerns that their tweeter doesn’t translate well to other systems. Also, worse low-end production due to the cabinet size compared to the others.

Listening Context:
In local shops, I can only listen to the KH 120 II or Adam A7V, but the shop room acoustics are terrible to judge.

Any recommendations or advice on what to look for?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Matias]

Welcome to ASR. If you can just get the Neumann and be fine with it. Great speakers, second to none.

 

[unpluggged]

It doesn’t have DSP

It does. It just doesn't have room correction.

The EVE has no wavegouide for its tweeter, with the latter being an AMT, so I guess its directivity will leave much to be desired, an you will have a hard time keeping yourself exactly in the sweet spot. My HEDDs with similar tweeters use a waveguide, but still in the nearfield the image shifts quite badly when you move around in your chair. Since I repurposed the HEDDs for my living room, this effect is not as bad now. The Neumanns, having a better directivity, also have wider sweet spot, so it's much easier to work on them. In short, I like my current desktop setup better than when I used the HEDDs with it. Only the bass was lacking after the switch, but the KH 120 II have a bit more extension, and in any case with sub I have nothing to complain about anymore.

Neumanns, as you mention, do have extensive room correction options, not only via the MA 1 software, but also the parameters can be set with free tools like the khtool, provided you have a way of measurement and creating filter values. Also the Neumanns can be well and hassle-free integrated with the KH 750 DSP subwoofer with the help of the MA 1 software, so the MA 1 kit is a worthy upgrade IMO, and it's not that expensive.

Another concern is the hiss. I suspect EVE may hiss noticeably, while Neumanns are known for being practically free of hiss.

 

[Joachim Herbert]

The Neumanns are a no brainer. Upgradable with MA1 and KH750, should you feel the need.

 

[Deemoz]

Thank you for your replies, do you think it is completely necessary to go with only KH750 as a sub for KH 120 II, or can there be budget variants for them?

 

[unpluggged]

Thank you for your replies, do you think it is completely necessary to go with only KH750 as a sub for KH 120 II, or can there be budget variants for them?

KH 750 DSP is the budget and the most recommended variant.

 

[AnalogSteph]

Of course it is fundamentally possible to combine KH120 IIs with other studio subs. However, do note that the KH750 also contains a high-performance A/D + D/A section and DSP for crossover and room correction and whatnot, so it's not just any old sub.

 

[unpluggged]

Of course it is fundamentally possible to combine KH120 IIs with other studio subs. However, do note that the KH750 also contains a high-performance A/D + D/A section and DSP for crossover and room correction and whatnot, so it's not just any old sub.

Not to mention the KH 750 DSP performs very well by itself and it is supported by the MA 1 and thus it's a straightforward setup.

 

[muslhead]

Not to mention the KH 750 DSP performs very well by itself and it is supported by the MA 1 and thus it's a straightforward setup.

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