Neumann KH 150 Monitor Review

[muchacho]

I admit that one KH750 to a pair of KH150 helped me a lot, because the music I listen to is mostly rich in deep acoustic bass. My sound goes from the RME ADI-2 DAC FS to the SW and then to the KH150, all perfectly aligned with the MA-1 and thanks to it the presence of the SW is not noticeable, it just became part of the perfect sound system. But it is a fact that my listening room is really modest (approx. 12m2), treated with Basotect panels, so one KH750 is sufficient and it extended the low end beautifully. Before I bought the KH750, on the RME display in the spectrum analyzer mode, I "saw the first two columns, but did not hear" (25-40Hz). Now I can hear and feel the lower bass and I am perfectly satisfied with the sound.

 

[dazzler9000]

Apologies, life got really busy. Thanks for your comments everyone. I think I will leave the sub for now. It's not cheap and I'm concerned that I'm limited with placement options. The 150s sound great without one.

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

I joined the KH 150 club today. They will be replacing (don't laugh...okay, you can laugh a little) a pair of Behringer "TRUTH" 2031A monitors that I bought about 15 years ago. I just pulled the KH 150s out of their boxes today. They do look nice in white. First speakers I've ever bought that my wife didn't think were ugly!

I bought the kit with the MA 1 calibration system, but I will probably use Acourate from AudioVero to build my filters (using Roon's convolution engine). If it's good enough for Bob Katz, it's good enough for me. That said, $250 extra seemed like fair tuition to learn more about Numann's approach to this sort of thing.

Obviously not final placement, but I think the 30 inch Sanus Steel stands will get them to the right height after I remove the Behringers. No comments on the cable elevators...just there for decoration; they help to keep my lovely wife happy (she does not enjoy seeing cables on the floor).

My initial plan is to feed the KH 150s from my Topping Pre90 analog preamp (DAC is Gustard X18). However, I do have a Pi2AES streaming transport that I could connect to the COAX S/PDIF input. That might be interesting to try also...probably using DSP Volume in Roon. Let me know if you're doing something similar.

No immediate plans to add the matching KH 150 sub, but I'm keeping my options open. I've not missed having a sub with the old Behringers, and although the woofer in the KH 150 has about half the piston area, quality is at least 10x better. They will probably be fine after adding room gain for the types of music I listen to most.

 

[Curvature]

Behringer "TRUTH" 2031A monitors

They copied Genelec's design, so they aren't all that bad.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

I joined the KH 150 club today. They will be replacing (don't laugh...okay, you can laugh a little) a pair of Behringer "TRUTH" 2031A monitors that I bought about 15 years ago. I just pulled the KH 150s out of their boxes today. They do look nice in white. First speakers I've ever bought that my wife didn't think were ugly!

I bought the kit with the MA 1 calibration system, but I will probably use Acourate from AudioVero to build my filters (using Roon's convolution engine). If it's good enough for Bob Katz, it's good enough for me. That said, $250 extra seemed like fair tuition to learn more about Numann's approach to this sort of thing.

View attachment 369798

Obviously not final placement, but I think the 30 inch Sanus Steel stands will get them to the right height after I remove the Behringers. No comments on the cable elevators...just there for decoration; they help to keep my lovely wife happy (she does not enjoy seeing cables on the floor).

My initial plan is to feed the KH 150s from my Topping Pre90 analog preamp (DAC is Gustard X18). However, I do have a Pi2AES streaming transport that I could connect to the COAX S/PDIF input. That might be interesting to try also...probably using DSP Volume in Roon. Let me know if you're doing something similar.

No immediate plans to add the matching KH 150 sub, but I'm keeping my options open. I've not missed having a sub with the old Behringers, and although the woofer in the KH 150 has about half the piston area, quality is at least 10x better. They will probably be fine after adding room gain for the types of music I listen to most.

Look forward to your listening impressions on the KH 150's. I'm considering them as an "end game" upgrade from my LS 50 Metas. Already have DLBC and two OG SVS SB 2000 subs. I run my system from my Octo Research DAC 8 Pro which is the control center for both my speakers and headphones.

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

I run my system from my Octo Research DAC 8 Pro which is the control center

That's an excellent DAC. I think the Neumanns will definitely exceed the KEFs on dynamics and extension, but I'll keep you posted.

I have a few small subwoofers sitting around (REL and SVS), so I may pick up a miniDSP SHD Studio later for subwoofer integration. I could use my existing DAC to feed one or two subs and the internal DAC on the KH 150s. Not sure if the SHD Studio can output 24-bits, 48 kHz. IIRC, the SHD is native 96 kHz, and Neumann is 48 kHz. Probably doesn't matter. My thinking here is to use the SHD to delay the mains for phase alignment.

 

[IamJF]

I bought the kit with the MA 1 calibration system, but I will probably use Acourate from AudioVero to build my filters

MA1 is one of the best room "correction" systems in the market - give it a try! Not sure if Acourate gives a benefit.
You should use the digital input of the speakers when possible and avoid additional D/A-A/D conversions. You just need a device where you can volume control your digital output, I use my RME interface.
And I don't know your skil level - but quickly integrating some subwoofers never gives you really good performance. You need delay and digital crossovers to really get it fit, that's the main benefit of the KH750 (which is pretty expensive in my opinion) - MA1 does that for you.

Keep us updated what you think about KH150 when listened to them!

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

You need delay and digital crossovers to really get it fit, that's the main benefit of the KH750 (which is pretty expensive in my opinion) - MA1 does that for you.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree 100% that digital crossovers with the ability to add delay to the signal going to the mains is essential to achieving great integration. The miniDSP SHD Studio provides those features, plus Roon streaming and (I just remembered) digital volume control. The I/O is all digital.

I'll use one of the COAX S/PDIF outputs (OUT 1&2) for the KH 150s and an AES/EBU output (OUT 3&4) for my Gustard X18 DAC to feed one or two subwoofers.

The KH 750 is an interesting solution that I would consider more seriously if I didn't have one pair each of REL T7i and SVS 3000 Micro subs on-hand. Since I'm a Roon user, the excellent integration with Roon also tips the user experience heavily in the direction of miniDSP. For example, I should be able to pair my Microsoft Surface Dial so that I can use it as a physical volume knob at my listening position.

 

[Pearljam5000]

I joined the KH 150 club today. They will be replacing (don't laugh...okay, you can laugh a little) a pair of Behringer "TRUTH" 2031A monitors that I bought about 15 years ago. I just pulled the KH 150s out of their boxes today. They do look nice in white. First speakers I've ever bought that my wife didn't think were ugly!

I bought the kit with the MA 1 calibration system, but I will probably use Acourate from AudioVero to build my filters (using Roon's convolution engine). If it's good enough for Bob Katz, it's good enough for me. That said, $250 extra seemed like fair tuition to learn more about Numann's approach to this sort of thing.

View attachment 369798

Obviously not final placement, but I think the 30 inch Sanus Steel stands will get them to the right height after I remove the Behringers. No comments on the cable elevators...just there for decoration; they help to keep my lovely wife happy (she does not enjoy seeing cables on the floor).

My initial plan is to feed the KH 150s from my Topping Pre90 analog preamp (DAC is Gustard X18). However, I do have a Pi2AES streaming transport that I could connect to the COAX S/PDIF input. That might be interesting to try also...probably using DSP Volume in Roon. Let me know if you're doing something similar.

No immediate plans to add the matching KH 150 sub, but I'm keeping my options open. I've not missed having a sub with the old Behringers, and although the woofer in the KH 150 has about half the piston area, quality is at least 10x better. They will probably be fine after adding room gain for the types of music I listen to most.

Congrats
Any more sound impressions?

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

Any more sound impressions?

Not yet, but this group will be among the first to know. Work is getting in the way of my play time. :-D

 

[bachatero]

What's the self noise of the KH 150? I haven't seen this measured anywhere but it's important to me because my room is quiet enough for speaker noise to become significant.

 

[DJBonoBobo]

What's the self noise of the KH 150? I haven't seen this measured anywhere but it's important to me because my room is quiet enough for speaker noise to become significant.

19.8 dBA in 10cm distance, according to Sound & Recording.

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They always measure this in their reviews.
See also here for a list:

Hiss List (S&R)

Lots of discussion about hiss lately, how perceptible or annoying it is, and if it matters. I've created a sheet with Sound & Recording measurements of hiss in active loudspeakers: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n62hGAdKptSSKC74_fIT_R7DxFJ60YR2_O9C8x-vYQI/edit?usp=sharing Viewers can...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[frank.de]

I've sold my O300D / O800 System and also my KH 310 pair and bougt two pairs KH 150. Also tested the KH 120 ii. I was speechless, the 120ii has more resolution and better midrange than the O300.

 

[frank.de]

 

[Pearljam5000]

View attachment 370746View attachment 370747

How does the the KH150 compares to KH310?

 

[frank.de]

The 120 ii is better than the O300, much better resolution and more accourate midrange. The 150 is better than the 310, nearly same low end. But the resolution is so much better, the midrange so great.
Using Geithain 903 at work, but the 150 makes me speechless. Endgame style, lets see if the 310 ii is the real endgame.

 

[Pearljam5000]

The 120 ii is better than the O300, much better resolution and more accourate midrange. The 150 is better than the 310, nearly same low end. But the resolution is so much better, the midrange so great.
Using Geithain 903 at work, but the 150 makes me speechless. Endgame style, lets see if the 310 ii is the real endgame.

So the Neumanns are on the same level of the Geithains ?
Impressive

 

[kharan]

The 120 ii is better than the O300, much better resolution and more accourate midrange. The 150 is better than the 310, nearly same low end. But the resolution is so much better, the midrange so great.
Using Geithain 903 at work, but the 150 makes me speechless. Endgame style, lets see if the 310 ii is the real endgame.

How do the 120 II and the 150 compare? I do have expectations based on measurements, but impressions are nice too, especially if you have had the opportunity to try them in the same room.

Also, I wonder if the 150 are too big for a desktop use, if the 120 II plus sub are enough for a 25 sqm living room, and if the 150 alone are good for that use if you're willing to sacrifice the last octave.

I read somewhere that the 310 II won't be ready until next year.

 

[frank.de]

I've compared the 120 II and the 150 in the absolute nearfield and in the living room.
The 150 is with much better midrange, so great and overall a little better transient reproduction. I prefer the 150 over a 120 II with 750!!!

 

[frank.de]