Neumann KH 150 Monitor Review

[Karmacoma]

Anyone using a wiim pro with the kh 150's ? I'd like to simplify my setup, I'm wondering how well it fits the purpose or feeding the speakers.

 

[TA21]

Anyone using a wiim pro with the kh 150's ? I'd like to simplify my setup, I'm wondering how well it fits the purpose or feeding the speakers.

I use a Wiim Pro with my KH 120 II monitor speakers at my work desk.

I think the Wiim Pro is the only game in town for an affordable device that does digital output with a volume control (in the digital domain). Beyond that, it's $2,000+ pro audio gear devices. I have looked for an audio interface that could do this, but never found an affordable one. The affordable ones with coax digital output seem to only send digital out at fixed level.

The Wiim Pro works fine enough, although sometimes my left and right channels swap. I am not sure if it's the device or my computer.

I would prefer a device with a volume knob. The touch buttons on the Wiim Pro itself are annoying to use, and you can't just feel for it.

If you plan to connect your computer to the Wiim Pro by Blutooth, note that the Wiim Pro has a huge latency problem if you watch videos. I use wired connection from my computer to the Wiim.

I set a volume limit on the Wiim Pro device, just so I don't accidentally blast a loud digital signal into my speakers. You can adjust the input and output gain down on your Neumanns, so you can make fuller use of your Wiim Pro volume range.

 

[Pritaudio]

Wiim ultra has hdmi in, usb out to dac.
I wouldn’t expect much from the headphone out.

the main feature here is the sub out integration software to complement the stereo speakers.
Is there time alignment
How good is the auto eq function
Is it of use for high/low pass or filter curves.

 

[Ze Frog]

Yes i agree and understand this . But when we look at rankings, or scores and the ramas, we don't see this reflected and it is somewhat confusing to understand what could be done and what is already implemented in each category.

It mainly comes down to how will a speaker sound in the form at which it is sold to a customer. The KH 150 for example provides a response as measured out of the box and therefore that's how thing's are measured as a large majority that's about as far as they will go. You could PEQ a regular passive that's not too flawed to a flat response in some cases, but that's not indicative of the engineering and hard work done before the consumer purchases a product.

So really it's not skewed or giving actives an advantage as such, because that is how the product ships. Also speakers like these Neumann's are also measured as they are set factory, measurements with the MA1 would likely yield even more impressive results and remove the dip at crossover point and make response even flatter. So really active or passive, there is usually performance on the table to be had either way,but measuring for multiple different PEQ settings etc would quickly become overwhelming due to the many different possibilities.

Saying that, one thing that is on most reviews in the comments is PEQ profiles provided by a member here who's name elludes me at this moment, but those EQ settings and accompanying graphs do kind of give you what I think you are looking for and so can be interesting to see how with a bit of work something can actually be sometimes far better than our of the box as shipped measurements would provide.

 

[Hayabusa]

It seems this review in not in the main index?

 

[Pritaudio]

The kh150 seem to have less issues than the kh120ii.
I wonder why. Have they changed the electronics somewhat.
Is it because they make attempts to output more for its size.

 

[feitaishi]

The kh150 seem to have less issues than the kh120ii.
I wonder why. Have they changed the electronics somewhat.
Is it because they make attempts to output more for its size.

I guess more units of 120ii have been sold.

 

[dfuller]

The kh150 seem to have less issues than the kh120ii.
I wonder why. Have they changed the electronics somewhat.
Is it because they make attempts to output more for its size.

It doesn't, not really - I know two people in my immediate circle with 150s that had the standby bug.

 

[Pritaudio]

Does the standby bug ( and other issues) only happen when using the digital in.
How about when only using xlr analogue in?

 

[teashea]

Does the standby bug ( and other issues) only happen when using the digital in.
How about when only using xlr analogue in?

I have two pairs of KH 150's- xlr inputs - never has happened to me. Same with my two pairs of KH 120 II's.

 

[Pritaudio]

I have two pairs of KH 150's- xlr inputs - never has happened to me. Same with my two pairs of KH 120 II's.

for those who it has happened to.
are there any xlr analogue cases?

 

[Vanx]

I have two pairs of KH 150's- xlr inputs - never has happened to me. Same with my two pairs of KH 120 II's.

How is this related to electronics though ?
Wasn’t this solved by firmware update?

 

[Karmacoma]

I use a Wiim Pro with my KH 120 II monitor speakers at my work desk.

I think the Wiim Pro is the only game in town for an affordable device that does digital output with a volume control (in the digital domain). Beyond that, it's $2,000+ pro audio gear devices. I have looked for an audio interface that could do this, but never found an affordable one. The affordable ones with coax digital output seem to only send digital out at fixed level.

The Wiim Pro works fine enough, although sometimes my left and right channels swap. I am not sure if it's the device or my computer.

I would prefer a device with a volume knob. The touch buttons on the Wiim Pro itself are annoying to use, and you can't just feel for it.

If you plan to connect your computer to the Wiim Pro by Blutooth, note that the Wiim Pro has a huge latency problem if you watch videos. I use wired connection from my computer to the Wiim.

I set a volume limit on the Wiim Pro device, just so I don't accidentally blast a loud digital signal into my speakers. You can adjust the input and output gain down on your Neumanns, so you can make fuller use of your Wiim Pro volume range.

There's a New game in town: Fiio SR11

FIIO SR11 Lecteur Réseau Argent

Le lecteur réseau SR11 de la marque FiiO est un petit lecteur réseau, compact et performant, conçu pour s'associer avec le DAC/amplificateur casque K11. Il repose sur un processeur X2000 et est compatible avec de nombreux protocoles réseau...

www.audiophonics.fr

+Volume knob
+Remote included
+Roon ready
+AirPlay, Tidal, Spotify
+++++ 99€ !!!!!!!!!!!!

-no Amazon music support so far
-only AirPlay apps

 

[Iceee]

Dynaudio Core 7 or Neumann kh150? Music listening only

 

[Ze Frog]

Dynaudio Core 7 or Neumann kh150? Music listening only

Me personally, Neumann for sure.
There's detailed measurements of the Neumann, MA1 calibration, goes 5Hz lower, better directivity and just all around a known quantity really. Not to mention here in my country the Core A7's are like an extra £500 a pair, that's a good chunk towards a KH 750 sub in future which will seemlessly integrate via MA1. Not really anything I can find regarding the Dynaudio that would sway me that direction. Could be worth auditioning both if you can though.

 

[teashea]

As far as Dynaudio or Genelec/really any other speakers:

One nice aspect of the Neumann speakers compared to many other speaker companies is that they don't have too many models or update their speakers too often. Yes, constant progress is sometimes good, but not for resale value or just trying to find a cheap pair of used speakers to match your other speakers for surround setups.

For example the KH120A's are 13 years old and you can still calibrate them with a KH750 and they still sell for a decent price. The tweeters are all the same so you can easily mix and match and the only difference for the most part is the low-end. I could have bought a pair back in 2011 (I thought about it back then actually!) and I could still be using them as rear/height speakers and they would still match the KH150's I have instead of going through 25+ pairs of different speakers.

I contemplated picking up Genelecs: but look at their huge list of discontinued models: https://www.genelec.com/previous-models, or just their huge list of current models - their main monitor selection alone is probably more than the entire Neumann speaker selection! Trying to find 4 used reasonably-priced Genelecs that's the same version (A/B/C/D) for height or surround or center speakers is not easy.

Dynaudio has 3 ranges of speakers: Core/Lyd/BM and discontinued versions too. Adam has multiple ranges and versions, though admittedly the original A series were around for a while. KRK and Presonus has had many ranges/versions - and as they are usually cheaper models: their value usually drops quite quickly. Buying the cheapest KH80 or a KH420 will have the same tweeter/overall general sound.

Smaller studio speaker makers can make some nice/highly reviewed state-of-the-art speakers: for example: Equator speakers were quite great: The D5's and Q10's I had were pretty great, but they went out of business. (Equator Q15 15" coaxial monitors would have been quite crazy!) Event Electronics made some nice speakers including the Event Opal: but they were bought by Rode which doesn't even have a speaker division: so you'd think they'd keep making speakers: but they just seemed to shut down Event Electronics and never made speakers!

I think once the KH310 is updated and KH420 is updated to have digital calibration the lineup will be pretty great! Though I would suggest AES67 capability in all models and not two different versions. A revised KH750 + KH870 wouldn't hurt though - aka the KH750 has limitations as it was made as a sub for stereo capabilities - aka hooking up two KH80's, so a version more suited for bass management in an atmos system would be preferable.

As far as Cardioid capabilities like Kii/D&D/Mesonovic CDM65: it's quite unique, but lots of studios just have in-wall mounting of speakers (Aka KH420 in-wall) so cardioid wouldn't work in a soffit anyways. (I will admit one of my favorite speakers I've heard are Mesanovic RTM65's though, but haven't owned them)

Overall, the number of models/how often revisions occur and the simple fact that some smaller manufacturers may go out of business randomly or be bought out and shut down overnight is something to take into consideration if you plan on buying some expensive speakers or investing in a large surround set.

excellent points

 

[VTKZ]

My 150's will soon get bass support (again). Subwoofer Cabinets are fully built, just have to solder the cables.
~60 liter with Scan Speak Chassis.

Power amplifier will be a IMG Stage Line wich is already been purchased. I dont know when the DSP Setup will be done by an Homecinema Guy so i think beginning of 2025 is realistic incl professionall Subwoofer Finish (Paint).

And maybe next Year i let build 4 more to realise an Double Bass Array... i will see how good it sounds when all the DSP Work incl Placement is done.

 

[teashea]

My 150's will soon get bass support (again). Subwoofer Cabinets are fully built, just have to solder the cables.
~60 liter with Scan Speak Chassis.

Power amplifier will be a IMG Stage Line wich is already been purchased. I dont know when the DSP Setup will be done by an Homecinema Guy so i think beginning of 2025 is realistic incl professionall Subwoofer Finish (Paint).

And maybe next Year i let build 4 more to realise an Double Bass Array... i will see how good it sounds when all the DSP Work incl Placement is done.
View attachment 387992
View attachment 387986

nice

 

[Taker]

After reading 117 pages stil with doubts about what to get .
I ve got the Neumann 120a version with the 750 sub + Ma1 and I’m very happy with this system , however wanna go one or two steps forward in sound quality. My studio is well threated acousticly and it’s about 12 meters square .
I’m looking to hear more 3d sound where I can hear where to place the instruments, more mids clarity , more reverb and compression clear .
My final 2 speakers are :
Kh 150
310
Seen some folks that have both , which should i choose ?

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

After reading 117 pages stil with doubts about what to get .
I ve got the Neumann 120a version with the 750 sub + Ma1 and I’m very happy with this system , however wanna go one or two steps forward in sound quality. My studio is well threated acousticly and it’s about 12 meters square .
I’m looking to hear more 3d sound where I can hear where to place the instruments, more mids clarity , more reverb and compression clear .
My final 2 speakers are :
Kh 150
310
Seen some folks that have both , which should i choose ?

Have you considered the Neumann KH120 MkII? Unless you frequently monitor at punishing levels, I don't see how you could need more output in a room that size. I have the KH150 in a much larger room and find that it gives all of the qualities you describe with the right music. No subwoofer needed for virtually all genres.

It's worth pointing out that the KH310 is based on older technology than the KH150 and KH120 MkII. I've read somewhere on ASR that an updated model may be forthcoming in the not too distant future.