Neumann KH 150 Monitor Review

[Pearljam5000]

Why didn't they just copy GLM?

 

[staticV3]

Why didn't they just copy GLM?

You mean, like, IP theft?

MA1 and GLM are essentially the same thing, just developed by different manufacturers, and that inevitably leads to some differences in operation and functionality.

 

[Pearljam5000]

You mean, like, IP theft?

MA1 and GLM are essentially the same thing, just developed by different manufacturers, and that inevitably leads to some differences in operation and functionality.

No, I meant making something with similar functions that's easy to use

 

[Arnas]

Why didn't they just copy GLM?

GLM rock for sure

 

[Tovarich007]

At present, only various propositions about what could be the future released Neumann monitors can be read on this forum and elsewhere too.
No precise sourcing about supposed reliable informations is never mentioned
Like St Thomas, I believe only in what I see, not in what other people speculate.

By the way, the twin drivers subwoofer KH870 isn't a new model. On Neumann site, the column at the left isn't updated. If you want to know the actual monitors line up, you have to check under "popular monitors".

A solid reputation firm like Neumann should pay more attention to updtaing pricisely its website, don't you think ?

 

[Tovarich007]

Why didn't they just copy GLM?

Even if they would, they couldn't for sure. Patent protection, you know...

Anyway, Neumann MA1 is quite comparable to Genelec GLM. maybe the second one is a bit easier to use, but they're both sophisticated pro tools who require some experience and care to get the best from them.

 

[respice finem]

Who knows if it can't happen one day. The trend is to "join forces" in larger groups, like Harman (Samsung)...

 

[Pearljam5000]

Even if they would, they couldn't for sure. Patent protection, you know...

Anyway, Neumann MA1 is quite comparable to Genelec GLM. maybe the second one is a bit easier to use, but they're both sophisticated pro tools who require some experience and care to get the best from them.

Again
I meant copying it's vibe not literally copy and paste

 

[boxerfan88]

Again
I meant copying it's vibe not literally copy and paste

Me thinks they have limited technical resources spread thin covering microphone, speakers, audio interfaces.

Software is probably a weak point, as seen in the long cycle time between releases. But eventually after many iterations the quality can improve. Especially now with AI software development assistance easily available these days.

 

[somebodyelse]

By the way, the twin drivers subwoofer KH870 isn't a new model. On Neumann site, the column at the left isn't updated. If you want to know the actual monitors line up, you have to check under "popular monitors".

KH870 II AES67 is the new version with different port layout.

 

[IamJF]

Why didn't they just copy GLM?

Cause MA1 does better correction and has the more advanced logarithms.

 

[40th Anniversary]

I've been away for a while with summer & travel and all...now back and looking at getting the MA-1 microphone and software to further the performance of the KH150.
Looks like my timing is perfect.

I've tried using the KH150 in my basement system to no avail: they are meant as near field monitors and we sit too far from the TV. The reflections in my basement system are bad (room treatment needed). It is what it is. They really do NOT fit in that room.

I moved them to my office system and they have been awesome there, deep wall shaking bass and all.

I installed them in our smallish-medium open area living room with few boundaries for now.
As I type this I am sitting in my fav living room chair, KH150s sitting on 21 inch stands and about 6 feet away: They are perfect!!

The bonus is that we also need small speakers for the living room (open area) to fill in for background music. Turns out the KH150 are one of the best ones to fulfill this mission in this room. Hence I have "one" speaker pair that fulfills three roles: office system; living room serious listening from 6 feet or so away; living room background music.

So I guess it depends on the volume setting, the room and the reflections. In a bigger room with boundaries they can get 'lost'.

More trials to come. Expensive yes, but I've listened to more expensive speakers that had compromises built-in.
Performance is awesome and worth it to my ears.

PS: thanks to everyone who pointed out the fact that these are 'near field' monitors with all the limitations that the measurements showcase.
I've had more luck with my Yamaha HS8 in my TV system for fronts.
But these Neumann KH-150 are a perfect fit in other rooms of my house (no measurements done).

MA-1 is my next step in the audio quest (two words, not one, LoL).

 

[Pearljam5000]

I've been away for a while with summer & travel and all...now back and looking at getting the MA-1 microphone and software to further the performance of the KH150.
Looks like my timing is perfect.

I've tried using the KH150 in my basement system to no avail: they are meant as near field monitors and we sit too far from the TV. The reflections in my basement system are bad (room treatment needed). It is what it is. They really do NOT fit in that room.

I moved them to my office system and they have been awesome there, deep wall shaking bass and all.

I installed them in our smallish-medium open area living room with few boundaries for now.
As I type this I am sitting in my fav living room chair, KH150s sitting on 21 inch stands and about 6 feet away: They are perfect!!

The bonus is that we also need small speakers for the living room (open area) to fill in for background music. Turns out the KH150 are one of the best ones to fulfill this mission in this room. Hence I have "one" speaker pair that fulfills three roles: office system; living room serious listening from 6 feet or so away; living room background music.

So I guess it depends on the volume setting, the room and the reflections. In a bigger room with boundaries they can get 'lost'.

More trials to come. Expensive yes, but I've listening to more expensive speakers that had compromises built-in.
Performance is awesome and worth it to my ears.

PS: thanks to everyone who pointed out the fact that these are 'near field' monitors with all the limitations that the measurements showcase.
I've had more luck with my Yamaha HS8 in my TV system for fronts.
But these Neumann KH-150 are a perfect fit in other rooms of my house (no measurements done).

MA-1 is my next step in the audio quest (two words, not one, LoL).

Even the Kh120a had insane amounts of bass so I can't imagine how good the KH150 is

 

[40th Anniversary]

Even the Kh120a had insane amounts of bass so I can't imagine how good the KH150 is

In my office they play the bass notes effortlessly, with authority, with a sense of scale and depending on the material, wall shaking bass. I'm putting it on par with an old 12 inch HPD speaker (Chatsworth) I used to own and now regret selling. But, only in my office. The sound is much different in other rooms.
PS: I have not heard the KH120 II

 

[40th Anniversary]

PS: Just a clarification. The Chatsworth has 'scale' to them. Now in my office the Neumann feel like they have scale, but the impact in a bigger room is much different.
The old tannoys, while not midrange champs, played effortlessly in a bigger room with authoritative bass lines.
Think like an old Rolls-Royce: the power of the engine was 'adequate'.

 

[VTKZ]

I think when choosing a speaker, one always has to consider several aspects. First, of course, how big the room is and how much volume needs to be covered. Then there's the question of how much effort goes into addressing the acoustics - whether subwoofers are used to control room modes, and also relieving the main speakers. And, of course, the question of how loud you listen.

My main living space (a one-room apartment with an adjoining hallway, kitchen, etc. with doors of course) has about 86 m³ of volume (+- a few m3)

Personally, I would only choose the 310s, if at all, when it comes to larger speakers. Tendency-wise, a 120 would actually be more than enough (so a step smaller from my 150s). Since I’m already working with subwoofers. The 150s are set up in a 3.40 meter stereo triangle and, in my opinion, do the job phenomenally. Not too big, not too small, and they can handle volume levels more than adequately (over 100 dB at that distance is perfectly satisfactory).

Whether the 150s alone would be sufficient ? - I would consider questionable, in that case, I would probably go for the 310s.

ButI’m really not a fan of 2.0 setups in regular-sized living rooms like mine. You just run into too many bass issues that you can't control without very elaborate acoustics (and without subwoofers). The speaker can be as large as you want, but you'll always have cancellation issues that you won't be able to control. My approach is to rather buy a slightly smaller speaker and then invest the money in 4, 8, or more subwoofers + DSP (as Single / Double Bass Array or Multi Sub Layout with Dirac, manualy DSP or similiar)

I believe I would consider implementing an SBA or DBA (Subwoofer Array) even with the 420s to better control the room modes.

I was at a Hi-Fi studio again during my vacation on Madeira last Week for a listening session (Raidho Speakers). Fortunately, the guy had done quite a bit with the acoustics, but despite the speaker being larger, it just lacked that presence, that ease, and the punch that a well-tuned subwoofer setup provides.

Maybe it's just my personal taste, since I've been listening with subwoofers for many years now. But in regular 2.0 setups in non-studio environments (with non-optimal acoustics), I just personally miss the punch and lowend from subs...

 

[Miguelón]

I think when choosing a speaker, one always has to consider several aspects. First, of course, how big the room is and how much volume needs to be covered. Then there's the question of how much effort goes into addressing the acoustics - whether subwoofers are used to control room modes, and also relieving the main speakers. And, of course, the question of how loud you listen.

My main living space (a one-room apartment with an adjoining hallway, kitchen, etc. with doors of course) has about 86 m³ of volume (+- a few m3)

Personally, I would only choose the 310s, if at all, when it comes to larger speakers. Tendency-wise, a 120 would actually be more than enough (so a step smaller from my 150s). Since I’m already working with subwoofers. The 150s are set up in a 3.40 meter stereo triangle and, in my opinion, do the job phenomenally. Not too big, not too small, and they can handle volume levels more than adequately (over 100 dB at that distance is perfectly satisfactory).

Whether the 150s alone would be sufficient ? - I would consider questionable, in that case, I would probably go for the 310s.

ButI’m really not a fan of 2.0 setups in regular-sized living rooms like mine. You just run into too many bass issues that you can't control without very elaborate acoustics (and without subwoofers). The speaker can be as large as you want, but you'll always have cancellation issues that you won't be able to control. My approach is to rather buy a slightly smaller speaker and then invest the money in 4, 8, or more subwoofers + DSP (as Single / Double Bass Array or Multi Sub Layout with Dirac, manualy DSP or similiar)

I believe I would consider implementing an SBA or DBA (Subwoofer Array) even with the 420s to better control the room modes.

I was at a Hi-Fi studio again during my vacation on Madeira last Week for a listening session (Raidho Speakers). Fortunately, the guy had done quite a bit with the acoustics, but despite the speaker being larger, it just lacked that presence, that ease, and the punch that a well-tuned subwoofer setup provides.

Maybe it's just my personal taste, since I've been listening with subwoofers for many years now. But in regular 2.0 setups in non-studio environments (with non-optimal acoustics), I just personally miss the punch and lowend from subs...

Agree, even one sub well placed can improve a lot the frequency range. Optimal would be 2 or more, but good subs are expensive...

After a lot of reflexion I purchased a pair of G Threes and reinforce them with Kali WS 6.2 since my listening room is small and never needed lower than 27-30 Hz for music.

 

[VTKZ]

Agree, even one sub well placed can improve a lot the frequency range. Optimal would be 2 or more, but good subs are expensive...

After a lot of reflexion I purchased a pair of G Threes and reinforce them with Kali WS 6.2 since my listening room is small and never needed lower than 27-30 Hz for music.

DIY is not as expensive (mostly even cheaper when you need room friendly cabinets). Specially when you go sealed you cant go realy wrong there. And as i said the form factor, there not many subs that are 25 cm in depth.

I tuned my around 35Hz or so i think. Fit for the Chassi i use. But with Dirac Art, Waveforming or just an better external DSP i propably get an way better result than now... Project for the next year maybe.

 

[40th Anniversary]

I think when choosing a speaker, one always has to consider several aspects. First, of course, how big the room is and how much volume needs to be covered. Then there's the question of how much effort goes into addressing the acoustics - whether subwoofers are used to control room modes, and also relieving the main speakers. And, of course, the question of how loud you listen.

My main living space (a one-room apartment with an adjoining hallway, kitchen, etc. with doors of course) has about 86 m³ of volume (+- a few m3)

Personally, I would only choose the 310s, if at all, when it comes to larger speakers. Tendency-wise, a 120 would actually be more than enough (so a step smaller from my 150s). Since I’m already working with subwoofers. The 150s are set up in a 3.40 meter stereo triangle and, in my opinion, do the job phenomenally. Not too big, not too small, and they can handle volume levels more than adequately (over 100 dB at that distance is perfectly satisfactory).

Whether the 150s alone would be sufficient ? - I would consider questionable, in that case, I would probably go for the 310s.

ButI’m really not a fan of 2.0 setups in regular-sized living rooms like mine. You just run into too many bass issues that you can't control without very elaborate acoustics (and without subwoofers). The speaker can be as large as you want, but you'll always have cancellation issues that you won't be able to control. My approach is to rather buy a slightly smaller speaker and then invest the money in 4, 8, or more subwoofers + DSP (as Single / Double Bass Array or Multi Sub Layout with Dirac, manualy DSP or similiar)

I believe I would consider implementing an SBA or DBA (Subwoofer Array) even with the 420s to better control the room modes.

I was at a Hi-Fi studio again during my vacation on Madeira last Week for a listening session (Raidho Speakers). Fortunately, the guy had done quite a bit with the acoustics, but despite the speaker being larger, it just lacked that presence, that ease, and the punch that a well-tuned subwoofer setup provides.

Maybe it's just my personal taste, since I've been listening with subwoofers for many years now. But in regular 2.0 setups in non-studio environments (with non-optimal acoustics), I just personally miss the punch and lowend from subs...

Living in a smaller home, I may be able to include a sub or two in my basement system. The one & only living room will not support a sub from an aesthetic point of view. I have used an REL sub in the past and it proved invaluable to improve the soundstage: I was really surprised!

 

[Miguelón]

DIY is not as expensive (mostly even cheaper when you need room friendly cabinets). Specially when you go sealed you cant go realy wrong there. And as i said the form factor, there not many subs that are 25 cm in depth.

I tuned my around 35Hz or so i think. Fit for the Chassi i use. But with Dirac Art, Waveforming or just an better external DSP i propably get an way better result than now... Project for the next year maybe.

I'm not very good at building things: if I try to make a subwoofer, most probably it will end being a coffee machine