Neumann KH 150 Monitor Review

[staticV3]

I'm having a hard time determining the correct solution between the 120s or 150s.

Spoiler: Graphs (120II Left - 150 Right)

At 1m with a subwoofer, the differences in THD, LFX, and max SPL become meaningless.

What remains is a slightly narrower directivity on the KH150.

Is that worth paying twice as much? Your call.

 

[Breeze98]

What remains is a slightly narrower directivity on the KH150.

Is that worth paying twice as much? Your call.

Is that necessarily an advantage at all (of a tiny bit less room interaction), or more like a taste preference?

 

[staticV3]

Is that necessarily an advantage at all (of a tiny bit less room interaction), or more like a taste preference?

It's a difference.

 

[Pritaudio]

Is there a seperate thread for the quality control and returns of this and the kh80, kh120 ii, kh750? People are having ?

 

[Fongus]

Is there a seperate thread for the quality control and returns of this and the kh80, kh120 ii, kh750? People are having ?

You should look for that information from the Pro Audio forums where the vast majority of Neumann users are.

 

[starfly]

Are they really that unreliable? I’ve had mine for over a year with no issues so far. One even fell off my speaker stand (about 5ft high), and the sides just have a small dent and some scratches and it still works great.

 

[enricoclaudio]

Are they really that unreliable? I’ve had mine for over a year with no issues so far. One even fell off my speaker stand (about 5ft high), and the sides just have a small dent and some scratches and it still works great.

One of my KH150s has crackling issued. It’s like some sort of RF noise coming out of the speaker. I have tried different locations and the issue persists. Of course, mines are out of warranty so nothing I can do other than live with it. BTW, I had one replaced under warranty for an issue similar to the RF noise.

 

[AudioKC]

Spoiler: Graphs (120II Left - 150 Right)

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At 1m with a subwoofer, the differences in THD, LFX, and max SPL become meaningless.

What remains is a slightly narrower directivity on the KH150.

Is that worth paying twice as much? Your call.

It is question of room. if you need modifications in +/-10dB, higher head room for dynamic range is required here (specifically in upper bass and lower midrange), meaning that if you push +10dB in some regions KH120 with Dircal Live, it will behave differently than KH150 due to lower headroom compared to KH150.

It is the reason for example why I picked Kef R11 over lower headroom options.

In the end it is all room dependent.

p.s. I run daily KH150 + 2 SVS 1000Sb Pro Subs with Dirac Live Bass control, my office setup, most of the music is run through that setup (not main Kef R11). I never doubted the choice of KH150. So I would recommend it over KH120

 

[AudioKC]

It is question of room. if you need modifications in +/-10dB, higher head room for dynamic range is required here (specifically in upper bass and lower midrange), meaning that if you push +10dB in some regions KH120 with Dircal Live, it will behave differently than KH150 due to lower headroom compared to KH150.

It is the reason for example why I picked Kef R11 over lower headroom options.

In the end it is all room dependent.

p.s. I run daily KH150-II + 2 SVS 1000Sb Pro Subs with Dirac Live Bass control, my office setup, most of the music is run through that setup (not main Kef R11). I never doubted the choice of KH150-II. So I would recommend it over KH120

An example of my far from perfect office room. Will KH120 handle this? I do not know.

 

[Miguelón]

I never doubted the choice of KH150-II

Is there a second edición of the KH-150 or you just taped fast?

 

[AudioKC]

Is there a second edición of the KH-150 or you just taped fast?

Accident/Confabulation of memory, indeed kh120-II exists and kh150 has only one version.

 

[levimax]

Accident/Confabulation of memory,

Just like AI

 

[Miguelón]

Accident/Confabulation of memory, indeed kh120-II exists and kh150 has only one version.

In fact I searched "Neumann KH 150 II" and found a review.

Was another accident.

 

[AudioKC]

In fact I searched "Neumann KH 150 II" and found a review.

View attachment 558809

Was another accident.

I think reviewer was mistaken as me, official site doesn’t call it v2

KH 150 – Studio Monitor Anthracite

Active studio monitor delivering precise reference monitoring and controlled performance in a compact design.

www.neumann.com

In manual there is also no v2.

 

[Pritaudio]

One of my KH150s has crackling issued. It’s like some sort of RF noise coming out of the speaker. I have tried different locations and the issue persists. Of course, mines are out of warranty so nothing I can do other than live with it. BTW, I had one replaced under warranty for an issue similar to the RF noise.

Who did you send it back to? Retailer or Neumann.
How long was the warranty.
Can you have it repaired, and how much would it cost. Did you get a quote.

 

[IamJF]

Who did you send it back to? Retailer or Neumann.
How long was the warranty.
Can you have it repaired, and how much would it cost. Did you get a quote.

In Europe you send it to the retailer and they care about it during warranty. But you can also register at the Neumann page and file a case and send directly to them - but I never needed this option. Get in contact to Neumann when you have a problem with their gear.

Or what's your intention/problem with Neumann speakers?

 

[IamJF]

An example of my far from perfect office room. Will KH120 handle this? I do not know.

View attachment 558772

MAX SPL difference is about 2-3dB in the area 80-300Hz. That's not a lot. These KH120ii's are beasts and go surprisingly loud.
The bigger membrane surface of KH150 is used to go lower and a little louder - a good compromise. Just double the price is a "little" steep.

 

[LTig]

MAX SPL difference is about 2-3dB in the area 80-300Hz. That's not a lot.

3 dB is twice the power, so for a driver this is a significant improvement.

 

[AudioKC]

MAX SPL difference is about 2-3dB in the area 80-300Hz. That's not a lot. These KH120ii's are beasts and go surprisingly loud.
The bigger membrane surface of KH150 is used to go lower and a little louder - a good compromise. Just double the price is a "little" steep.

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I agree, fair point.

 

[Keith Flanker]

The KH150 is mainly about more SPL and deeper extension than the KH120 II - the DSP alignment and directivity are the same family, so on a desk the smaller KH120 II is usually the better fit and the KH150 only wins if you listen at 2 m+ or need the headroom. If you are choosing between them, buy on the required SPL, not on a different "house sound".