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Neumann KH 150 Monitor Review

Rate this studio monitor

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 4 0.7%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 45 8.3%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 494 91.0%

  • Total voters
    543
This PMC has similar specs to KH150 but costs double
Is it worth it?
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To my opinion it is not. I think its a flawed design to still use a transmissionline. You can see in in the measurements of these speakers that it causes a cancellation in the high bass-low mids. Had the PMC LB1 once, was not impressed.
 
Hey Pearl, There's only one way to find out.
The hard part is to find a reseller that stocks them both and to listen to them in the same room.
Its a start.
 
If it costs double , there must be a reason
Audi RS3's nurburgring lap time is faster than Bugatti Veyron. One costs 60k$, the other one costs 3M. In economics products and services have an use-value and a sign value. PMC speakers are not priced around their use-value only.

Sign value:

In sociology and in economics, the term sign value denotes and describes the value accorded to an object because of the prestige (social status) that it imparts upon the possessor, rather than the material value and utility derived from the function and the primary use of the object.

When you see a 2 way design with no horizontal alignment between drivers, no waveguides, sharp edges... you do not have to think too much about it. It's a bad design. Assessing waveguide design, cabinet design, the distance between drivers etc can provide valuable insights into performance characteristics of speakers
 
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I never asked this before
You seriously mean that? Of course you haven't asked about every possible X-Y loudspeaker comparison in every loudspeaker X or Y thread yet, but after so many years we would expect you to have at least some own basic understanding of loudspeaker measurements, the unimportance of third subjective opinions about their ranking and some basic audio market understanding telling you
If it costs double , there must be a reason
that the reason is often in not a technical/objective quality but market prices depend also strongly on things like image value.

And let's assume now someone tells you he finds the PMC better, what have you gained with that? You say you anyway cannot listen to most loudspeakers in your country and you didn't even buy loudspeakers where the positive consensus of objective qualities and subjective preference is very high. Is this endless virtual "tire-kicking" a hobby of yours? Wouldn't it be more expedient spending it it to start understanding the measurements yourself or getting some loudspeakers and enjoy music, placement, room acoustics and correction as a hobby instead?
 
If it costs double , there must be a reason
No, that is where you seem to get lost in all this. Things don't scale 1:1 with cost of production, or supply/demand. There often is no practical reason why some things are twice as much as others, often the perceived value is unhinged from the cost of production. Like a red vs. a green apple, it even depends on region and time of year. Or Springsteen vs. Swift concert tickets. And, two things that cost the same can be different (like Springsteen vs. Swift!). If you think about this, you can reduce the number of economic questions you ask and focus on what speakers you might like to buy. Questions like "why does it cost...?" or "why don't they just use the most expensive...?" are actually repeats of the same fundamental issue you are struggling with. Also, don't try to get the 'best' or 'the best value', there is no such thing. I would seriously declutter your thought process on cost and value...:)
 
What's the difference between the KH120 and KH150 SQ wise ?
I think mostly the same but obviously different. Certainly many small improvements with few significant detractions. However, it'd be wrong not to mention the impairments. Just a touch more worse than better though squarely on the good side of bad. On the other hand, large marginal gains everywhere—specifically in a few key places overall. Dynamic consistency, in other words. Although someone else might call it an unchanging inconsistency. Or uncanny familiarity. Ultimately, but this is just a preliminary impression, roughly smooth vs. sandpapery unfrictioned is how I'd put it. And one does it a lot more than the other. Yes. Hmm.
 
You seriously mean that? Of course you haven't asked about every possible X-Y loudspeaker comparison in every loudspeaker X or Y thread yet, but after so many years we would expect you to have at least some own basic understanding of loudspeaker measurements, the unimportance of third subjective opinions about their ranking and some basic audio market understanding telling you

that the reason is often in not a technical/objective quality but market prices depend also strongly on things like image value.

And let's assume now someone tells you he finds the PMC better, what have you gained with that? You say you anyway cannot listen to most loudspeakers in your country and you didn't even buy loudspeakers where the positive consensus of objective qualities and subjective preference is very high. Is this endless virtual "tire-kicking" a hobby of yours? Wouldn't it be more expedient spending it it to start understanding the measurements yourself or getting some loudspeakers and enjoy music, placement, room acoustics and correction as a hobby instead?
@Pearljam5000 , is it true you haven't even got any speakers yet? I know you were saving up for the Genelecs, but if it's really taking that long to save up I'd just get something budget but good like the JBL 308p Mkii for instance - get something, & to be honest if it's taking really this long to save then I wouldn't spend that much on speakers like Genelecs, that's too crazy!
 
@Pearljam5000 , is it true you haven't even got any speakers yet? I know you were saving up for the Genelecs, but if it's really taking that long to save up I'd just get something budget but good like the JBL 308p Mkii for instance - get something, & to be honest if it's taking really this long to save then I wouldn't spend that much on speakers like Genelecs, that's too crazy!
Yeha they cost double than my car
So it's not essy
I was thinking about budget monitors but not sure if all or none is better
 
Yeha they cost double than my car
So it's not essy
I was thinking about budget monitors but not sure if all or none is better
Gosh, the 308's are so great. There are so many satisfying speakers that don't cost an arm and a leg. It's not healthy to debate price and value all the time, and just leads to envy. Having something you like is better than wanting something you think you might like...
 
Gosh, the 308's are so great. There are so many satisfying speakers that don't cost an arm and a leg. It's not healthy to debate price and value all the time, and just leads to envy. Having something you like is better than wanting something you think you might like...
I envy no one and happy for others who can afford them .
But yes I'd consider getting cheaper monitors temporarily
 
Yeha they cost double than my car
So it's not essy
I was thinking about budget monitors but not sure if all or none is better
Yeah, probably best not to spend that much! Just get some good budget ones which you can afford already (assuming you've been saving all this time), and then if they're still not good enough I suppose you could sell them to recoup some of the cost & start saving again - or use those whilst you're saving for an upgrade, but I think you're treating yourself unfairly by having to save so long for a Genelec.
 
I envy no one and happy for others who can afford them .
But yes I'd consider getting cheaper monitors temporarily
Envy doesn't have to be of what other people have. Whatever you call it, nobody here can answer the questions you have as a result.
I recommend you get a pair of inexpensive speakers, someone mentioned the JBL 308, I would go with that. If you aren't happy, you should not pursue this hobby. If you are and want more, then get a subwoofer. We could then help you chose a modest subwoofer, and discover DSP, etc.
 
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