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Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review
- Thread starter amirm
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MatrixS2000
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No problems with my pair either. These will be with me a very long time.
PristineSound
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You mean the Neumann logo light? There is no way you can dim that light with physical buttons on the speakers as there are none that controls the light. You must use the software in order to do so.
To dim them via software you need an interface to be able to access those options, bizarre decision as many people won’t have access or the need to buy an interface. They said they would resolve it.
staticV3
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A $10 switch. Not an interface.
PristineSound
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Can you tell us more?
PristineSound
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What do you mean by interface? Can you elaborate?
somebodyelse
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The '$10 switch' is a simple network switch so you can connect a computer (see below) and the speakers on the same local network. Many people will already have one, or something functionally equivalent.
I'm not clear on the meaning of 'an interface' here either. You need a computer that'll run Neumann's software (nominally Windows but might work with WINE or similar?), or 3rd party software like pyssc or khtool. Khtool even has an example of the command for logo brightness in its README.
I'm not clear on the meaning of 'an interface' here either. You need a computer that'll run Neumann's software (nominally Windows but might work with WINE or similar?), or 3rd party software like pyssc or khtool. Khtool even has an example of the command for logo brightness in its README.
staticV3
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The logo brightness can be directly configured via CLI: https://github.com/schwinn/khtool
For that, you only need a network connection to the monitors, no audio interface required.
Sorry I have no idea what this is. My point being you cannot open the Neumann software on a Mac and access basic settings unless you have an audio interface connected.
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It's a command line method to modify the parameters for the features mentioned earlier. I had AI (of your choice) create a Windows executable from the Python data. I haven't tested it yet, since my 120's are en route, but it appears to have done a good job creating a GUI for it.
have you gotten this to work? I can read the settings on my speakers and kh 750 through khtool but trying to change anything results in error 401 / "authorisation needed." I think they locked down their settings in a recent firmware update
Ah, this was the problem, thank you!
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First impressions, coming from a pair of Gennie 8030C's that I absolutely adore. These have better instrument separation within the same listening position. However, the Gennies seem more forward from the same position (15.24cm from the front wall (wall behind the speakers)). The Neumann's definitely play much louder without room interaction or loss of clarity, but their soundstage seems smaller compared to the Gennies at low volumes. This seems to make the 8030Cs more "fun" when it comes to rock and more dynamic/compressed music. With the more forward presentation from the Gennies in that same listening position, their soundstage seems to be wider, but individual instrument clarity seems to be less detailed. I listen close, within 1m at my desk. So, this is probably the arbiter between the two in performance in sounstage presentation. The Neumann's are more analytical but astoudingly musical.
There is definitely greater low end available on the Neumanns, though they both seem to have the same punch on an acoustic bass drum. LF definition from the Neumann is superior, probably given their extension. For me, a sub in my oddball-shaped room (282cm deep/front to back x 206cm H x 615cm W) is usually more detrimental than anything, so the LF from either of these is usually the limit before things get messy in the LF domain. However, I'd say that neither of these does "proper" LF extension, coming from twin 12" sealed subs in that same space.
Interestingly, I watched this short from Neumann, which indicates that through some DSP magic, when you run the calibration on a well positioned pair, you can extend the LF to 34Hz! Yeah, not so sure about what their reference is, probably -6dB.
Conclusion, great pair of monitors. I'm still adapting to the different sound they produce. Room interaction is definitely the main differentiator between a pair of flat FR monitors like this, so there is no two rooms that will yield the same results. However, I'm pleased with what I'm hearing. Both the Gennies and the Neumanns have their pros and cons, so it really is up to your setup to take advantage of what each does best. They are both outstanding for their respective cost.
BTW, these are fed from my PC playing WAVs through an RME ADI2 DAC fs. I also consider myself a rock and roll hero, as I play guitar and drums in that same space (Alesis Strike kit, so it's compact) and my guitar stuff goes through a Line6 HX Stomp into a Clarett 4pre then into my PC). So, my background in hearing music, and playing music is truly from a personal and intimate perspective. Overall, the simplicity and sound from this setup is superlative.
You absolutely cannot go wrong with either of these monitors, though I'm leaning towards the Neumann's. On the totally acoustic stuff, the timbre on instruments is breathtaking; it's the stuff that gives you goosebumps and make you squint your eyes and go "mmmmm".
Sorry for rambling/stream of conciousness report, it's been a while since I performed an upgrade. In a world of disposable garbage products, this was a refreshing and satisfying purchase that I hope will remain in place for at least a few years until the next upgrade bug bites.
There is definitely greater low end available on the Neumanns, though they both seem to have the same punch on an acoustic bass drum. LF definition from the Neumann is superior, probably given their extension. For me, a sub in my oddball-shaped room (282cm deep/front to back x 206cm H x 615cm W) is usually more detrimental than anything, so the LF from either of these is usually the limit before things get messy in the LF domain. However, I'd say that neither of these does "proper" LF extension, coming from twin 12" sealed subs in that same space.
Interestingly, I watched this short from Neumann, which indicates that through some DSP magic, when you run the calibration on a well positioned pair, you can extend the LF to 34Hz! Yeah, not so sure about what their reference is, probably -6dB.
Conclusion, great pair of monitors. I'm still adapting to the different sound they produce. Room interaction is definitely the main differentiator between a pair of flat FR monitors like this, so there is no two rooms that will yield the same results. However, I'm pleased with what I'm hearing. Both the Gennies and the Neumanns have their pros and cons, so it really is up to your setup to take advantage of what each does best. They are both outstanding for their respective cost.
BTW, these are fed from my PC playing WAVs through an RME ADI2 DAC fs. I also consider myself a rock and roll hero, as I play guitar and drums in that same space (Alesis Strike kit, so it's compact) and my guitar stuff goes through a Line6 HX Stomp into a Clarett 4pre then into my PC). So, my background in hearing music, and playing music is truly from a personal and intimate perspective. Overall, the simplicity and sound from this setup is superlative.
You absolutely cannot go wrong with either of these monitors, though I'm leaning towards the Neumann's. On the totally acoustic stuff, the timbre on instruments is breathtaking; it's the stuff that gives you goosebumps and make you squint your eyes and go "mmmmm".
Sorry for rambling/stream of conciousness report, it's been a while since I performed an upgrade. In a world of disposable garbage products, this was a refreshing and satisfying purchase that I hope will remain in place for at least a few years until the next upgrade bug bites.
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A little over a month ago, I got Genelec 8320A studio monitors and a 7350A sub with the GLM kit to replace my Neumann KH120II, KH750 and MA1 setup and your observations are spot on, especially about the sound stage. I'm keeping the Genelecs as nearfield computer speakers for the stereo imaging and overall better coherence between the left and right speakers and GLM is much, much more convenient to setup and use than MA1. That said, I did a single point calibration with GLM as recommended by Genelec as opposed to MA1 which highly recommends multi point measurements. I think I should try a single point measurement in MA1 next time to see if it makes any difference to the stereo image.
I'll be setting up the Neumanns with my sim racing rig when I get around to it.
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Hi everyone,
I recently received my pair of KH120 II, and I'm really enjoying them, especially the MA 1 calibration.
However, I'm a little concerned about how hot they get. The area shown in the picture below becomes too hot to touch. If I keep my fingers on it for more than a couple of seconds, it starts to hurt. This happens even when the speakers are idle, and I normally listen at fairly low volumes. Is this normal for the KH120 II, or should I be concerned?
Thanks in advance for your opinions!
I recently received my pair of KH120 II, and I'm really enjoying them, especially the MA 1 calibration.
However, I'm a little concerned about how hot they get. The area shown in the picture below becomes too hot to touch. If I keep my fingers on it for more than a couple of seconds, it starts to hurt. This happens even when the speakers are idle, and I normally listen at fairly low volumes. Is this normal for the KH120 II, or should I be concerned?
Thanks in advance for your opinions!
It's certainly very strange to have them "hot" while idle. The fact that both your speakers behave the same means it's probably not a malfunction. I never experienced that on my kh150s.
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