Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review

[IamJF]

No - the opposite.
"Low frequencies deeper and louder - as expected. Sounds bigger, like one step up."

 

[DuneArchitect]

A fixed crossioer at 85Hz can be a pain. Maybe use an small external dsp crossover for the woofer and just use the internal DSP and EQ of the neumanns to shape the LF.
But that needs a lot of measurements to fit together and you need to know what you are doing.

Yep the Neumann's should arrive today and I plan to set them up first alone. However to clarify: what are you suggesting to do to shape the LF? (since the Neumann DSP will not affect from 85hZ down?)

My plan is to attempt to use the Neumann DSP on 85hz and up, and a software DRC on the sub frequencies. I realize this may be very difficult to get right, but I'm pretty patient and methodical

 

[dickiefunk]

I've been told the KH120ii's sound a little brighter than the original KH120's by a couple of people who have compared both. Also, looking at some measurements people have posted, the KH120ii's seem to have more in the 4k and 6-8k region if I'm reading them correctly. I also have another pair of bigger which have a noticeable boost in these frequencies and sound brighter than the KH120's. One thing that really impresses me with the KH120's is the depth of bass and soundstage. The KH120's sound as deep as the bigger monitors and the soundstage sounds wider and deeper. If the new KH120ii's are a noticeable improvement over the originals I will be very tempted to upgrade mine. I've also been offered a great deal on a secondhand pair of KH150's but I have a feeling these might not be as suitable for my small mixing room. I also sit pretty close to my monitors whilst mixing and some people I've spoken to prefer smaller monitors when working close.

I also have an Eve TS108 sub which I use mainly when tracking bass players who like it loud and big. I love the remote control workflow and ease of use of the TS108 and it sounds surprisingly good. I also use it when clients want to hear a big full range sound but when mixing I rely on just the KH120's and headphones (currently Beyer DT880pro's but will soon be upgraded to either Neumann NDH-30's or possibly something from Audeze). I've considered the KH750 but find needing an external router for these to be able to control them via remote control quite clumsy. I also like how easy it is to mute the Eve sub via the remote control and power it on and off.

 

[Tafelberg]

I am thinking about upgrading my desktop audio to KH120II.

My audio source is my PC running Windows 11, 64bit.

Is this the best way to get to audio from my PC to the KH120II...
PC -> USB to S/PDIF converter -> KH120II

But how do I control the volume? I think it would be kinda annoying to always have to use the mouse to click on the Windows sound icon to turn it up or down.

 

[Curvature]

I am thinking about upgrading my desktop audio to KH120II.

My audio source is my PC running Windows 11, 64bit.

Is this the best way to get to audio from my PC to the KH120II...
PC -> USB to S/PDIF converter -> KH120II

But how do I control the volume? I think it would be kinda annoying to always have to use the mouse to click on the Windows sound icon to turn it up or down.

Create a global hotkey for volume up, down and mute.

 

[Bambo]

Does anyone know if it is possible to use the Neumann MA1 for more than just measurements within the MA1 application? What I mean. I have 120 II, I measured them with the MA1 microphone in the MA1 application and everything is great! After this, can I give this microphone to a friend whose monitors are not Neumann and who is already taking measurements using, for example, Sonarworks and the MA1 microphone? Sonarworks supports third-party measuring microphones, but this requires a calibration file. Is it possible to get such a calibration file for the MA1 microphone? Has anyone asked this question?

 

[DJBonoBobo]

Does anyone know if it is possible to use the Neumann MA1 for more than just measurements within the MA1 application? What I mean. I have 120 II, I measured them with the MA1 microphone in the MA1 application and everything is great! After this, can I give this microphone to a friend whose monitors are not Neumann and who is already taking measurements using, for example, Sonarworks and the MA1 microphone? Sonarworks supports third-party measuring microphones, but this requires a calibration file. Is it possible to get such a calibration file for the MA1 microphone? Has anyone asked this question?

Here:

MA 1

ma1.neumann.com

See also: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...hout-connecting-neumann-monitors.33663/page-2

 

[Bambo]

Здесь:

MA 1

ma1.neumann.com

См. также: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/obtaining-the-ma-1-ка

Thanks a lot!

 

[somebodyelse]

But how do I control the volume? I think it would be kinda annoying to always have to use the mouse to click on the Windows sound icon to turn it up or down.

You can get USB volume knobs - a rotary encoder that sends the volume up/down key presses when you turn it.

If you don't mind a bit of DIY you can make a more customised one with USB or bluetooth keyboard operation (Pi Pico or ESP32 HID examples.) Alternatively you can make a controller for the Neumanns instead of changing the Windows volume.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

I am thinking about upgrading my desktop audio to KH120II.

My audio source is my PC running Windows 11, 64bit.

Is this the best way to get to audio from my PC to the KH120II...
PC -> USB to S/PDIF converter -> KH120II

But how do I control the volume? I think it would be kinda annoying to always have to use the mouse to click on the Windows sound icon to turn it up or down.

Or get an Audio Interface. Most have volume control some even remotes. (Although some interfaces also have SPDIF out, there will not be an audible difference whether you run SPDIF or XLR cables to your Kh120ii ). You need an Audio Interface anyhow to make the best use of your KH120ii built in DSP capabilities in connection with an MA1 mic.

 

[harshalbid271]

Anyone suffering from RF interference on their monitors? I got a pair of kh120 ii for my desktop, and honestly, the intermittent buzzing that I hear sometimes breaks immersion enough to make me want to return these. And I otherwise love them and would want to keep them. I wonder if Genelecs, or hifi products like buchardt A10 would handle EM noise around my desk better.

 

[perlindgren]

Are you sure its the speakers themselves and not your soundcard or something? Seems weird, had no issues with mine (neither kh80/nor kh120ii) and I have them in presumably noisy EM environments.

 

[adg]

I haven't had cellphone interference with my KH120 II's, prior 8030Cs, or any of my many speaker/DAC combinations in recent memory.

 

[RDoc]

Anyone suffering from RF interference on their monitors? I got a pair of kh120 ii for my desktop, and honestly, the intermittent buzzing that I hear sometimes breaks immersion enough to make me want to return these. And I otherwise love them and would want to keep them. I wonder if Genelecs, or hifi products like buchardt A10 would handle EM noise around my desk better.

Are you using the recommended XLR cabling, or at least the recommended grounded cable? I've only seen RF interference with very long (>30') unshielded runs between preamp and amplifier, and even then it was very low and I think it was a local AM radio station. That's not to say you don't have it, but I'd look at other things first. Try unplugging everything else nearby maybe.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

Anyone suffering from RF interference on their monitors? I got a pair of kh120 ii for my desktop, and honestly, the intermittent buzzing that I hear sometimes breaks immersion enough to make me want to return these. And I otherwise love them and would want to keep them. I wonder if Genelecs, or hifi products like buchardt A10 would handle EM noise around my desk better.

Is it buzzing too when everything is disconnected? If not, it is your gear or cabling and definitely not the speakers.
(Mine are dead quiet).

 

[harshalbid271]

Its encouraging to know that I should at least expect them to be dead quiet. I'm not sure what that noise should be categorized as. RF interference is just my best guess based on the kind of noise it is, but I don't see any clear correlation of the noise with bringing electronics closer or further away from the speakers.

I got a 50 dollar power conditioner hoping to fix possible power related noise, based on a B&H rep's advice. And the speakers are connected with XLR cables to an RME interface. Also, with them just powered on and nothing connected, the noise is still there. Its an intermittent, fixed, high-pitched tone, on top of a background hiss(which is typically inaudible from a listening distance).

Maybe I just need to get a different pair?

 

[IamJF]

Is it with both speakers? That could be a wrong running switching power supply.
I would for sure get new ones, with nothing connected they need to be silent.

You only could test with proper termination of the input - put a 50R resistor in a XLR plug (pin 2&3) or just short pin 2&3. The input noise of the circuit goes down and the input doesn't pick up any RF. When the noise STILL persits you have a faulty speaker. (or EXTREME wild power supply)

 

[adg]

Its encouraging to know that I should at least expect them to be dead quiet. I'm not sure what that noise should be categorized as. RF interference is just my best guess based on the kind of noise it is, but I don't see any clear correlation of the noise with bringing electronics closer or further away from the speakers.

I got a 50 dollar power conditioner hoping to fix possible power related noise, based on a B&H rep's advice. And the speakers are connected with XLR cables to an RME interface. Also, with them just powered on and nothing connected, the noise is still there. Its an intermittent, fixed, high-pitched tone, on top of a background hiss(which is typically inaudible from a listening distance).

Maybe I just need to get a different pair?

Are you using a PC? If so, do you have a dedicated graphics card? I used to deal with coil whine from a GPU, but it only happened when my machine would start displaying things at a very high frame rate. The noise originated from inside my computer, but it was able to travel through my audio chain and be amplified by my speaker system at the time. That said, I believe that was only an issue when I had an RCA-based setup at my desk, but I don't remember.

 

[LostJack]

Anyone suffering from RF interference on their monitors? I got a pair of kh120 ii for my desktop, and honestly, the intermittent buzzing that I hear sometimes breaks immersion enough to make me want to return these. And I otherwise love them and would want to keep them. I wonder if Genelecs, or hifi products like buchardt A10 would handle EM noise around my desk better.

Yes me, and Neumann was not helpfull at all. Both monitor suffered interference. After i noticed some weird noises, i tried with a smartphone and even from 35/40 cm both monitors picked up interferences. Even with no input attached. Also i had problems with distortion at low frequency with both monitors. Tryed different cables and all. Never had this kind of problems even with cheaper monitors. Neumann should give more info and possible resolutions when someone ask for help. Obiuvsly i sent them back. (EDIT: the 120 mkII were powered and tested even with a furuman power conditioner. My audio interface is a RME babyface).

 

[harshalbid271]

Are you using a PC? If so, do you have a dedicated graphics card? I used to deal with coil whine from a GPU, but it only happened when my machine would start displaying things at a very high frame rate. The noise originated from inside my computer, but it was able to travel through my audio chain and be amplified by my speaker system at the time. That said, I believe that was only an issue when I had an RCA-based setup at my desk, but I don't remember.

Pc can be a major noise source, but I've ruled that out as a possible cause by hearing the same noise when the PCs off.

Yes me, and Neumann was not helpfull at all. Both monitor suffered interference. After i noticed some weird noises, i tried with a smartphone and even from 35/40 cm both monitors picked up interferences. Even with no input attached. Also i had problems with distortion at low frequency with both monitors. Tryed different cables and all. Never had this kind of problems even with cheaper monitors. Neumann should give more info and possible resolutions when someone ask for help. Obiuvsly i sent them back. (EDIT: the 120 mkII were powered and tested even with a furuman power conditioner. My audio interface is a RME babyface).

That's a bummer, did you try a replacement set? Or did you move on entirely?