Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review

[boxerfan88]

Some nice measurement charts of the older KH120A model.
(need google translate to read it)

Neumann KH120A

::: 오디오랩인사이트 정식 리뷰어들의 평가입니다. 정면 주파수 응답 (Neumann KH120A Frequency Response) 근접 측정 (Neumann KH120A Nearfield Measurements) 지향성 (Neumann KH120A Horizontal Contour Plot) THD (Neumann KH120A THD, Fundamental + Harmonic distortion components) 멀티톤 테스트...

audiolabinsight.com

 

[Matias]

Some nice measurement charts of the older KH120A model.
(need google translate to read it)

Neumann KH120A

::: 오디오랩인사이트 정식 리뷰어들의 평가입니다. 정면 주파수 응답 (Neumann KH120A Frequency Response) 근접 측정 (Neumann KH120A Nearfield Measurements) 지향성 (Neumann KH120A Horizontal Contour Plot) THD (Neumann KH120A THD, Fundamental + Harmonic distortion components) 멀티톤 테스트...

audiolabinsight.com

Also on Spinorama.

Easily compare loudspeakers measurements

www.spinorama.org

 

[teashea]

Some nice measurement charts of the older KH120A model.
(need google translate to read it)

Neumann KH120A

::: 오디오랩인사이트 정식 리뷰어들의 평가입니다. 정면 주파수 응답 (Neumann KH120A Frequency Response) 근접 측정 (Neumann KH120A Nearfield Measurements) 지향성 (Neumann KH120A Horizontal Contour Plot) THD (Neumann KH120A THD, Fundamental + Harmonic distortion components) 멀티톤 테스트...

audiolabinsight.com

very interesting

 

[joeymezza]

Hey all, can I connect this speaker directly to my computer's line out in the following config:

PC line out -> speaker 1 spdif in -> speaker 1 spdif out -> speaker 2 spdif in

Or do I need an interface/DAC in the mix?

 

[unpluggged]

How are you going to connect analog output to a digital input?

 

[joeymezza]

How are you going to connect analog output to a digital input?

Thanks, perfect answer to my stupid question.

Should I be getting a usb-c to coax? New to speakers, just impulse buying these as there is a clearance.

 

[unpluggged]

Thanks, perfect answer to my stupid question

You could in principle connect it via 3.5mm TRS to 2×XLR unbalanced adapter, but in practice there is a possibility of transferring noises (hum or even modulated interference from PC components) due to ground loops. If your computer has a coaxial SPDIF output, it would be better (but at the risk of volume mishaps). The better solution would be adding an external DAC/audio interface. Even better would be a digital interface with digital volume control.

 

[joeymezza]

You could in principle connect it via 3.5mm TRS to 2×XLR unbalanced adapter, but in practice there is a possibility of transferring noises (hum or even modulated interference from PC components) due to ground loops. If your computer has a coaxial SPDIF output, it would be better (but at the risk of volume mishaps). The better solution would be adding an external DAC/audio interface. Even better would be a digital interface with digital volume control.

I have a khadas tone1 lying around that I can use for its coax output (my motherboard lacks a coax output). The chain would be

PC usb -> tone1 dac -> tone1 coax -> speakers

Would that be good enough?

 

[unpluggged]

I have a khadas tone1 lying around that I can use for its coax output (my motherboard lacks a coax output). The chain would be

PC usb -> tone1 dac -> tone1 coax -> speakers

Would that be good enough?

The Khadas Tone Board's coaxial connector can act as an output only when used as an expansion board with the VIM SBC. Otherwise it's an input. But you can use the KTB as a DAC for your speakers, you just need to find a suitable RCA male — XLR male cables. The cold pin of the XLR should be connected to the shield of RCA connector, as shown here:

But in this setup you will need to rely on your PC's volume control, which is a bit unsafe.

 

[staticV3]

I have a khadas tone1 lying around that I can use for its coax output (my motherboard lacks a coax output). The chain would be

PC usb -> tone1 dac -> tone1 coax -> speakers

Would that be good enough?

I'd buy an SMSL PO100 as DDC bridge between PC and KH120.

Yes, also relies on the PC's volume control, but afaik you can set the KH120's internal volume so that the PC maxed out is just about loud enough for your needs.

Or, if you're considering getting the MA1 at some point, the Komplete 6 MK2.

 

[unpluggged]

but afaik you can set the KH120's internal volume so that the PC maxed out is just about loud enough for your needs.

KH 120 II's Yes, you can. Both via backplate setting and in MA 1 app. The advantage here is that due to a relatively low output level of the KTB, you have a wide range of speaker sensitivity adjustment.

BTW, in MA 1 software I set the output to 85 dB and mainly listen at about −30 dB volume setting. Strangely I couldn't find to which digital level reference these output values correspond (they do say it's at 0 dBu for analog inputs, so my guess is −18...−20 dBFS, based on some hints in the manual).

Or, if you're considering getting the MA1 at some point, the Komplete 6 MK2.

@joeymezza I vote for getting the MA 1 right away. Some retailers also offer it as part of a bundle.

 

[joeymezza]

@unpluggged @staticV3 thanks both - very helpful

I won't be buying the MA 1 as I'm really only buying these as they are on clearance and I don't want to spend much more, so I think going with the PO100 is the best idea here. I am assuming the chain is simply PC -> PO100 -> Speakers?

 

[staticV3]

I am assuming the chain is simply PC -> PO100 -> Speakers?

You want to make sure that whatever DDC you use, supports UAC2 Hardware volume control.

Otherwise, when playing on Windows, switching from regular audio playback to ASIO/Wasapi Exclusive will suddenly boost volume to 100% as Windows' software volume ceases to function.

With UAC2 support, the Windows volume will always work reliably.

If you don't use ASIO or Wasapi Exclusive, then this is not an issue.

On macOS OTOH, the default system volume will be locked to 100% without UAC2 support. You'll just get this pop-up when trying to adjust volume:


The original SMSL PO100 supported UAC2 flawlessly, but they released a firmware update that removed that functionality, without mentioning it in the changelog or giving people the option to revert back to the factory firmware (something I'm still kind of salty about as a PO100 owner).

Whether the refreshed PO100 2024 supports UAC2 volume, I don't know.

The PO100 Pro supports it though.

 

[teashea]

Why don't you buy an inexpensive, quality audio interface like the SSL 2? Don't make things so complex. Simplicity is a virtue.

 

[unpluggged]

I won't be buying the MA 1 as I'm really only buying these as they are on clearance

I don't see how the former should follow the latter. All the more so, then you'd have a spare budget for the MA 1. And it doesn't cost "much more", while brings much of improvement. OK, if not right away, then get it a bit later, it's definitely worth it.

And I'm surprised to hear they're on clearance. Are you sure this is about the KH 120 II and not the old KH 120?

 

[joeymezza]

I don't see how the former should follow the latter. All the more so, then you'd have a spare budget for the MA 1. And it doesn't cost "much more", while brings much of improvement. OK, if not right away, then get it a bit later, it's definitely worth it.

And I'm surprised to hear they're on clearance. Are you sure this is about the KH 120 II and not the old KH 120?

Yeah they are the IIs, the last two in stock at a local store.

 

[joeymezza]

I'd buy an SMSL PO100 as DDC bridge between PC and KH120.

Yes, also relies on the PC's volume control, but afaik you can set the KH120's internal volume so that the PC maxed out is just about loud enough for your needs.

Or, if you're considering getting the MA1 at some point, the Komplete 6 MK2.

Ended up going with this combo (with the PO100 2024).

I emailed SMSL and they've confirmed it doesn't support UAC2, but it doesn't really matter to me as a measly Spotify enjoyer.

Sounds great, definitely a step up from my old M20 HDs from Q Acoustics.

I have the windows volume at 20/100, with the onboard controls at 94db output and -15db gain and it's pretty darn loud.

 

[staticV3]

I have the windows volume at 20/100, with the onboard controls at 94db output and -15db gain and it's pretty darn loud.

Probably smart to setup the KH120 so that setting Windows to 100% is just about bearable volume-wise.

That way, you have a lot more granularity when controlling volume, and you're protected in case you accidentally use ASIO or you fatfinger Windows to 100%.

 

[joeymezza]

Probably smart to setup the KH120 so that setting Windows to 100% is just about bearable volume-wise.

That way, you have a lot more granularity when controlling volume, and you're protected in case you accidentally use ASIO or you fatfinger Windows to 100%.

I would like to do that, but I am not entirely sure how - would you have any pointers?

 

[unpluggged]

I would like to do that, but I am not entirely sure how - would you have any pointers?

Via the backplate controls or in the MA 1 software (System Level setting).