Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review

[Sokel]

Amir already stated that the 96db measurement is 1db before clipping and warning indicator showed up.
So...

 

[abdo123]

I tested at 80 dBSPL. Are you asking for even lower? That is already pretty quiet.

I don't think a person would be sensitive to distortion at such levels either, the harmonics are likely to be hugging the noise floor of the room.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

I recall that the Amir won't test at high SPL to avoid risk damaging the speakers/monitors.

Which makes absolute sense of course and is not really needed imho as the other numbers give plenty of indication how the speaker is behaving.

 

[uwotm8]

Ridicilously good due to measurements, the question is if these are really the end game speakers (well, in desktop category).
I think that comparing them to less linear Adam A7V or Focal Solo 6 may be actually surprising.
For listening, not mixing ofc

 

[unpluggged]

For listening, not mixing ofc

 

[Infinit0]

Ridicilously good due to measurements, the question is if these are really the end game speakers (well, in desktop category).
I think that comparing them to less linear Adam A7V or Focal Solo 6 may be actually surprising.
For listening, not mixing ofc

For this price point and for nearfield Desktop usage paired with a kh750 and ma1 its dificult to get any better
A pair of 8030+sub or 8330+sub could compare or then you need to paid more for the coaxial genelecs

 

[Multicore]

I've been toying with the idea of upgrading my desktop Genelec 1029A for several years. This is the most persuasive package to come along so far. It would fit physically on the desk and deliver a bit more bass extension, -3dB at 50 Hz down from 68, which is low G1 from C#2 in musical terms, and seems significant for my uses. And I can add the REQ to tame my bass modes, especially the nasty honk at A2. I can use APO Eq for playing recordings from the computer but not for monitoring or other real-time jobs.

 

[MyCuriosity]

Great neutral studio monitor for mixing and mastering.

 

[zhimbo]

If you mean the exact 60Hz ,ok,you're right,I didn't point it so exact.
Say 55Hz,50Hz?
No difference to me,plenty of music material there,and material that matters.

At 55Hz it's about 1.25%, at 50Hz about 2%.

 

[IamJF]

This or KH80 for recreational nearfield usage? (1 meter ish). I assume KH80 would be the wiser choice.

If possible get the KH120ii. I also have the KH80 for E-piano but the bigger one gives a more fullrange bass response and is no problem to listen to in 1m distance.
I would only use the KH80 as "office table" speaker with 60cm distance. But add an KH750 ;-)

 

[fineMen]

Ports shouldn't do this. If they have that much velocity... That's not great.

If it is only the cooling effect of air puffs, who cares? Especially in summer. I would see the port of the 120 as a backup for some use cases, but in general the 120 shall be supported by a set of subs.

Anyway, it is nearly impossible to blend a good driver with a small enclosure for low bass at reasonable levels. I've been there for quite a time to no avail. The port is always (!) the limiting factor today. Smaller designs tend to suggest a closed enclosure for more bass output. If side effects like puffs or port noise in general are considered.

Question is, if port noise comes out to be more or less detrimental to the overall sound quality than harmonic or intermodulation distortion (including Doppler aka phase distortion). The port noise subconciously makes more drama as far as I'm concerned.

A ported design needs, by modern standards, a relatively huge enclosure to work properly, which includes drone or passive radiators. Say, 30 liters for a 6" driver. Who is willing to advertize the 6" in bass reflex when a sealed enclosure comprising an 8" to 10" wouldn't cost significantly extra?

 

[uwotm8]

The point is, at the point where FR reaches, say, +-1.5-2 dB deviation in 80-12k Hz range with good directivety etc etc it becomes "adequate" while still can have some character to it, preferred to one person or another. And some specific benefits (or rather deviations but considered as "good") of non-convetional tweeters use (like ADAM ribbons or inverted Be dome) which at the end gets described as "better imaging" or "better reproduced fine details", "air" etc.

 

[uwotm8]

For this price point and for nearfield Desktop usage paired with a kh750 and ma1 its dificult to get any better
A pair of 8030+sub or 8330+sub could compare or then you need to paid more for the coaxial genelecs

That's actually not that far from a pair of KH 310s price but yes, "desktopness"

 

[juliangst]

I‘m considering to get new speakers for my desk setup.
Are these worth the premium over KH80 if I already have a sub?
And can I apply a high pass filter in the Neumann app without needing an external DSP?

 

[unpluggged]

And some specific benefits (or rather deviations but considered as "good") of non-convetional tweeters use (like ADAM ribbons or inverted Be dome)

Which are these "specific benefits" that come solely from "non-conventional" tweeter type?

 

[flipflop]

I‘m considering to get new speakers for my desk setup.
Are these worth the premium over KH80 if I already have a sub?

With a sub, the performance is more or less identical.
But if I were you, I'd stick with the LS50.

 

[elvii]

very cool!

Still hoping for the day we can see the Focal Trio 6's get put through your testing rig.

 

[IamJF]

With a sub, the performance is more or less identical.
But if I were you, I'd stick with the LS50.

Even with sub they are far from identical!
But for a table setup with sub KH80 would be good.

And I also have LS50 in my office and KH120ii with MA1 is a different league.

 

[Pearljam5000]

very cool!

Still hoping for the day we can see the Focal Trio 6's get put through your testing rig.

Or Trio 11

 

[Infinit0]

That's actually not that far from a pair of KH 310s price but yes, "desktopness"

But you loss the ability to use MA1 + some of the last octave of low end
I would prefer a pair of kh150 +ma1 instead of a kh310 at today prices