Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review

[jkml]

Hi again everyone,

The issue happened again--I set about unplugging other devices until it was just the speakers and the interface feeding them left.

Things I unplugged:
-two active avantone mixcubes
-high refresh screen
-laptop charger
-mic pre
-table lamp
-MIDI 88key controller

Unfortunately, not only did this not solve the tone hum/bass distortion, but the right speaker (previously fine) actually introduced bass distortion for the first time. Turning the speakers off then on fixed the issue, as always.

I followed up with Sennheiser (on the same long-running support ticket), and will update here if there's any solution/next steps.

 

[Cyling Nut]

I’ve had the Neumann KH120 ii for several months and I’m replacing it with the ATC SCM25A MK2.
The KH120 has better measurements and is a technological bargain at $2k.

So why switch to a non-DSP speaker that has many measurement flaws and costs 5x more?

Because the ATC sounds cleaner, clearer, with more details from top to bottom.
By comparison the KH120 sounds a bit muffled and the XLR input is soft sounding compared to the digital input.

The ATC sound character is clarity. And I like that.


Source: Eversolo DMP A8 used with Qobuz and TV.

 

[AnalogSteph]

By comparison the KH120 sounds a bit muffled and the XLR input is soft sounding compared to the digital input.

What's your listening distance and room acoustics like?

KH120 IIs would be expected to become darker out in diffuse field as their dispersion gradually narrows towards the treble. So even if they can handle the levels (and you didn't indicate they couldn't), they're not the most ideal thing for a living room setup. The ATCs should have substantially wider (but potentially less even) dispersion. One of the perks of having a 3-way.

So I guess you couldn't accommodate any KH420s space wise? They should be about the same price as your ATCs, but obviously a fair bit bigger.

As for the XLR input sounding soft, that would be a matter of how you set the analog input gain, where they have a fair bit of leeway. Plus, your digital levels may be higher than what's usual in broadcasting.

I'm pretty sure you'll be able to adequately recycle the KH120 IIs, e.g. they'd make a fabulous pair of PC speakers.

 

[bitels]

Hi again everyone,

The issue happened again--I set about unplugging other devices until it was just the speakers and the interface feeding them left.

Things I unplugged:
-two active avantone mixcubes
-high refresh screen
-laptop charger
-mic pre
-table lamp
-MIDI 88key controller

Unfortunately, not only did this not solve the tone hum/bass distortion, but the right speaker (previously fine) actually introduced bass distortion for the first time. Turning the speakers off then on fixed the issue, as always.

I followed up with Sennheiser (on the same long-running support ticket), and will update here if there's any solution/next steps.

Mine still produce this hum, on at the time. Happened twice since last post.

I did not mention it before, my speakers produce some kind of pop from time to time when on, like capacitor discharge or smth.

I might have some clue. Last time it happened I switched speakers on for a moment, and turn them off. And this pop occured with speaker turned off after few minutes. After powering on, this whine/hum was present.

It makes me think, might be some bad capacitor used by Neumann.

As I tested, almost all of kh120 II, are affected by this, I am not sure, what solution could be proposed by Neumann. Switching to new pair, wasn't helpfully like 4 times already. Waiting for this flaw to become permanent, neither...

 

[jkml]

Mine still produce this hum, on at the time. Happened twice since last post.

I did not mention it before, my speakers produce some kind of pop from time to time when on, like capacitor discharge or smth.

I might have some clue. Last time it happened I switched speakers on for a moment, and turn them off. And this pop occured with speaker turned off after few minutes. After powering on, this whine/hum was present.

It makes me think, might be some bad capacitor used by Neumann.

As I tested, almost all of kh120 II, are affected by this, I am not sure, what solution could be proposed by Neumann. Switching to new pair, wasn't helpfully like 4 times already. Waiting for this flaw to become permanent, neither...

Sorry to hear, bitels--I hope you don't mind, I've linked this thread to my support ticket, maybe they can investigate the capacitors.

 

[jkml]

Just wanted to add--the issue has occurred once or twice during playback (as opposed to just when turning the speaker on). Most recently it happened just now, which is why I'm writing this. I haven't figured out what triggers it during playback (excessive bass, transient spikes, etc). Rebooting fixes it in this scenario as well (albeit just as temporarily).

If Neumann is reading this, I really want to stress that it's affecting my ability to mix; I had to revisit a mix just now because the speaker distortion was making certain elements appear more recessed than they actually were.

 

[athlon7750]

Mine still produce this hum, on at the time. Happened twice since last post.

I did not mention it before, my speakers produce some kind of pop from time to time when on, like capacitor discharge or smth.

I might have some clue. Last time it happened I switched speakers on for a moment, and turn them off. And this pop occured with speaker turned off after few minutes. After powering on, this whine/hum was present.

It makes me think, might be some bad capacitor used by Neumann.

As I tested, almost all of kh120 II, are affected by this, I am not sure, what solution could be proposed by Neumann. Switching to new pair, wasn't helpfully like 4 times already. Waiting for this flaw to become permanent, neither...

Does it sound like this?

https://voca.ro/18rbRLrNsmTf

 

[bitels]

Does it sound like this?

https://voca.ro/18rbRLrNsmTf

Yes, that's exactly it. Does your pair also whine from time to time?

 

[athlon7750]

Yes, usually it’s the left speaker. Sometimes, it doesn’t happen for days; other times, it can occur several times within a few hours, or even every 20–30 minutes for a while. Yesterday, the right speaker did it too.

I contacted Neumann Customer Support, and they suggested it might be related to interference in the setup. I’m not sure what to make of that, since the issue occurs with both of my interfaces (UCX II and ADI-2 PRO), and with both coaxial and analog connections. They also mentioned I could send the monitors in for servicing if the issue persists.

 

[Chrise36]

Do yo

Hi again everyone,

The issue happened again--I set about unplugging other devices until it was just the speakers and the interface feeding them left.

Things I unplugged:
-two active avantone mixcubes
-high refresh screen
-laptop charger
-mic pre
-table lamp
-MIDI 88key controller

Unfortunately, not only did this not solve the tone hum/bass distortion, but the right speaker (previously fine) actually introduced bass distortion for the first time. Turning the speakers off then on fixed the issue, as always.

I followed up with Sennheiser (on the same long-running support ticket), and will update here if there's any solution/next steps.

Do you use a gaming gpu? Have you tried other sources?

 

[randomusername]

My kh80 monitor died after 4 years just after the warranty ended (i had an extended shop warranty on those). It was refusing to switch on. I took it to a local electronics repair service and they fixed it by replacing some bad capacitors, and the service man said they are not great quality and just failed. he also mentoined that it is probably a good idea to disable standby mode on those, as the constant reheating during the day affects the electronics lifespan.
Anyway i bought a new pair of 120 II s while they were repairing my 80s, since i already have the ma1 and i used to neumanns software. Does what he said make sense? should i disable the standby feature an leave them always on? i do not want another pair to last for only 4 years.

 

[NeverBetter]

I'm looking to buy the kh120ii without sub but possibly with MA1 mike/correction to use in a DIY treated (fair) 8x9ft home studio doing music (recording, mixing etc) along the lines of a Bob Dylan Nashville Skyline vibe. What do you reckon? Last monitors I had were Yamaha hs8. Should I seriously consider these or am I insane and I should take up gardening? Thankyou.

 

[yousha]

Hey, I would like to confirm with professionals one thing that bothers me a little at the moment.
My current setup is a pair of KH120 II (with a plan to add KH750 in the near future). Main use - listening enjoyment from streaming platforms (Apple Music, Qobuz) with Mac Mini as a source/streamer.
I decided to avoid additional AD/DA conversion by connecting monitors digitally with coaxial cables and thus my signal path is following: Mac Mini M4 -> DDHiFi TC100S digital interface -> KH120iiR -> KH120iiL.
Monitor alignment/calibration was done at the beginning with borrowed MA1 and Neumann MT 48 but with analog connection (XLR).
Because of that I have currently some kind of doubts whether the use of calibration files that were created and applied with XLR connection is correct to my fully digital connection?
Or do I need to make new calibration/alignment with digitally connected speakers to the audio interface?
And this is where the mess begins: at this moment I have no success to setup correctly MT48 +MA1 to start new calibration with monitors connected digitally to MT48. The issue lies mainly in volume/gain control of monitors. I’s stuck on the step with output signal level adaptation.

 

[NeverBetter]

Borrowed MA-1? I thought you needed a unique serial code from the measurement microphone? If you borrow it from somewhere aren't you attempting to use someone else's unique code?

 

[NeverBetter]

should i disable the standby feature an leave them always on? i do not want another pair to last for only 4 years.

I don't suppose you can easily just manually turn them on and off when you use them? Leaving them on 24/7, I dunno about that.

 

[Blockader]

Borrowed MA-1? I thought you needed a unique serial code from the measurement microphone? If you borrow it from somewhere aren't you attempting to use someone else's unique code?

That unique code gives access to the calibration file of a specific MA-1. Then the MA-1 can be used as an omnidirectional measurement microphone with room correction softwares like REW.

 

[dl95]

Hi, just got these and I'm trying to figure out how to best connect these to my pc. I have a SPDIF port on my motherboard as well as a SMSL DL200 which I could use the XLR or RCA but I currently have them hooked up to my headphone amp via XLR and would like to be able to switch between these monitors and my headphones easily. I was considering getting a optical to coaxial converter to make use of my SPDIF port but not sure if that's the best option. I'm also planning to get the MA1 and maybe the KH750 down the line, not sure how I would put those up. I'm guessing I'm going to need to buy an audio interface for the MA1? If so I'm not sure if I should still try to use the SPDIF on my motherboard or if I should just get one that can handle everything.

 

[NeverBetter]

Hi, just got these and I'm trying to figure out how to best connect these to my pc. I have a SPDIF port on my motherboard as well as a SMSL DL200 which I could use the XLR or RCA but I currently have them hooked up to my headphone amp via XLR and would like to be able to switch between these monitors and my headphones easily. I was considering getting a optical to coaxial converter to make use of my SPDIF port but not sure if that's the best option. I'm also planning to get the MA1 and maybe the KH750 down the line, not sure how I would put those up. I'm guessing I'm going to need to buy an audio interface for the MA1? If so I'm not sure if I should still try to use the SPDIF on my motherboard or if I should just get one that can handle everything.

You can download the manual from Neumann. I was just reading it. Goes over connections and all that. Sounds like you could save yourself trouble by having an audio interface. RME, whatever.

 

[AnalogSteph]

I'm guessing I'm going to need to buy an audio interface for the MA1? If so I'm not sure if I should still try to use the SPDIF on my motherboard or if I should just get one that can handle everything.

Going the Toslink --> coax --> AES/EBU route would still mean one less D/A-D/A conversion, even if I wouldn't consider that a major issue. It may, however, also have you running into the occasional issues with waking up from standby that have been noted here.

Anyway, the interface wouldn't have to be the fanciest thing ever, just as long as it works reliably. A Tascam US-2x2HR or the like should be just fine.

 

[lddo133]

To obtain sound quality higher than that of high-end active speakers such as Neumann KH120II with passive speakers,
1. Use high-end woofers such as SEAS, and if scan-speak is a natural sound and you want faster bass operation, use SEAS.
2. Use SEAS or scan-speak tweeters,
3. Apply a 6th-order network or higher,
4. Apply more accurate calculations with a calculator.
5. Use woofers or tweeters with as high dB as possible.