Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review

[jkml]

Do yo

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

Hi--apologies for the late reply, I seem to have accidentally unsub'd from this thread. No gaming GPU in my setup. Swapping sources doesn't do anything, at least not for me.

 

[dl95]

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.

From what I am reading, I need the monitors to be on the same audio interface as the mic. So I'm thinking that SPDIF output is a must if I prefer to stay digital? Not sure if I'm misunderstanding. If so then I think that greatly limits my audio interface options. Seems like I would need to get something like the Scarlett 8i6 or something else, not sure what's good to get considering I would only really be using these for the mic and speakers.

 

[unpluggged]

So I'm thinking that SPDIF output is a must if I prefer to stay digital?

Yes, and preferably, a volume-controlled one, but for the alignment procedure you can do with setting the speaker output level via the MA 1 app.

 

[NeverBetter]

Duplicate.

 

[Chrise36]

Hi--apologies for the late reply, I seem to have accidentally unsub'd from this thread. No gaming GPU in my setup. Swapping sources doesn't do anything, at least not for me.

I think they need to be serviced.

 

[jkml]

I think they need to be serviced.

It's possible, I'm still talking to Sennheiser about this so we'll see

 

[dl95]

I got these set up via toslink -> toslink to optical converter -> 1st KH120 -> 2nd KH120 and I'm having issues with the audio randomly dropping in volume on both speakers, not always at the same time. I tried connecting the other KH120 to the converter and it still happens. Does this sound like an issue with either the toslink cable or the toslink converter? Since this is a fully digital setup there should be no issues with interference or what not right?

 

[levimax]

I got these set up via toslink -> toslink to optical converter -> 1st KH120 -> 2nd KH120 and I'm having issues with the audio randomly dropping in volume on both speakers, not always at the same time. I tried connecting the other KH120 to the converter and it still happens. Does this sound like an issue with either the toslink cable or the toslink converter? Since this is a fully digital setup there should be no issues with interference or what not right?

I would guess the converter is the issue.

 

[unpluggged]

toslink to optical converter

What is this?

1st KH120 -> 2nd KH120

The KH 120 does not have a digital input (unless it's the KH 120 D). And no optical input in both versions.

Also, this thread is about the KH 120 II, not the KH 120.

 

[dl95]

What is this?


The KH 120 does not have a digital input (unless it's the KH 120 D). And no optical input in both versions.

Also, this thread is about the KH 120 II, not the KH 120.

I meant the KH 120 II, I just didn't bother to type out the II since this thread is for the KH 120 II. The Toslink to Coaxial (oops realized I said toslink to optical) converter is just a small device that takes in optical TOSLINK input and outputs to digital RCA coaxial which the KH 120 II has both an input and output that you can connect to another KH 120 II.

 

[unpluggged]

I meant the KH 120 II, I just didn't bother to type out the II since this thread is for the KH 120 II. The Toslink to Coaxial (oops realized I said toslink to optical) converter is just a small device that takes in optical TOSLINK input and outputs to digital RCA coaxial which the KH 120 II has both an input and output that you can connect to another KH 120 II.

Now it's clearer. It looks like either your converter outputs a signal with substandard electrical characteristics or your source's toslink output has too much jitter or clock deviation that causes the converter and/or the speaker to lose synchronization. Which sampling rate does your signal carry? Try set it to 48 kHz if it's higher, this could help.

I would also try to connect the speakers directly to a proven coaxial digital source to rule this case out.

P.S. Also I'd check the optical and coaxial cables, especially the latter. If the speakers are daisy-chained, it's important to use proper coaxial cables with 75 ohm characteristic impedance. Since the digital inputs are internally terminated, as specified by the manufacturer, no need to use additional terminators at the last speaker in the chain.

 

[dl95]

Now it's clearer. It looks like either your converter outputs a non-standard signal or your source's toslink output has too much jitter or clock deviation that causes the converter and/or the speaker to lose synchronization. Which sampling rate does your signal carry? Try set it to 48 kHz if it's higher, this could help.

I would also try to connect the speakers directly to a proven coaxial digital source to rule this case out.

Yup that was my thought. I did try to set it to 48 khz and it didn't help. Unfortunately I don't have a coaxial digital source on hand. I was hoping this cheap solution would last me for a while until I figured out which interface I wanted to buy, probably need to speed that up now. Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 seems like probably the cheapest thing that does what I need that isn't like a decade old.

 

[unpluggged]

Yup that was my thought. I did try to set it to 48 khz and it didn't help. Unfortunately I don't have a coaxial digital source on hand. I was hoping this cheap solution would last me for a while until I figured out which interface I wanted to buy, probably need to speed that up now. Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 seems like probably the cheapest thing that does what I need that isn't like a decade old.

Have a look at my edited post regarding cabling. I still mainly suspect the source and the converter (which one is it, by the way?), though.

 

[dl95]

Have a look at my edited post regarding cabling. I still mainly suspect the source and the converter (which one is it, by the way?), though.

Hmm the cables I bought did not explicitly say 75 ohms but based on my understanding 75 ohms is pretty much the standard for these types of cables.

This was the converter I got, definitely a cheaply made device so I would not be surprised if it or the cable was defective.

https://www.amazon.com/diaogenlee-Optical-Converter-Bi-Directional-Splitter/dp/B0D1NWVR9Z

 

[lordhumungous]

I had two of these monitors in my home office and have a question. They sounded great but the volume output of one monitor was higher than the other even though the output on the back of both monitors was the same . The connection was XLR from a Benchmark. preamp. I was only 3 feet away and it was a noticeable difference.

Anyone else seen this on these monitors?

 

[dl95]

I had two of these monitors in my home office and have a question. They sounded great but the volume output of one monitor was higher than the other even though the output on the back of both monitors was the same . The connection was XLR from a Benchmark. preamp. I was only 3 feet away and it was a noticeable difference.

Anyone else seen this on these monitors?

Yeah I thought that too. I had it connected via XLR and it sounded a little off with my left sounding louder than the right. I didn't know if I was imagining it.

 

[lordhumungous]

Yeah I thought that too. I had it connected via XLR and it sounded a little off with my left sounding louder than the right. I didn't know if I was imagining it.

My son yesterday walked into my office yesterday as well and I asked hm what he thought about the audio quality. He said it was terrific but why was one monitor louder than the other . I told him i had no idea as all the settings on the back of both monitors was the same.

 

[dl95]

My son yesterday walked into my office yesterday as well and I asked hm what he thought about the audio quality. He said it was terrific but why was one monitor louder than the other . I told him i had no idea as all the settings on the back of both monitors was the same.

I switched to digital and I think the volume imbalance went away. But now I'm having issues with volume drops and popping. I think it is an issue with my digital input so I'm waiting to see if a replacement fixes the issue.

 

[lordhumungous]

I switched to digital and I think the volume imbalance went away. But now I'm having issues with volume drops and popping. I think it is an issue with my digital input so I'm waiting to see if a replacement fixes the issue.

Well as great as they sound , I'm not gonna keep them based on my volume imbalance assessment. I was gonna use them strictly using xlr.

 

[levimax]

Well as great as they sound , I'm not gonna keep them based on my volume imbalance assessment. I was gonna use them strictly using xlr.

Before you send them back you may want to switch either the cables or the speakers to make sure the issue stays with the same speaker and that it is not an input issue.