Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review

[Matias]

@jwalkmusic Welcome to ASR. KH120 II is awesome, but for EDM I think a sub is still needed for <50Hz.

 

[staticV3]

Hi @jwalkmusic! Welcome to ASR.

Here's a more Apples-to-Apples comparison to the Adam A7V: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nn-kh120-ii-monitor-review.46362/post-2360952

Neumann's A8H competitor is the KH310.

Also yes, a sub (or better yet two) is highly recommended for producing electronic music.

 

[jwalkmusic]

Hi @jwalkmusic! Welcome to ASR.

Here's a more Apples-to-Apples comparison to the Adam A7V: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nn-kh120-ii-monitor-review.46362/post-2360952

Neumann's A8H competitor is the KH310.

Also yes, a sub (or better yet two) is highly recommended for producing electronic music.

Yeah I saw the A7V comparison data. Looks like the KH120II are more flat/accurate. Thx for the reply.

 

[kyuu]

I was looking at the Adam A8H but I think that may be too much for space and I stumbled across the KH120 II.

What do you guys think about these for my use? Also sub needed or not given the styles I"m producing. I've become accustomed to a sub with my current setup. I can probably slide 2k for the monitors past the wife pretty easy, 4k may take a little more convincing lol. Also I'd get the mic package.

KH120 II should be perfect. I would always recommend a sub.

 

[teashea]

Hey guys,

I'm in the process of upgrading my monitors. Up until now I've had an entry level set of ProSonus Eris E44s with a Temblor T8 sub.

My room is 10' wide x 12' long with 10ft ceilings. Never treated before but will be getting bass traps and panels for the room.

I produce electronic music, mainly Melodic Techno and Deep progressive. I want something better for mixing but also do quite a bit of general use at my computer from listening to music and some gaming.

I was looking at the Adam A8H but I think that may be too much for space and I stumbled across the KH120 II.

What do you guys think about these for my use? Also sub needed or not given the styles I"m producing. I've become accustomed to a sub with my current setup. I can probably slide 2k for the monitors past the wife pretty easy, 4k may take a little more convincing lol. Also I'd get the mic package.

No matter what treatment you use, that room will never allow quality bass below 80 Hz. The wavelengths are simply too large to control in that room.

Using a sub would simply intensify the room problems.

The KH120II's would be excellent.

best wishes

 

[jwalkmusic]

No matter what treatment you use, that room will never allow quality bass below 80 Hz. The wavelengths are simply too large to control in that room.

Using a sub would simply intensify the room problems.

The KH120II's would be excellent.

best wishes

Thanks for insight. Kinda wish the 750 had a foot pedal to bypass the sub. That way I could have the sub on for production and general use then turn it off when mixing. Oh well guess there are compromises with everything.

 

[mj30250]

Thanks for insight. Kinda wish the 750 had a foot pedal to bypass the sub. That way I could have the sub on for production and general use then turn it off when mixing. Oh well guess there are compromises with everything.

If you have the MA 1 software you can use it to switch the 120s between bass managed and running them full range, which I believe bypasses the sub.

It's not as quick/easy as a foot pedal but it's not too bad.

 

[boxerfan88]

My room is 10' wide x 12' long with 10ft ceilings. Never treated before but will be getting bass traps and panels for the room.

I produce electronic music, mainly Melodic Techno and Deep progressive. I want something better for mixing but also do quite a bit of general use at my computer from listening to music and some gaming.
.

You’re into EDM, sub is needed.

My room is slightly larger than yours, I have KH310 with one sub, and it’s just perfect for the room. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that a sub is not good for your room.

 

[jwalkmusic]

You’re into EDM, sub is needed.

My room is slightly larger than yours, I have KH310 with one sub, and it’s just perfect for the room. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that a sub is not good for your room.

Good info there. I realize some answers may be directed toward the optimum or ideal environment for professional use and I appreciate all the feedback. But I don't do this for a living. This is my fun downtime hobby and I'm just trying to make the best I can of the space I have. And and the same time not go overboard and spend way more than I need to get a good result. I'm not gonna lie though those 310s look nice. Maybe an upgrade someday.

 

[boxerfan88]

I auditioned the KH150 before buying my KH310. They are quite close in terms of performance. KH150 have better imaging, laser sharp, KH310 midrange is just ooh la la. I chose midrange.

If you can stretch your budget, skip the KH120+sub and go straight for KH150+sub; and you’ll be very happy person, and can push the upgrade itch far out many many years.

 

[jwalkmusic]

Just to follow up I went for the Kh120 ii and a 750 sub. It's plenty loud for my space. And they sound so good. I just set them up today so I haven't had time to do the dsp calibration but they sound so much better than my old presonus. A/B reference tracks the presonus sound so muddy in the mid and low range. Everything runs together. With the Neumann I can hear every part of the composition so clearly. Man what have I been missing? Guess thats thats the difference in a sub 1000.00 setup and a 4000.00 setup.

 

[Soria Moria]

Do people have the tweeter at ear level or slightly above it?

 

[somebodyelse]

Do people have the tweeter at ear level or slightly above it?

Tweeter should be a bit above ear level. In the tests the reference axis was the top of the woofer ring. The ear should be close to the reference axis.

 

[carlosatl]

its true, if the 120ii have enough loudness for your listening distance there is like 0 sense in looking at anything else after buying them. You won’t get anything “sonically better”. And functionality wise they are excellent, you are getting an amp, dsp box, calibration software, even a dac in one package. And all of those are top notch

What about cardiod, or co- axial, how much better would that really be?

 

[solawind]

What about cardiod, or co- axial, how much better would that really be?

Shouldn’t be any better, if you don’t need a wider listening spot

 

[teashea]

Tweeter should be a bit above ear level. In the tests the reference axis was the top of the woofer ring. The ear should be close to the reference axis.

The positioning of the tweeter and the monitor as a while depend on the dispersion characteristics of the monitor. These characteristics vary widely. Study the results of Amir's reviews here and you will see.

Moreover, it is the angle that is determinative (in conjunction with the dispersion characteristics).

In my studio I have seven pairs of Neumann monitors. There dispersion characteristics are excellent. They are all positioned in very nearfield (1 to 1.2 meters). For each pair I carefully ensure that my positioning of the monitors is in accordance with these factors. In some instances the tweeters are as much as five inches above or below my ear level.

 

[somebodyelse]

The positioning of the tweeter and the monitor as a while depend on the dispersion characteristics of the monitor. These characteristics vary widely. Study the results of Amir's reviews here and you will see.

The question wasn't about monitors in general though - it was about the KH 120 II in particular. My advice was based on this section of the review in post #1:

2-way non-coaxial speakers show the classic dip off-axis so best to stick to reference axis (upper ring of the woofer):

That unusual axis is consistent with reviews here of other Neumann monitors, and was discussed at length when trying to find the source of the inconsistency in the original KH 80 DSP review. If you want a primary source rather than the review you can look on page 7 of Neumann's manual:

The acoustical axis of the loudspeaker is between the bass and tweeter drivers.

Always point the acoustical axis, in the horizontal and vertical planes, towards the listening position.

The acoustical axis is a line perpendicular to the loudspeaker’s front panel along which the microphone was placed to tune the loudspeaker’s crossover when the monitor was designed. Pointing the acoustical axis, in the horizontal and vertical planes, toward the listening position or center of the monitoring area will give the best measured and perceived transient response quality.

 

[Toshiba191]

Can I use these speakers for midfield listening in my living room?

My room is 20 m2 (4x5). The listening position is 3 meters away. I'm mostly listening to music at low to medium volumes.

The other speakers I'm looking at are the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 V2 and the AsciLab C6B.

 

[teashea]

No more than 2.5 meters

 

[levimax]

Can I use these speakers for midfield listening in my living room?

My room is 20 m2 (4x5). The listening position is 3 meters away. I'm mostly listening to music at low to medium volumes.

The other speakers I'm looking at are the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 V2 and the AsciLab C6B.

According to Neuman you are probably OK for low to medium volumes but not for loud listening

Recommended Listening Distance	1.0 … 2.0 m; (3'… 6')
Feasible Listening Distance	0.75 … 4.0 m; (2'6"… 12')