Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review

[dovahkiin1997]

If you need deeper bass, have space and budget, then KH150 is your speaker.

i have the small room to listen speaker，so i think the size kh120 is limit to me

 

[Vincentponcet]

Bought a pair in December 2024 from a reputable audio music shop. I use them as desktop monitors. They sound fantastic.
In September 2025, one didn't output any sound. I tested by reversing all the cables.
I returned it. It took 1.5 months to get it back to me.
So good repair service, a bit long to be honest. I'm disappointed anyway.
I'm afraid this could happen again after the two years warranty.

 

[carlosatl]

Bought a pair in December 2024 from a reputable audio music shop. I use them as desktop monitors. They sound fantastic.
In September 2025, one didn't output any sound. I tested by reversing all the cables.
I returned it. It took 1.5 months to get it back to me.
So good repair service, a bit long to be honest. I'm disappointed anyway.
I'm afraid this could happen again after the two years warranty.

Wow simply wow. I currently own a pair of Neumann monitors, I guess we will see what happens. Your experience sounds a bit concerning to say the least.

 

[Breeze98]

Bought a pair of KH150 AES67 in December 2023 and in the summer of 2025 one of the speaker's RJ-45 primary port stopped connecting to a router permanently, so thereby it wasn't able to link up to MA-1. Both speakers' auto standby would also not work occasionally (so that no sound came out of one speaker IIRC), requiring them to be turned off and then on again in order to reset. That only happened every 1.5 to 2 months or so.

Sent them to Sennheiser for repair but after 3 months, they still hadn't fixed them, due to a part being on 'backorder'. I only found this out by emailing them, as there were no updates from them about the repair delay.

In the interim, I lost patience and ended up buying a new pair of speakers (Genelec this time) and after complaining, Sennheiser sent me a new set of monitors because they still weren't repaired.

It was my first warranty claim in thirty years of being in the hifi hobby, ironically happening to my most expensive electronic based purchase in that period. I was lucky that the issue occured inside the (worryingly short) two-year warranty, as I've no idea how much it would have cost otherwise, including shipping to Germany.

Since then, I also purchased a Neumann MT48 interface and that also developed a minor issue and was sent to Germany for repair recently, although the turnover was much quicker, just a week or two. They also threw in a free Dante upgrade with the repair, which was nice of them, and the customer reps have always been pleasant to deal with by email and the one time I called them.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Bought a pair of KH150 AES67 in December 2023 and in the summer of 2025 one of the speaker's RJ-45 primary port stopped connecting to a router permanently, so thereby it wasn't able to link up to MA-1. Both speakers' auto standby would also not work occasionally (so that no sound came out of one speaker IIRC), requiring them to be turned off and then on again in order to reset. That only happened every 1.5 to 2 months or so.

Sent them to Sennheiser for repair but after 3 months, they still hadn't fixed them, due to a part being on 'backorder'. I only found this out by emailing them, as there were no updates from them about the repair delay.

In the interim, I lost patience and ended up buying a new pair of speakers (Genelec this time) and after complaining, Sennheiser sent me a new set of monitors because they still weren't repaired.

It was my first warranty claim in thirty years of being in the hifi hobby, ironically happening to my most expensive electronic based purchase in that period. I was lucky that the issue occured inside the (worryingly short) two-year warranty, as I've no idea how much it would have cost otherwise, including shipping to Germany.

Since then, I also purchased a Neumann MT48 interface and that also developed a minor issue and was sent to Germany for repair recently, although the turnover was much quicker, just a week or two. They also threw in a free Dante upgrade with the repair, which was nice of them, and the customer reps have always been pleasant to deal with by email and the one time I called them.

Which did you like more Neumann or Genelec

 

[Breeze98]

Which did you like more Neumann or Genelec

The Genmanns were my preference

 

[Breeze98]

Which did you like more Neumann or Genelec

To answer your question more seriously, sorry I had the 150's prior to the 8341's and not at the same time. Aural memory being what it is (ie not reliable), I cannot offer any meaningful subjective comparisons. Plus it's two way v three-way of course.

What I can say about the 8341's is that they make better desktop speakers for me (as I often move inside 80cms distance while seated) due to their point source design. On the flipside, they are so revealing of source material that a lot of stuff (live tv, radio, podcasts, random downloads etc) is not always pleasant to listen to, although tone control helps. The KH150 while also revealing are, to an extent, the safer speaker for less than well-recorded material. In short, both are fantastic monitors and you cannot go wrong with either imo!

I have some reservations about Neumann QC, as per my previous post and some other people's posts. However, they are a top company and I'm sure have already improved things in that regard.

 

[Kalla94]

KH120 II - Issue

When I turn it on the red light changes to white but then loud crackling sounds and pops or nothing can be heard.

I've had them for a little over two years, barely used. Warranty expired.

I tried all the troubleshooting tips but the error is in the (hardware) monitor.

I searched the internet and found information that they replace the entire circuit board regardless of the problem and that the cost of repair sometimes exceeds the price of a new monitor.

I'm disappointed..

https://imgur.com/dVnuyN8

 

[Kalla94]

Bought a pair in December 2024 from a reputable audio music shop. I use them as desktop monitors. They sound fantastic.
In September 2025, one didn't output any sound. I tested by reversing all the cables.
I returned it. It took 1.5 months to get it back to me.
So good repair service, a bit long to be honest. I'm disappointed anyway.
I'm afraid this could happen again after the two years warranty.

I've had them for a little over two years, barely used. Warranty expired. One give up

https://imgur.com/dVnuyN8

 

[carlosatl]

I've had them for a little over two years, barely used. Warranty expired. One give up

https://imgur.com/dVnuyN8

How did I you operate them? Near field , midfield???

 

[Breeze98]

I've had them for a little over two years, barely used. Warranty expired. One give up

Oh dear, yet another issue reported and sorry to hear that. Please let us know how it goes, as will be helpful for others to know. Fingers crossed they don't charge that much despite what your research might suggest. Good luck.

 

[Kalla94]

How did I you operate them? Near field , midfield???

Near field, why are you asking?

 

[dickiefunk]

Sorry to hear another KH120-II fault. I’ve had my original KH120’s around 14 years and haven’t had any issues thankfully. I’m wondering if they changed some of the parts in different revisions over the years?

I am considering changing my EVE TS108 sub for the Neumann KH750dsp but am a little concerned about it developing a fault? I need something very reliable as I use these virtually every day!

I’m also considering selling my KH120’s and Eve TS108 and change to either the KH150’s or something like the IK Precision 6 mk2.

 

[Kalla94]

Oh dear, yet another issue reported and sorry to hear that. Please let us know how it goes, as will be helpful for others to know. Fingers crossed they don't charge that much despite what your research might suggest. Good luck.

Thank you.

We'll see, I sent an email directly to Neumann with all the details and this video. I will keep you all informed.

The worst thing is that I own passive speakers and an amplifier that I have "abused" for 15 years. Which are over 25 years old.

Driven in cars without protection, used at parties for 3 days in a row, turned on during thunderstorms, power outages, suddenly turned up to maximum volume by other drunk people in the middle of parties a hundred times, left out in the rain, and they still work flawlessly, the amplifier too.

If the Neumanns have been used for a total of 24 hours in these two years, I'm putting my hand in the fire.

I took care of them very well...

 

[Kalla94]

Sorry to hear another KH120-II fault. I’ve had my original KH120’s around 14 years and haven’t had any issues thankfully. I’m wondering if they changed some of the parts in different revisions over the years?

I am considering changing my EVE TS108 sub for the Neumann KH750dsp but am a little concerned about it developing a fault? I need something very reliable as I use these virtually every day!

I’m also considering selling my KH120’s and Eve TS108 and change to either the KH150’s or something like the IK Precision 6 mk2.

Do you know where I can find information about other cases?

I just found posts about KH120, KH120a and KH80 but only one post of KH120-II

KH150 uses the same circuit board as the 120 II So I don't know what to tell you.

I used them for a total of 24 hours in these two years..

 

[Ktacos]

The worst thing is that I own passive speakers and an amplifier that I have "xxxxx" for 15 years. Which are over 25 years old.

Not really appropriate choice of words here or anywhere really. Might wanna edit that.

 

[Kalla94]

Not really appropriate choice of words here or anywhere really. Might wanna edit that.

Thanks for pointing that out to me, I really didn't think about it

 

[Moonhead]

Seems like since the introduction of dsp the qc has gone downhill with Neumann
Genelec might be a saver bet.

 

[CT007]

There is essentially no noise from these speakers? The self-noise produced by the Kali IN-8 V2's(nearfield) is a bit more audible than I'd prefer. Not sure what the (amp?) noise is like on KH 120 II or similar Genelecs.

Also - can anyone say if the KH 120 II would be more revealing than a Kali IN-8 or SM-5/8? I'm not sure I would want something much more analytical/hyper-detailed/unforgiving than the IN-8, but hard to say without hearing it. Might be awesome.

 

[G-rig]

Hi all, I've got an opportunity to buy a pair of Neumann KH120A for a great price (discontinued obviously).
No doubt there is a comparison somewhere between these and the newer model KH120II but
it seems like there is still a lot of love for the original model. I am also only considering given the reduced price, not new prices.

I'm looking for some nearfield monitors for desktop (general PC, music, games, basic dj controller) and don't have space for anything too big so I think they would fit the bill. Bass won't be anything on my HS80M+HS8, was considering some HS5's and use the sub (and do away with the other setup (which fills the room very well but feels like an overkill for apartments).

As far as connectivity, I currently have the PC -> iFi Zen Dac -> Drop THX AAA789 Headphone Amp.
Is it better to:
a) Get a pair of XLR splitters from the balanced output (4.4mm pentaconn to XLR currently to headphone amp) and use the iFi in variable mode (for volume control); or
b) RCA from heapdhone amp passthrough (SE pass) to the monitors (won't be balanced but the audio stream will go to headphones as well and easy volume control for both?
c) XLR switch box (more sh1t on the desk)
Thanks for the input.

ps. The new model are resin and not aluminium (which a lot of people have complained about). Neumann say it's not about cost, but better performance, which they have proven (theoretically), but most want to know if all the new gear would still be better housed in aluminium.