Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review

[sacguy231]

Unfortunately, one of my KH120 II units developed tweeter noise after about a year of use. There were reports of the same issue earlier in this thread. It sounds like a quiet static noise even when no inputs are connected, regardless of the switch or knob positions. I tried a different power outlet and repositioning it (thinking it might be an EMI issue), but it doesn’t go away. Strangely enough, it was the same issue shortly right after I purchased it, but it went away for a few months and then appeared again. My other monitor with serial which almost the same is dead silent.
I contacted Neumann, and without asking further questions, they confirmed that it is a hardware defect and asked to contact retailer. Which takes a lot of time, since I am outside the EU where I bought them. Maybe I will ask my local electronics repair service to look at it. There were some skilled guys who repaired my previous Neumanns out of warranty.
I will give up on Neumanns for now. In my previous pair of KH80s with a KH750, one of the monitors broke just after the warranty ended, and the repair technician said that one of the capacitors had gone bad. Just too many issues with each pair

This was my similar experience; got a new pair a couple months back and one was very quiet but the other had this annoying somewhat "glitchy" static noise for lack of better description. Very faintly reminded me of old dial-up modem noises mixed in with the normal white noise you might expect from a powered monitor. Returned them the following day. They were being used in the ultra nearfield. Ended up with some IK MTM MKii and a sub and am happy. But, the 120ii did sound fantastic. Was bummed to have to send them back.

 

[PristineSound]

Just coming here to say: after a little over two years of owning this pair of speakers, damn, I am still impressed each time I listen to it.

When I was shopping for these studio monitor, I we between Neumann and Genelec, I ultimately went with Neumann because it's a little bit more affordable and it has less self-generated noise. Couldn't be happier with the decision.

 

[Dimension]

I'm having the same tweeter noise like some of you. It sounds like a scratch crackle.When i got my kh 120 ii a a year ago the left had problems after a month, it had some terrible buzz at about 70-80hz. The people at Thomann are amazing so they instantly change it. A year after the same monitor they send me has the crackle scratch sound some you described. I have contacted Thomann again but i haven't contacted with Neumann. Has anyone got an official answer what this could be? Is it something that could become worse in the future if we are out of warranty? At this point its not a problem to mix because its impossible to hear it with music. I can hear it if there is silence in the room and obviously if i put my ear next to the tweeter.
Thanks

 

[Dimension]

I uploaded the files of both monitors if someone wants to listen and tell me their opinion.There is clearly a difference between left and right.

 

[solawind]

I'm having the same tweeter noise like some of you. It sounds like a scratch crackle.

Yes, it will get worse. I could barely hear some crackling sound at first when no music was playing, and a months later it became apparent even during quiet passages in music.

 

[ivayvr]

You would expect that they would not introduce a new model without proper testing.
It is hard to assess what is the actual failure rate. It could be very popular with very high numbers sold, so the failure rate may be low.
Add to that a number of people reporting problems with KH80s, cheapest caps deployed...
At one point, I was seriously considering a pair, but not any longer.
Clearly not a reputation builder.

 

[Dimension]

Yes, it will get worse. I could barely hear some crackling sound at first when no music was playing, and a months later it became apparent even during quiet passages in music.

Thanks for listening. The answer I got from thomann is that it's normal behaviour. They think is hiss from the amp. Clearly both monitors don't sound the same. I will contact Neumann and send them the files and see what their response is.
If you could hear it while music was playing that's terrible.
What was neumann response? I'm still under warranty.

 

[solawind]

What was neumann response? I'm still under warranty.

for me they instantly offered warranty repair without any questions, i guess this issue is well known for them.

 

[Dimension]

for me they instantly offered warranty repair without any questions, i guess this issue is well known for them.

I hope they will help me out. Did you send them any audio or video file showing the problem? Did you call them or contact them through email?
Thanks for the help

 

[solawind]

Did you send them any audio or video file showing the problem?

No, I just wrote that one of my speakers developed crackling noise even when no sources were connected. That’s it.

 

[Dimension]

No, I just wrote that one of my speakers developed crackling noise even when no sources were connected. That’s it.

Thank you

 

[TA21]

Do the Isoacoustics ISO-155 desk stands fit the Neumann KH120 II speakers?

The ISO-155's width and depth are 155mm x 190mm (6.1" x 7.5"). The Neumann KH120 II's width and depth are 182mm x 227mm (7.16" x 8.94"), but the back bottom edge is chamfered upward (i.e., slopes upward), meaning the flat portion of bottom is effectively about 171mm deep (6.75"). The Neumanns seem too small to properly sit on top of the round isolators at the corners of the Isoacoustics. I'm wondering what people experience are, when placing the speakers on these stands.

The smaller ISO-130's width and depth are 130mm x 152mm (5.1" x 6"). Those should fit the Neumanns, but I would prefer to use the larger stands if they fit.

Another similar desktop stand is the Fluid Audio DS5. Has anyone tried those, who can comment about them? Those have a width and depth of 142mm x 185mm (5.6" x 7.2"), but their round isolators look recessed far in from the edges.

Another option I am looking at is the Gravity SP 3102 CB table stands, and maybe using Isoacoustics ISO-pucks on top of that.

 

[Henridesmetal]

Bonjour TA21,
J'ai ces enceintes avec des supports Iso Acoustics 155 depuis 18 mois maintenant et elles fonctionnent très bien (voici quelques photos pour que vous puissiez voir à quoi elles ressemblent).

 

[Henridesmetal]

EDIT : Sorry TA21, I made a mistake yesterday ! In the photo it is the Iso Acoustics 130 and not the 155 (I had ordered the 155 but I returned it to reorder the 130 because the 155 was too big).

 

[h2opt]

This was my similar experience; got a new pair a couple months back and one was very quiet but the other had this annoying somewhat "glitchy" static noise for lack of better description. Very faintly reminded me of old dial-up modem noises mixed in with the normal white noise you might expect from a powered monitor. Returned them the following day. They were being used in the ultra nearfield. Ended up with some IK MTM MKii and a sub and am happy. But, the 120ii did sound fantastic. Was bummed to have to send them back.

Same problem here, my kh120ii arrived yesterday and I noticed the static crackle noise in my left speaker but the right speaker is silent
what a bummer!

 

[Dimension]

Same problem here, my kh120ii arrived yesterday and I noticed the static crackle noise in my left speaker but the right speaker is silent
what a bummer!

Send it back if you can. I send it back and it's the second time. I hope the third one will be the lucky one.

 

[h2opt]

Send it back if you can. I send it back and it's the second time. I hope the third one will be the lucky one.

I will send it back but I have deadlines for new releases, lots of work in the studio, this situation is not good at all since I have to wait a month until I get it replaced...
I had a similar problem as you with HiFiMan Ananda Nano, I hat to replace them 3 times because of a distortion noise at certain frequencies, now waiting for my 3rd pair
Not a fun experience

 

[ivayvr]

You guys deserve a medal for bravery and patience!

 

[Dimension]

You guys deserve a medal for bravery and patience!

Lol thanks. You have no choice when you pay so much money. Its bad but what can we do? I just hope its gonna be ok this time.

 

[Dimension]

I will send it back but I have deadlines for new releases, lots of work in the studio, this situation is not good at all since I have to wait a month until I get it replaced...
I had a similar problem as you with HiFiMan Ananda Nano, I hat to replace them 3 times because of a distortion noise at certain frequencies, now waiting for my 3rd pair
Not a fun experience

I understand I'm in the same situation. I got these monitors for mixing. They do translate very good though i didn't have any problems mixing while using it with the MA1.