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Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review

Rate this monitor speaker:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 4 0.7%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 6 1.1%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 48 8.9%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 483 89.3%

  • Total voters
    541
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.
I would rather prefer to pay a little bit more and not to have these kind of issues. Look what Genelec is asking for their smaller monitors - there should be a lot of room for improved BOM and/or workmanship while still being more affordable.
 
I would rather prefer to pay a little bit more and not to have these kind of issues. Look what Genelec is asking for their smaller monitors - there should be a lot of room for improved BOM and/or workmanship while still being more affordable.
not everyone likes the genelec sound, i prefer neumann
1500 euros is already a fortune for some.. that's a lot of money unless you are privileged from usa or uk etc.
 
I am not sure if that kind of thing as a “Neumann sound” exists after room correction. I personally have already invested in an MA 1 mic and know their calibration software; that’s why I bought a second pair (which has also failed).
 
not everyone likes the genelec sound, i prefer neumann
1500 euros is already a fortune for some.. that's a lot of money unless you are privileged from usa or uk etc.
It is a fortune for me that's for sure plus the price for the MA1. Today this package cost more than 1800 euros. I doubt we will see an official statement about all these issues. Imagine being out of warranty.
 
I am not sure if that kind of thing as a “Neumann sound” exists after room correction. I personally have already invested in an MA 1 mic and know their calibration software; that’s why I bought a second pair (which has also failed).
Did your 120 or 80 has failed? Im guessing you mean your monitors died besides the tweeter noise?
 
Did your 120 or 80 has failed? Im guessing you mean your monitors died besides the tweeter noise?
Yes, my KH80 failed due to a capacitor failure in one loudspeaker’s internal power supply. I upgraded to the KH120 II, and they developed tweeter noise, i think it is also some component deteriorating with time or heat. The only working item from Neumann I own now is the MA 1 mic, and I use it to calibrate other loudspeakers.
 
Yes, my KH80 failed due to a capacitor failure in one loudspeaker’s internal power supply. I upgraded to the KH120 II, and they developed tweeter noise, i think it is also some component deteriorating with time or heat. The only working item from Neumann I own now is the MA 1 mic, and I use it to calibrate other loudspeakers.
Thanks. How do you use it to calibrate other systems? You using another software? Which one?
 
I am not sure if that kind of thing as a “Neumann sound” exists after room correction. I personally have already invested in an MA 1 mic and know their calibration software; that’s why I bought a second pair (which has also failed).
right, first i want to invest in extra acoustic treatment then i will get ma1
neumann has more bass then genelec for start, that is one reason i prefer them
Yes, my KH80 failed due to a capacitor failure in one loudspeaker’s internal power supply. I upgraded to the KH120 II, and they developed tweeter noise, i think it is also some component deteriorating with time or heat. The only working item from Neumann I own now is the MA 1 mic, and I use it to calibrate other loudspeakers.
that is very sad, so i guess extra warranty is a wise thing to get
 
Not sure if this is explicitly stated anywhere here, if not, consider this a PSA.

The MA1 software only works with an audio interface (an singular unit with both a DAC and ADC). I didn't realize this sometimes back when I brought my Neumann, I had thought I could use the miniDSP USB mic and my DAC. I even fussed around with ASIO4ALL, no bueno.

But luckily Topping got into pro audio at that time, so I picked up the E2x2.

Something to consider if you are considering the Neumann and want to use the MA1 room correction.
 
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Send my faulty monitor back to thomann because of the noise tweeter i described before and they send it to their service partner. So i cant work for now and it could take a month till i get a reply. Not happy at all.
 
Damn shame. Stuff like this just fuels the anti active/powered speaker (especially when DSP is involved) crowds that you find on some audio forums. Quality control issues like this, especially at this price point, is a tad ridiculous. IMHO.
 
Yes it's a shame and I can't really see for 2 weeks now that I am without a monitor any serious support from thomann. They say thomann has the fastest response taking care of their customers. Neumann is not in my good books right now since I paid all this money with the ma1 included and the only thing I see is terrible support and bad quality control. Not even cheaper monitors don't exhibit this issues. I send to thomann 2 audio files that I posted here and a video file that clearly shows the issue and what did I get? Nothing,just 2 weeks and still waiting for a response.
 
Lol thanks but there's nothing I can do. Even if I send an email to thomann they will tell me they wait for an answer from neumann. So 0 support. I wonder why Thomann is asking for proof with video-audio when even their own technicians don't check the products but instead they send them back to the company.
 
Send my faulty monitor back to thomann because of the noise tweeter i described before and they send it to their service partner. So i cant work for now and it could take a month till i get a reply. Not happy at all.
I had to get one of my KH120 II units replaced for a similar issue - after a year of use, the tweeter developed random crackling noises. Although I was lucky with the service and got a replacement from Thomann after 11 days, no questions asked, they simply sent me a new unit with a different S/N.

However, I cannot say that I am absolutely happy with the replacement unit as it also shows a similar pattern of random crackles, although they are very faint and I need to hold my ear up close to hear them. I have tried different outlets, different cables, etc. with no change. So I would not be surprised if this escalates further after some months or so.
 
I had to get one of my KH120 II units replaced for a similar issue - after a year of use, the tweeter developed random crackling noises. Although I was lucky with the service and got a replacement from Thomann after 11 days, no questions asked, they simply sent me a new unit with a different S/N.

However, I cannot say that I am absolutely happy with the replacement unit as it also shows a similar pattern of random crackles, although they are very faint and I need to hold my ear up close to hear them. I have tried different outlets, different cables, etc. with no change. So I would not be surprised if this escalates further after some months or so.
Its a terrible situation and I don't see any acknowledgement of the problem from neumann. It will probably get worse. I could hear it in a normal quiet room with the pc fans working night time. A few days before I send it back to Thomann it did a loud burst of that sound so I think it's gonna get worse. Don't expect much from thomann because they change it like they did with you the first time. This time they asked me if it was the monitor they send me as a replacement, I'm guessing this is why this time they send it to neumann. I bet they will send it back and tell me there's nothing wrong with it. When I have time I will post a video that shows how different the faulty Vs the normal behaviour of both monitors. Too bad thomann didn't bother to check the files I send them
 
It seems it's all the kh series with issues. In 1-2 years of use and plenty of reports with sound problems or they just stop working.
 
Spectacular performance when it works and horrendous failure rate. Especially at the price they charge for it!
Add to that their fantastic customer care (Neumann's).....
Do you have any stats to back up that claim about the failure rate, beyond self-reporting here?
 
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