Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review

[ivayvr]

Do you have any stats to back up that claim about the failure rate, beyond self-reporting here?

No I don't. At the same time, I don't think that there is any other brand with so many reports of failures on the ASR.
KEF LSX is fairly active in that regard, but nowhere near as active as Neumann..
We can or can't trust the self reporting in general, but I don't think that we are exposed to some plot or organized campaign against Neumann here.
Apart from the frequent failures, their customer service is less than a high end.
Again, I don't see the reason to doubt the reports we see in this thread.
If we adopt that approach, why would we trust anything else here?

 

[Dimension]

Here is a video that shows the problem between left and right monitors. Left is the one with the problem. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lJ-5Evx59Lp10QDqfpLUMRMk1hNnxkbY/view?usp=sharing
Especially after the sixth second it goes louder. Right monitor is silent as advertised by the company.

 

[Ktacos]

No I don't. At the same time, I don't think that there is any other brand with so many reports of failures on the ASR.
KEF LSX is fairly active in that regard, but nowhere near as active as Neumann..
We can or can't trust the self reporting in general, but I don't think that we are exposed to some plot or organized campaign against Neumann here.
Apart from the frequent failures, their customer service is less than a high end.
Again, I don't see the reason to doubt the reports we see in this thread.
If we adopt that approach, why would we trust anything else here?

The KEF LSX and the KH80 are the two speakers I've seen the most failures on out of basically my entire time in this hobby. The LSX failure rate is wild, Kef has to know about it at this point but probably don't care.

 

[Woofersnoofer]

I was seriously considering these for a while but the reports of failures pushed me into a different direction. My old speakers were also actives and they are still going strong on my desktop but i went passive because there are some great measuring speakers. Just gives more peace of mind. And i already have dsp further up the chain with dirac etc so why double up on dsp?

 

[kyuu]

i already have dsp further up the chain with dirac etc so why double up on dsp?

Well because what Dirac does (room correction) is fundamentally different from what the DSP in the speaker is doing (handling crossover duty and linearizing the speaker response). Even so, the reports of problems in these lower-end Neumann units, and the poor customer service from Neumann in response, are certainly cause for concern so can't fault you there.

 

[Woofersnoofer]

Well because what Dirac does (room correction) is fundamentally different from what the DSP in the speaker is doing (handling crossover duty and linearizing the speaker response). Even so, the reports of problems in these lower-end Neumann units, and the poor customer service from Neumann in response, are certainly cause for concern so can't fault you there.

Sure if i had confidence in the speakers i'd happily use that dsp in it's stead. Dirac on a well behaved speaker with a custom curve is very effective though so i don't feel like i'm missing out. But MA-1 seems impressive none the less.

 

[Oink-Oinko]

Sure if i had confidence in the speakers i'd happily use that dsp in it's stead. Dirac on a well behaved speaker with a custom curve is very effective though so i don't feel like i'm missing out. But MA-1 seems impressive none the less.

I myself have the 120 KH ii , and at least from my personal perception, the MA CALIBRATION vs DIRAC. MA has is more focused and with better separation of instruments. in near field position. I hope they don't break on me.

 

[Dan1210]

I have tried numerous times to access basic settings on this monitor with no luck, I am using an M1 MacBook and I just want to dim the logos but it will not let me access basic settings, seems an audio interface is compulsory otherwise you cannot progress to basic settings. Great monitor but to lock out basic settings like this for average users is shortsighted, It really shouldn't be this difficult!

 

[Oink-Oinko]

I have tried numerous times to access basic settings on this monitor with no luck, I am using an M1 MacBook and I just want to dim the logos but it will not let me access basic settings, seems an audio interface is compulsory otherwise you cannot progress to basic settings. Great monitor but to lock out basic settings like this for average users is shortsighted, It really shouldn't be this difficult!

You have to wait for a software update

 

[somebodyelse]

I have tried numerous times to access basic settings on this monitor with no luck, I am using an M1 MacBook and I just want to dim the logos but it will not let me access basic settings, seems an audio interface is compulsory otherwise you cannot progress to basic settings. Great monitor but to lock out basic settings like this for average users is shortsighted, It really shouldn't be this difficult!

If you can cope with running python there's khtool.

 

[Pearljam5000]

How's the reliability so far?

 

[h2opt]

Here is a video that shows the problem between left and right monitors. Left is the one with the problem. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lJ-5Evx59Lp10QDqfpLUMRMk1hNnxkbY/view?usp=sharing
Especially after the sixth second it goes louder. Right monitor is silent as advertised by the company.

So, same here.
I bought from Thomann the KH120 ii monitors last month, two days later I have noticed the same noise coming from one of my monitors. I read your comments and immediately contacted Thomann to replace it. Thomann without question sent me a shipping label to send it back and replace it.
I took the monitor to the post office but it was closed so I came back home, connected the speaker again and the noise completely disappeared.
At this point I was confused because I didn't mark the faulty speaker and couldn't remember which monitor had the noise problem.
After about a week I have noticed the noise again but only for about 10 seconds when I turn them on or after it comes back from sleep.
On one day the noise became very loud for about 5 seconds, I could hear it from 3-4 meters or more...
So yes it does become worse with time....
Finally yesterday I sent it back... I have to wait 1 month before I get it back... can't do serious work.. not happy at all

But I really like how they sound, lots of depth and very small, I will give them another chance...

By the way my third pair of Ananda Nanos work great bought from the manufacturer, after returning the first two pairs that I bought from Thomann for making distorted noises at some frequencies...
Also my 4 orders from Thomann in the past 5 years all had at least one defective item... I am a little suspicious by now

 

[Dimension]

So, same here.
I bought from Thomann the KH120 ii monitors last month, two days later I have noticed the same noise coming from one of my monitors. I read your comments and immediately contacted Thomann to replace it. Thomann without question sent me a shipping label to send it back and replace it.
I took the monitor to the post office but it was closed so I came back home, connected the speaker again and the noise completely despaired.
At this point I was confused because I didn't mark the faulty speaker and couldn't remember which monitor had the noise problem.
After about a week I have noticed the noise again but only for about 10 seconds when I turn them on or after it comes back from sleep.
On one day the noise became very loud for about 5 seconds, I could hear it from 3-4 meters or more...
So yes it does become worse with time....
Finally yesterday I sent it back... I have to wait 1 month before I get it back... can't do serious work.. not happy at all

But I really like how they sound, lots of depth and very small, I will give them another chance...

By the way my third pair of Ananda Nanos work great bought from the manufacturer, after returning the first two pairs that I bought from Thomann for making distorted noises at some frequencies...
Also my 4 orders from Thomann in the past 5 years all had at least one defective item... I am a little suspicious by now

Sorry to hear that it seems we are stuck with defective monitors with a company that doesn't take responsibility. This is the second unit i send back and thomann send it to the service partner. I'm on the third week now with 0 information of what is going on from thomann or neumann. Like you i cant work so im on standby.

 

[Karmacoma]

I heard a noise on one of my kh 150's several times when I first got them (like for 1 minute). Then it disapeared and never came back. That was 2,5 years ago... The only thing i changed was the extension cords, and previously they were on the same socket now they're not.
Are you guys using XLR or digital in? (XLR for me)

 

[markstein]

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.

You may buy a new speaker from Thomann and then return within the return window. I usually don't do that, however, it is an option...

 

[Dimension]

I heard a noise on one of my kh 150's several times when I first got them (like for 1 minute). Then it disapeared and never came back. That was 2,5 years ago... The only thing i changed was the extension cords, and previously they were on the same socket now they're not.
Are you guys using XLR or digital in? (XLR for me)

The noise happens even with just the power cable. Changing cables didn't do anything and i even tried the monitor to a different room also.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Studio monitors are supposed to be super reliable
Honestly I'm surprised

 

[markstein]

I heard a noise on one of my kh 150's several times when I first got them (like for 1 minute). Then it disapeared and never came back. That was 2,5 years ago... The only thing i changed was the extension cords, and previously they were on the same socket now they're not.
Are you guys using XLR or digital in? (XLR for me)

Whow. If I had heard noise for 1 minute, the first would have been to return those speakers to the dealer as "defective".

 

[Dimension]

Studio monitors are supposed to be super reliable
Honestly I'm surprised

Imagine how much surprised i am with all the issues and the trouble i have to go through.

 

[Karmacoma]

Whow. If I had heard noise for 1 minute, the first would have been to return those speakers to the dealer as "defective".

First of all it didn't happen right away, and secondly I had a special price on them, so I was gonna try to sort that out before i send them back.
Most importantly it turned out to be the right choice for me since nothing happened since.
It was a low noise really, only happening when they were on and not playing, a little ''buzz''