Neumann KH120 II

[VariousArtists]

Just went through the same exact experience as you did. Unplugged the speaker and left it on the table over the weekend as I was planning on bringing it into the service center this week.

Called Sennheiser up and they told me to try updating the speaker firmware (even when I told them there seems to be no power). The speaker actually powered on as per normal and went into standby mode.

Customer support says it seems to be a known issue on their end and has asked me to monitor if the issue still persists. Fingers crossed going from 1.1.10 to the latest 1.1.11 firmware will solve these power/standby issues. I hope yours has been working fine after the firmware update?

It's working fine now. However, the issue only occurred once in the last 1.5 years, so I can't be sure if the new firmware fixed it or if I've just been lucky. I want to believe it's the former.

It's a bit strange that a power cycle does not completely reset the state of the electronics (they use non-volatile memory for standby state?). This probably caused a lot of anxiety for anyone experiencing the same issue.

 

[BubbleBuddy]

I have zero issues with any of the six pairs of Neumann monitors in my studio, including 120 II's and 2 pairs of 150's (which have the same amplifiers and power supplies. Given your 3 RMA's it is clear that problem lies in your power system. Don't blame Neumann.......

I had the exact same problem as the other user described. One of my brand new KH 120 II's would enter standby overnight and be impossible to wake up the following day without manually turning it off and back on after 5-10mins.

I took the unit back to the store and they also insisted that it was an issue with my setup. Turns out it's actually a widespread issue that Neumann has now acknowledged and specifically tried to address in the 1.1.11 firmware. That seems to have fixed the issue but now neither of my monitors seems to go into standby at all. The other user would have been completely correct to blame Neumann.

 

[vssyla]

Hey all, im considering selling my kh120ii for the kh150, or getting the kh750 for my kh120ii. I have the ma-1 currently and calibrate my kh120iis. I used/calibrated them in a small room before, and they sounded great. However, my new room is big, and while I hung up a bunch of panels and put down carpet, the kh120ii just don't sound as powerful in this room (I actually clipped them once or twice at a volume that didn't seem too loud). On a very bassy/punchy electronic track, the speakers will sometimes clip out when I'm listening at mixing volume (only in this room!). My listening distance is the same as it was in my smaller room (~1.2m), though the speakers are ~.7m further from the wall behind them. My big room is 3.96m x 7.92m (with 3.66m ceiling).

Given my room size, should I go for the kh150 or stick with the kh120ii + sub? also, I could likely add the kh750 in the later future to the kh150; although it's past my current budget, I know I'd be satisfied with that setup for the next several years.

also, I've never owned speakers smaller than 6.5 inch before, and I do love bigger speakers

 

[Ellebob]

The 150 only plays a couple db louder and 5hz lower than the 120ii. The 150 will also play with less distortion when pushed near its limits. Adding a sub will help and you might get a few more decibels out of the speakers. I think a sub is a must and the first thing to try. If you are still straining the 120ii with a sub then I think a bigger speaker than the 150 is needed, as I think you would likely reach the 150s limits as well. I've installed both these speakers maybe Teashea will chime in and see if he thinks the 150s offer that much more real world headroom. Since he uses both more regularly.

 

[MotuM4]

I had the exact same problem as the other user described. One of my brand new KH 120 II's would enter standby overnight and be impossible to wake up the following day without manually turning it off and back on after 5-10mins.

I took the unit back to the store and they also insisted that it was an issue with my setup. Turns out it's actually a widespread issue that Neumann has now acknowledged and specifically tried to address in the 1.1.11 firmware. That seems to have fixed the issue but now neither of my monitors seems to go into standby at all. The other user would have been completely correct to blame Neumann.

After 2 months post 1.1.11 firmware upgrade, the standby issue happened again. How are your speakers faring?

I see from this post that it could potentially be related to sample rates.

 

[teashea]

After 2 months post 1.1.11 firmware upgrade, the standby issue happened again. How are your speakers faring?

I see from this post that it could potentially be related to sample rates.

This does not happen to my two pairs of KH 150's or two pairs of KH 120 II's. I use analog inputs. Does this problem only occur when using the digital inputs?

 

[MotuM4]

This does not happen to my two pairs of KH 150's or two pairs of KH 120 II's. I use analog inputs. Does this problem only occur when using the digital inputs?

Am using analog inputs as well.

 

[vamp]

Am using analog inputs as well.

Wow that's terrible then. I thought it was SPDIF issue only.

 

[audiomaestro]

Can users put an internal locked SPL limit on the Neumann KH 120 II's using the MA-1 software?

I plan on using a DAC with a digital volume control straight into the monitors, but I'm scared that the DAC's digital volume might crash (as mentioned here) and accidentally send a full volume signal into the monitors.

Basically, I want to limit the SPL to the highest I would ever comfortably listen at, just in case the DAC's volume control temporarily failed.

 

[vamp]

Can users put an internal locked SPL limit on the Neumann KH 120 II's using the MA-1 software?

I plan on using a DAC with a digital volume control straight into the monitors, but I'm scared that the DAC's digital volume might crash (as mentioned here) and accidentally send a full volume signal into the monitors.

Basically, I want to limit the SPL to the highest I would ever comfortably listen at, just in case the DAC's volume control temporarily failed.

You can limit SPL with MA-1 software. And the speakers have protection, I've seen it couple times when signal was about -2db. So I limit SPL to 80 and don't affradi to turn volume knob to the max accidentally.

I believe you can actually limit the SPL without software using controls on back side.

 

[audiomaestro]

You can limit SPL with MA-1 software. And the speakers have protection, I've seen it couple times when signal was about -2db. So I limit SPL to 80 and don't affradi to turn volume knob to the max accidentally.

I believe you can actually limit the SPL without software using controls on back side.

Great! I just received my monitors (still in box) and wanted to confirm that before I bought a DAC with a digital volume control.

 

[Drew456]

Great!

I set the volume to about 80% in MA-1 and then that's saved to the speakers without MA-1 or ethernet cables connected. Makes sure that if you accidentally play too loud from your source, then you won't be blowing your ears or speakers!

 

[BubbleBuddy]

After 2 months post 1.1.11 firmware upgrade, the standby issue happened again. How are your speakers faring?

I see from this post that it could potentially be related to sample rates.

Sorry to hear you're having issues again. Since I updated my firmware, I personally haven't had any more problems with the speakers refusing to wake up from standby. However, I do still have the issue where the speakers keep waking up or staying awake even when they have zero input for super long periods of time.

 

[Happygus]

Hello!
what are the differences between kh80 and kh120 II excluding low freq extension?
Are there any other advantages like thd, maybe the better cabinet or woofer or something else..

I worked for about three months in my home studio on the kh80(my friend gave me for test) and got to know their sound very well..they are great, maybe I would like a little more analytical/dry sound..

Does it make any sense to overpay for Kh120ii if I work in the near field at low volume and do not need low-frequency extension after kh80?
perhaps less distortion with 120 ii, or more analytical sound as a result of using an spdif connection without da/ad..

I will be grateful for any information. Thank you!

 

[Pearljam5000]

Hello!
what are the differences between kh80 and kh120 II excluding low freq extension?
Are there any other advantages like thd, maybe the better cabinet or woofer or something else..

I worked for about three months in my home studio on the kh80(my friend gave me for test) and got to know their sound very well..they are great, maybe I would like a little more analytical/dry sound..

Does it make any sense to overpay for Kh120ii if I work in the near field at low volume and do not need low-frequency extension after kh80?
perhaps less distortion with 120 ii, or more analytical sound as a result of using an spdif connection without da/ad..

I will be grateful for any information. Thank you!

Just get the KH120 II
More SPL, newer generation drivers
Everything's better

 

[audiomaestro]

For those who are connecting their source directly to the digital input on the monitors, how do you control the volume?

 

[IamJF]

what are the differences between kh80 and kh120 II excluding low freq extension?

KH120ii sounds better and is better build. When you have the budget go for it. Also digital input is VERY helpful in a lower budget situation.
But KH80 is very god for the price point and you probably will be happy with it too.

@audiomaestro I use a RME interface. And after a short run with Antelope Audio I'm back to RME ... don't waste your time with these ...
Something like a WiiM Ultra would be a good solution for HiFi use.

 

[teashea]

KH120ii sounds better and is better build. When you have the budget go for it. Also digital input is VERY helpful in a lower budget situation.
But KH80 is very god for the price point and you probably will be happy with it too.

@audiomaestro I use a RME interface. And after a short run with Antelope Audio I'm back to RME ... don't waste your time with these ...
Something like a WiiM Ultra would be a good solution for HiFi use.

I agree ----- If one can afford to go KH 150's instead of KH 120II's, I think it is advisable - from my perspective.

 

[Matias]

Hello!
what are the differences between kh80 and kh120 II excluding low freq extension?
Are there any other advantages like thd, maybe the better cabinet or woofer or something else..

I worked for about three months in my home studio on the kh80(my friend gave me for test) and got to know their sound very well..they are great, maybe I would like a little more analytical/dry sound..

Does it make any sense to overpay for Kh120ii if I work in the near field at low volume and do not need low-frequency extension after kh80?
perhaps less distortion with 120 ii, or more analytical sound as a result of using an spdif connection without da/ad..

I will be grateful for any information. Thank you!

Welcome to ASR. Having upgraded from the KH 80 DSP to a KH 120 II, and having heard them side by side, I can answer this with direct experience.

While the tonality is similar between them, the 120 reaches lower bass and plays louder more effortless. The 80 is significantly smaller though, so if desk space is important they are way more convenient. Both could benefit from a subwoofer extending them, but I don't have space so I have no experience there.

If money and space is not a problem, definitely go for the 120 IMO.

 

[Happygus]

While the tonality is similar between them, the 120 reaches lower bass and plays louder more effortless. The 80 is significantly smaller though, so if desk space is important they are way more convenient.

thanks
It seems that in my situation there is no point in overpaying 2 times for 120ii.
I work/mixing in a small room/near field. I was hoping that in addition to extending lo-frq range and SPL\digital inputs(which I don't need at all
),there will be some improvements in analytical nature for mixing(not for listening)...impulse speed, lower distortion at the same low volume, or maybe better phase coherence for even more accurate phantom images/sounstage..but everyone says that the difference is only in the lo/freq and SPl