Neumann KH120 II

[IamJF]

In my opinion (I own both) the KH120ii has better and more precise soundstage. It for SURE has lower THD for the same SPL level.
KH80 is not a real fullrange speaker for me but it works great with the woofer. KH120ii can go low enough depending on the music you listen to.

For sure you don't "overpay" with an KH120ii - you get a better speaker for a pretty good price.

 

[Matias]

I agree: not overpay, the 120 is considerably better, no doubt about it.

 

[teashea]

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

I do not have KH80's but I do have multiple pairs of KH120A's and KH120 II's. There is a significant difference between the KH 120A's and KH120II's - not only in the lower frequency range but in the midrange. The high frequencies are about the same.

 

[Happygus]

Based on reviews on this forum, I found 2 graphs for thd..I don't know how real they are
The KH80 seems to have higher THD below 300Hz..I’ll look for an opportunity to compare 80 and 120ii side by side..

 

[teashea]

Based on reviews on this forum, I found 2 graphs for thd..I don't know how real they are
The KH80 seems to have higher THD below 300Hz..I’ll look for an opportunity to compare 80 and 120ii side by side..

The difference makes perfect sense.....

 

[IamJF]

Based on reviews on this forum, I found 2 graphs for thd..I don't know how real they are
The KH80 seems to have higher THD below 300Hz..I’ll look for an opportunity to compare 80 and 120ii side by side..

It get's more obvious at higher levels and even Neumann data shows. And you notice when comparing the 2.
But I never did a calibrated 1:1 comparison of the 2, my KH80 lives now with my stage piano in the living room.
The KH80 0is a great work desk speaker for me, KH120ii is a monitoring speaker which you can use for mixing and recording (cause you often need more peak SPL for these tasks). KH80 + Woofer also can do mixing btw but over all cost is already significant.
And all of these combinations improve significant with MA1 so it's worth the cost!

btw - this THD peak is only measured with the Klippel measurement system. I could not reproduce it with my Audio Precision, as far as I remember Production Partner also didn't measure it and it's not in the Neumann data. It's still unclear what's going on here.

 

[Happygus]

great work desk speaker for me, KH120ii is a monitoring speaker which you can use for mixing and recording

they are both studio monitors with a slight difference and characteristics(I worked for a while on kh80).
There are 3 most important characteristics for studio monitors(In my opinion): 1) THD 2)speed/impulse 3)phase coherence + frequency response
*Freq.range and SPL are not a main advantage, but should be selected based on the acoustics of the room/size and monitor locations.
120ii are not the fullrange studio monitors - they need a subwoofer too.

For small rooms (where the acoustics are not ideal with peaks and dips) it is absolutely not a fact that the advantages as freq extension of 120ii will take place over 80.
The logic of the question was precisely this: 80 vs 120ii in small not ideal studio space at nearfield position(+- 1m).

So far I only see an advantages with THD graph the rest can be understood from listening in a specific place.
I'll test it and it will be clear

 

[bitels]

Hey,
I just received my Kh120 II a few days ago, now I try to adapt to them. Unfortunately, today, when listening to my reference tracks, I heard a strange rumble, at part where only a synth and bass play.

I cannot hear it on the Yamaha Hs8 even at much higher volume, either on the EV SC207.
During further investigation, I played 50 Hz and 60 Hz sinus waves and found my 120II ports have very bad noise when playing those frequencies.
I can hear it from 65 db, and at 75 db it is very bad.

Could anybody check with their pair? Do ports resonete too?

Speakers are decoupled with isopad 155, port noise is there with speakers on a stand, and on the desk too.

Is it maybe a limitation of this speaker, or did I receive a broken pair?


Both units produce the same port noise.

Regards

 

[bitels]

Here is a link to video highlighting this problem.

 

[teashea]

Hey,
I just received my Kh120 II a few days ago, now I try to adapt to them. Unfortunately, today, when listening to my reference tracks, I heard a strange rumble, at part where only a synth and bass play.

I cannot hear it on the Yamaha Hs8 even at much higher volume, either on the EV SC207.
During further investigation, I played 50 Hz and 60 Hz sinus waves and found my 120II ports have very bad noise when playing those frequencies.
I can hear it from 65 db, and at 75 db it is very bad.

Could anybody check with their pair? Do ports resonete too?

Speakers are decoupled with isopad 155, port noise is there with speakers on a stand, and on the desk too.

Is it maybe a limitation of this speaker, or did I receive a broken pair?


Both units produce the same port noise.

Regards

I listened to your video. I suspect that the HS8's simply do not produce sound at those frequencies. I think that is in the recording. The Neumann monitors are simply telling the truth of what is in the recording.

If you study the measurements and reviews of the KH120 II's you will find that the reviewers specifically test for chuffing from the ports and find none.

Moreover, it does sound like port chuffing.

It seems like your 120 II's are doing exactly what they are supposed to do and that there is absolutely nothing wrong with them.

Best wishes.

 

[ernestcarl]

If you study the measurements and reviews of the KH120 II's you will find that the reviewers specifically test for chuffing from the ports and find none.

Where are these published specialty tests confirming the KH120 port is absolutely chuffing-free in all test-track or music playback scenarios? I haven't seen such. Evaluations here and there have always been limited in scope.

 

[teashea]

Sound on Sound and here on ASR

 

[DEF]

I was told that the older Neumann (10 years ago) were much better, or straight up the more expensive Neumanns.
I think it's not fair for people claiming its in the recording.
Grab a headphone and tell if its there.

 

[ernestcarl]

Sound on Sound and here on ASR

What were the specifics of the test(s) conducted? Does it cover every possible scenario?

 

[teashea]

I was told that the older Neumann (10 years ago) were much better, or straight up the more expensive Neumanns.
I think it's not fair for people claiming its in the recording.
Grab a headphone and tell if its there.

That is false. Whoever told you that is wrong. Study the measurements here on ASR or Sound on Sound. New Neumanns are superior - substantially.

 

[bitels]

Hey, this noise is not present on 770 pro headphones, neither on Eve sc207.

I am a bit disappointed I have to say.

 

[teashea]

Hey, this noise is not present on 770 pro headphones, neither on Eve sc207.

I am a bit disappointed I have to say.

I have never heard anyone else having this issue. I have certainly never heard with with any of the nine pairs of Neumann monitors in my studio, including two pairs of KH120 II's. It is not a defect in the monitors.

 

[DEF]

I have never heard anyone else having this issue. I have certainly never heard with with any of the nine pairs of Neumann monitors in my studio, including two pairs of KH120 II's. It is not a defect in the monitors.

Stop dismissing the other guys experience.
He even said it happens with sine wave output

 

[DEF]

Hey, this noise is not present on 770 pro headphones, neither on Eve sc207.

I am a bit disappointed I have to say.

I can recommend APS Klasik 2020 instead. I had both the KH120 and the Genelecs and still preferred APS.

 

[feitaishi]

Hey, this noise is not present on 770 pro headphones, neither on Eve sc207.

I am a bit disappointed I have to say.

Try switch the position of Yamaha.