Neumann KH420 Review (Studio Monitor)

[RobL]

What's sitting on the middle speaker? Looks like a soundbar.

Yep it is. From HERE:



Compact with incredible sound: Sennheiser AMBEO SoundbarIn addition to the Neumann studio monitors, the 3D control room also has a high-quality Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar, which, in spite of its compact dimensions, offers surprisingly powerful 3D reproduction and is an excellent option for reproducing 3D audio content especially in the home entertainment sector. Its automatic room calibration system adjusts the sound reproduction perfectly to the respective listening environment. The revolutionary technology of the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar, which makes it possible to position virtual loudspeakers in the room by skilfully using reflections and in this way creating fully enveloping listening experiences, was developed in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute. In addition to compatibility with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and MPEG-H, the integrated Upmix Technology transforms stereo content and 5.1 audio into emotional sound that is guaranteed to give any listener goosebumps. The Smart Control App makes operating the system child’s play.
“I personally feel that the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar reproduces 80 percent of the experience that you can achieve with separately arranged loudspeakers,” said Karl Tessmar. “However, you shouldn’t ignore the fact that the achievable sound quality depends to a large extent on the nature of the room in which the sound is being reproduced. Of course, you also have to remember that the alternative would be to set up numerous loudspeakers throughout the room, which, in the case of Dolby Atmos, would be at twelve different positions – something that is simply not possible in all cases or not desirable. If you then also consider the compact design and the lower price compared to a solution with twelve single loudspeakers, the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar is really an outstanding product!”
In addition to the Neumann studio monitors, the 3D control room also has a high-quality Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar, which, as an all-in-one solution and in spite of its compact dimensions, offers surprisingly powerful 3D reproduction

 

[JustJones]

Yep it is. From HERE:



Compact with incredible sound: Sennheiser AMBEO SoundbarIn addition to the Neumann studio monitors, the 3D control room also has a high-quality Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar, which, in spite of its compact dimensions, offers surprisingly powerful 3D reproduction and is an excellent option for reproducing 3D audio content especially in the home entertainment sector. Its automatic room calibration system adjusts the sound reproduction perfectly to the respective listening environment. The revolutionary technology of the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar, which makes it possible to position virtual loudspeakers in the room by skilfully using reflections and in this way creating fully enveloping listening experiences, was developed in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute. In addition to compatibility with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and MPEG-H, the integrated Upmix Technology transforms stereo content and 5.1 audio into emotional sound that is guaranteed to give any listener goosebumps. The Smart Control App makes operating the system child’s play.
“I personally feel that the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar reproduces 80 percent of the experience that you can achieve with separately arranged loudspeakers,” said Karl Tessmar. “However, you shouldn’t ignore the fact that the achievable sound quality depends to a large extent on the nature of the room in which the sound is being reproduced. Of course, you also have to remember that the alternative would be to set up numerous loudspeakers throughout the room, which, in the case of Dolby Atmos, would be at twelve different positions – something that is simply not possible in all cases or not desirable. If you then also consider the compact design and the lower price compared to a solution with twelve single loudspeakers, the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar is really an outstanding product!”
In addition to the Neumann studio monitors, the 3D control room also has a high-quality Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar, which, as an all-in-one solution and in spite of its compact dimensions, offers surprisingly powerful 3D reproduction

That's more my speed there's no way I could ever put all those speakers in my room.

 

[thewas]

I had heard that soundbar in the Neumann studio monitor R&D centre when it came out in 2019, quite impressive. Here is a photo I had taken from that event, unfortunately not with the soundbar which was in different room:

 

[LTig]

I had heard that soundbar in the Neumann studio monitor R&D centre when it came out in 2019, quite impressive. Here is a photo I had taken from that event, unfortunately not with the soundbar which was in different room:

View attachment 409649

The white 3-way - is this the old K&H O500C?

 

[thewas]

The white 3-way - is this the old K&H O500C?

Yes, silver and with the optional FIR filter box.

 

[dfuller]

Wonder if Neumann will make a KH510 ever. I doubt it, but it would be cool to see.

 

[LTig]

Yes, silver and with the optional FIR filter box.

Could you listen to it, and if yes, how did it compare to the KH420?

 

[thewas]

Could you listen to it, and if yes, how did it compare to the KH420?

Yes, we toggled between all from KH80 to O500C with and without subs and for the O500C with and without FIR phase correction, they sounded surprisingly similar, from my memory I think the O500C sounded a tad leaner/brigher than the KH420.

 

[Pearljam5000]

What's going on with this KH420?

 

[AnalogSteph]

My guess: Either that driver has seen a lot of sunlight or it has previously been repaired and fitted with a new dustcap.

 

[Randyman...]

Almost looks like an aluminum dust cap like Peavey uses on their 15" Steel Guitar Black Widows!

 

[dfuller]

My guess: Either that driver has seen a lot of sunlight or it has previously been repaired and fitted with a new dustcap.

Yep, mine are both solid black, looks like treated cloth.

 

[Randyman...]

My guess: Either that driver has seen a lot of sunlight or it has previously been repaired and fitted with a new dustcap.

Maybe someone was trying to get it to play flat to 20Hz

 

[Kyle_PL]

There should be some infrasonic filter in these neumann, so 20Hz shouldnt kill the driver.

 

[Randyman...]

There should be some infrasonic filter in these neumann, so 20Hz shouldnt kill the driver.

In the linked thread, the OP is attempting to trick his Genelec's room correction to gain extra LF extension below the speaker's natural cutoff (where it unloads below f3 tuning and has DSP filters in place). Was just poking a little fun at that attempt here

Can the /excessiveness/ of the 8361A be better utilised?

I think ‘why’ is obvious. OP bought a super expensive pair of speakers that are doing little more for him than the smaller pair could have done. He wants to know if he can somehow squeeze a subwoofer out of them so the expense wasn’t a waste. OP has also received about 20 thoughtful replies...

audiosciencereview.com

 

[Armando]

Hola a todos,

He estado leyendo este foro durante algún tiempo y este es mi primer mensaje, y espero que sea de utilidad para alguien. Se trata de la instalación de mi KH 420 (más precisamente, su modelo predecesor, el O 410) en mi sala de escucha:

View attachment 369501

Utilizo los O 410 analógicos junto con dos subwoofers digitales KH 750 por las siguientes razones, aunque esto no aumenta el volumen general (altavoz de graves cerrado de 10” para el KH 750 frente a altavoz de graves BR abierto para el O 410):
1. Colocar los subwoofers cerca de la pared reduce las cancelaciones.
2. Colocar los O 410 lejos de la pared mejora la localización.
3. El uso del KH 750s permite emplear el software de calibración MA 1 con excelentes resultados.

Mi triángulo de escucha mide 190 cm (6,2 pies). Siempre he estado muy satisfecho con mis Neumann, pero esta configuración es la mejor hasta ahora (en mi sala de escucha).

Hola.. soy nuevo por aquí. He leído con atención algunas de vuestras reviews. Llevo dos años interesado en los kh 420, y no sé si servirán para una sala de 25 metros cuadrados (los techos miden 2,40 metros). Y la ubicación sería alejada de las paredes traseras y laterales. Había pensado en asociarlo a un previo de válvulas de clase A (Cayin Soul 170C) para endulzar un poco la precisión intrínseca de los altavoces. ¿Qué os parecen las dimensiones de la sala en relación a estos altavoces?? Otra pregunta que me hago, teniendo en cuenta el coste que tiene y que es un modelo del 2015, es si próximamente tendrán pensado renovarlo, no sólo por las hipotéticas mejoras que pueda traer un nuevo modelo, sino también por las futuras necesidades de recambios en relación al modelo actual. En relación a esto... ¿qué os parece? Os lo agradezco de antemano.

 

[Armando]

Hi.. I'm new here. I read some of your reviews carefully. I have been interested in the kh 420 for two years, and I don't know if they will be suitable for a room of 25 square meters (the ceilings measure 2.40 meters). And the location would be away from the back and side walls. I had thought about associating it with a class A tube preamp (Cayin Soul 170C) to sweeten the intrinsic precision of the speakers a little. What do you think of the dimensions of the room in relation to these speakers?? Another question that I ask myself, taking into account the cost it has and that it is a 2015 model, is whether they will soon plan to renew it, not only for the hypothetical improvements that a new model may bring, but also for the future . future spare parts needs in relation to the current model. In relation to this... what do you think? I thank you in advance.

 

[VietnamRadioEnjoyer]

Hi.. I'm new here. I read some of your reviews carefully. I have been interested in the kh 420 for two years, and I don't know if they will be suitable for a room of 25 square meters (the ceilings measure 2.40 meters). And the location would be away from the back and side walls. I had thought about associating it with a class A tube preamp (Cayin Soul 170C) to sweeten the intrinsic precision of the speakers a little. What do you think of the dimensions of the room in relation to these speakers?? Another question that I ask myself, taking into account the cost it has and that it is a 2015 model, is whether they will soon plan to renew it, not only for the hypothetical improvements that a new model may bring, but also for the future . future spare parts needs in relation to the current model. In relation to this... what do you think? I thank you in advance.

My personal opinion is that KH420 is the least appealing offering of neumann.
a pair of neumann kh750s + pair of KH310s gives you a 4 way system instead of 3 way, sealed enclosure instead of ported one, More options for placement, and built in dsp & DAC.
It is the superior offering while costing 2k less. its also prettier. Though I would be fine in that room with just the KH310s

 

[MikeP]

Hi.. I'm new here. I read some of your reviews carefully. I have been interested in the kh 420 for two years, and I don't know if they will be suitable for a room of 25 square meters (the ceilings measure 2.40 meters). And the location would be away from the back and side walls. I had thought about associating it with a class A tube preamp (Cayin Soul 170C) to sweeten the intrinsic precision of the speakers a little. What do you think of the dimensions of the room in relation to these speakers?? Another question that I ask myself, taking into account the cost it has and that it is a 2015 model, is whether they will soon plan to renew it, not only for the hypothetical improvements that a new model may bring, but also for the future . future spare parts needs in relation to the current model. In relation to this... what do you think? I thank you in advance.

The speakers are fine for your room. I'm using them in a larger room and there's plenty of power reserves / can go really loud (and clean).

These are precise speakers, but it doesn't mean that they will sound "clinical" / "sterile" (whatever that means, objectively). I would recommend against any additional colouring. Just try them out with a decent (transparent) DAC / preamp. You will be pleasantly surprised.

AFAIK, there are no publicly announced plans / rumors about an upgraded version. Spare parts are available from Neumann. The only downside is that they charge premium for those. The current design is pretty much SOTA.

Consider buying protection grilles for your peace of mind.

 

[dfuller]

My personal opinion is that KH420 is the least appealing offering of neumann.
a pair of neumann kh750s + pair of KH310s gives you a 4 way system instead of 3 way, sealed enclosure instead of ported one, More options for placement, and built in dsp & DAC.
It is the superior offering while costing 2k less. its also prettier. Though I would be fine in that room with just the KH310s

I don't agree with this at all. I've done both - KH420s and 310s+sub. The 420s are far better. The 420 polar pattern is more even, the woofer has far more SPL capability (and so sounds cleaner at the same level) above where a sub would cross in, has way less IMD because it isn't moving as much, and moreover, I don't need to add subs in my space.