Neumann KH420 Review (Studio Monitor)

[Chr1]

If they don't go loud enough for you at 1.5m, I reckon your ears are shot already. Obviously they aren't as good as the 420s, and work best with subs, particularly midfield. But I think that there's some weirdness going on here referring to 310s as only good for nearfield. My 2c.

 

[teashea]

Even relatively nearfield (~1.5m) they just don't get loud. Small sealed box with lots of LFX.

True - They are not terribly loud compared to pleasure listening speakers but they are sufficiently loud for monitors ----- monitors don't need to be loud. They are not meant for pleasure listening. If you want louder, get the KH150's.

 

[setzer]

MA1 is designed to be run once. The information is stored and used in the monitors. It is not designed to be used live.

I don't know what you mean by this. What do you mean its not meant to be used "live" ? in this context I don't even understand what you mean by "live" ?

 

[teashea]

The MA1 is simply used to set up the equalization for the monitors. It adds no latency. The DSP for the monitors is about 1 ms.

 

[LTig]

If they don't go loud enough for you at 1.5m, I reckon your ears are shot already. Obviously they aren't as good as the 420s, and work best with subs, particularly midfield. But I think that there's some weirdness going on here referring to 310s as only good for nearfield. My 2c.

Agreed. Even the predecessor (K&H O300D) accompanied with a sub (Genelec 7060b) can play louder in my 50 sqm living room at 3.5m listening distance than my ears can stand.

 

[dfuller]

True - They are not terribly loud compared to pleasure listening speakers but they are sufficiently loud for monitors ----- monitors don't need to be loud.

I'm not sure I'd agree with that. They should be sufficiently capable of a great deal of peak over average listening level.

If you want louder, get the KH150's.

And boy isn't that counterintuitive.

 

[smcc]

I have the KH310s at 1.5m and I've never seen the red lights come on at that distance. They would be deafening loud at that point, ears ringing afterwards.

Admittedly without a sub they do run out of bass with bass heavy music, particularly un-mixed music, like a raw drum machine...definitely you want a sub(s) for that kind of music...but there's no compression at normal listening levels with acoustic music, jazz classical etc.

Of course the KH420 are better speakers, and I agree that the KH310a aren't really ideal for midfield...I have seen the red lights come on at 4 meters. They wouldn't be enough at that distance for me, though I do listen loud. But to say they aren't excellent at 1.5m is total nonsense...for the size/price they're second to none...

 

[markstein]

Yes, actually. At moderately loud (~86dB Z) levels the KH310s already compress pretty audible to me.

Just looked on the Neumann site - they are providing measurements for all of their loudspeakers. Paired with a KH810, the KH310 delivers 100dB at 1m at 3% THD (one speaker). KH420 with KH870 can go approx. 6dB louder.

The KH310 should be ok for moderate listening levels, however, I understand the KH420 has more reserves when getting louder.

 

[thewas]

I have the KH310s at 1.5m and I've never seen the red lights come on at that distance. They would be deafening loud at that point, ears ringing afterwards.

Admittedly without a sub they do run out of bass with bass heavy music, particularly un-mixed music, like a raw drum machine...definitely you want a sub(s) for that kind of music...but there's no compression at normal listening levels with acoustic music, jazz classical etc.

Of course the KH420 are better speakers, and I agree that the KH310a aren't really ideal for midfield...I have seen the red lights come on at 4 meters. They wouldn't be enough at that distance for me, though I do listen loud. But to say they aren't excellent at 1.5m is total nonsense...for the size/price they're second to none...

The KH310 are sold as nearfield monitors and I agree that in that listening distance and with most music they get earbleedingly loud before the limiter LED lights.

 

[teashea]

I have the KH310s at 1.5m and I've never seen the red lights come on at that distance. They would be deafening loud at that point, ears ringing afterwards.

Admittedly without a sub they do run out of bass with bass heavy music, particularly un-mixed music, like a raw drum machine...definitely you want a sub(s) for that kind of music...but there's no compression at normal listening levels with acoustic music, jazz classical etc.

Of course the KH420 are better speakers, and I agree that the KH310a aren't really ideal for midfield...I have seen the red lights come on at 4 meters. They wouldn't be enough at that distance for me, though I do listen loud. But to say they aren't excellent at 1.5m is total nonsense...for the size/price they're second to none...

I use my KH310's at 1.2 meters and they are quite loud enough for mixing and mastering.

 

[markstein]

I do not want to hijack this thread by discussing the KH310, however, I believe that statements like "KH310 compresses audibly at 86dB" present really a wrong picture.

When comparing distortion levels at 96dB/ 1m from amirm's review with those of the new Ascilab A6B purify speakers, the KH310 are actually comparable down to 100Hz. And those A6B were praised for their low distortion levels...

When paired with capable subwoofers at 80Hz, there should be no limitation with the KH310 at "normal" listening levels, even in midfield. Of course there could be higher compression at higher levels, especially when the KH310 limiter kicks in, however I never managed to activate the limiter in my personal living room setup, even when listening very loud.

 

[teashea]

I do not want to hijack this thread by discussing the KH310, however, I believe that statements like "KH310 compresses audibly at 86dB" present really a wrong picture.

When comparing distortion levels at 96dB/ 1m from amirm's review with those of the new Ascilab A6B purify speakers, the KH310 are actually comparable down to 100Hz. And those A6B were praised for their low distortion levels...

When paired with capable subwoofers at 80Hz, there should be no limitation with the KH310 at "normal" listening levels, even in midfield. Of course there could be higher compression at higher levels, especially when the KH310 limiter kicks in, however I never managed to activate the limiter in my personal living room setup, even when listening very loud.

I am glad you addressed this.

 

[bachatero]

Any rumors of if the DSP version of this will be much better than before? Right now, it seems like a downright hard sell over the KH150.

 

[teashea]

Any rumors of if the DSP version of this will be much better than before? Right now, it seems like a downright hard sell over the KH150.

Indeed, except that the KH150 is designed for nearfield use and is not particularly effective at longer distances. I suspect that the the KH310 II will be next, but I have nothing to base that on except my feelings.

 

[paudio]

Any rumors of if the DSP version of this will be much better than before? Right now, it seems like a downright hard sell over the KH150.

Indeed, except that the KH150 is designed for nearfield use and is not particularly effective at longer distances. I suspect that the the KH310 II will be next, but I have nothing to base that on except my feelings.

I got my pair of O410 used for less than a pair of KH150 before tax and previous to the KH150 launching. KH150 would make much more sense in the small room I have the O410 in currently. I got to hear some KH150 + KH750 at a studio one time that sounded pretty good. There is really massive size difference in the cabinets as well as the stands you'd be putting them on. Space savings alone on the KH150 makes a lot of sense if you aren't putting them in a big room.

 

[Jaxjax]

Just a heads up to anyone thinking of getting KH420. Sweetwater has put em up at 48mo 0 intrest. Ive never seen them do a 48 spread before on these. June 2 2025 cut off I think.

 

[Johnnie]

Everyone thinking about getting Neumann KH420 should also consider Genelec 1237 and 1238. You get SAM, more power and option for grille cloth

 

[Pearljam5000]

KH420 for about $400 on AliExpress
What are the chances of it being real?

 

[Cecill]

The same picture is on a pair of Neumann's KH420 on eBay.

 

[unpluggged]

KH420 for about $400 on AliExpress
What are the chances of it being real? View attachment 457543

As far as I can see, it says it's authentic in the description