Most accurate monitors under £700

[ajay_m]

Why buy expensive monitors?. Well, at some point we get to a time in life where we have more money than when we were younger and somewhat more freedom in terms of how we spend it.
At this point, certain things we maybe have always aspired to become attainable; still not cheap but not beyond our means to procure if we really want to.
Now every time you sit down and listen through those monitors you've got the deep satisfaction of knowing that what you are hearing is 'as good as it gets'.

When it comes to the Neumann vs other monitor debate, I'm quite sure there will be many, many high-end studio monitors that will be as good as the Neumanns. Possibly - even better. BUT I know *if* I bought the Neumanns I'd never be wondering if I made the right choice, because they are so widely recognised as representing the acme of monitor technology. If I bought another brand, I'd always wonder if the Neumanns would have been better. That's the psychology - it's kind of like buying a Rolex watch, I guess even though Omega might be just as good.

There's also the aspect of build and quality control. I've seen a picture of the inside of one of the lower end Adam monitors and it's not a particularly pretty sight, I have to say. I'm sure they put more effort into their higher end products but still, given also the reported failure here, that does make me wonder (I had a Tapco S5 monitor fail the exact same way, took out the tweeter power amp while just idling, since then I've put the monitors on wifi switches so they are only powered up while I'm actually using them).

[ef37a]

Ajay, you have expressed my ideas perfectly. I am in that happy place where I need seek no one's opinion as to what I buy, nor if I go into a bit of debt for a time. My pensions will keep dripping in for the foreseeable (to give you some I idea, I shall STILL qualify for the fuel allowance. 80 early November so I might get the full wedge!)
My outgoings are known and pretty much fixed and even if "the sky should fall" I have a fair pre arranged overdraft facility and a decent card limit. In short I am not going to get myself in bother!

Yes, I shall relax and think "this is as good as it gets for what I can afford".

Let us hope the car will not put too much of a kink in the plastic! 21st July MOT..Oooerr!

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

When it comes to the Neumann vs other monitor debate, I'm quite sure there will be many, many high-end studio monitors that will be as good as the Neumanns. Possibly - even better....

There are definitely 'better' monitor speakers than the Neumanns, and for that reason I'm not sure the Rolex comparison is valid.

However, all of the Neumann models punch far above their price points on the quality scale. Putting that another way, you'd need to spend at least double, if not much more, on any other brand's monitor speakers to match the quality... IMHO.

They are also hype-free. No emphasised mid, no bloated bass, no shrill top. Just accurate, smooth, and properly consistent between random samples of the same model! Which says a lot of the manufacturing standards.

[Drew Stephenson]

I did listen to the Adam T-series at the same time as listening to the KH80s when I was buying. Even in the less-than-stellar acoustics of the showroom the Neumann's were clearly a step up. Better separation, more detail, more precise stereo imaging, faster bass. I bought them for a reason.

[Arpangel]

My attitude to monitoring has always been, you don't need a 21k Snap On tool kit and a clinically clean workshop to work on a 20yo Nissan Micra.
We need to get all this into perspective.
And, just because you’ve got a few bob doesn’t mean you have to waste it, or buy things just because you can. I love just seeing what I can do with cheap things, always been a fascination.

[Drew Stephenson]

But:
A) having the right tools and a good workshop will make it sooooo much easier to work on the 20-year old Micra.
And
B) they will also allow you to do a good job on something newer and more valuable in due course.

I really don't think this is a very good analogy, but then my degree is in mechanical engineering and I have strong opinions about tools!

[Arpangel]

But:
A) having the right tools and a good workshop will make it sooooo much easier to work on the 20-year old Micra.
And
B) they will also allow you to do a good job on something newer and more valuable in due course.

I really don't think this is a very good analogy, but then my degree is in mechanical engineering and I have strong opinions about tools!

Tools are interesting, but you never hear an artist talk about the best brush for a tenner.

[Sam Spoons]

You hear 'artistes' talking about tools all the time, there are magazines and forums dedicated to exactly that...

And WRT Snap On, if it's this 20 year old Micra you probably need more than a few Halfords spanners...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keZB3RH-C5M

[ef37a]

But:
A) having the right tools and a good workshop will make it sooooo much easier to work on the 20-year old Micra.
And
B) they will also allow you to do a good job on something newer and more valuable in due course.

I really don't think this is a very good analogy, but then my degree is in mechanical engineering and I have strong opinions about tools!

I agree Drew and in any case my interest is not in "synths" or "constructing" songs but listening to finished product and I want THE best reproduction of what the artist intended (even you Toni!) Some 90% of that music will be reproduced acoustic instruments. Very keen on Bach's works for piano or arranged for guitar (heard some done on accordion on R3...just don't work for me!) but I am fond of most classical music. Not averse to electronics! Switched on Bach blew me away! Love Beatles, Queen, Quo, Stones et al, why I want a head banging SPL if I can get it!

Dave.

[Bob Bickerton]

One attribute of the Neumanns that I enjoy is the sound-stage (if that’s the right name). It’s the closest I’ve heard to a realistic concert replication for acoustic and classical music. So it’s not just accuracy.

In fact I enjoy the KH80s so much that I think I’m going to pop the 120’s on my wish list to give just a little more bass extension.

Bob

[James Perrett]

One attribute of the Neumanns that I enjoy is the sound-stage (if that’s the right name). It’s the closest I’ve heard to a realistic concert replication for acoustic and classical music. So it’s not just accuracy.

I'd go as far as to say that you can't call a speaker a monitor unless a pair of them produce a convincing soundstage that allow you to pin point the sound sources in 3D.

[Folderol]

One attribute of the Neumanns that I enjoy is the sound-stage (if that’s the right name). It’s the closest I’ve heard to a realistic concert replication for acoustic and classical music. So it’s not just accuracy.

I'd go as far as to say that you can't call a speaker a monitor unless a pair of them produce a convincing soundstage that allow you to pin point the sound sources in 3D.

Hmmm. Well, I can't really pinpoint sound sources in real life so I doubt expensive speakers would be any better.
Oh, and I'm one of the idle poor, not the idle rich

[Folderol]

One attribute of the Neumanns that I enjoy is the sound-stage (if that’s the right name). It’s the closest I’ve heard to a realistic concert replication for acoustic and classical music. So it’s not just accuracy.

I'd go as far as to say that you can't call a speaker a monitor unless a pair of them produce a convincing soundstage that allow you to pin point the sound sources in 3D.

Hmmm. Well, I can't really pinpoint sound sources in real life (just get a general direction) so I doubt expensive speakers would be any better.
Oh, and I'm one of the idle poor, not the idle rich

[Michael Dow]

So I've read many times now the kh80 software only works on iPad... So that counts me out. I'm not buying an iPad. Ever. Certainly not to use some speakers!

[James Perrett]

So I've read many times now the kh80 software only works on iPad... So that counts me out. I'm not buying an iPad. Ever. Certainly not to use some speakers!

You don't have to use software with them. Hugh reviewed them before the software was ready and seemed very impressed with them as they were.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/neumann-kh80-dsp

I've heard them both with and without room correction and I'm not convinced that the room correction would add much to a well treated room.

[Hugh Robjohns]

So I've read many times now the kh80 software only works on iPad...

You're thinking of the original Neumann Control iPad app....and you're reading out of date reviews.

First, there's no need to use any control software. The KH80s are superb out of the box and if the room acoustics are good they will perform admirably. (If the room acoustics aren't good, address that before investing in decent speakers).

And second, the Neumann Control app has essentially been superseded by the far more capable MA1 alignment software (and calibration mic) which runs on both Mac and PC platforms. (...and not on iOS, so definitely no iPad needed!).

https://www.neumann.com/en-gb/products/ ... ories/ma-1

The MA1 software can be used to align any Neumann DSP speaker system accurately in the room (KH80, KH120mk2, KH150 etc) via a physical network connection back to the Mac/PC.

Older analogue speakers like the original KH120 or the KH310 or KH420 can also be aligned using the MNA1 system if used in concert with a DSP sub like the KH750.

[Drew Stephenson]

In fact I enjoy the KH80s so much that I think I’m going to pop the 120’s on my wish list to give just a little more bass extension.

Worth considering the KH750 sub Bob, I found it significantly improved the midrange on the KH80s.

[Drew Stephenson]

So I've read many times now the kh80 software only works on iPad... So that counts me out. I'm not buying an iPad. Ever. Certainly not to use some speakers!

What Hugh said above. I don't have an ipad and the Neumann software works fine on a PC. But even without it the KH80s are still the best things that I've heard in the price range.

[Michael Dow]

Thanks guys good to know I'm out of date.

I'm seriously considering the kh80s as my room is small and they sound like they would really work well for me

I'm still working on the acoustics..I have one corner done, the next two possible corners will be done soon too floor to ceiling corner traps. DIY. Then I'll make some broadband absorber 1200x600x100 panels spaced off the wall by 50 probably.

Annoyingly the wall to my right is floor to ceiling single glazed sliding door. I'll have to make a moveable panel for here.

I may try and get a ceiling/cloud panel too.

Is 50mm enough for these?

[Sam Spoons]

All my broadband panels are 50mm RW3 spaced 40mm off the wall/ceiling and, while I'm sure going for 100mm RW£ and a bigger gap would have been better, I'm very happy with the way my room sounds. It's not perfect but plenty good enough for my needs. Definitely go for a cloud at the ceiling mirror point, those first four mirror point* panels will make the biggest difference.

* Ceiling, side walls and back wall.

[Martin Walker]

I may try and get a ceiling/cloud panel too.

Is 50mm enough for these?

Unless your space is severely cramped height-wise I'd recommend suspending a 100mm panel several inches below the ceiling, as this can make significant improvements to the floor/ceiling modes.

It certainly did in my little studio!

[Michael Dow]

Thanks martin I will do that

Can the kh80 be placed horizontally? They have curved sides.... Which looks like they've chosen that design to stop you doing it.

If that's the case they're a no for me. My monitors need to go on top of some racks (Ikea rast) and sideways otherwise they'll be far too high for sitting position

[Aled Hughes]

Any monitor that’s designed to be vertical will be compromised if you place them horizontally. They should however be fine if you place them upside down to get the tweeter closer to ear level.

[Michael Dow]

Any monitor that’s designed to be vertical will be compromised if you place them horizontally. They should however be fine if you place them upside down to get the tweeter closer to ear level.

Oh I've never even contemplated turning monitors upside down! Food for thought! I actually seem to remember preferring my alesis mk2s horizontally..(have had them 20 years now)

[Michael Dow]

The kh80s are smaller than the alesis..so maybe I just leave them vertical and angle them down a bit? Is angling time down ok?