Neumann KH150 and KH120II

[jaminem]

Thomann recently had the KH150's up on their site with a pre-order price for £1399 each which is quite a difference from the KH120's at £525 each. It's also pretty close to the KH310 price.

I paid £2,600 for my pair of KH310's....New!

sorry..

[dickiefunk]

The KH150's are also up on the Neumann website :-

https://en-de.neumann.com/kh-150#description

The KH120II is based on the names of some files found in a subfolder of the new MA1-installation.

Of course, I'd almost completely forget that the KH120II had already come out at the start of the thread

To be honest, I’m most interested in these as the KH150’s may be out of my budget. It will be interesting to see if these are the KH120’s with DSP added or whether there are some significant changes over the original.

[porthoss78]

I've just notice that SOS have just published Phil Ward's review of the KH150 :

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/neumann-kh150

He was very impressed with them by the sound of it:

"the KH150 and MA 1 is as near to flawless as I’ve heard compact nearfield monitoring get."

If the new version of the KH120s is as impressive, it's going to be something very special indeed!

[sboydell200]

I’ve had the KH120’s ever since they first hit the stores in the UK. I’ve been using them for well over 10 years and love them. I added an Eve TS108 sub to these which is a surprisingly good little sub but I haven’t been able to perfectly integrate with the KH120’s. Whilst it’s not too bad, I don’t really use it for critical mixing. It can be useful to give me a rough idea of what’s happening in the sub bass area but not 100% reliable due to certain frequencies overwhelming my small room.
For more accurate mix translation, I tend to use just the KH120’s by themselves and reference of headphones for the deeper sub frequencies.
Whilst the KH120’s are capable of putting out surprisingly deep bass by themselves, i would ideally like a little more.
I have considered the KH310’s but them are completely out of my budget.
I did consider changing the Eve TS108 for the Neumann KH750 as this has the dsp to help tune the whole system to my room but I goes an extra octave lower than the Eve TS108 and I’m thinking this could be even more overwhelming/overkill for my small room.
I have been wishing Neumann would release something in between the KH120 - KH310 and am really excited to hear that they have with the KH150!!
I can’t wait to find out more about it and hopefully try out for myself! This could be the perfect solution for my mixing room!

Exactly the same situation. Would love to hear if you tried them.

[Jorge]

Has anyone with a crystal ball or contacts at Neumann heard any further news about plans to produce a KH120 mkII? Or a Neumann DSP 3-way to replace the KH310?

[Hugh Robjohns]

NAMM is coming. If they've got new toys to play with I'm sure they'll have them there.

[dickiefunk]

Yep I’m hoping there will be more news with NAMM.

[elbenderman]

Obviously no one can know for sure, but I was about to pull the trigger on a pair of kh120s when I saw this thread.

Realistically it would be easy to guess the new models, when they launch, will be more expensive. Especially since I have a price for new kh120s for 825 Canadian a piece (should be 996).

My main fear is that the speakers are at end of life and that it would be miserable for me to have them repaired if they go down. I have also seen report online of people having issues with their boards after 6 years.

[dickiefunk]

My main fear is that the speakers are at end of life and that it would be miserable for me to have them repaired if they go down. I have also seen report online of people having issues with their boards after 6 years.

Well I’ve had my KH120’s for 12 years and not had a single issue

[James Perrett]

My main fear is that the speakers are at end of life and that it would be miserable for me to have them repaired if they go down. I have also seen report online of people having issues with their boards after 6 years.

At 6 years they are only just about run in. The newest monitors that I use are 25 years old. The oldest are over 45 years old (although those ones need servicing every 20 years or so).

[dickiefunk]

Looks like the KH120II are come soon as Neumann have listed it on their site. No data or pics yet though.

[dickiefunk]

KH120II is now up on the Neumann site :-

https://www.neumann.com/en-en/products/ ... lapse-1831

[porthoss78]

KH120II is now up on the Neumann site :-

https://www.neumann.com/en-en/products/ ... lapse-1831

Oooh, that's exciting! I look forward to these being reviewed in SOS!

Thanks for the heads up

Now we move on to waiting for the new KH310s...

[jtiis]

Just thought to give a brief (and first) first post.

Got my Neumann KH 120 Mk.ii today. Was moving up from some VERY basic speakers, so I have no great AB comparisons between other high on speakers and these, but just wanted to say WOW, I’m blown away by there fullness and clarity I’m hearing when playing Spitfire samples and for example Noire piano. I haven’t even done MA-1 set up or any other adjustments. Just plug them in and I’m one happy camper.

I’m home all day tomorrow so its going to be a great day at the keyboard!

[Hugh Robjohns]

A little bird tells me that a review of the new KH120 mk2 might appear in the next issue of Sound On Sound...

[porthoss78]

A little bird tells me that a review of the new KH120 mk2 might appear in the next issue of Sound On Sound...

That's something to look forward to! Can't wait to find out if they're better performers than the MK1 version (I'm going to assume they are...) and if they are comparable to the KH150's performance.

Thanks Hugh! I mean, thanks to the little loose beaked bird you've been speaking to

[Hugh Robjohns]

I think your assumption is a safe one... and yes, they are!

[porthoss78]

In that case I'd better start saving as I'm already sold on a set!

I wonder if the KH310 DSP version will be enough to temp you to upgrade, Hugh, or if the current ones are are already more than adequate...

Thanks again!

[Hugh Robjohns]

I'm still very happy with all that my analogue 310s tell me... In terms of quality for money they are still exceptional.

I had a Trinnov system on them for a while which does all the frequency response and time domain straightening that a DSP upgrade would deliver, and while there were definitely audible improvements they weren't actually all that significant.

As a rough guide I'd say the analogue KH310s would rate a solid 8.5/10 on the Robjohns Scale of Sonic Perfection, and with advanced DSP correction they went up to a 9/10.

I have toyed with the idea of adding the 750 sub to benefit from DSP correction, too, but Then I'd have to make space for a sub.....

[dickiefunk]

A little bird tells me that a review of the new KH120 mk2 might appear in the next issue of Sound On Sound...

Look forward to reading that. I currently own the mk1’s which I’ve had for over 12 years. They are great monitors and offer excellent value for money. However, I wonder if it would be worth upgrading these to the new mk2?
I’m using an Eve TS108 sub with these which is useful but not perfectly integrated with the KH120’s.
I am also considering swapping the Eve TS108 for the Neumann KH750 but I would miss some of the useful features of the TS108 (particularly the excellent remote control) as this allows me to power the sub on and off, mute the sub, have full control of balancing the volume of the sub and adjust the crossover from the comfort of my mixing chair.
Another option I’m considering is selling both my KH120’s and Eve TS108 and just get the KH120II’s as I would like to declutter my room. I have also considered replacing my monitors for the KH150’s but this would be a much more expensive route.

One thing worth noting is the current MA1 software doesn’t support the KH120II’s and whilst this is in the works, Neumann have said this will take some time.

Not sure which route to go for my small mixing room?

[Hugh Robjohns]

I currently own the mk1’s which I’ve had for over 12 years. They are great monitors and offer excellent value for money. However, I wonder if it would be worth upgrading these to the new mk2?

They are great monitors, so why change? Do you feel they are restricting your ability to mix? I don't see the point of changing just because something newer has come along. If you can identify deficiencies then fine, but if it's getting the job done there are probably more beneficial ways of spending your money.

I am also considering swapping the Eve TS108 for the Neumann KH750...

That would make a lot of sense. Far better sub integration and DSP alignment (bringing 95%) of the mk ii improvements with it!

...but I would miss some of the useful features of the TS108 (particularly the excellent remote control) as this allows me to power the sub on and off, mute the sub, have full control of balancing the volume of the sub and adjust the crossover from the comfort of my mixing chair.

Adjusting the crossover and volume is something that should only need to do once, during installation. Muting the sub could be done by a decent monitor controller, although I don't see the point. If you want to hear what a track sounds like with less bass switch to a grot-box second monitor.

Another option I’m considering is selling both my KH120’s and Eve TS108 and just get the KH120II’s as I would like to declutter my room.

While the mk iis do have more bass extension than the originals its nowhere near sub territory, so you may find yourself disappointed in that respect.

I have also considered replacing my monitors for the KH150’s but this would be a much more expensive route.

If the piggy bank is bulging I'd go the 750dsp /MA1 route, personally... or improve the room acoustics.

[ConcertinaChap]

Speaking as someone considering getting the KH750 to go with my KH120s, having purchased the MA1 kit and used it would one have any further use for the mic? I assume it must have a flat response over a wide range but I've already got a pair of Earthworks QTC1s covering that brief.

CC

[dickiefunk]

I currently own the mk1’s which I’ve had for over 12 years. They are great monitors and offer excellent value for money. However, I wonder if it would be worth upgrading these to the new mk2?

They are great monitors, so why change? Do you feel they are restricting your ability to mix? I don't see the point of changing just because something newer has come along. If you can identify deficiencies then fine, but if it's getting the job done there are probably more beneficial ways of spending your money.

I am also considering swapping the Eve TS108 for the Neumann KH750...

That would make a lot of sense. Far better sub integration and DSP alignment (bringing 95%) of the mk ii improvements with it!

...but I would miss some of the useful features of the TS108 (particularly the excellent remote control) as this allows me to power the sub on and off, mute the sub, have full control of balancing the volume of the sub and adjust the crossover from the comfort of my mixing chair.

Adjusting the crossover and volume is something that should only need to do once, during installation. Muting the sub could be done by a decent monitor controller, although I don't see the point. If you want to hear what a track sounds like with less bass switch to a grot-box second monitor.

Another option I’m considering is selling both my KH120’s and Eve TS108 and just get the KH120II’s as I would like to declutter my room.

While the mk iis do have more bass extension than the originals its nowhere near sub territory, so you may find yourself disappointed in that respect.

I have also considered replacing my monitors for the KH150’s but this would be a much more expensive route.

If the piggy bank is bulging I'd go the 750dsp /MA1 route, personally... or improve the room acoustics.

I guess I was wondering how much of an improvement the mk2's would be and if that would have any noticeable mixing benefits?

The sub looks like the most beneficial and cost effective move.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I guess I was wondering how much of an improvement the mk2's would be and if that would have any noticeable mixing benefits?

Some, and probably nothing dramatic.

The law of diminishing returns applies here. There's a huge difference between, say Absolute 2s and KH120s, but a relatively small difference between the mk1 and mk2.

There is a difference, of course. The mk2 is obviously better in some respects, but those benefits can largely be obtained in other ways and potentially more cost-effectively.

The sub looks like the most beneficial and cost effective move.

I think so... but maybe you should try and get to hear some mk2s before committing.