Neumann KH 120 - Right Choice?

[DeanAg05]

I just picked up a pair of these the other day for a desktop system at my computer (which is now all I'll be able to have because of a recent move). I thought they pretty much blew all the other monitors in that particular store away (but quite a few of the monitors available to demo had problems like pushed in tweeters =/)

Since I pretty much grabbed these without doing a whole hell of a lot of shopping around, I'm wondering if for the same cost ($1300) I should be sure to check out anything else, or if I could do as good for cheaper while I still am in my return window.

They don't have to be active monitors as I already have a desktop amp I could use for passives, but they can't be much bigger due to space constraints. Also would be great (but perhaps impossible) if they had enough base to avoid getting a sub or at least put it off for a while. The bass on the Neumanns is pretty incredible for such a small package.

I primarily listen to rock in all of its various forms if that matters, but I don't listen at reference levels because of the whole apartment thing. Also, they would need to be able to be auditioned in the Houston area (or at least have a liberal return policy =)...)

Thanks for the help!

 

[TLS Guy]

I just picked up a pair of these the other day for a desktop system at my computer (which is now all I'll be able to have because of a recent move). I thought they pretty much blew all the other monitors in that particular store away (but quite a few of the monitors available to demo had problems like pushed in tweeters =/)

Since I pretty much grabbed these without doing a whole hell of a lot of shopping around, I'm wondering if for the same cost ($1300) I should be sure to check out anything else, or if I could do as good for cheaper while I still am in my return window.

They don't have to be active monitors as I already have a desktop amp I could use for passives, but they can't be much bigger due to space constraints. Also would be great (but perhaps impossible) if they had enough base to avoid getting a sub or at least put it off for a while. The bass on the Neumanns is pretty incredible for such a small package.

I primarily listen to rock in all of its various forms if that matters, but I don't listen at reference levels because of the whole apartment thing. Also, they would need to be able to be auditioned in the Houston area (or at least have a liberal return policy =)...)

Thanks for the help!

I have actually had a chance to play with those speakers, and they are very good. If you go cheaper, you will have a marked reduction in sound quality.

If you go passive you could go with the ATC SCM 7s. They are $1000 per pair.

They are actually better then the Neumannns. The ATC SCM 7 is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to small monitors.

Either way you will need a sub for rock music.

For either of those speakers there is a chasm in quality between them and the sorts of speakers talked about on these forums for your application.

 

[jcl]

Neumann is best known for their microphones; I wasn't sure how this would translate to monitor design. After doing a little research I found that the Klein & Hummel studio monitor business was transferred under the Neumann brand. They have been around for 70 years according to one website I found. Glad you like how they sound. In your comparison were you able to listen to any Focal, Genelec, or Dynaudio? Those would be similar - active near field monitors.

 

[TLS Guy]

Neumann is best known for their microphones; I wasn't sure how this would translate to monitor design. After doing a little research I found that the Klein & Hummel studio monitor business was transferred under the Neumann brand. They have been around for 70 years according to one website I found. Glad you like how they sound. In your comparison were you able to listen to any Focal, Genelec, or Dynaudio? Those would be similar - active near field monitors.

I know them all well except the Focal. The Genelec is awful, like the rest of their over rated products.

The Dynaudio is good, but significantly below the Neumann and ATCs.

 

[DeanAg05]

Neumann is best known for their microphones; I wasn't sure how this would translate to monitor design. After doing a little research I found that the Klein & Hummel studio monitor business was transferred under the Neumann brand. They have been around for 70 years according to one website I found. Glad you like how they sound. In your comparison were you able to listen to any Focal, Genelec, or Dynaudio? Those would be similar - active near field monitors.

I heard a pair of larger (8" woofer) Genelecs and they didn't appeal to me for whatever reason. I was considering a pair of Dynaudios before I spotted the Neumans off to the side (I didn't know anything about them at the time or what their price point was) and had them hooked up because most of the monitors I had been able to listen to at that point were significantly larger, and I wanted to see how something smaller held up. I was pretty blown away.

I have not however had a chance to here the Focals. I am a little curious regarding the JBL LSR4326P. They seem to have a lot going for them. The Adams in store were completely screwed up so I didn't really get to hear those.

 

[its phillip]

I would definitely take a look at the JBL LSR4326P, not that I have any experience with products like this

 

[DeanAg05]

I would definitely take a look at the JBL LSR4326P, not that I have any experience with products like this

Well, it is proving to be impossible to find a pair of these to audition in Houston. Does anyone know of a place either here or in Dallas (headed there next weekend through the 4th)?

I was able to satisfy my curiosity today regarding the Adams and while I prefer the Neumans, those were pretty good too. Listened to quite a few other active monitors again and nothing got me excited like the first time I heard the Neumanns.

I also listened to some Paradigms and the Golden Ear Aons today for curiosities sake. I much preferred the Paradigm Mini Monitor to the Aon 3s (it was something about the vocals that was bothering me when switching between the two) even without taking into account the Mini Monitors are cheaper. The Paradigm Atom monitors sounded poor next to the other 2 larger bookshelves though.

So far I'm sticking with the Neumans, but I really, really want to hear the JBLs.

 

[TLS Guy]

Well, it is proving to be impossible to find a pair of these to audition in Houston. Does anyone know of a place either here or in Dallas (headed there next weekend through the 4th)?

I was able to satisfy my curiosity today regarding the Adams and while I prefer the Neumans, those were pretty good too. Listened to quite a few other active monitors again and nothing got me excited like the first time I heard the Neumanns.

I also listened to some Paradigms and the Golden Ear Aons today for curiosities sake. I much preferred the Paradigm Mini Monitor to the Aon 3s (it was something about the vocals that was bothering me when switching between the two) even without taking into account the Mini Monitors are cheaper. The Paradigm Atom monitors sounded poor next to the other 2 larger bookshelves though.

So far I'm sticking with the Neumans, but I really, really want to hear the JBLs.

Don't waste your time. The JBL's are way below the Neumanns.

 

[DeanAg05]

Does anyone know where the ATCs can be auditioned in the Dallas Area?

 

[DeanAg05]

What are the opinions around here of the Focal Solo 6s?