Neumann KH 120 II 2-Way Studio Monitors, White (Pair) w/ Neumann MA 1 Monitor Alignment System

Neumann KH 120 II W DSP-Powered Active Studio Monitor Speaker, White

Neumann’s acclaimed studio monitor taken to a new level with deeper bass, higher resolution, and DSP power.

• Linear frequency and phase response
• DSP engine for improved performance and automatic room alignment
• Deep low end down to 44 Hz and high SPL capability in a small format
• Analog and S/PDIF connectivity, optional: AES67
  
  

Next Generation Monitoring

The KH 120 II is based on the same concept as its acclaimed predecessor but completely re-engineered for improved performance in all parameters: deeper bass, higher SPL capability and even better resolution. Internal DSP power allows for phase linear crossovers and room adaptive alignment via Neumann’s revolutionary MA 1 Automatic Alignment.

Even Better

When Neumann released the KH 120 A in 2010, it was the beginning of an ongoing success story. Neumann monitoring has since become the reference of choice in countless studios around the world. The KH 120 II follows the same philosophy as its predecessor and, in fact, all Neumann studio monitors: highest linearity, lowest distortion, no coloration, and perfect adaptability to any acoustic environment. Thanks to improved performance in all parameters and a powerful DSP engine, the KH 120 II enables you to hear your tracks with even greater clarity and work more efficiently. Create mixes that translate optimally to all playback systems. With ease.
Perfect Sound with a Small Footprint

The KH 120 II has an exceptionally linear frequency response from 44 Hz to 21 kHz (±3 dB). Not only that: It also linearizes the phase response! Which translates to clear mids with astonishing transparency as well as extreme accuracy in the time domain: precise impulse reproduction and finely resolved reverbs. This is made possible by DSP controlled electronics which allow for sophisticated crossovers avoiding the phase distortion caused by analog filters. The internal DSP also realizes new standards in tonal consistency. The KH 120 II is made to extremely low tolerances of no more than ±0.5 dB!  And you can hear it, too: Stereo imaging is razor-sharp.

The KH 120 II is designed for nearfield applications with a recommended listening distance of 1 – 2 meters (3 – 6 ft.). It is thus ideally suited to smaller rooms such as home and project studios as well as mixing and editing suites or as a surround speaker in large multichannel applications. Thanks to its outstanding linearity in a portable format, the KH 120 II is also an excellent choice for creating a professional quality makeshift control room when working on location (e.g. orchestra/choir, live recording, film, broadcast).
Ready for Your Room

Even the best loudspeaker only sounds as good as the acoustic environment allows. Neumann’s Mathematically Modelled Dispersion™ (MMD™) waveguide guarantees a wide sweet spot and minimizes desk reflections. But the KH 120 II goes much further: Its internal DSP allows for room calibration via Neumann’s revolutionary Automatic Monitor Alignment. MA 1 (sold separately) makes sure your DSP powered monitors are optimally adapted to the character of your room and perfectly aligned for your listening position. Even in acoustically treated rooms, this results in a significant improvement.

Tonal compatibility with other KH line studio monitors makes it possible to use the KH 120 II in mixed setups e.g. in immersive setups. For flexible connectivity the KH 120 II features both analog and S/PDIF inputs.

AES 67 – Audio over IP

Additionally, the KH 120 II AES67 model variant offers integrated redundant AES67 audio network ports that are fully compliant with broadcast standards such as ST 2110, ST 2022-7 redundancy, and RAVENNA. At the same time, the KH 120 II AES67 is compatible with DANTE®-generated AES67 network streams.

Energy Efficient

Neumann engineers took great care to develop a patent pending amplifier technology which combines superior audio performance with the energy efficiency of Class D. Although the power amplifiers of the KH 120 II deliver up to 145 W to the 5.25” woofer and 100 W to the 1” tweeter, they only consume 17 W at idle. Auto-standby reduces power consumption to 0.3 W when the KH 120 II has not been used for a while, but can be deactivated.

The KH 120 II is available in two color options, anthracite and white.

• High-precision drivers, Mathematically Modelled Dispersion™ (MMD™) waveguide
• Linear frequency response 44 Hz … 21 kHz (±3 dB)
• Linear phase response 120 Hz … 16 kHz (±45°) with latency <2.6 ms
• DSP inside allows for room adaptive alignment via Neumann’s MA 1
• Razor sharp imaging due to extremely low tolerances (±0.5 dB)
• May be combined with other KH line speakers in immersive or surround setups

Neumann MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment & Calibration Microphone System for KH DSP Loudspeakers

YOUR DIGITAL EXPERT FOR PROFESSIONAL MONITORING QUALITY

Neumann’s Automatic Monitor Alignment MA 1 ensures the best possible sound quality in any room – from home studios to professional control rooms. Using the individually calibrated measurement microphone your acoustic environment is analyzed in a guided process. Advanced calibration algorithms, jointly developed with the world's leading institute in audio processing, Fraunhofer IIS, guarantee an optimally adapted amplitude and phase correction for exact and reliable monitoring.

RELIABLE MONITORING

Anywhere Neumann’s Automatic Alignment is a dedicated tool for stereo sets of DSP-based KH-Line monitors with or without the KH 750 DSP/AES67 as well as two non-DSP-based KH-Line monitors connected to the analog outputs of a KH 750 DSP/AES67 subwoofer. Unlike conventional correction software it is an integrated solution with novel algorithms, jointly developed with the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS) specifically for Neumann studio monitors. No plug-in or special audio driver is required: Alignment data is stored and processed within the DSP-powered monitors (resp. the subwoofer) themselves. As a unique benefit, the software not only optimizes the amplitude response but also optimizes the phase. This provides highest accuracy in terms of tonality, impulse reproduction and stereo localization.

HOW IT WORKS

In the first step, acoustic data of the listening environment is gathered in a guided process. No special acoustic knowledge is required. Simply connect your Neumann monitors to the outputs of your audio interface or monitor controller. Additionally, your DSP-based KH-line monitors must also be connected to your computer’s ethernet port. For multiple connections, a standard ethernet switch will do.

Now plug the MA 1 measurement microphone into your microphone input. This microphone was specifically developed for this software and is individually calibrated by it. The software will guide you through the measurement process.

From the measured data, the software ascertains the room’s acoustic properties. The individual correction parameters are generated according to a room-specific target curve calculated by the software. Neumann's decades of experience in calibrating monitoring systems in studio control rooms has been incorporated into this process. Of course, you can modify the target curve to your needs.

An updated Monitor Alignment Algorithm compensates for room modes more precisely and effectively. Different alignments as well as complete hardware and measurement setups can be conveniently saved and recalled.

Additionally, the alignment process ensures an optimal summation in the low frequencies when a subwoofer is used. This achieves a runtime- and phase-correct combination of the monitors and the subwoofer. The often-differentiated perceptible reproduction of subwoofer and monitor is thus prevented. The result is a system as if cast from a single mold.

All resulting correction parameters are stored and processed in the DSP-powered monitors. So, there is nothing to worry about anymore, no plug-ins, no driver issues. And no additional cables, either: Once the alignment process is completed, the ethernet connections are not required anymore.
Using the KH 750 DSP subwoofer, stereo sets of analog KH-Line monitors, too, can be used with the Automatic Monitor Alignment Software. The KH 750 DSP has enough processing power to align the entire system including the two analog loudspeakers connected to its outputs. Additionally, KH 120, KH 310, and KH 420 loudspeakers profit from phase linearization of their built-in crossover filters! The result is increased clarity, a dry bass, and a time-correct, more accurate depiction of reverbs and acoustic spaces.

THE FUTURE

The MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment is the beginning of a new era in monitoring. Starting with the current version, which delivers outstanding acoustic results for stereo setups, the range of software functions will be expanded step by step with updates.

Important Information

After the alignment process, the MA 1 software stores the correction data in the monitors or in the subwoofer. In addition, both the hardware setup and the alignment(s) created are saved in the software and can be changed later if required. Another continuous connection to the computer is only required if the loudspeaker setup is to be controlled via the MA 1 during operation. This includes level settings, bass management (if a subwoofer is connected) and setup or alignment changes.

Therefore, no Ethernet connection to the computer is required for further operation of the aligned system. Currently, the data stored in the loudspeaker(s) cannot be recalled or changed, once the software is closed. The calibration procedure must be started from the beginning and repeated.

The following currently applies: If the loudspeakers were previously adjusted using the Neumann Control iPad® app, their correction data will be overwritten by an alignment with the MA 1 software. If you open the Neumann Control iPad® app again, the last data stored in the app is sent to the loudspeakers, thus overwriting the correction data generated by the MA 1.

Alignment settings are made via the MA 1 software. Other parameters (e.g., mute, delay ...) cannot currently be controlled by the MA 1 software.

The MA 1 software does not include Guided Alignment or Manual Alignment like on the Neumann Control iPad® app.