Buyer’s Guide: Neumann Studio Monitors

A close-up of the woofer on a Neumann KH 150 studio monitor

When it comes to audio brands, Neumann is one of the most legendary names in the business. This German company has been innovating and pushing boundaries since the early 20th century, and they certainly aren’t slowing down any time soon.

While they’re best known for their revolutionary condenser mics, the company also sports an impressive line of versatile and transparent studio monitors designed for pretty much any space. In fact, some can even be calibrated to literally be designed for your space.

With that, here’s a quick guide to all of the Neumann speaker monitors currently available at Vintage King so you can find the best fit for you.

A Brief History of Neumann

The story of recorded music is a long and winding one, but Neumann is right there on the first page. Founded in Berlin by Georg Neumann in 1928, the company created what is considered to be the first commercially available condenser mic in the world, the CMV 3—also affectionately known as the “Neumann Bottle.”

But the company is probably best known for two mics that defined the sound of the 1950s and 60s and ushered in the modern era of recording, the U 47 and U 87. From Frank Sinatra to the Beatles, the sound of vocals across a wide range of genres was defined by the present, sharp, and upper-mid-forward sound of the U Series mics. That quintessential tone is also why these mics are still used and coveted by artists and studios all over the world to this day.

Today, Neumann has applied that eye for design and commitment to excellence across a wide array of audio products, including preamps, headphones, audio interfaces, and studio monitors. The last category is what we’ll be focusing on today, as there are plenty of fantastic Neumann speakers available right now. Here’s a guide to every Neumann studio monitor in stock today.

Neumann Studio Monitors

KH 120 II TWO-WAY ACTIVE STUDIO MONITOR

Just like its beloved predecessor, the KH 120 II brings a wide-open frequency response, high SPLs, and fine-tuned sonic imaging in a compact and affordable design. On top of all of those great specs, this version also offers higher resolution, deeper low end, and Neumann’s specially designed DSP engine for more clarity and transparency than ever. Available in white as well as an AES67 upgrade for network connection.

KH 310 ACTIVE STUDIO MONITOR

This tri-amplified three-way monitor utilizes several innovative features to create a highly accurate sound and lightning-fast transient response. The tech includes an elliptical Mathematically Modeled Dispersion (MMD) waveguide, a midrange driver with a reduced Doppler effect, and a single-piece front panel with no discontinuities for reduced diffraction and smoother frequency response. The speaker’s top quality and sonic accuracy make it a perfect fit for both HDTV and 5.1 multichannel audio.

KH 420 3-WAY ACTIVE STUDIO MONITOR

This versatile three-way monitor is designed to excel at tracking, mixing, and mastering. Along with specs like the MMD waveguide and computer-optimized drivers, the KH 420 also comes with a plethora of input options and mounting hardware to best suit your preferences, space, and workflow.

KH 150 TWO-WAY ACTIVE DSP NEARFIELD STUDIO MONITOR

This bi-amplified monitor’s 6.5-inch woofer offers an impressive amount of bass response while still maintaining clarity and balance in your sound. That alone is a great selling point, but the KH 150 is part of the groundbreaking MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment system, which creates a custom frequency response that’s calibrated specifically for your room and setup. In other words, this speaker will give you a truly neutral sound and greater confidence in your mixes. Also available in white and with AES67 connectivity.

KH 80 DSP ACTIVE STUDIO MONITOR

This monitor offers similar specs to the KH 150—namely the DSP engine and Automatic Monitor Alignment system—but in a slightly more compact package. Also available in white.

Neumann Subwoofers

KH 750 ACTIVE SUBWOOFER

Ideal for smaller spaces, this compact, DSP-controlled subwoofer sports a mighty 10” driver to deliver clear low-end, and lightning-fast response. Plus, pairing with monitors like the KH 80 or KH 150 and calibrating your settings is quick and simple using the Neumann.Control App for iPad.

KH 810 ACTIVE STUDIO SUBWOOFER

Along with premium amplification and a pristine sound, this sub comes with eight analog channels, four-mode LFE-Channel processing, and a unique 7.1 High Definition Bass Manager. In other words, whether you’re working in mono or in 7.1 HD, this sub is compatible and ready to deliver.

KH 870 ACTIVE STUDIO SUBWOOFER

This sub is everything great about the KH 810, but more of it: a bigger driver, a more powerful amplifier, and higher SPLs.

Neumann Measurement Microphone

MA 1 AUTOMATIC MONITOR ALIGNMENT MICROPHONE

This pencil-shaped mic is the key to taking your Neumann speakers from sounding incredible to as close to perfect as you can get. Using calibration algorithms designed by audio geniuses Fraunhofer IIS, the MA 1 precisely measures your room and eliminates unwanted influences on your sound, making for a truthful and transparent sonic signature.

You can purchase the mic on its own or bundled with the KH 80, KH 750, or both to get your new, next-gen setup up and running in no time. MA 1 works natively with the KH 80, KH 120-ii, KH 150, and KH 750 DSP, as well as the KH 310 and KH 420 when paired with the KH 750.

If you’re interested in purchasing a pair of Neumann studio monitors, contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160.