[Clay49]

Hi folks! Brand new to the forum today. Looking forward to engaging with this community in the days ahead on all things audio!

My background: I am a professional musician, with both undergraduate and master degrees in music (in the areas of classical guitar, vocal performance, choral conducting and composition), and it has been my life’s work (in the realm of church music) creating and producing musical experiences and landscapes, including about a dozen CDs over the last 3-decades (some choir and symphony orchestra, some contemporary worship with band and a handful of singers).

As a part of those projects, we would always take them to MasterMix (in Nashville) for the mastering process and I had the privilege of sitting in Hank Williams (no, not “Jr”) studio and marvel at his mastery with taking a raw mix and creating a 3-dimensional audio portrait that literally wraps around your head! Of course, that breathtaking sound was courtesy of a $650,000 wall of PMC monitors of various shapes and sizes.

All of that to say, I have been blessed to have heard music in a way that few will ever experience. And, unfortunately, my mind and ears won’t let me forget that! Knowing that I (realistically) can’t experience that in my personal studio, I’m looking for an “honorable mention” option for my desktop setup for listening to and working on music.

I need active speakers. I’m looking for musicality with clarity and definition; good soundstage and instrument separation; and balanced tonal spectrum (near flat) but not sterile and ear-wearying

I tried a set of Adam a7x but found them ultimately too technical and almost piercing in the high frequencies. And granted, those are true studio monitors designed for mixing, not necessarily enjoying music playback. I am currently using a set of Klipsch the Fives, which are decent for the price, but just not enough clarity and definition for my ears. So I’m looking to upgrade a few levels from those.

My room: my office/studio is probably 20 x 12, and my desk sits about 2 1/2 feet from the back wall, and my speakers sit on my desk (on Kanto slanted desk stands) about 40 inches apart from each other, and about 33 inches away from my head, so that gives you probably close to 5.5 feet from the speakers to that back wall, which is covered with professional grade 1-inch absorption panels, five of those that are 8 inches wide, 4 feet tall and spaced about 4 inches apart. From the sides of my desk, the speakers are about 3 feet away from each of the sidewalls, which also have scattered absorption panels, so the area is pretty neutral. There’s probably another 14 ft from the back of the speakers to the back wall that has another triangle of 7- 12” x 12“ absorption panels, so again, reflectivity is probably minimal in the room.

In some of my research, I’ve come across some options which are: Barefoot FootprintO2, JBL 4305P, Acoustic Energy AE1, ELAC Navis ARB51, and I’ve also heard good things about the Dynaudio line, although I’m not very familiar with them. Looking to keep my total purchase under $2500, and I’m not afraid to buy used or open box.

My rig is extremely simple (and probably could use some additional assistance/recommendations, but I don’t want a desktop cluttered with gear), right now I am running from my MacBook Pro out of the headphone jack using a Moon Audio Silver Dragon cable into the analog input of The Fves. I figured using wired set up is better than Bluetooth, keeping the signal chain pure and at a higher resolution… I may be wrong.

Given all this information, I would love to get some recommendations from you guys about any of the speakers I have mentioned, or maybe some others that I should consider (Focal Shape, etc)???

I listen to mainly orchestral and choral music, piano jazz, such as David Benoit and contemporary worship music. Thanks for your patience on this very long post, look forward to getting to know you all and learning from your vast experiences.

 

[Somafunk]

At your price point I’d be looking at Neumann KH 150 as there’s not much out there that can compete for a similar price, perhaps a Genelec 8340 setup but I imagine they’d need a sub, Personally I’d pick the Neumann everyday, and perhaps add a sub if needed at some other point. Maybe see about getting a small Topping DX3 to act as a feed from your computer to the Neumann, would also give you a very good headphone amp. If the KH 150 is too expensive then I’d get the KH 120 ii and Topping DX3, I’ve heard them both and they’re absolutely fantastic sounding monitors.

Neumann KH 150 review here

Topping DX3 here

Neumann KH 120 ii review here

EDIT : Just saw the price of Neumann monitors in the states, Jesus Christ they're expensive over there compared to here in Europe, I guess the KH 120 ii and Topping DX3 is the way to go and that's leave you money for XLR cables from the DX3 to KH 120ii

 

[Roseval]

Maybe audition
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/neumann-kh120-ii-monitor-review.46362/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/genelec-8351b-review-studio-monitor.23432/

 

[Clay49]

At your price point I’d be looking at Neumann KH 150 as there’s not much out there that can compete for a similar price, perhaps a Genelec 8340 setup but I imagine they’d need a sub, Personally I’d pick the Neumann everyday, and perhaps add a sub if needed at some other point. Maybe see about getting a small Topping DX3 to act as a feed from your computer to the Neumann, would also give you a very good headphone amp. If the KH 150 is too expensive then I’d get the KH 120 ii and Topping DX3, I’ve heard them both and they’re absolutely fantastic sounding monitors.

Neumann KH 150 review here

Topping DX3 here

Neumann KH 120 ii review here

EDIT : Just saw the price of Neumann monitors in the states, Jesus Christ they're expensive over there compared to here in Europe, I guess the KH 120 ii and Topping DX3 is the way to go and that's leave you money for XLR cables from the DX3 to KH 120ii

I have always been under the impression that Neumann were studio monitors, not so much for the enjoyment of listening to music. I DO want clarity, detail and as wide a sound stage as possible, just don’t want an analytical mixing setup. Please correct me if my assumptions are erroneous.

 

[Somafunk]

That is an oft quoted response (not for music enjoyment) by hifi manufacturers wanting to sell you fancy veneers etc and a highly coloured inaccurate sound at an inflated price with dealer markup, studio monitors (good ones anyway) are designed to have as flat a frequency response as possible. You say you want clarity/detail/wide immersive soundstage, all this is there in Neumann designs with an accurate response that is not coloured.

Ask your mate with the studio, I imagine they will agree.

 

[Arniesb]

You would be fool to not pick Neumann at close to this price considering their performance.
Genelecs are more analytical while Neumann speakers are not offensive at all.
I probably gonna get Neumann Kh 150 since it have no competition at its price range from what ive seen.

 

[Clay49]

Thank you, Somafunk and Arniesb, I will dig deeper on my research on Neumann.

 

[Rhamnetin]

That is an oft quoted response (not for music enjoyment) by hifi manufacturers wanting to sell you fancy veneers etc and a highly coloured inaccurate sound at an inflated price with dealer markup, studio monitors (good ones anyway) are designed to have as flat a frequency response as possible. You say you want clarity/detail/wide immersive soundstage, all this is there in Neumann designs with an accurate response that is not coloured.

Ask your mate with the studio, I imagine they will agree.

I'm 100% in agreement with this along with the Neumann and Genelec recommendations. Musicality comes from the music first and foremost. Monitors having a generally flat frequency response doesn't make them less musical, it means they more accurately play what's in the actual music recording by playing every audible frequency more evenly relative to one another. For this, I'd argue they're more musical compared to something with a nice veneer that rolls off the high frequencies (destroying information in the music) or has too much distortion (altering what's in the music).

That budget has room for the Neumann KH 120 II which is the route I'd go. Dirac Live room correction or something similar would be a nice addition, if not immediately then at some point down the road.

The ADAM Audio A*X series like the A7X you heard had some issues with frequency response and apparently design issues with the front port. Issues not present on the aforementioned Neumanns and Genelecs (or on the newer ADAM Audio S series, but most of those are overpriced).

 

[Clay49]

I'm 100% in agreement with this along with the Neumann and Genelec recommendations. Musicality comes from the music first and foremost. Monitors having a generally flat frequency response doesn't make them less musical, it means they more accurately play what's in the actual music recording by playing every audible frequency more evenly relative to one another. For this, I'd argue they're more musical compared to something with a nice veneer that rolls off the high frequencies (destroying information in the music) or has too much distortion (altering what's in the music).

That budget has room for the Neumann KH 120 II which is the route I'd go. Dirac Live room correction or something similar would be a nice addition, if not immediately then at some point down the road.

The ADAM Audio A*X series like the A7X you heard had some issues with frequency response and apparently design issues with the front port. Issues not present on the aforementioned Neumanns and Genelecs (or on the newer ADAM Audio S series, but most of those are overpriced).

I’m not familiar with Dirac live room… Can you elaborate???

 

[Rhamnetin]

I’m not familiar with Dirac live room… Can you elaborate???

It's a software (with competitors so not the only one) that has you measure the acoustics of your room at multiple positions, and then helps you develop a more accurate equalization for your speakers for your room and this also includes adjustments in the time domain. It's helpful even in a treated room from what I've read (I have significantly more limited room treatment than you so I can't speak to this personally).

I haven't tried the competitors though. Genelec has their own solution called GLM, but for your budget Neumann has the better speakers.

 

[Somafunk]

That budget has room for the Neumann KH 120 II which is the route I'd go. Dirac Live room correction or something similar would be a nice addition, if not immediately then at some point down the road.

No need for expensive dirac with the Neumann’s as you can buy the Neumann MA-1 calibration mic that measures the response of the speakers in your room and adjusts as necessary, in the UK you can buy a pair of Neumann K120 ii and the MA 1 mic for £1800. In the USA you’ll unfortunately pay more, see below

Pair of K120 ii at Sweetwater store here for $1998

MA 1 calibration mic at sweetwater here for $299

Sweetwater will do you a deal for $2150 all in leaving you $350

Buy a Topping DX 5 here at Shenzen Audio for $299 they’re a very good store and I’ve ordered stuff loads of times from them.

Review of Topping DX 5 here In my post above I mentioned the Topping DX 3 but forgot it did not have XLR outputs for the Neumann monitors, the Topping DX 5 does and would be an excellent pairing with the Neumann’s.

Connect using a basic XLR cable from the Monitors to the DX 5 and the DX 5 to the Laptop using the included usb cable and you’ll have an astounding listening system for your choice of music, I’m sure if you ask then Sweetwater would throw a suitable XLR in for free, they’re very helpfull.

Hope that helps,

 

[Clay49]

No need for expensive dirac with the Neumann’s as you can buy the Neumann MA-1 calibration mic that measures the response of the speakers in your room and adjusts as necessary, in the UK you can buy a pair of Neumann K120 ii and the MA 1 mic for £1800. In the USA you’ll unfortunately pay more, see below

Pair of K120 ii at Sweetwater store here for $1998

MA 1 calibration mic at sweetwater here for $299

Sweetwater will do you a deal for $2150 all in leaving you $350

Buy a Topping DX 5 here at Shenzen Audio for $299 they’re a very good store and I’ve ordered stuff loads of times from them.

Review of Topping DX 5 here In my post above I mentioned the Topping DX 3 but forgot it did not have XLR outputs for the Neumann monitors, the Topping DX 5 does and would be an excellent pairing with the Neumann’s.

Connect using a basic XLR cable from the Monitors to the DX 5 and the DX 5 to the Laptop using the included usb cable and you’ll have an astounding listening system for your choice of music, I’m sure if you ask then Sweetwater would throw a suitable XLR in for free, they’re very helpfull.

Hope that helps,

Beautiful, thanks!

 

[Somafunk]

Whatever you decide is best for your needs post up a pic, we all like to see and compare setups

 

[Clay49]

Whatever you decide is best for your needs post up a pic, we all like to see and compare setups

I will!

By the way, I’m just looking at getting the Neumann KH120 II DSP, right???

 

[Clay49]

No need for expensive dirac with the Neumann’s as you can buy the Neumann MA-1 calibration mic that measures the response of the speakers in your room and adjusts as necessary, in the UK you can buy a pair of Neumann K120 ii and the MA 1 mic for £1800. In the USA you’ll unfortunately pay more, see below

Pair of K120 ii at Sweetwater store here for $1998

MA 1 calibration mic at sweetwater here for $299

Sweetwater will do you a deal for $2150 all in leaving you $350

Buy a Topping DX 5 here at Shenzen Audio for $299 they’re a very good store and I’ve ordered stuff loads of times from them.

Review of Topping DX 5 here In my post above I mentioned the Topping DX 3 but forgot it did not have XLR outputs for the Neumann monitors, the Topping DX 5 does and would be an excellent pairing with the Neumann’s.

Connect using a basic XLR cable from the Monitors to the DX 5 and the DX 5 to the Laptop using the included usb cable and you’ll have an astounding listening system for your choice of music, I’m sure if you ask then Sweetwater would throw a suitable XLR in for free, they’re very helpfull.

Hope that helps,

Would the Topping DX5 Lite DAC Headphone Amp Full Balanced Audio Decoder be basically the same? It’s available on Amazon Prime for $349…