Product Overview
The KH 120 II is a two-way active studio monitor released by Neumann in 2023. It uses a 130mm LF driver and a 25mm HF driver, with front bass-reflex ports and an MMD (Mathematically Modelled Dispersion) waveguide. Neumann recommends a listening distance of 1 to 2 metres and specifies it for nearfield work as well as surround positions in multichannel systems.
Its DSP integrates the crossover, FIR phase correction, protection and rear-panel acoustical controls. The standard model provides a balanced XLR analogue input and RCA S/PDIF input and output, and can be configured over Ethernet with MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment. A separate AES67 network-audio variant is also available.
Specifications
- System
- Two-way active nearfield studio monitor
- Drivers
- LF: 130mm (5.25in); HF: 25mm (1in)
- Acoustical principle
- Bass reflex with front ports
- Frequency response
- 44Hz–21kHz (±3dB)
- Frequency range
- 41Hz–21.4kHz (±6dB)
- Maximum short-term SPL
- 108dB(C) SPL (IEC 60268-5 weighted noise, 1m, typical listening conditions)
- Amplification
- LF: 145W; HF: 100W (10% THD+N, limiters disabled)
- Crossover
- 1.7kHz, 48dB/octave
- FIR phase correction
- ±45° from 120Hz to 16kHz
- DSP
- 32-bit audio, 64-bit double-precision processing, 48kHz internal rate
- Analogue input
- XLR, electronically balanced, 24kΩ
- Digital I/O
- S/PDIF input/output (RCA, 75Ω), 24-bit, 32–200kHz input support
- Network control
- Ethernet (RJ45), MA 1 support
- Recommended listening distance
- 1.0–2.0m
- Dimensions
- 287 × 182 × 227mm (H × W × D)
- Weight
- 5.4kg per monitor
- Cabinet
- Composite polycarbonate front/rear, wooden sleeve, 6.0-litre internal volume
- Power consumption
- 0.3W standby, 15W idle, 320W at full output
Design & Technology
Two-way active configuration
The two-way system drives its 130mm LF and 25mm HF units with separate amplifiers rated up to 145W and 100W respectively. Protection includes independent soft-clip, peak and thermal limiters, plus excursion limiting for the LF driver. Two bass-reflex ports are located on the front baffle.
MMD waveguide
The 25mm HF driver is surrounded by Neumann's MMD (Mathematically Modelled Dispersion) waveguide. Its mathematically modelled profile controls radiation; Neumann states that it is intended to provide a wide sweet spot while reducing reflections from the mixing desk or work surface.
DSP crossover and phase correction
The digital active controller uses a 1.7kHz crossover with a 48dB/octave slope. Audio is handled at 32-bit resolution with 64-bit double-precision processing, and FIR phase correction is specified within ±45° from 120Hz to 16kHz. Latency is 2.6ms from the analogue input and 2.1ms from S/PDIF.
MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment
The rear RJ45 socket carries control data rather than audio. With the separately sold measurement microphone and MA 1 software, it supports automatic alignment and settings including room adaptation, system level, delay and logo brightness.
Rear-panel acoustical controls
Local controls provide 0/-2/-4/-6dB settings for Bass and Low-Mid and +1/0/-1/-2dB settings for HF. Output level can be set to 94, 100, 108 or 114dB SPL, input gain covers 0 to -15dB, and the source selector offers Analog, S/PDIF L, S/PDIF R and Mono.
XLR analogue and S/PDIF
The standard model provides an electronically balanced XLR analogue input and 75-ohm RCA S/PDIF input and output. S/PDIF accepts input sampling rates from 32 to 200kHz and passes the signal at the input sampling rate.
AES67 is a separate model
KH 120 II AES67 is a separate model adding redundant AES67 network-audio ports. Neumann specifies compatibility with ST 2110, ST 2022-7 redundancy and RAVENNA, as well as AES67 streams generated by Dante.
Sources
- 01NeumannKH 120 II - Active Studio Monitor
Manufacturer product page · Accessed August 15, 2026
- 02NeumannKH 120 II / KH 150 Instruction Manual
Official manual · Accessed August 15, 2026
- 03NeumannNext Generation Monitoring: Neumann Releases the KH 120 II
Manufacturer press release · Accessed August 15, 2026