
Neumann
Neumann 509122 KH 120 MKII Active Studio Monitor Pair Bundle
★★★★★
80W
Neumann's KH 120 MKII pair delivers the flat, uncolored truth your mixes need — reference monitoring with DSP precision and waveguide imaging for critical studio work.
$1,898.00*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.
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Overview
Key Features
Reference-Class Performance
5.25" Woofer + 1" Tweeter
Bi-Amped: LF 80W, HF 80W
MMD Waveguide
DSP Engine
Specifications
Model
KH 120 MKII
Woofer Size
5.25"
Tweeter Size
1"
Low Frequency Amplifier Power
80W
High Frequency Amplifier Power
80W
Waveguide Technology
MMD Waveguide
Internal Processing
DSP Engine
Performance Class
Reference-Class
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- The MMD waveguide produces an exceptionally wide, stable sweet spot — stereo imaging holds together even when you shift position, which matters across long sessions.
- Bi-amped 80W-per-driver configuration gives the tweeter and woofer independent headroom, so transient peaks in percussive material stay clean and uncompressed.
- DSP-controlled crossover alignment is time- and phase-accurate at the listening position, making mid-range clarity and vocal placement in a mix unusually precise.
- The MA 1 alignment mic bundle adds automatic room correction that meaningfully reduces low-frequency standing wave influence — measurably flatter response without expensive acoustic treatment.
- Balanced XLR and AES67 connectivity mean these drop cleanly into professional signal chains from any interface or digital console.
👎 Cons
- The 5.25" woofer reaches its limits below 55 Hz — sub-bass mixing decisions require a matched subwoofer, adding cost and setup complexity to the system.
- At this price point you're buying a pair plus calibration infrastructure; the total investment including isolation pads and room treatment to honor the monitor's resolution is substantial.
- The DSP calibration workflow via MA 1 mic and Neumann's software has a learning curve — first-time setup requires time and attention to get the compensation filters right.
- Physical size and weight make these less ideal for traveling producers or mobile rigs where compact monitors are preferable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the KH 120 MKII require phantom power or an external power supply?
No phantom power needed — each monitor is self-powered with bi-amplified Class D amplifiers delivering 80W to both the LF and HF drivers. You connect via XLR balanced analog or AES67 network audio; the power comes from the IEC mains connection on the back of each cabinet.
What does the DSP engine actually do for my monitoring chain?
The onboard DSP handles crossover filtering, driver alignment, and room compensation EQ with precision that analog circuitry can't match. You can trim low-end boundary reinforcement when the monitor is shelf- or wall-adjacent, and the included MA 1 alignment mic plus Neumann's software walks you through automatic room correction — meaning what you hear is the signal, not your room's resonances.
How do the KH 120 MKIIs handle low-end extension for mixing without a subwoofer?
The 5.25" woofer reaches down to approximately 52 Hz (±3 dB), which covers most mix-critical bass detail. For sub-60 Hz judgment you'll want a matching KH 750 subwoofer, but for the majority of tracking, editing, and mid-range mix decisions the low end is tight and accurate with excellent transient definition — kick drum attack is clearly separated from body.
Are these suitable for a treated home studio or do they demand a dedicated control room?
They perform best in a treated space, but the DSP room correction and boundary EQ controls make them far more adaptable than passive monitors. The MMD waveguide controls dispersion tightly, reducing early reflections — so even a moderately treated room with proper placement yields a coherent stereo image and a noise floor that reveals detail most nearfields obscure.
What's the signal-to-noise ratio and will self-noise be audible in quiet passages?
Self-noise is exceptionally low — the KH 120 MKII's amplifier section is engineered to stay inaudible even at close working distances. In a quiet treated room at moderate listening levels, you won't hear the monitors themselves; you'll hear the quietest details in your audio that lower-tier monitors simply bury.