Datasheet

to the front left and right speakers instead of the sub.
A Cat5 socket is provided for a bespoke RS232-based
remote control facility, using a Neumann NRC1. This allows
the volume of the entire 7.1 system to be controlled, if
required, with facilities for channel muting, activation and
deactivation of the bass management, and so on.
In Use
The KH120A is a very impressive speaker, which performs to
far higher standards than its size and plain demeanour might
suggest. It’s undoubtedly a very clean, neutral and transparent
monitor that is capable of working at silly volumes if required,
all of which make it equally well suited to rock, pop, classical
or speech work. The last is probably the most demanding,
in fact, because any speaker coloration stands out like a sore
thumb when listening to a known voice. However, the KH120A
sailed through all my tests with flying colours, and I used them
on a Lieder (piano and soprano) location recording in place of
my usual PMC TB2As with great success.
Stereo imaging was very stable, with a broad ‘sweet spot’
and an excellent sense of depth and space. Transients were
portrayed with very natural dynamics, while the frequency
response was smooth and natural, conveying the bass end
remarkably well without any hype or exaggeration, and with
minimal ‘overhang’. The high end was smooth and clean,
sounding very open and light without any grittiness, while
the mid-range was honest and truthful. Hi-fi speakers tend
to recess the mid-range a little to provide a more laid-back
and engaging sound, while many ‘monitors’ hype the mids to
give a forward or even ‘shouty’ quality, to try and make them
sound more analytical. The KH120As have no need for such
shenanigans — they are brilliantly revealing and detailed, and
there’s no need to scorch your ears off! And for anyone who
has had bad experiences with noise from active speakers,
I’m please to report that the KH120A is utterly silent at the
listening position, with barely audible hiss if you put your ear
close to the drivers.
The Sub Way
Hooking up the gargantuan (in comparison) KH810 subwoofer
transformed the little KH120As into a monstrous full-range
system, which goes beyond trouser-flapping territory and
into full-scale commercial demolition! This sub packs some
impressive power and really does go down a very, very long
way. Frequency-response matching is faultless provided a little
care is taken to set the phase and levels sensibly. I’m used to
full-range monitoring with my PMC IB1s and TLE1 subwoofer,
but even I was surprised by what this KH system could deliver
in a much smaller package.
If you’re in the market for a very high-quality, accurate and
highly revealing compact monitor then the KH120A should
definitely be on your audition list — I would recommended
them very highly indeed. And if you want to know what’s
happening in the bottom two octaves, or if you want
a little more
power, consider
budgeting for
the KH810. I can
guarantee you
won’t be let
down.
KH120A £1198.99 per pair. KH810 £
£2682 each. Prices include VAT.
Sennheiser UK [phone].
T
[e-mail] E
www.sennheiser.co.uk W
www.neumann.com W
139
www.soundonsound.com / April 2012