Product Comparison: JBL 705P vs Neumann KH 120 A

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Best Pick

JBL 705P Bi-Amplified 5" Master Reference Monitor, Black

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Neumann KH 120 A Active Studio Monitor

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General Specifications

Brand

JBL

Neumann

Model

705P

KH 120 A

Origin

Mexico

Ireland

About the Product

The JBL 705P is the self-powered reference monitor for critical music recording, film post and broadcast production applications. The JBL 705P leverages the same patent-pending driver technologies and JBL’s renowned Image Control Waveguide found in the 708P and the flagship M2, but with a smaller footprint.

The KH 120 is Neumann's trailblazer model and development yardstick for compact studio monitors. It has been a reference class for close-range monitoring since 2011. Enormous power reserves meet high-precision sound conduction.

Key Specs

Type

Active

Number Of Speakers

Output Power

500 W

100 W

Driver Configuration

5" woofer, 1" tweeter

1" twitter, 5.25" woofer

What customers say about "Key Specs"

JBL 705P Bi-Amplified 5" Master Reference Monitor, Black

These speakers are so good I’m in the process of selling my $2000 floor standing speakers (and amp) to make room for these.
These speakers are winners. The dynamic range is very surprising.
I’m using powered subs with them and they do just fine without the subs.
In any case, based on the need for something small, I went ahead and ordered the 705P's.
There may be better speakers out there, but for now, I really don't want to think about how much it would cost to get such a good sound.

Neumann KH 120 A Active Studio Monitor

These monitors changed my life! For the first time in decades, I now have honest sounding monitors so my mixes translate brilliantly from the studio to the living room, car and personal media players.
These are great sound speakers with lots of volume.
I've been using a pair of these to mix electronic music and also for listening for pleasure for around a year in a medium-sized, minimally-treated concrete room.
Their level of detail resolution is impressive, and imaging is excellent, particularly side-to-side but also front-to-back.
I kid you not, these are some amazing speakers. Beautiful imaging. Tight. Balanced.

Size & Weight

Height

10.6 in.

10.9 in.

Width

5.9 in.

7.1 in.

Depth

10.8 in.

8.6 in.

Weight

12.5 lbs.

14.1 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

JBL 705P Bi-Amplified 5" Master Reference Monitor, Black

Their size (and loudness, eventually) and a mildly boxy sound that I've heard mentioned in a few professional circles.
I could not find anything else this size (it's the smallest I've seen) with such a great low end spec.
All I get is a gorgeously balanced signal that is very easy to listen to, and has great low end--rather shocking at this size.
I may just end up getting another set for listening upstairs in the dining area or for home theater.
Their size is too small for monitor. I do not recommend it at that price.

Neumann KH 120 A Active Studio Monitor

Bass extension is excellent for their size, although maximum SPL is somewhat limited, so I wouldn't recommend these for anything larger than a medium-sized room.
These are the best monitors I have ever used period. They are accurate, flat, and have remarkable bass response for such small cabinets.
These guys have HEAVY metal cabs, which eliminate any resonance as far as I can tell. I have them paired with the RAB Audio Studio Monitor Isolators, which are excellent in that regard.
Incredible sound for their size. Aluminum cabinet built like a Hummer.

Audio

Min. Frequency Response

45 Hz

52 Hz

Max. Frequency Response

25 kHz

21 kHz

Sensitivity

107 dB

114 dB

Input Impendance

10 kOhm

What customers say about "Audio"

JBL 705P Bi-Amplified 5" Master Reference Monitor, Black

They are no-nonsense and everything you require as an audio professional in a monitor
I will tell you that these are the best monitors I have heard and I have been in professional sound since 1988.
Lastly on the 705P, its tweeter sounds smooth and detailed and nothing at all like an old-school compression driver, which is a very good thing.
One reviewer noticed a "boxy" sound in the 705P, which I was very familiar with already from the 6328P'.
The 708P imprints less of its own character on the sound than the 705P.

Neumann KH 120 A Active Studio Monitor

If your mix sounds right on these monitors, you can be confident that it will sound right on any playback system! Thank you, Neumann!!!!
To try them is to love them. For sub-bass reinforcement (below 60Hz or so), check out the KH 810.
There's no low-mid bump or midrange thickness or artificial high frequency sparkle, so they won't be to everyone's taste as a listening speaker, but they do make an excellent monitoring tool, and I particularly enjoy listening to well-recorded acoustic music on them.
I've owned a fair amount of audio equipment, some costing far more than these speakers, and I have to say that I haven't been able to achieve this level of accuracy for this amount of money before.
Best monitors I've ever used, full stop. Very happy to recommend. Insanely flat frequency response, great power, and fantastic sounding.

Features

Color

Black

Enclosure Material

Wood

Painted aluminum

Cabinet Type

Ported

Interfaces

XLR, RJ-45, XLR AES3

XLR

Magnetic Shielding

Yes

Controls

Power ON / OFF, Input Sensitivity, Input Trim, Boundary EQ

Bass, Treble, Low-Mid, Input Gain, Output level

Extras

Patented Image Control Waveguide, Multi-function controls, 2-channel Class-D amplifier, Protective steel grilles, LCD display

Exceptional bass depth and transient response, Precise dispersion, optimized for near-field applications

Cabinet Type
Magnetic Shielding

What customers say about "Features"

JBL 705P Bi-Amplified 5" Master Reference Monitor, Black

Thanks to JBL's acclaimed Image Control Waveguide (found on their flagship M2 reference monitor).
The waveguide also creates an exceptionally large sonic sweet spot, allowing for accurate monitoring throughout more of your control room.
The "sweet spot" is frankly amazingly wide, the frequency response, exceptional I can move from one end of my console to the other.
The stereo Imaging out of these little guys are out of this world! and the clarity - superb.
Now I do regret that the EQ on the back isn't analog like the old monitors.

Neumann KH 120 A Active Studio Monitor

The clean-lined metal design oozes quality and reflects typically fine German industrial craftsmanship.
I never listened my mixes so clear with much detail until now. They are really amazing.
Paired with a good subwoofer and a great D/A converter, they will provide mastering-grade sound.
If you are mixing 5.1 or 7.1 TV or Movie tracks, you likely will want a properly paired sub to get that 'rumble'.
The only drawback I can think of is the VERY high cost of Neumann mounting adaptors and accessories for these monitors. Ridiculously high.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

2 year(s)

Certifications

CE, FCC

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download

MSRP

999.00 $