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I did an A-B test between the KH 120s, 8030s and 8040s a couple of weeks ago at my local supplier (I had already ordered the KH 120s based on what I've read but they got the first demo set into Australia and I had to go have a listen while I waited for mine to arrive). They are practically the same size as the 8030s, only squarer in shape. Smaller than I was expecting. For a minute - before I fired them up - I wondered if they were too small. Listening to Classical and Musical Theatre material I had recorded, plus a bit of the Sales guy's Dire Straits CD for good measure, my feelings were as follows:
KH 120s were more like 8030s than 8040s, which is good for me because something about the 8040 sound has always bugged me, though I can't put my finger on what it is. Compared to the 8030s however, the Neumanns have noticeably extended LF. Low-mids feel more defined (tighter) to me but not at all 'hyped' - Cellos for example popped 'forward' compared to the Genelecs and I could more easily identify individual instruments. The HF of the KH120s seemed cleaner and noticeably extended compared to the 8030s, without seeming shrill or overly bright to me - just more transparent. . Basically the KH 120s just feel like they go a bit higher and lower without there being any sort of a 'boost' at either end. Certainly what you hear doesn't seem feasible from the tiny box you're looking at! For what I do they look like they're spot on - I'm not so sure they'd be suitable for more contemporary genres though. Now I'm just frustrated that mine still haven't arrived!
nick
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