Is Focal CMS65 much louder than Neumann KH120?

[Chao]

I was looking for compact monitors with metal grills for location recording and possibly for surround too. Thanks to the GS guys, I finally decided to choose between Focal CMS65 and KH120. As a long time O300D user, I probably will choose KH120 but here is one question:

Not talking about specs which can be found easily. For those who have these monitors or have used both, is CMS65 much louder than KH120? (I couldn't find a dealer who has both in a same reasonable room.)


BTW, for the cabinet and driver sizes, KH120 should be compared to CMS50, but for some reasons (probably because of price) KH120 seems always compared to CMS65........

[Jomox]

I don't know about the Neumann's but Adam A7X have quite a bit more output then the Focal CMS series. Though A7X same price as CMS50, and A8X should be compared to 65's (again roughly same price)

Don't just look at specs of course, as on paper I was expecting CMS to be quite a bit louder then they was.

[FocalPro]

Originally Posted by Chao

Not talking about specs which can be found easily. For those who have these monitors or have used both, is CMS65 much louder than KH120? (I couldn't find a dealer who has both in a same reasonable room.)

About 2 years ago, Pro Audio Review did a small compact monitor shootout (in their PAR Session Trial series) that included the KH120 and the CMS50, they did their own SPL measurements and the CMS50s could play the loudest of the bunch. (there was even a note that they played a dB or so louder than the Event Opals (!)

I suspect the CMS65s will be more than loud enough

Cheers!

[Razik]

Just wondering about the settings on the back of the CMS 65 and why do I want to mess with them if I have well treated room, Let just say for instance if I would set the HF shelving to +2 dB than my mixes will translate to other systems dark and if I set it to -2or -4 dB than my mixes will translate to other systems too bright. Than if I set the LF shelving to +2 dB than my mixes will translate to other systems with no bass and vice versa right?

[Chao]

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by Jomox

I don't know about the Neumann's but Adam A7X have quite a bit more output then the Focal CMS series. Though A7X same price as CMS50, and A8X should be compared to 65's (again roughly same price)

Don't just look at specs of course, as on paper I was expecting CMS to be quite a bit louder then they was.

I wouldn't consider A7x. Though ADAM makes great monitors which are definitely not harsh, but still a bit aggressive sounding to me.

[Jomox]

Yeah am not saying consider Adams, was just giving an example of loudness.

Peace.

[warhead]

Going from memory I would say the CMS 65 is considerably louder...now you've got me curious though. We may have to pull out one of each and crank them up in front of the famous Rat Shack SPL meter...

War

[zephonic]

Originally Posted by FocalPro

About 2 years ago, Pro Audio Review did a small compact monitor shootout (in their PAR Session Trial series) that included the KH120 and the CMS50,

That's pretty amazing, considering that the KH120 didn't exist back then.

[FocalPro]

Originally Posted by zephonic

That's pretty amazing, considering that the KH120 didn't exist back then.

Indeed! I meant the O110, its predecessor! oops! my bad. too many models, letters and numbers to remember!

[michael cleary]

Originally Posted by FocalPro

Indeed! I meant the O110, its predecessor! oops! my bad. too many models, letters and numbers to remember!

The KH120 are louder than the O110 so I'd be interested to see how they compare to the CMS65.