Focal CMS 50 or Neumann KH120?

[konstantine]

for listening and arranging/mixing jazz and classical/acoustic?

[rooms]

kh120
I absolutely love them. I'm doing a very similar thing and swapped them for my dynaudio BM6A's and have never looked back...

[Geoff Waddington]

KH 120 -- Smooth, neutral, balanced, but still revealing.

I do Soul / R&B / Jazz /Acoustic.

Low end -- they go smoothly to 55Hz (low A).

I've got a KH 810 sub on order for the Soul / R&B side of things.

[Razik]

I have not used the CMS 50's, but I have been getting great results with the CMS 65's.

Razik Mastering

[bensaddiction]

they are both fantastic. You would be happy with either. CMS have the added benefit of being very small and compact (in size - not sound), and very easy to move (travel bag available)

cms50s here and the cms-sub coming soon.

[satissounds]

Got the KH 120'S. I record amd mix mainly Jazz/Funk/New age stuff. These are great for this type of music. Recommended.

[konstantine]

thanks for the repsonses!!

looks like that the Neumann will soon be on my desk!

[Jantex]

Since I have massively worked with Solo 6, CMS65, O300, O110 and KH120 I consider my opinion about these monitors as "objective as it can be". O300 are spectacular speakers and so are KH120. My mixes translate the best with KH120. I don't consider them better in any way than O300 (though I find them flatter within their frequency response), but I can say I prefer working on them. On the other hand I consider them marginally "better" than Focal CMS50/65 and Solo 6. They projecz better and are more true to the source. Of course it is still just "my opinion". But the Focals let the house after 3 weeks of using KH120.

It's unbelievable what K&H/Neumann managed to achieve with these speakers. They sound much more expensive than their price indicates.

[third_eye]

Had them both and kept the KH 120. Overall, more refined top and bottom end, just a bit better monitor. Mind you, the CMS 50 is very nice too. Using this in a listening only desktop setup.

[konstantine]

Great!! Thanks for the replies, looks like most people think that the Neumann's are a bit more sophisticated and detailed. I have just ordered the KH120.

[DownSideUp]

Bump.
I own CMS50 and I think they are kinda flat, not a great image, but nice frequencies to work with, nice mids. On the paper, they go really high on the top end.

That might be good to try to get good mixes with.


I was thinking of 'upgrading' to KH120 and went to hear them. Yes they sound more 3d, more fun, more detailed ( almost harsh high end to me) and deeper low end. Generally more HiFi, jumping at you, and fun. not sure it would help me mix, and that my money will be better spent.

any views on that?

[DownSideUp]

By the way I just checked my mixes done with CMS50.
I have the tendency to push vocals way too loud. Wouldn't be even worst with the bright/deep Neumann!?

how do your mix translate with the KH120?

[NeoHippy]

Originally Posted by DownSideUp

By the way I just checked my mixes done with CMS50.
I have the tendency to push vocals way too loud. Wouldn't be even worst with the bright/deep Neumann!?

how do your mix translate with the KH120?

i am using the kh120's...my mixes translate better than with every other monitor system i have ever had at home!

i think it would be better regarding your vocal problem if the monitors are really deep, so you can rate better where your vocals "stand" in the mix!!!

monitors have really much to do with personal preferences...so the best thing to do: buy them at a vendor with money-back-guarantee mix on them for a couple of days/weeks...if you think it doesn't improve your vocal problem or mix in general just return them!!

(but personally i highly doubt you will ever want to return them, once you learned them )

[DownSideUp]

Ahah thanks! I might just do that. Then I would really go to the bottom of things ( my room, my mixes etc.)

Originally Posted by NeoHippy

I am using the kh120's...my mixes translate better than with every other monitor system i have ever had at home!

What were the challengers?! Tried the CMS 50 ?

[NeoHippy]

Originally Posted by DownSideUp

Ahah thanks! I might just do that. Then I would really go to the bottom of things ( my room, my mixes etc.)




What were the challengers?! Tried the CMS 50 ?

i once tried them at a recording job....but it just was one day so i cant say too much about them!

they sounded nice, and i could work with them. they did their job..but thats all i can say about them...time was too short!

cheers

[DownSideUp]

Just got them!

They feel a little more natural and 3d. better stereo image than the CMS 50. More detailed too, I seem to hear more things in the CDs I know quite well.
They feel super natural too, when you change Speakers, you're supposed to feel very strange at first even if they are awesome, just because it's well...different.thinking what's more, less, too much or not enough...
here, i didn't.

Opened a logic project and boum, started to correct a dry kick, a bright guitar I hadn't noticed...off to work!

CMS are really awesome too, and now they go for really cheap in Europe. KH 120 generaly have a really similar feel, but a bit upgraded.
Both are really cool tools, KH 120 if you have more cash!

cheers

[elciervo]

kh 120 or genelecs 8030? dont have a sub at the moment.
this being for experimental hip hop

[DownSideUp]

in 2012, 8030 really? put out in 2004 ? couldn't stand them years ago. Then with what is out now, can't stand them a second.

go listen to both! and Bm6a, yamaha hs50 + sub is cool too, and cheap.