Neumann KH 750 DSP and the MA 1 - Extend the Bass Reproduction Capabilities of the Neumann Monitor Speakers

A subwoofer is an additional speaker to reproduce the ultra-low frequency range that cannot be covered by normal monitor speakers. In recent years, special emphasis has been placed on the creation of bass, and the attention and need for subwoofers seems to be on the rise.

The NEUMANN KH 80 DSP, which has been talked about for its calibration function and excellent sound quality despite being a 4-inch woofer, was installed by me, but there is a subwoofer, the KH 750 DSP, that can be used with the NEUMANN KH series, including the KH 80 DSP. Since the KH 750 DSP is a large product, it may not be seen very often, so many people must be curious about it, and I would like to review what the KH 750 DSP is like, along with the MA 1 measurement microphone used to enable the product's calibration function.

NEUMANN / Monitor Alignment Kit 1 MA1 + KH750 DSP D G

In addition, the demo booth of NEUMANN has been completed at Sound House, so you can experience not only the KH 80 DSP but also the KH 750 DSP. I will talk more about the demo booth as well.

Versatile 10-Inch Subwoofer

The KH 750 DSP is a subwoofer with a 10-inch unit that can be used in a variety of environments by providing various connection modes with input/output terminals. Although it can of course be connected to speakers from other manufacturers, it is basically designed to be used in combination with the KH series for even greater effect.

The KH 750 DSP also incorporates the long-throw bass driver and ELFF™ (Extremely Linear Force Factor) technologies that support the KH 80 DSP's superior low-frequency reproduction capability to deliver dense and extended low-frequency reproduction. Runs on 16Hz to 800 Hz (+/-6dB) and 18 Hz to 750 Hz (+/-3dB).

The solid enclosure is massive, although it’s hard to tell from the photo, measuring H383 x W330 x D383 mm and weighing 19.5 kg. The only thing you should be concerned about when installing this product is its size and weight. It is larger than it appears in the picture, and its size and weight are more suited to a studio environment than a home environment. If you are installing at home, you should carefully examine the size and placement of the equipment, as it may turn out to be unexpectedly large when it arrives at your home. Needless to say, the size and weight of the unit will produce the dense bass sound that I mentioned above.

＜KH 750 DSP with a robust wooden cabinet＞

The abundance of inputs and outputs is also a notable feature, with analog stereo inputs and outputs as well as BNC digital inputs and outputs, supporting AES3 and S/P DIF formats. With four modes of operation to choose from, depending on the signal being input and how it is used, it will quickly adapt to almost any environment where a subwoofer is needed.

The most distinctive feature of this subwoofer is, as indicated by the model name, its DSP, which enables sound quality adjustment functions not available in subwoofers without DSP, as well as the calibration function to be described later.

＜Compatible with a wide variety of systems with a wide variety of inputs/outputs and mode switching＞

KH 80 DSP + KH 750 DSP + MA 1 system for rich bass reproduction at home

While the KH 750 DSP offers excellent performance as a general subwoofer, it performs even better when combined with the NEUMANN KH series monitor speakers. First, let me introduce the combination with the NEUMANN KH 80 DSP.

In combination with the KH 80 DSP, the left and right KH 80 DSP and KH 750 DSP, all models are equipped with DSP and network inputs. By connecting these three speakers and a PC over a LAN via an Ethernet hub and using the MA 1 measurement microphone (sold separately), you can use the calibration function.

＜The KH 80 DSP's ultra-low frequency range is complemented by the KH 750 DSP＞

The calibration function measures the signal sound output from the dedicated software via the MA 1 microphone and automatically corrects the output sound to the appropriate characteristics based on the input sound. When used in combination, the KH 80 DSP and KH 750 DSP can be calibrated as a single speaker system without having to worry about the subwoofer.

The connection between the three speakers is remarkable because they are measured and adjusted as one system. In a system in which a subwoofer is simply added, the low frequency range may become boomy or the low frequency range may sound like a different sound, but in the case of the KH 80 DSP + the KH 750 DSP, the presence of the subwoofer is not felt and it sounds as if the KH 80 DSP's low frequency reproduction capability has improved.

That said, the KH 80 DSP itself is a 4-inch woofer model, so you may find it a bit underpowered in a studio or other location with a large room size. In such cases, the calibration function can be used with non-DSP equipped NEUMANN monitor speakers by combining the KH 750 DSP with other NEUMANN monitor speakers.

NEUMANN Monitor Speaker + KH 750 DSP + MA 1 system for large monitor-like wide sound in the studio

The KH 750 DSP is compatible with three models of KH 120 / KH 310 / KH 420. By making an analog connection between these speakers and the OUTPUT of the KH 750 DSP, the calibration function using MA 1 can be enabled for the KH 120 / KH 310 / KH 420. In this case, a PC and KH 750 DSP are connected via LAN, and the KH 750 DSP is controlled via dedicated software on the PC for signal sound output and measurement.

＜Calibration is achieved by combining the KH 310 and the KH 750 DSP＞

The calibration method is the same as when using the KH 80 DSP and KH 750 DSP, and the results are automatically displayed and can be corrected simply by following the instructions of the dedicated software. Manual adjustments can also be made after correction, so it is recommended to make adjustments according to the direction of the desired sound and the type of production.

The advantage of installing a subwoofer is not so much that it enables reproduction of ultra-low frequencies, but rather that it provides ample low-frequency reproduction. When speakers are turned up so that low frequencies can be heard, it gives the impression that they are “working hard”. If you install a subwoofer, you can hear the bass without trying too hard, and you will feel the benefit of this at low to medium volume rather than high volume.

＜The combination of the KH 120 and the KH 750 DSP is ideal for project studios＞

I have introduced the KH 750 DSP. As a subwoofer, it is of course to be used in combination with other speakers, but if you are going to install the KH 750 DSP, I strongly recommend you to use the calibration function. In other words, if you are going to install the KH 750 DSP, I think you will be more satisfied with the results if you consider the MA 1 as a set. The KH 80 DSP + KH 750 DSP + MA 1 set is called Monitor Alignment Kit 3, and the KH 750 DSP + MA 1 set (for KH 120 / KH 310 / KH 420) is called Monitor Alignment Kit 1. KH 750 DSP + MA 1 set (for KH 120 / KH 310 / KH 420) is called Monitor Alignment Kit 1. In any case, since these are large products, I recommend that you visit the NEUMANN demo room at Sound House to check them out if possible. I hope you will get to experience the shockingly good NEUMANN sound.

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