Bring out Your KH 80 DSP Speaker’s Fullest Potential! Desktop Speaker Stand with Angle and Height Adjustment LH 65

The NEUMANN KH 80 DSP powered monitor speakers have been causing a lot of buzz for their excellent calibration (monitor alignment) functionality, and although the calibration function makes them sound reasonably good regardless of where they are placed, it goes without saying that they sound better when they are installed in the right place and in the right way.

A good stand is the key to finding the right installation method. However, there are few speaker stands that are just right for the home studio level, and it’s even more difficult to find a space where a stand can be used, so many people may have a hard time setting up their speakers.

Do you know that NEUMANN has a little-known product that’s a speaker stand for KH 80 DSP / KH 120 called LH 65? Someone told me about it and that’s when I first learned that this existed, but when I tried it, I found it to be a wonderful stand. So, I would like to introduce it to you.

＜KH 80 DSP set with LH 65＞

A product called the KH 80 DSP LET, which is a set of KH 80 DSP and LH 65, is now available in limited quantities. Purchase 2 sets of KH 80 DSP LET if you want to purchase a left/right pair.

NEUMANN / [Limited quantity set] KH 80 DSP LET

Standing Speaker Stand is Weightier and Sturdier than It Looks

＜Bolts and hex wrenches are included＞

Since they are not sold in pairs, each unit is housed in its own box. When you open the box, you will find a pole stored beside the bracket, screws, and an Allen wrench for assembly. When you take them out of the box, you will find the bottom plate.

＜The bottom steel plate is about 5 mm thick＞

The heavier-than-expected bracket and pole was surprising. I was even more surprised at the weight and thickness of the bottom plate. The bottom plate is a 5mm-thick steel plate that’s so heavy that it’s hard to hold in only one hand. I had imagined a more lightweight desktop stand, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was wrong.

Since it’s easier to get a good setting with a heavy speaker rather than a light speaker installation, it is better for the stand to be reasonably heavy as well, and I felt that the LH 65 was heavy enough. The specs say it weighs 3.6 kg per side, but it feels heavier than the specs because of its good construction and thick steel plate. The sound that comes out seems to be promising, too.

It can be assembled in about 10 minutes per side while following the instruction manual, and those who can put together DIY furniture will have no trouble. A hexagonal wrench is also included, so no other tools are necessary.

The back of the KH 80 DSP (or KH 120) has screw holes for brackets, so use the bolts included with the LH 65 to secure it in place. It may be possible to use speakers from other manufacturers if the bolt holes match, but please note that no information is available and the author has not specifically verified this.

＜Attaching rubber feet on the bottom will complete the setup＞

Attach the included rubber feet to the bottom surface. You may use speaker insulators available from various audio manufacturers to further drive the sound, so feel free to prepare them as you like.

Changeable Angles and Heights

What I found most wonderful was the ability to change the angle.

There are many pictures of speakers on desktops, but unfortunately many of them have the tweeter positioned too low. Speakers can only reach their potential if the height of the tweeter matches the height of the ear. I am often consulted about “muffled sound,” and in many cases the reason is because the tweeter is not pointing toward the ear.

There are two ways to turn the tweeter toward the ear: change the height or change the direction. I use a speaker stand with a 120cm installation surface and insulators to adjust the height. It is quite difficult to adjust the height when installing on a desktop, but the LH 65 easily solves this problem.

＜Left is the lowest position, right is the highest position＞

When KH 80 DSP is installed, the bottom height can be adjusted from 0mm to 315mm. The height can be easily adjusted using the included hexagonal wrench. The author's desk in the photo is 720mm high, which means that the speaker can be installed at a height of 1035mm at the highest position.

＜The angle is adjusted on the bracket side＞

The great thing about the LH 65 is that in addition to height, the angle can be adjusted: 1035mm is lower than the 1200mm stand, but it can be turned slightly upward so that the tweeter is facing your ear. According to the manual, it has an adjustment range of 20 degrees upward and 15 degrees downward.

While it is difficult to adjust the speakers to the best position on any speaker stand, the LH 65's adjustable height and angle allows for the best setting in a variety of environments.

Stable sound that approaches a freestanding stand on a desktop

＜Available for tuning when combined with insulators＞

When trying the speaker on a desktop, the sound was firm and resonant, approaching that of a speaker stand. Of course, the sound quality will vary depending on the weight and material of the desk on which it is placed, so better results will be obtained if a solid production desk is available. I tried installing the speakers via insulators as a test, which also had a great effect. It’s a good idea to get insulators if necessary.

The KH 80 DSP can be calibrated using the MA 1 microphone (sold separately), so if you have a good installation and calibrate it, you will be able to adjust the sound so that it does not sound like your home. The KH 80 DSP can be calibrated with a good installation and room tuning, and the LH 65 can be a big help.

＜Various possible uses＞

You can also use the LH 65 on a speaker stand other than a desktop. Most stands on the market are 900mm in diameter, but I often see cases where the height is adjusted by placing a block or ebony on top of the stand. The LH 65 is sold as a stand-alone product.

The LH 65 has many advantages over speaker stands that are sold as stand-alone products, and I felt that it is a wonderful product that is more than just a dedicated stand. I have heard the sound of speakers in a variety of environments, and the sound of speakers varies greatly depending on the environment in which they are placed. You are listening to the sound of the space in which the speakers are placed, and it’s not the speakers. If you just have them on your desktop, please use the LH 65 to bring out the full potential of the KH 80 DSP / KH 120.

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