As a dedicated music producer, my studio space is my playground where I meticulously craft sonic experiences. My quest for the optimal studio monitors led me to the Neumann KH 310 Studio Monitors, a product that not only met my high standards but went above and beyond in terms of performance.
Neumann, a household name in the audio industry, has once again shown their commitment to superior accuracy through the KH 310s. These near-field monitors are meticulously designed for versatile acoustical conditions, making them an excellent choice for smaller control rooms, broadcast centers, post-production studios, and OB vans.
One characteristic that sets the KH 310s apart is their Mathematically Modeled Dispersion (MMD) waveguide. This design element helps maintain a consistent, pristine sound across various listening positions. The tri-amplified monitor structure ensures that each driver, powered by independent class AB amplifiers, delivers a clean, powerful sound with very fast transient response.
In this review, I’ll provide an in-depth analysis of the Neumann KH 310 Studio Monitors, discussing whether their performance matches the hype surrounding them.
Neumann KH310 Studio Monitors Overview:
As an audio engineer, the pursuit of high-quality studio monitors that deliver the most accurate sound reproduction is ceaseless. Hence, I was thrilled to test the Neumann KH 310 Studio Monitors. These active studio monitors are engineered for use in small to mid-sized multi-channel systems, armed with an array of features perfect for diverse acoustical environments.
The Neumann KH 310 is a three-way, tri-amplified monitor with an 8.25-inch woofer, a 3-inch midrange driver, and a 1-inch tweeter, each powered by separate class AB amplifiers. This configuration results in excellent frequency response across the entire frequency range, offering wide dynamic range and allowing for precise work on every detail of your audio.
Neumann’s in-house designed MMD waveguide ensures sound remains consistent across a wide variety of physical locations within your studio. It keeps the sound accurate, providing a neutral reference sound regardless of your listening position.
The KH 310, with its various input options, provides both analog and digital inputs, including XLR, RCA, and AES3. This flexibility allows for easy integration with a variety of source equipment, such as audio interfaces, mixers, and digital audio workstations.
Sound Quality:
The Neumann KH310 Studio Monitor offers exceptional sound quality. The powerful switched-mode power supply provides enough energy to deal with the most demanding impulse dynamics.
Low End:
The 8.25-inch woofer on the KH310 demonstrates a powerful performance in the lowest bass regions, delivering tight and accurate bass, thereby reducing the necessity of a supplementary subwoofer.
Top End:
The high-frequency range of the Neumann KH310 Studio Monitors is crisp and detailed, thanks to the 1-inch tweeter crafted from ultralight material. The resulting treble sound is smooth and natural, never harsh or fatiguing, even when handling demanding treble sounds.
Soundstage:
The KH 310 excels in creating a precise soundstage. Its controlled directivity ensures focused sound waves, which results in a rich foundation for accurate placement of instruments and vocals.
Harshness:
The Neumann KH 310, with its neutral tonality and optimized design of the driver, minimizes non-linear distortion, maintaining distortion-free clarity, and providing an accurate representation of the audio.
Neumann KH310 Studio Monitors Design:
The sleek, modern design of the Neumann KH 310 Studio Monitor fits perfectly within any professional studio. Its compact design is great for placement on smaller desks or stands. The closed cabinet design mitigates the negative effects of nearby reflections, providing a more accurate and clean sound representation.
The dimmable Neumann logo on the front adds a touch of elegance and prestige. The rear panel includes flexible acoustical control settings, allowing you to tailor the monitor’s output to match your room’s acoustic properties.
Neumann KH310 Studio Monitors Sweet Spot:
The Neumann KH 310’s sweet spot is impressive. This is largely due to the careful design and positioning of the midrange and tweeter, which are arranged vertically to ensure a larger sweet spot, due to the MMD waveguide. This gives a considerably wider horizontal dispersion and a narrower vertical dispersion, leading to a smoother off-axis response.
Conclusion:
The Neumann KH 310 studio monitors are undoubtedly a state-of-the-art studio tool. They offer a beautiful balance between technology and acoustics, providing an extraordinary listening experience. Whether you’re mixing, mastering, or simply playing back your favorite tracks, this monitor delivers flawless audio that meets the highest standards of music production.
With its extensive range of flexible acoustical controls, the Neumann KH310 proves to be an adaptable choice for different room configurations, delivering superior accuracy, clarity, and detailed sound reproduction under typical listening conditions. If you’re looking for a high-quality studio monitor with a proven track record, the Neumann KH 310 should be on your shortlist.
Although it comes at a premium price point, the unique combination of powerful performance and innovative design is well worth the investment. After all, investing in the Neumann KH 310 is an investment in precise, pristine sound quality.
