Neumann KH 310 II L

The Neumann KH 310 II is the successor to the KH 310 and builds on a monitor that has served as a reference for years in professional recording, mixing, mastering, broadcast, and post-production studios. The familiar 3-way design with a sealed enclosure and a 3" soft-dome midrange driver has been retained, but virtually all of the internal electronics have been redesigned.

The KH 310 II combines an 8.25-inch woofer, a 3-inch midrange driver, and a 1-inch tweeter with separate amplifiers rated at 300, 160, and 125 watts. A new DSP platform ensures precise signal processing, phase correction, and support for Neumann MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment. Compared to the previous generation, the KH 310 II offers lower distortion, higher maximum sound pressure level, and tighter tolerance between individual monitors.

The monitor is available in left and right versions. This allows the placement of the woofer, midrange driver, and tweeter to be mirrored for a correct stereo setup. This KH310 II L (Left) is the left-hand version.

The KH 310 reference, further developed
The original KH 310 built its reputation on a neutral frequency response, clear midrange reproduction, and a sealed bass section. With the KH 310 II, Neumann has not replaced this concept but has further refined it technically. The frequency response ranges from 29 Hz to 21 kHz at ±6 dB and from 33 Hz to 21 kHz at ±3 dB. Between 100 Hz and 10 kHz, the deviation in the free-field frequency response is only ±0.6 dB. As a result, subtle differences in tonal balance, EQ, dynamics, and stereo imaging remain clearly audible. The maximum calculated sound pressure level is 121.4 dB SPL at 1 meter in half-space at 3% THD, averaged between 100 Hz and 6 kHz. That is 5 dB more maximum SPL than with the previous generation of the KH 310. As a result, the KH 310 II can reproduce higher peak levels with more headroom.

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3-way system with separate midrange driver
A key feature of the KH 310 series is the separate 3" soft-dome midrange driver. By not having the woofer or tweeter reproduce the midrange, each speaker component can operate within a smaller and more controllable frequency range. The crossover frequencies are set at 700 Hz and 1.7 kHz. As a result, vocals, guitars, piano, string instruments, and other midrange details are reproduced by the dedicated midrange driver. For the low frequencies, the KH 310 II uses a newly developed 8.25" ELFF woofer. It is designed for greater linear excursion and lower intermodulation distortion at higher sound levels. The 1" tweeter handles the high frequencies and is protected by a metal grille.

New Amplifier Electronics Each of the three speaker components has its own amplifier. The KH 310 II combines an 8.25" woofer, a 3" midrange driver, and a 1" tweeter with separate Class D amplifiers. At 0.1% THD+N, these deliver 185 watts, 125 watts, and 125 watts, respectively. The amplifier and protection circuitry include separate soft-clip, peak, and thermal limiters. Additionally, there is a separate excursion protection circuit for the woofer and temperature protection for the electronics and amplifiers. The combination of the new amplifier electronics, DSP processing, and redesigned woofer reduces both harmonic and intermodulation distortion. This is particularly important during longer mixing and mastering sessions and when evaluating details at various listening volumes.

Sealed Enclosure for Controlled Low-Frequency Response
Like its predecessor, the KH 310 II uses a fully sealed enclosure. Therefore, no bass-reflex port is used. A sealed system features low group delay and controlled transient response inthe low frequencies. As a result, kick drums, bass notes, and other short low-frequency signals can be better evaluated in terms of timing and envelope. The KH 310 II is thus designed for engineers who want to evaluate not only the amount of bass but also its behavior. Bass response extends to 29 Hz with a ±6 dB deviation. The maximum low-frequency SPL is 107.8 dB at 1 meter in half-space at 3% THD, averaged between 50 and 100 Hz.

DSP with 64-bit processing
One of the biggest differences from the original KH 310 is the integrated DSP platform. The audio signal is processed internally via a 32-bit signal path, with DSP calculations performed using 64-bit double precision. Among other things, the DSP handles the crossover, correction filters, FIR phase correction, delay functions, protection, and communication with the Neumann MA 1. The FIR phase correction ensures linear phase response from 60 Hz to 18 kHz within ±45°. This ensures that the individual drivers are precisely aligned with each other in time and phase.

Neumann MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment
The KH 310 II can be used directly with Neumann MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment. Therefore, no separate DSP subwoofer is required to add MA 1 functionality to the monitor. With MA 1, a stereo or multichannel monitor system can be tailored to the acoustics of the listening room and the exact monitor position. The system corrects both frequency response and phase-related deviations. The KH 310 II communicates via Ethernet for this purpose. Settings such as monitor volume and the brightness of the Neumann logo can also be controlled via MA 1. This makes the KH 310 II suitable for stereo setups, surround sound, Dolby Atmos, and other immersive monitor configurations where multiple monitors must work together precisely.

Analog and Digital Connections
Foranalog sources, the KH 310 II features an electronically balanced XLR input with an input impedance of over 12 kOhm. It also features digital AES3id via 75 Ohm BNC. The monitor has both an AES3id input and an AES3id output. The digital input signal can be set to left, right, or mono, making it easy to drive multiple monitors from a single digital signal chain. The digital input supports sample rates from 32 to 200 kHz with 24-bit conversion. The internal sample rate is 48 kHz. The digital output matches the sample rate of the incoming signal. The AES3id connection is also compatible with the digital infrastructure of recent Neumann KH subwoofers and monitor solutions.

Adjustable for various studio systems
The input sensitivity can be adjusted from 0 to -15 dB. The nominal output level is adjustable to 94, 100, 108, or 114 dB SPL at an input level of 0 dBu. This allows the monitor to be optimized for various audio interfaces, monitor controllers, and mixing consoles. The monitor itself also features bass, low-mid, and treble controls. The bass and low-mid controls offer settings of 0, -1.5, -3, and -4.5 dB. For treble, you can choose from +1, 0, -1, and -2 dB. The KH 310 II supports control via local settings and via the network.

for existing KH 310 installations The external dimensions of the KH 310 II are identical to those of the previous KH 310. The monitor measures 25.3 x 38.3 x 29.2 cm and can therefore replace a KH 310 in many existing studio setups without any modifications. The sonic foundation of the KH 310 family has also been preserved. With the new generation, Neumann has focused primarily on reducing distortion, increasing headroom, enhancing DSP functionality, improving phase response, optimizing driver performance, and minimizing variations between individual units. For critical multichannel and immersive systems, Neumann recommends using the same monitor generation within the same monitor system whenever possible.

Left and Right Versions
The KH 310 II is sold separately and is available as the KH 310 II L and KH 310 II R. The left and right versions feature mirrored fronts, allowing for a symmetrical stereo setup. The Neumann part number for the KH 310 II L is 700296. The part number for the KH 310 II R is 700297. The monitor is finished in metallic anthracite with a black rear panel.

Listening Distance Neumann recommends a listening distance of approximately 1 to 2.5 meters for the KH 310 II. This means the monitor was primarily designed for near-field monitoring. Depending on the room and the required sound pressure level, the KH 310 II can be used at distances ranging from approximately 0.75 to 6 meters. This makes it suitable not only for stereo near-field setups but also for larger multichannel, broadcast, and post-production environments.

Neumann KH 310 II features:

• active 3-way DSP studio monitor
• suitable for near-field monitoring
• available as left and right versions (this is the left version)
• sealed acoustic design
• 8.25" ELFF woofer
• 3" soft-dome midrange driver with magnetic shielding
• 1" tweeter with metal protective grille
• Frequency response ±6 dB: 29 Hz – 21 kHz
• Frequency response ±3 dB: 33 Hz – 21 kHz
• Passband frequency response: 36 Hz – 20 kHz, ±1.25 dB
• Linearity deviation between 100 Hz and 10 kHz: ±0.6 dB
• Self-noise at 10 cm: <20 dB(A) SPL
• Maximum SPL at 1 meter in half-space at 3% THD: 121.4 dB SPL
• Maximum SPL at 1 meter in full-space at 3% THD: 115.4 dB SPL
• Maximum low-frequency SPL between 50 and 100 Hz: 107.8 dB SPL
• Dolby D.A.R.D.T. maximum full-range SPL: 118 dB
• Dolby D.A.R.D.T. maximum bass-managed SPL: 123 dB
• Recommended listening distance: 1–2.5 meters
• usable listening distance: 0.75–6 meters
• Crossover frequencies: 700 Hz and 1.7 kHz
• Crossover slope: 24 dB per octave
• 300-watt amplifier for the woofer
• 160-watt amplifier for the midrange driver
• 125-watt amplifier for the tweeter
• Digital active crossover and controller
• 32-bit audio signal path
• 64-bit double-precision DSP processing
• FIR phase correction: 60 Hz – 18 kHz, ±45°
• Supports Neumann MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment
• Network control via Ethernet and MA 1
• Analog input: electronically balanced XLR
• Analog input impedance: >12 kOhm
• Maximum analog input level: +24 dBu at the 94 dB SPL setting
• Digital input: BNC 75 ohms AES3id
• Digital output: BNC 75 ohms AES3
• Digital resolution: 24-bit
• Supported digital sample rates: 32–200 kHz
• Internal sample rate: 48 kHz
• A-D-A dynamic range: 118 dB
• Input gain: 0 to -15 dB
• Output level: 94, 100, 108, or 114 dB SPL
• Input selection: analog, AES3id left, AES3id right, or mono
• ground lift: yes
• Bass EQ: 0, -1.5, -3, or -4.5 dB
• Low-mid EQ: 0, -1.5, -3, or -4.5 dB
• Treble EQ: +1, 0, -1, or -2 dB
• Separate soft-clip, peak, and thermal limiters
• excursion protection for the woofer
• thermal protection for electronics and amplifiers
• Automatic standby after 20 minutes (default setting)
• Standby power consumption: <300 mW
• Power consumption without audio signal: 26 W
• Maximum power consumption: 320 W
• Universal power supply: 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz
• Front: composite polycarbonate
• Enclosure: wood
• Rear panel: aluminum
• Front color: metallic anthracite RAL 7021
• Rear panel color: black RAL 9005
• Mounting points: 2 x M8 on the side panels
• Thread depth of mounting points: 2.5 cm
• Dimensions H x W x D: 25.3 x 38.3 x 29.2 cm
• Weight: 13.0 kg
• Neumann part number KH 310 II L: 700296

In the box:
1x Neumann KH 310 II L monitor
4x power cords for different regions
4x self-adhesive feet
1x safety instructions
1x Getting Started Quickly guide
1x user manual

The Neumann KH 310 II is sold individually and is available in left- and right-hand versions. This is the left-hand version.