Neumann KH 420

The Neumann KH 420 is an active 3-way studio monitor designed for professional studios that require neutral reproduction, high sound pressure levels, and a wide frequency range. The monitor is designed for mid-field monitoring at a recommended listening distance of 1.5 to 3 meters and is suitable for recording, mixing, mastering, broadcast, and post-production. Thanks to its high output level, the KH 420 can also be used as a main monitor in larger studios.

The KH 420 combines a 10-inch woofer, a 3-inch dome midrange driver, and a 1-inch tweeter with three separate Class AB amplifiers. The woofer delivers 330 watts, while the midrange driver and tweeter are each driven by a 140-watt amplifier. The total amplifier power is thus 610 watts.

With a frequency response starting at 26 Hz at ±3 dB, the KH 420 delivers deep bass reproduction. The maximum sound pressure level reaches 122.4 dB SPL, providing ample headroom for longer listening distances and dynamic source material.

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Designed for midfield monitoring
The KH 420 is designed for a listening distance of approximately 1.5 to 3 meters. This makes it suitable for larger control rooms and studios where the monitors are positioned farther from the listening position than is typical for near-field monitoring. The controlled dispersion ensures that the direct sound at the listening position remains dominant and reduces the influence of room reflections. This helps in accurately assessing stereo imaging, frequency balance, and spatial placement. The KH 420 can be used in stereo, surround, and multichannel systems and can be combined with other monitors and subwoofers from the Neumann KH series.

3-way design
The 3-way design distributes the audio spectrum across three separate drivers. The crossover frequencies are set at 570 Hz and 2 kHz. This ensures that each driver operates within a specific frequency range and that the load is distributed evenly across the drivers. The 10-inch long-throw woofer features a composite sandwich cone. Neumann employs the Extremely Linear Force Factor (ELFF) principle here. This system was developed to keep the driving force as linear as possible during the woofer’s excursion. This minimizes distortion, even at low frequencies and higher sound levels. For the midrange, the KH 420 uses a 3-inch dome driver with a neodymium magnet. Thanks to its low moving mass, this driver responds quickly to transients. As a result, vocals, acoustic instruments, and other important midrange details can be accurately reproduced. The high frequencies are reproduced by a 1-inch alloy-fabric dome tweeter. A metal grille protects the tweeter from damage.

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MMD waveguide
The midrange driver and tweeter work in conjunction with Neumann’s Mathematically Modelled Dispersion waveguide. This MMD waveguide ensures a controlled dispersion pattern and uniform reproduction within the listening area. Horizontally, the dispersion is wide enough to allow for some freedom of movement at the listening position. Vertically, the dispersion is narrower, limiting reflections from surfaces such as a mixing console, desk, or ceiling. The waveguide can be rotated. This allows the KH 420 to be positioned both vertically and horizontally without altering the intended horizontal and vertical dispersion. This is useful for center monitoring, broadcast installations, and studios where horizontal placement is necessary.

Frequency response down to 26 Hz
The Neumann KH 420 has a frequency response ranging from 26 Hz to 22 kHz at ±3 dB. Between 28 Hz and 20 kHz, the deviation is only ±2 dB. Between 100 Hz and 10 kHz, Neumann specifies a linearity deviation of no more than ±1.2 dB. For low frequencies, Neumann uses two large front-firing bass reflex ports. The shape of these ports is designed to maximize airflow and minimize turbulence and port noise at higher volume levels. Because the bass reflex ports are located on the front, the KH 420 is also less dependent on free space behind the monitor than systems with a rear-mounted bass reflex port.

610-watt Class AB amplification
Each driver has its own Class AB amplifier. The woofer is driven by 330 watts, the midrange driver by 140 watts, and the tweeter also by 140 watts. The KH 420 uses two separate switching power supplies. One power supply is dedicated to the woofer amplifier, and a second power supply powers the midrange and tweeter amplifiers. As a result, a high load on the woofer has less impact on the power available to the other drivers. The electronics feature separate thermal limiters for the woofer, midrange driver, and tweeter. The woofer is also protected by soft clipping and excursion protection.

High Maximum Sound Pressure Level
The KH 420 can deliver a maximum sound pressure level of up to 122.4 dB SPL at 1 meter in half-space, measured between 100 Hz and 6 kHz at 3% THD. This large dynamic reserve is important for midfield monitoring. Because the listening distance is greater than with near-field monitors, more acoustic output is needed to maintain the same level and dynamics at the listening position. The combination of a 10-inch woofer, three separate amplifiers, and a high maximum SPL makes the KH 420 suitable for applications where both low frequencies and large dynamic peaks must be reproduced reliably.

LRIM Enclosure
The KH 420’s enclosure was developed using Low Resonance Integral Molding (LRIM). This construction is designed to minimize cabinet resonances and internal standing waves. The shape of the front panel and the rounded cabinet edges are also integral to the acoustic design. This reduces diffraction along the cabinet edges, contributing to a predictable frequency response within the listening area. The KH 420 measures 64.5 x 33 x 44.4 cm and weighs 35 kg. A sturdy monitor stand or suitable fixed mounting is therefore required for installation.

Studio Calibration
The placement of a monitor and the room’s acoustics influence the final frequency response. That is why the KH 420 features various correction options on the rear panel. The bass control can be set to 0, -2.5, -5, or -7.5 dB. In addition, a separate low-mid correction is available. For the high frequencies, you can choose from +1, 0, -1, or -2 dB. This allows you to compensate for placement near a wall, in a corner, or above a large mixing console, among other scenarios.

Parametric EQ In addition to the fixed acoustic corrections, the KH 420 features a parametric equalizer for specific issues in the low-frequency range. The gain is adjustable from -12 to +4 dB, and the Q ranges from 1 to 8. The frequency can be set within three ranges: 25 to 80 Hz, 50 to 160 Hz, and 100 to 320 Hz. This allows, for example, a specific room resonance to be reduced without affecting a large portion of the frequency spectrum. The parametric EQ can also be turned off completely.

Input gain and output level
The analog input features an input gain that can be set from 0 to -15 dB. The nominal output level can be set to 94, 100, 108, or 114 dB SPL at an input level of 0 dBu, measured at 1 meter. This allows the KH 420 to be adapted to various monitor controllers, audio interfaces, and mixing consoles. The analog input is an electronically balanced XLR connector with an input impedance of over 14 kOhm. The maximum input level is +24 dBu.

( ) The KH 420 comes standard with an analog input. The monitor can be expanded with theoptional Neumann DIM 1 Digital Input Module. This module adds digital connectivity and supports signals up to 24-bit/192 kHz. AES3 and S/PDIF signals, among others, can be used via digital XLR and BNC connectors. The DIM 1 also offers an adjustable delay of up to 409.5 ms. This allows for compensation of differences in listening distance or for synchronizing audio with video in broadcast and post-production applications.

Can be combined with the KH 750 DSP and MA 1
The KH 420 itself does not have integrated DSP room correction, but can be integrated into a system with Neumann MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment via a Neumann KH 750 DSP subwoofer. The KH 420 monitors are connected analogically to the KH 750 DSP. The subwoofer’s DSP can then be used to correct the connected monitors within the monitor system as well. This allows the KH 420 to become part of a calibrated Neumann monitor system even though the monitor itself does not have integrated DSP.

Individually Calibrated Each KH 420 is individually measured and calibrated during production. This means that any two KH 420 monitors can be combined as a stereo pair without the need for a specially matched set. This is also practical when a studio is later expanded to surround or multichannel, or when a monitor needs to be replaced over time.

For mixing and mastering
The Neumann KH 420 is designed to provide a reliable reference during recording, mixing, and mastering. The combination of a flat frequency response, low distortion, controlled dispersion, and wide dynamic range makes subtle differences in EQ, compression, stereo imaging, and bass balance clearly audible. The deep bass response also makes it possible to accurately assess low frequencies without immediately requiring a subwoofer for every application. As a result, the KH 420 is aimed at professional studios where decisions made on the monitors must also translate reliably outside the studio.

Neumann KH 420 features:

• active 3-way midfield studio monitor
• recommended listening distance of 1.5 to 3 meters
• suitable for recording, mixing, mastering, broadcast, and post-production
• 10-inch long-throw woofer
• 3-inch dome midrange driver with neodymium magnet
• 1-inch alloy-fabric dome tweeter
• MMD waveguide for controlled sound dispersion
• Rotatable waveguide for vertical or horizontal placement
• frequency response from 26 Hz to 22 kHz at ±3 dB
• Maximum sound pressure level up to 122.4 dB SPL
• 330-watt Class AB amplifier for the woofer
• 140-watt Class AB amplifier for the midrange driver
• 140-watt Class AB amplifier for the tweeter
• 610 watts total amplifier power
• crossover frequencies of 570 Hz and 2 kHz
• front-firing bass reflex ports
• LRIM enclosure
• Balanced XLR input
• Input gain adjustable from 0 to -15 dB
• Output level adjustable to 94, 100, 108, or 114 dB SPL
• Adjustable bass, low-mid, and treble equalization
• Built-in parametric EQ for low frequencies
• Separate thermal protection for the three drivers
• Soft clipping and excursion protection for the woofer
• Two separate switching power supplies
• Prepared for optional DIM 1 digital input module
• Can be used with the Neumann MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment via the KH 750 DSP
• Individually calibrated during production
• Dimensions H x W x D: 64.5 x 33 x 44.4 cm
• weight: 35 kg
• Color: anthracite
• Neumann part number: 505988

In the box: 1 x Neumann KH 420 active studio monitor, 1 x power cord + documentation

The Neumann KH 420 is shipped individually.