Here are some measurements of the B&W 702 S2 https://www.stereophile.com/content/bow … asurements, the 704 S2 https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index … Itemid=153 and 705 S2 https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index … Itemid=153.

For comparison, here are measurements of the same two speakers (PSB Imagine T3 (floor standing) and Revel Performa3 M106 (bookshelf)) done by both of the sources: PSB https://www.stereophile.com/content/psb … asurements and https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index … Itemid=153 and Revel https://www.stereophile.com/content/rev … asurements and https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index … Itemid=153.

Measurements of the KH310A can be found here: https://www.soundandrecording.de/equipm … 0-im-test/, english https://en-de.neumann.com/product_files/1719/download (reload if opened in new tab).

The B&W will produce about 90 dB SPL with 1 W input at 1 m in anechoic conditions. With your amplifier (80 W) the B&W will be able to produce 109 dB SPL peaks at 1 m in anechoic conditions (assuming compression isn't an issue with both speakers and amp), i.e. 103 dB peaks at 2 m in anechoic conditions.

If you do not listen at excessively high levels, 100 dB+, the Neumann will play deeper before it rolls off. Its -3 dB point is at 34 Hz, whereas the B&W have a -3dB point of 46 Hz.

Also, since the crossover in the Neumann is implemented with active electronics before the amplifiers, the amps in the Neumann are optimised to the individual drivers and are directly coupled. In the B&W the signal has to be split using passive components which are not as linear relative to load as the active crossovers in the Neumann since the latter operate at much lower levels.

If you want the most accurate speaker, get the Neumann. Also, as ramses has said in the other thread (https://www.forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=28649, #52), you can always EQ its tonality to your taste.

EDIT: Added reference and listening distance for B&W peak SPL and the fact that those are under anechoic conditions. Emphasised in italics.

Thanks a lot for your deteiled answer JJW, and for the time you spent on it.
B&Ws have poor results indeed...

PSB seems very nice, but twice as much!

I've red some tests and measures, and yes they seem very nice speakers.
But I've seen reviews where professionnal says they sound boring (OK for studio but not for home)...
For example this short video of "Streaky review".

Thanks for pointing that out, interesting considerations indeed!

Yes, when I've understood what "active" means, I was convidend I want to go with that

OK, they will be more accurate, and easy to set too (no port...), I'm just afraid to install it at home and to find it flat... And yes, EQ is may be the answer.

And the little size of the cabinet is no issue? How can they make more bass than the big floorstanders?

They boost the bass using active electronics. Of course the SPL limit at low frequencies still applies. The speaker will simply compress earlier in the boosted area compared to the non-boosted area. The peak SPL measurements show this clearly.

That is why I qualified my statement with how loud you would play them.

Thats what I said in the other thread. For Mixing etc in the studio a workhorse.

But it's very flat/neutral, this was the reason why the other guy kept his RL906, because it's definitively "more musical" to be able to enjoy music.

I would say give it a try whether you can shape the sound with either Bass/Treble or using the PEQ of the ADI-2 *.

If you can get KS Digital C-55 (used) give them a try. The C-55 was more balanced compared to the C-88.

I remember Event Opal was also a very good sounding speaker.

If you want to hear whats possible with a good speaker in terms of 3D resolution / representation of a "stage"
take a look at Dr Gauder (formerly Isophon) Belinea RC3. Stunning Speakers.
Only to get an idea what depth good speakers can bring.
The Coaxial System from KS Digital, C-55, also presented a very nice stage and had enough "wums" as well.

Currently no other ideas, sorry.

I will look to these. If only the RL906 were 3 ways...

tough constraints to match and we already have recommended possibly the best options. I could think of two other Neumann 'Clones', KSDigital A200 , Dynaudio Lyd, or KSD C88 (but have no personal experience with these). However, don't underestimate good two way systems. KH80/KH120 or MEG RL906 come to my mind. They all have a razor sharp imaging and share (almost KH120) the same tonality as the bigger models. That is especially true for MEG as they take greatest care to maintain the exact same tonality throughout their products. Eventually supported by a subwoofer you get a decent fullrange setup.

Besides that in the consumer market there is this german company www.nubert.de that have released an active line some years ago and are also entering into the professional market. Nubert is a direct distributor and afair they also ship to France with a four week return policy. Anselm has tested Nuberts not long ago. KSDigital is located in Saarbruecken, maybe not out of reach for you?

ok ok ramses got it. You're the boss here. I am out now, except for issues with my RME devices...

Sorry, but that's really not the point. I respected your expertise, your personal opinions and experiences, and just set them against my experiences, nothing more.

In an open discussion there is discussion, that's the way it is. I tolerate that, but you should please also do.

I think you sometimes forget a bit that the two people looking for advice here are not studio people and are not looking for monitors for studio work and a studio environment.

They probably don't need an absolutely neutral monitor, just because it doesn't fit our usual listening habits.

With the KH310, I was still able to assume that after a bit of EQing, this monitor could possibly be moved into the right direction for their listening purposes, because of the good capabilities of the monitor.

But when you mentioned the KH120 (which I also tested at Musicstore and at home) I couldn't help but contradict you. For  pure studio work this monitor is perhaps a little (because affordable) dream for some people, but IMHO not for listening to music. Some things can't be controlled with the monitor by EQing. Compared to other monitors I know, it just doesn't conjure up a nice stage.
The KH120 just doesn't have the depth of the coaxial systems from KS Digital or Geithain. There are better monitors available. And if you already have a budget of €2000 per monitor, then you can confidently forget the little Neumann for these purposes in my personal opinion.

But as I said, the topic is also very subjective and at the end of the day it could also be that the two guys suddenly find something completely different compared to what we suggested. I can live with it very well and therefore emphasize again and again, please hear for yourself and make your own experiences.

It would be very friendly if you would reconsider your point of view. I just want to help them as much as you do, nothing more.

Heh ? I was only looking for potential reasons why we differ in our opineons which at the end maybe brought you to write this:

> ok ok ramses got it. You're the boss here. I am out now, except for issues with my RME devices...

Best is simply to discuss opinions and to stay factual. I was doing it, but with this statement of yours you made it kind of personal for really no reason.

> To me it appears you have an upfront selection of products for a specific audience/clientele that you are
> convinced to work or not.

You describe the normal process of testing. After a lot of testing you have an opinion towards a product.

I disagree with you in the point, that the best studio monitor is also best suited for consuming music.
Also the best tool is not the best tool for everybody.
There is also not something like the best car, the best DAW, etc etc. It all depends.

Hi

So I went with my little sound engineer assistant in a pro shop in Paris, to listen to these Neumann...
I was really impressed!! It so precise, so sharp... They are really impressive down there: I've discovered the bass section of some songs!! And it is never blurry, it is solid, percussive... A lot of pleasure listening to my favourite songs on these speakers.
My order is placed... I can't wait to connect them to my ADI-2 DAC