Flat is flat. There is no magic. If the monitor has flat frequency response and low distortion, then the music played through it will sound the way it was recorded. It may be that the music you are playing is poorly recorded or mixed. That is not the fault of the monitor if the monitor is doing it job.I fully agree and am aware of the fact that monitors should sound flat. But when I listened to some (known for their flatness) monitors the other day, some really well known and greatly mixed/mastered pop songs just sounded off on some monitors. Like the high end was just too detailed, too fatiguing. For instance, it made different elements in a snare/clap/hi hat/perc layering, that were clearly intended as to sound as a 'whole' sound loose and piercing. Could be the room though! I sort of caught myself thinking that if a certain monitor made tracks I know very well (and I love very much in all kinds of listening environments and I know are mixed and mastered by the best in the game) sound bad, than I probably should not go for those monitors. Especially since I am not a mastering engineer for instance (luckily other people do that for me), I am mainly a producer who wants to be inspired to som extent while working first and foremost. But getting super neutral monitors will certainly benefit the end product, so of course I am still aiming for that. It's an interesting ongoing discussion in my head.
That said, I listened to the Neumann KH310 today. And now I want the Neumann KH310. Shit. Just wonderful, clean, precise, flat. Was impressed by the bass response too. And that was even without a well treated room.
Some forumscanning later, I feel like the KH150 might be even better for me. Also great reviews everywhere, and no noticeable downgrade to the KH310 as far as I can tell (right?). The two way design and smaller design might be better for my small room. And the low end extension is insane for a 6,5 woofer. I mean, it is just crazy how they owned every other brand in that respect.
The price is EUR 1600 here. If I'm spending that kind of money, it's basically the same as the HEDD Type 20 Mk2 and the KH310. What do you think of those three compared in a relatively small room (the KH150, KH310 and the HEDD Type 20 mk2)? Also waiting for Amir to do some reviews on the Adam A7V, A77H and A8H. Really curious how those would compare, but they will not be as flat as the Neumann's. They seem to be in a different league in that respect.
Some so called monitors do not have a flat frequency response and others have too much distortion. That is why the tests here on ASR are so important.
I agree with you that it is amazing how good the Neumann monitors are - and especially the new KH150. I spent a couple more hours today listening to mine with many different types of music including blues, jazz, classical and rock. It handles them all well - of course - becuase it has a very flat frequency response and low distortion.
Neumann engineers did a superlative job in designing the woofer and the DSP for the woofer to all it to provide such low distortion in the bass. This was not luck - it is solid intelligent audio engineering.
It was interesting to compare the same songs on the KH150's and 100 pound, 3 12" woofer Legacy Focus speakers (not monitors).
I wish you well in your decision making process. Don't let the snake oil get you.