Short answer: the Neumann KH80 DSP for a refined compact two-way. Its 1 inch tweeter in an elliptical waveguide crosses to a 4 inch mid-woofer around 1.8kHz with steep 48dB/octave slopes, though the notes flag a high price for its size. The Kali SM-5’s true coaxial design is the alternative, but its 5 inch mid-bass driver limits excursion and high-SPL low end.
Buy the Neumann KH80 DSP. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Kali Audio SM-5 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio SM-5 | Neumann KH80 DSP | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3000 per pair | $1,198 per pair |
| Ranked | #20 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU (BNC), RJ45 network control | XLR |
| Drivers | 1” coaxial tweeter, 4” coaxial midrange, 5” mid-bass woofer | 4.1” woofer, 1” fabric dome tweeter |
| App | Kali Audio DSP software (free download) | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes, per-speaker DSP | Yes (via DSP) |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 150W total | 140W (90W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (400 x 200 x 250 mm) | 13.6”H x 10.8”W x 9.6”D (345.4 x 274.3 x 243.8 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 35kHz ±10dB (47Hz - 21kHz ±3dB, Manufacturer specified) | 57 Hz - 25 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 117dB (manufacturer specified) | 110.7dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.18 | 5.89 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 | 8.25 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Sensitivity | - | 91.9dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Neumann KH80 DSP compares with other leading options:
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- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Reflector Audio Square Two
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Dynaudio LYD 5
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The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio SM-5: $3000 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements show bass reaching -3dB around 43Hz and a 2.8dB midrange response span. The coaxial mid/tweeter and large waveguide give useful consistency horizontally and vertically, reducing sensitivity to listening height. Built-in per-speaker DSP and mounting options make placement flexible. Existing testing reports low midrange distortion at 96dB. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Scores of 5.18 standalone and 7.13 with an ideal subwoofer are good but below the leading reference monitors, so its advanced driver layout does not justify a near-top ranking by itself. A small upper-midrange irregularity remains. The five-inch woofer and limiter constrain loud bass; the review places compression onset roughly in the 96-102dB/1m region.
Full Kali Audio SM-5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W total |
| App | Kali Audio DSP software (free download) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (400 x 200 x 250 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” coaxial tweeter, 4” coaxial midrange, 5” mid-bass woofer |
| EQ | Yes, per-speaker DSP |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 35kHz ±10dB (47Hz - 21kHz ±3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU (BNC), RJ45 network control |
| Maximum SPL | 117dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.18 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Neumann KH80 DSP: $1,198 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s selected Klippel measurement has a 1.4dB midrange response span and virtually no overall on-axis tilt. Scores of 5.89 standalone and 8.25 with an ideal subwoofer indicate excellent tonal accuracy in a compact monitor. The waveguide and steep crossover provide useful control of reflected sound, while placement filters help compensate for a desk or nearby boundaries. Existing multitone testing supports good moderate-level clarity. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 91.9dB.
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 59Hz in this measurement, less deep than the KH120 II. Output protection and increasing multitone distortion limit loud listening, especially in the bass. Room reflections and listening distance can alter perceived treble balance despite its flat direct response. Calibration equipment adds to the cost; the preference score is not a measurement of maximum clean output. It is expensive for its size.
Full Neumann KH80 DSP review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 140W (90W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 13.6”H x 10.8”W x 9.6”D (345.4 x 274.3 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.1” woofer, 1” fabric dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via DSP) |
| Frequency Response | 57 Hz - 25 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 110.7dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 91.9dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.89 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.25 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Neumann KH 80 Studio Monitor Review. Excellent Performance. Small Size. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Focal Shape 40 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frquency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KEF LSX vs Neumann KH80 DSP Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio A3X vs Neumann KH80 DSP Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Reflector Audio Square Two
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8331A
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8330A
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