Short answer: the Neumann KH120 MKII for better sound quality, the Donner Dyna 3 for the lower price. The Neumann KH120 MKII ranks #2 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $2000. The Donner Dyna 3 ranks #63 at $89, $1911 cheaper.
What the Neumann KH120 MKII offers: CEA2034 spinorama is about as flat as the reviewer has measured, with excellent directivity aside from a small blip around 2kHz, and bass response that stays flat almost down to 50Hz. Predicted in-room response is superb despite not being strictly valid for a near-field monitor at this distance. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±50 degrees is nice and well controlled. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is exceptionally low. Even at 96dB SPL/1m - just 1dB before the clipping indicator engages - it stays very clean outside of deep bass. Watch for: A minor directivity blip appears around 2kHz. Vertical directivity narrows quickly above the reference axis, so the reviewer recommends staying right at it. Distortion rises substantially in the deep bass under 50Hz at higher output (96dB SPL/1m). Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows a resonance in the upper midrange. High price.
What the Donner Dyna 3 offers: Very inexpensive self-powered desktop pair with Bluetooth, balanced TRS, RCA and 3.5mm connectivity plus included isolation pads. The tiny 3-inch woofer/1-inch tweeter format occupies little desk space and produces usable output for close-range background listening. Watch for: Erin’s Klippel data contradicts the advertised studio-monitor accuracy: response is severely non-neutral, directivity is poorly integrated and the tonal errors are too large for a reference role. The small woofer has limited bass extension and high-level headroom, while distortion and compression rise quickly. It is an active system, so passive sensitivity and impedance do not apply; Erin did not publish comparable passive measurements. Better-measuring budget monitors are worth the additional cost.
Buy the Neumann KH120 MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Donner Dyna 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Donner Dyna 3. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Neumann KH120 MKII | Donner Dyna 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2000 | $89/pair |
| Ranked | #2 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #63 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 66.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 85.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 11.3"H x 7.2"W x 8.9"D (287 x 182.9 x 226.1 mm) | - |
| Inputs | XLR | Bluetooth, TRS, RCA and 3.5mm |
| Drivers | 5.25" woofer, 1" titanium fabric dome tweeter | 1" dome tweeter; 3" woofer |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg each | - |
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| DSP | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (via DSP) | - |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Max SPL | 116.8dB @ 1m | - |
| Output Power | 245W (145W woofer + 100W tweeter) | - |
| Bass Extension | - | Limited by 3" woofer (Erin’s Audio Corner measurement) |
| Sensitivity | - | Not applicable (active loudspeaker) |
| Amplification | - | Built in |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Neumann KH120 MKII: $2000 Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is about as flat as the reviewer has measured, with excellent directivity aside from a small blip around 2kHz, and bass response that stays flat almost down to 50Hz. Predicted in-room response is superb despite not being strictly valid for a near-field monitor at this distance. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±50 degrees is nice and well controlled. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is exceptionally low. Even at 96dB SPL/1m - just 1dB before the clipping indicator engages - it stays very clean outside of deep bass.
Cons: A minor directivity blip appears around 2kHz. Vertical directivity narrows quickly above the reference axis, so the reviewer recommends staying right at it. Distortion rises substantially in the deep bass under 50Hz at higher output (96dB SPL/1m). Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows a resonance in the upper midrange. High price.
Full Neumann KH120 MKII review and specifications →
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 11.3"H x 7.2"W x 8.9"D (287 x 182.9 x 226.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25" woofer, 1" titanium fabric dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via DSP) |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 116.8dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 245W (145W woofer + 100W tweeter) |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg each |
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Donner Dyna 3: $89/pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Very inexpensive self-powered desktop pair with Bluetooth, balanced TRS, RCA and 3.5mm connectivity plus included isolation pads. The tiny 3-inch woofer/1-inch tweeter format occupies little desk space and produces usable output for close-range background listening.
Cons: Erin’s Klippel data contradicts the advertised studio-monitor accuracy: response is severely non-neutral, directivity is poorly integrated and the tonal errors are too large for a reference role. The small woofer has limited bass extension and high-level headroom, while distortion and compression rise quickly. It is an active system, so passive sensitivity and impedance do not apply; Erin did not publish comparable passive measurements. Better-measuring budget monitors are worth the additional cost.
Full Donner Dyna 3 review and specifications →
| Amplification | Built in |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension | Limited by 3" woofer (Erin's Audio Corner measurement) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66.8Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" dome tweeter; 3" woofer |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, TRS, RCA and 3.5mm |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active loudspeaker) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons