Short answer: the Neumann KH120 MKII for better sound quality, the Dynaudio LYD 5 for the lower price. The Neumann KH120 MKII ranks #2 of 60 powered bookshelf speakers at $2000. The Dynaudio LYD 5 ranks #45 at $1000, $1000 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 Dynaudio LYD 5 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with well-controlled low-frequency distortion. Early reflections summation is smart engineering the reviewer called “pretty clever.” 100W total Class D amplification across a 5” woofer and 1” tweeter. Watch for: A dip shows up around 1.64kHz on-axis, and the upper bass is boosted to compensate for a lack of real deep bass extension, giving a mild tubbiness. Treble energy runs a bit hot, and the woofer beams around 4kHz, creating a directivity error there. Bass distortion exceeds acceptable levels above 1kHz at higher volumes. The reviewer said he’d personally reach for a JBL 305P MKII or Neumann KH80 DSP instead at this price.
Buy the Neumann KH120 MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Dynaudio LYD 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Dynaudio LYD 5. It ranks near the bottom of the 60 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Neumann KH120 MKII | Dynaudio LYD 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2000 | $1000 |
| Ranked | #2 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.3"H x 7.2"W x 8.9"D (287 x 182.9 x 226.1 mm) | 10.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.3"D (260 x 170 x 211 mm) |
| Inputs | XLR | - |
| Drivers | 5.25" woofer, 1" titanium fabric dome tweeter | 5" woofer, 28mm soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg each | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg each |
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) | No |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| DSP | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (via DSP) | No |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | 116.8dB @ 1m | - |
| Output Power | 245W (145W woofer + 100W tweeter) | 100W total (50W LF, 50W HF) |
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- JBL 705P vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Genelec 8020D vs Neumann KH120 MKII
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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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8331A
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Kali Audio SM-5
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8330A
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8020D
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Kali LP-UNF
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs JBL 305P MKII
- See all 32 comparisons
Dynaudio LYD 5: $1000 Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with well-controlled low-frequency distortion. Early reflections summation is smart engineering the reviewer called “pretty clever.” 100W total Class D amplification across a 5” woofer and 1” tweeter.
Cons: A dip shows up around 1.64kHz on-axis, and the upper bass is boosted to compensate for a lack of real deep bass extension, giving a mild tubbiness. Treble energy runs a bit hot, and the woofer beams around 4kHz, creating a directivity error there. Bass distortion exceeds acceptable levels above 1kHz at higher volumes. The reviewer said he’d personally reach for a JBL 305P MKII or Neumann KH80 DSP instead at this price.
Full Dynaudio LYD 5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.3"D (260 x 170 x 211 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" woofer, 28mm soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 100W total (50W LF, 50W HF) |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Edifier S1000W
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Klipsch The Fives
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Edifier R1280T
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Edifier R1280DB
- See all 30 comparisons