Short answer: the Neumann KH80 DSP. It ranks #4 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.6/5) at $1,197.96 and is still sold new; the Midiplus MI5 II ranks #90 (rated 3.0/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Midiplus MI5 II’s replacement, the Midiplus MI5 II V2, is rated 3.1/5.
The Neumann KH80 DSP is the more accurate pick. ASR’s selected Klippel measurement has a 1.4dB midrange response span and virtually no overall on-axis tilt. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.89 against 2.24 for the Midiplus MI5 II. The catch: Bass reaches -3dB around 59Hz in this measurement, less deep than the KH120 II.
What the Midiplus MI5 II does well: Balanced inputs, Bluetooth and a powered-pair format offer useful connectivity. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Neumann KH80 DSP lacks. The catch: The 2.24 standalone and 4.53 ideal-subwoofer scores show significant problems above the bass region.
Buy the Neumann KH80 DSP. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Midiplus MI5 II is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Neumann KH80 DSP | Midiplus MI5 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,197.96 per pair | $169 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #4 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #90 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 13.6”H x 10.8”W x 9.6”D (345.4 x 274.3 x 243.8 mm) | 10.1H x 6.7W x 9.4D in |
| Frequency Response | 57 Hz - 25 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz-25kHz |
| Inputs | XLR | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) each | 9.1 lbs (4.14 kg) |
| Drivers | 4.1” woofer, 1” fabric dome tweeter | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch fiberglass woofer |
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| DSP | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (via DSP) | - |
| Sensitivity | 91.9dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 140W (90W woofer + 50W tweeter) | 100W RMS per pair |
| Maximum SPL | 110.7dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 103dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.89 | 2.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.25 | 4.53 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Enclosure | - | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Neumann KH80 DSP:
- Genelec 8331A vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Genelec 8030C vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Reflector Audio Square Two
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Neumann KH80 DSP: $1,197.96 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Neumann KH120 MKII (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.7/5), the Neumann KH 150 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.8/5), the Neumann KH 310 A (larger bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the Neumann KH420 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.8/5) and the Neumann KH 750 DSP (subwoofer, rated 3.5/5).
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
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: 🎃🔥 UBoom X - Halloween Rock Special 🎸🤘 More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8320A
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- See all 65 comparisons
Midiplus MI5 II: $169 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Midiplus MI5 II V2, ranked higher, estimated 3.1/5.
Same family: the Midiplus MI3 II (smaller bookshelf, rated 2.4/5).
Pros: Balanced inputs, Bluetooth and a powered-pair format offer useful connectivity. The measured -3dB point is around 54Hz, so it reaches lower in the bass than some compact monitors.
Cons: The 2.24 standalone and 4.53 ideal-subwoofer scores show significant problems above the bass region. A large 9.4dB midrange response span and listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.644 indicate substantial coloration even though the overall response slope is fairly mild. A subwoofer cannot fix those irregularities. Amplifier-power specifications do not establish clean output. Discontinued.
Full Midiplus MI5 II review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1H x 6.7W x 9.4D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch fiberglass woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-25kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.53 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9.1 lbs (4.14 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Edifier R1280T
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Edifier R1280DB
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Midiplus MI5 II V2
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Fluid Audio FX50 V2
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Edifier R1700BT
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Edifier MR5
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Presonus Eris E5
- See all 18 comparisons