At prolight+sound a logo on the Neumann stand, visible from afar, alerted visitors to the fact that Neumann, world-famous for professional microphones, is now applying its electroacoustic expertise to the other end of the audio chain.

A few months ago it was announced that Neumann would add studio monitors to its product portfolio. This range is based on the products of the well-known Klein + Hummel company. Their monitors have an excellent reputation in German-speaking countries and a few others, but are less familiar internationally.

“That will certainly change in the near future, because the Neumann brand is well-established in the international studio world. We anticipate a strong synergy effect here,” explains Wolfgang Fraissinet, President of Marketing/Sales at Neumann Berlin. “In the history of the company, Neumann stands for far more than microphone technology. Over the decades we have also produced record-cutting equipment and studio consoles, for example. Our expertise in transformer design
– for the microphone – as well as in signal processing and digital audio technology, has already been demonstrated. In addition Neumann has a leading role in the area of high technology, which is successfully implemented, for instance, in the digital microphones of the Solution-D series.”

Existing studio monitors are being incorporated into the Neumann product portfolio as the “KH Line”. Over time, new products will be developed to fullfil the needs of the most discerning customers in the market. The core concept of excellence in audio reproduction will remain and cutting edge technologies will continue to set Neuman Studio Monitoring Systems apart from the masses. Later this year, the first new studio monitors carrying the Neumann label will be launched.

Most of the former Klein + Hummel engineers continue to work for the Sennheiser Group, in support of the markets Installed Sound at Sennheiser, and Studio Monitor Systems at Neumann. Thus, for the most part, the same people still stand behind the products. Service for present and future customers is also ensured, with the accustomed Neumann quality.

Klein + Hummel has been part of the Sennheiser Group since 2005. At the beginning of 2010 it was decided that the Studio products business would be further developed by Neumann, and that the Installed Sound area would be integrated into Sennheiser.

With the TLM 67, at this year’s AES in New York, Neumann microphones have now been honored for the eleventh time with the coveted TEC Award! The award is granted annually for exceptionally creative technical developments in various product categories. For the TLM 67, this applies particularly to the circuit technology, which transforms this microphone into a modern adaptation of the legendary U 67. The new circuit design is modelled closely on the sound characteristics of the classic U 67, but manages without a tube. Similar Neumann circuit technology has already been successfully proven in the TLM 49, which received a TEC Award in 2006.

Three switchable directional characteristics (omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-eight), switchable 10 dB preattenuation and a high-pass filter ensure a wide range of applications for the TLM 67, with detailed adaptability to the specific recording situation.

With the TEC Award and the MIPA awarded this spring, the TLM 67 has received two of the most important prizes in our sector for the best recording microphone of the year 2009. The TLM 67 is thus increasingly following in the – admittedly illustrious – footsteps of its classic counterpart. This is one more reason why "67" has a place of honor in the history of our company, which now extends back more than 80 years.

With the TLM 102, Neumann is defining a new generation of studio microphones. This applies not only to the design of the microphone but also to the price.

The reduced overall size contributes to an exceptionally compact appearance, which unites all of the typical design components of a Neumann microphone. The harmonious proportions and gleaming grille ring ensure that even at first glance, the TLM 102 attracts attention.

The TLM 102 is impressive in terms of sound: In the interior is a newly developed large-diaphragm capsule (cardioid) with a maximum sound pressure level of 144 dB which permits the recording of percussion, drums, amps and other very loud sound sources, for example. However the most important applications are in the realm of vocals and speech; a slight boost above 6 kHz provides for excellent presence of the voice in the overall mix.

Due to its flexible field of application and price, the microphone will certainly be at home in ambitious home recording and project studios, as well as in the broadcasting area, particularly if priority is given to clear lines of sight to the speakers. Neumann has recently received an increasing number of requests for this type of capability.

The TLM 102 is available in black and nickel, with a stand mount, at a price of around 600 euros.

Product information can be found at