Looking to purchase soon and really struggling to pick between these two, does anyone have experience with either or both? They’re not available to listen to where i’m currently located.

To clarify i’m particularly speaking about the KH120A

Well, the Focal look prettier with their walnut veneer and flax woofer’s, so the choice should be easy

I’ve listened to both some years ago at a music shop, and they were of course positioned somewhat differently, so take what I write with a bit grain of salt…
Both sounded good, but different to me in that scenario. I really liked the stereo image of the Focals, very impressive. The KH120 (i think it were the original ones, not the “a”) maybe sounded even more neutral, to the point of being rather unimpressive at first compared to some other speakers.
The Shape65 have a more extended low end (-3dB@40Hz compared to 52 for the KH), apart from that imho both are great monitors and you cannot really go wrong with either. Matter of taste and/or just getting used to.
I personally just fell in love with the Focals, although I ended up buying the Shape50s, because of money and better fit for the intended purpose/setup (smaller). If I’d have to decided again, I’d probably get the bigger ones.

I haven't tried the Focal shape line but had the new Focal Solo6 ST6 and CMS65's here alongside the Neumann KH120a's.
I will start off by saying I think they are all very capable monitors and very competent tools.
Of the Focals, the new Solo6 ST6's were my favorites but I personally preferred the KH120's in my room. The Neumann's sounded the most neutral in my room and I could hear more details in the mix compared to the Focal's. Also the stereo imaging on the KH120's sounded wider and more open and the 'phantom center' sounded a lot more solid and defined.
If I were buying I would strongly recommend the KH120 mkII and add the MA1 room correction system.

thanks for the replies. i think im gonna be picking up some 120a’s for a bargain next week ($750 ) and will report back on how they sound in my room. I did end up listening to the shapes, and while they were great they seemed a little low mid heavy and may have smoothed over some overly abrasive high end on some of my mixes (i’m aware those were past mistakes.)

how much would i really benefit from ma1 if im already using dirac? as far as i know dirac has most of the same features ma1 has.

also, would the 120’s be loud enough for a small/medium sized room? i’ve heard some mixed things about their spl capabilities. i’d be running them with a sub as well.

Sorry didn’t know you had dirac.

In my room I have the output set to 100db and I’ve never turned the output of my MOTU 828es anywhere close to full. If I turned it up to full it would be dangerous for my hearing.
The KH120’s output can be set up to 114db so basically I’m not turning them up to anywhere close to their full output!

How big is your room?

my room is a little bit bigger than bedroom sized, and either way i’d like to future proof with my monitor purchase now

how about any experiences with the rock mkii? i’ve seen a bit about these monitors on here as well as SOS. the larger driver as well as better bass extension may just be what i want. i’d still like to retain that midrange clarity and top end detail as well though. anyone who’s used these please jump in and let me know if they’re worth it!

I've not heard the Rock monitors but I've been intrigued in these myself. They come up fairly often for really good prices second hand.