Back in 2019, I reviewed Neumann's first foray into headphones, the closed-back NDH 20 [Tape Op#132]. At that time, its parent company Sennheiser was still in the consumer headphone business. Now they've sold that business. The new strategy seems to be: Sennheiser for live-production headsets and headphones for home studios/DJs (see my review of the new open-back HD 400 Pro [#148]) and Neumann for the pro audio market. This brings us to the new Neumann NDH 30 open-back headphones. They are more than twice the price of Sennheiser's HD 400 Pro, and are based on a different design philosophy.
According to their marketing materials, Neumann aimed to distill the sound of a pair of the company's KH studio monitors, calibrated with their MA 1 microphone/software system, and make it "available everywhere in the form of an easily transportable headphone." This implies smoothing out frequency bumps (euphonic and not) typical of headphones, using fast-acting dynamic ear-speakers, designing the ear-cups to be comfortable and fit every head, spec'ing the impedance low enough that most headphone amps can drive them comfortably, and building them ruggedly. On these counts, Neumann has mostly succeeded. Those wishing to use headphones as their main working monitor should listen to theNDH 30before making a purchase decision.
Like the NDH 20, these 'phones are heavier than average. They have aluminum frames on the cups with plenty of metal in the band, so they're not feather-light. The open-back material is similar to the metal on Sennheiser HD 650s [Tape Op#43]. Like their stablemate, theNHD 30shave thick padding on the headband and around the ears, and include a no-sweat cloth covering the foam.
Neumann was kind enough to lend me a pair for evaluation, and I put them to work in various listening situations. I compared them to my Sennheiser HD 650s and their cousins, the NDH 20, and the Rode NTH-100 closed-backs I also had for review. All of the 'phones sounded different, and I could see ideal situations for each of them. The fair comparison is theNDH 30and the HD 650, both open-back and in the same price range.
The differences come down to something similar to a full-range studio monitor versus a full-range home hi-fi speaker of equal build quality and similar design. TheNDH 30ssound somewhat restrained, but I think that's because Neumann took pains to avoid typical upper midrange and low to HF "hype" common to home-listening headphones and speakers. In other words, the pro headphones are flatter-sounding –as in no scoops or bumps, which are part of the voicing for the intentionally euphonic sound of consumer models. An audiophile who likes their sound neutral and quick will probably like theNDH 30s. However, I think the Sennheisers are geared more towards enjoying the brain-pleasing sounds of music. Put another way, you probably want tomixwith the Neumanns, but listen at home with the Sennheisers.
In the studio, I found theNDH 30very useful for doing cleanup work with iZotope RX software [Tape Op#130] and working on transitions and fades as part of some CD mastering. What I heard through these headphones tended to confirm any mixing, EQ'ing, and mastering decisions I made with my Amphion Two18 studio monitors [#108]. I also took time to kick back and enjoy some of my favorite music from CDs and streamed via Qobuz lossless/HD into my Little Labs Monotor headphone amp [#117]. TheNDH 30sprovided plenty of joy, far more restrained than my Sennheiser HD 650s, but I was in no rush to swap out the Neumann 'phones, and found I was hearing some favorites with a new perspective.
TheNDH 30is spec'd at 120 ohms, which means all competent headphone amps can drive them to reasonable SPLs and beyond. In fact, one of my late- summer pleasures was sitting outside in the evenings watching baseball on my iPhone and listening through theNDH 30s; admittedly, sonic overkill! By comparison, the NDH 20s are spec'd at 150 ohms, and the Sennheiser HD650 at 300 ohms.
Comfort-wise, the Neumann cans are heavy enough that it requires a strong neck to wear them all day. For open-backs, they provide a lot of isolation, but you'll still get a sense of a room around you. As found on the NDH 20, the cable connects on the right side, which is a bit unusual but not an inconvenience. Neumann includes a fabric-covered straight-wire cable, which can safely and easily get rolled over by studio chairs. The ear-cups fold up, and a flimsy fabric carry bag is included. My one complaint – I would expect a more substantial case for a headphone of this quality and price point.
Since they are so focused on precision and neutrality, the NeumannNDH 30smay be exactly your cup of tea, or they might be too restrained for your taste. Nonetheless, Neumann has achieved their goal of making something akin to a studio monitor that you wear on your head and carry around anywhere. Paired with a good DAC/headphone amp and a laptop, you can do many mixing and mastering tasks with theNDH 30away from your studio monitors.
($649 street;neumann.com) -Tom Fine tom.fine@gmail.com
