Neumann NDH 30 Studio Headphone Review

Neumann NDH 30 is another modern studio open-back pair that is designed to perform both in studio and in mobile setups, and it does just that. Laptop, hardware synth, or studio audio interface – it’ll work fine in any of the setups. However, if you’re after open-backs for extended use with mobile devices, and you require high SPL, the Sony MDR-MV1 or Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X will manage to deliver more volume.

Out of all the sub-€1000 studio open-backs, NDH 30s give the most durable impression. The all-aluminum build feels reassuring and suggests that it will last. Despite the generous amount of metal parts, they’re not that hefty and feel lightweight when compared to planar magnetic alternatives like Audeze; however, at 352 grams, they’re about 100 grams heavier than some of the rivals (HD 650, HD 490 Pro, MDR-MV1, ATH-R70x), and that difference is perceivable when using NDH 30. However, the build feels on another level when compared to the aforementioned made-of-plastic competition. The headband can be flexed and squeezed without causing any squeaky or cracking noises—complete silence. NDH 30 boasts the most solid build in its class. 

Cable, as expected in this price range, is detachable. A straight 3-meter-long cable is included, and an original Neumann-made spiral cable is available aftermarket. The attention to detail extends to the custom screw-on 3.5 to 6.3mm adapter that has color-matched orange rings.

It’s expected for headphones in this price range to have replaceable wear and tear parts such as ear pads and headband cushions. Neumann offers not only that but also the aluminum alloy yokes, which is great to see.

Thankfully, the solid build quality doesn’t outshine the sound. NDH 30 is among the most neutral-sounding headphones on the market today, and perhaps is the true successor of Sennheiser HD 650. It delivers nearly the same neutrality in mids and treble, and improves on its only weakness, the sub-bass extension. The frequency response graph above can be interpreted as very close to neutral from around 60Hz right up to 20kHz, with attenuated high mids from 1.5 to 3kHz and another dip around 10kHz. This results in an overall very balanced sound apart from the slight loss of presence and sparkle. Neumann has done a commendable job tuning the NDH 30, and relatively little calibration is required to bring them to full neutrality.

The driver matching is delivered to a sufficiently high standard, with only a couple of instances with discrepancies of about 2dB out of 8 pairs measured. The differences are contained to narrow bandwidth regions, making them unnoticeable in real-world applications since greater frequency response balance will be caused by the listener’s anatomical features.

The design is considerate and distributes the pressure efficiently, thus slightly masking their true weight. The split headband cushion contributes to that, leaving the top open, which eliminates a pressure point from forming right at the top of the inner headband.

The earpads are roomy and covered in plush velour, that are a good match for prolonged sessions. Overall comfort ranks high, and none of our testers reported any issues. However, our testers enjoyed Sennheiser HD 490 Pro and Sony MDR-MV1 even more, largely due to lower weight and more relaxed clamping force. But comfort, of course, is subjective, so your mileage might vary.

At €555, NDH 30 lands more towards the high-end, especially among headphones that are marketed for studio use. Neumann has approached this project with meticulous attention to detail and has succeeded in producing a very neutral-sounding unit that’s built to last. If you insist that your headphones must be built like a tank, NDH 30 is an easy recommendation. Yet if you choose maximum comfort over alloy build, Sennheiser HD 490 Pro offers a better value proposition, costing around €360. While it must be said that Neumanns offer slightly more neutral sound out of the box than Sennheisers, if you’re a Reference user, a calibrated HD 490 Pro will outperform a calibrated NDH 30.