Neumann NDH 30
- Wired
- Circumaural
- Open
- Dynamic
- Frequency range: 12 – 34,000 Hz
Neumann NDH 30 Review
Building on the success of the award-winning NDH 20 headphones, the NDH 30 has been crafted for the most demanding mixing and mastering applications, both in stereo and spatial formats.
The NDH 30 delivers the same linear sound signature as a Neumann loudspeaker setup—precisely calibrated using MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment—now available in a portable headphone format.
The Neumann NDH 30 is the company’s second pair of headphones. Released in 2022, the NDH 30 is an open-back, reference-class model designed specifically for editing, mixing, and mastering in studios and other quiet environments.
Neumann emphasizes wearing comfort and highly accurate, linear sound reproduction—‘just like a perfectly calibrated Neumann loudspeaker system’—as key features of the NDH 30.
The NDH 30 is a circumaural, open-back headphone designed to bring the authentic sound of Neumann studio monitors directly to your ears. It’s ideal for checking headphone compatibility and creating binaural mixes for VR, gaming, and various other media.
With its linear audio reproduction and accurate stereo panorama, the NDH 30 delivers exactly what you’d expect. Neumann describes its sound with poetic flair: “extraordinarily quick transient response, dry bass, uncolored mids, and clear highs.”
Beyond sound quality, these headphones feature a foldable metal and aluminum build with dynamic 38 mm transducers operating as acoustic dipoles. This design is optimal for the intended use and sonic characteristics Neumann aims for.
Frequency-selective absorbers eliminate the common issue of high-frequency overemphasis in headphone mixing. The NDH 30 also comes with an internally balanced, cloth-covered cable, a 6.3mm adapter, and a carrying bag.
The headphones offer a broad frequency range, reaching as low as 12 Hz and as high as 34 kHz, ensuring every essential harmonic and nuance is faithfully reproduced. With an impedance of 120 ohms, you get plenty of volume with minimal distortion across a wide range of headphone amplifiers.
Additionally, the NDH 30 integrates seamlessly with loudspeaker systems calibrated using Neumann Automatic Monitor Alignment, including the KH Series. This lets you start a mix on headphones and then check it on speakers—or vice versa—without missing a beat. The circumaural design features padded earcups for all-day comfort during long mixing, editing, and mastering sessions.
For convenience, the headphones fold for travel and storage, and include a removable, internally balanced 3.5mm cable that connects to the right earcup, plus a 1/4″ adapter. Both the cable and earpads are available for purchase separately if you ever need replacements.
Neumann NDH 30 Design
The NDH-30 headphones are exceptionally comfortable, thanks to their large, soft earpads, making them ideal for long listening sessions. The NDH 30 is also foldable, making it even easier to carry. Essentially, the NDH 30 serves as a portable alternative to a Neumann KH line loudspeaker setup!
Neumann has also included an internally balanced cable that ensures uncompromised signal quality, with significantly less crosstalk than typical studio headphones, which often use unbalanced cables and share a single ground for both channels.
Enjoy precise, clear sound with razor-sharp stereo imaging that easily outperforms other high-quality headphones.
Words from the Neumann NDH 30 Developers
The NDH 30 delivers outstanding linearity thanks in part to frequency-selective absorbers that eliminate the high-frequency overemphasis found in many other headphones. This means you can accurately hear whether a vocal sounds muffled or if it needs a de-esser—essential details for making the right mixing decisions.
Its spatial resolution is impressive as well. The NDH 30 allows for pinpoint stereo imaging, making it easy to judge the depth of your mix. To minimize channel crosstalk, it comes with a high-quality, cloth-covered cable that’s internally balanced.
With its high linearity and detailed resolution, the NDH 30 pairs perfectly with a loudspeaker system that’s been calibrated with Neumann Automatic Monitor Alignment. You can start a mix at home or on the go using the NDH 30 and then seamlessly continue in the studio with KH-Line loudspeakers—and vice versa.
At the same time, the NDH 30 is highly recommended as a reference for headphone sound. Since headphones have become the main playback system for many listeners, the NDH 30 is ideal for checking headphone compatibility and for creating binaural mixes of immersive content.
Because consistency and reliability are crucial in mixing and mastering, the NDH 30 is manufactured to extremely tight tolerances, ensuring every pair sounds exactly the same.
- Impedance: 120 Ohm
- Sound pressure level: 103 dB SPL/1kHz/1Vrms
- 38 mm Neodymium transducer
- Maximum power handling: 1000 mW
- Rated power handling: 200 mW
- Distortion factor at 1 kHz and 100 db SPL <0.03 %
- Replaceable fabric foam ear pads
- Single-sided cable routing
- Replaceable 3 m smooth cable with 3.5 mm jack connector
Why You Need the Neumann NDH 30
Open-back studio headphones are a staple for most mixing engineers when checking their mixes. However, with the NDH 30s, you can confidently use them as your primary monitoring system. Neumann designed these headphones specifically for that purpose, so you don’t have to worry about whether they’re suitable for mixing—they absolutely are.
While you can make software adjustments to further refine the sound, these headphones already deliver precise audio. If you notice any bumps or dips in the frequency spectrum, you have the option to shape the sound even more to your liking. Not that adjustments are necessary, but it’s great to have the flexibility if you want it!
Conclusion
These headphones may not be the cheapest option, but their quality more than justifies the price. Neumann is dedicated to providing their clients with top-tier systems and equipment, and it’s only fair that their pricing reflects that commitment. We all know Neumann comes with a certain price tag, but we’re also well aware of the exceptional quality they deliver.
While Neumann is best known for their impressive microphones, they also offer monitoring systems that pair beautifully with those very microphones. If you have any questions about these headphones, please let us know in the comments, or feel free to reach out to Neumann directly for more details.
