[Mike F]

Well it’s dark compared to my HD800! (Thank goodness). I’m happy to call it dark, detailed and revealing. It suits my ears extremely well and, as I’ve said before, reminds me very much of my ATC SCM100ASL monitors. It certainly doesn’t have the treble boost present in many studio and consumer headphones which gives a somewhat false impression of detail. Many studio headphones do that intentionally for a number of reasons (to highlight problems or to making tracking easier in a loud recording environment for instance) and many consumer headphones have boosted bass and treble for other reasons (to make everything sound better and more interesting for example).

This is where I agree with what @chesebert was saying a few posts ago about the HD600. I think the only reason that it’s still around is that it has mids which are almost universally recognised as being about the best. I think the number of people who think it’s a thoroughly enjoyable all-round headphone are probably in the minority. For me the NDH 30 is a much more successful headphone whilst maintaining everything that made the HD600 legendary. But for many, exciting and impressive it is not.

 

[maegnificant]

Again I'll reserve judgment until I get it on my head in a controlled situation. But based on the measured results here, it's totally reasonable to describe it as 'dark' - especially in comparison to say the HD 600. I get the concept you're trying to establish, but the data here shows that it's definitely on the darker, more subdued treble side of things, even in comparison to the average bass to treble delta preference.

EDIT: It also wouldn't surprise me if there's a difference between preliminary units and full production run units - that's actually quite common.

I did compare it to the HD 600, and the treble is way more pronounced on the NDH-30. Maybe I attribute a different sound to the term "dark".

*edit* and I do find the HD 600 to be an almost perfect allrounder

 

[Mike F]

I did compare it to the HD 600, and the treble is way more pronounced on the NDH-30. MaxbeI attribute a different sound to the term "dark".

*edit* and I do find the HD 600 to be an almost perfect allrounder

I always found the HD600 to be too forward in the upper mids/lower treble. The NDH 30 is ‘darker’ (and better) for me in that region.

 

[ThEvil0nE]

(you may need to EQ the mid just a bit or add a piece of tuning foam in front of the driver - like what Composer is doing )

LOL stop it

 

[ThEvil0nE]

When I first got the NDH 30 I set my ADI-2 dac to output on both headphone and XLR Adam A4V (forgot if I had room correction enabled or disabled and was set to PURE but subwoofer disabled). Listening to the NDH 30 and removing to listen to the monitors at optimal listening position and I hardly distinguish any obvious changes on sound from the transition. With that, Neumann did deliver on what they are trying to achieve.

 

[headstef]

And this is where I am happy to exit the conversation. If folks want to believe cables make a difference, have at it - but that's not a dialogue I'm going to get involved in.

Talking about cables is rather rare in this thread, a very good sign I think, from many perspectives.
Just to record my view here, too: my experience is that cables don't make the slightest audible difference, if they are adequately made for their purpose (too easy). No matter if they cost $5 or $ 5.000.
Physics have also answerd this since the beginning of the cable-frenzy, decades ago.

 

[jonathan c]

With NDH-30, it is easy for me to focus separately on individual musical strains, on specific voices / instruments, on ambience / reverberation - or to bask in the sonic totality. In either listening "mode", the musical veracity of NDH-30 is there. Deeply satisfying ...

 

[Maxpain]

With NDH-30, it is easy for me to focus separately on individual musical strains, on specific voices / instruments, on ambience / reverberation - or to bask in the sonic totality. In either listening "mode", the musical veracity of NDH-30 is there. Deeply satisfying ...

Nice Setup!

I am thinking to buy Violectric V222 for my ndh30...would you say they have good synergy?

 

[headstef]

With NDH-30, it is easy for me to focus separately on individual musical strains, on specific voices / instruments, on ambience / reverberation - or to bask in the sonic totality. In either listening "mode", the musical veracity of NDH-30 is there. Deeply satisfying ...

Very well said. Exactly my experience, too!

 

[jonathan c]

Nice Setup!

I am thinking to buy Violectric V222 for my ndh30...would you say they have good synergy?

Yes. V222 has voltage delivery which is excellent and which rises as load impedance rises. NDH-30 'nominal' impedance is 120 ohms. From the V222 manual:

Note that power delivered @ 120 ohms is 2800 mW (est.) while voltage delivered @ 120 ohms is 20.0 V (est.). This plus the Violectric '200 series' character of wide dynamics with a tinge of sweetness and of tube 'liquidity' make V222 an auspicious partner for NDH-30.

 

[Maxpain]

Yes. V222 has voltage delivery which is excellent and which rises as load impedance rises. NDH-30 'nominal' impedance is 120 ohms. From the V222 manual: Note that power delivered @ 120 ohms is 2800 mW (est.) while voltage delivered @ 120 ohms is 20.0 V (est.). This plus the Violectric '200 series' character of wide dynamics with a tinge of sweetness and of tube 'liquidity' make V222 an auspicious partner for NDH-30.

Thanks a lot for your input....that's great news!

I always wanted to try a Violectric amp and the v2222 seems the best deal....not to mention it will play very well with hd650 on balanced connection.....

 

[FinHifi]

Thanks a lot for your input....that's great news!

I always wanted to try a Violectric amp and the v2222 seems the best deal....not to mention it will play very well with hd650 on balanced connection.....

I got the V222 and while I did not have NDH 30, I did indeed have hd650. While I personally would not buy a 1200e amp for a 200e(used) headphones, synergy was excellent.
As was with ADX5000, Composer, Elite and Stealth. Just the ease it has to drive everything gets me.

 

[Maxpain]

I got the V222 and while I did not have NDH 30, I did indeed have hd650. While I personally would not buy a 1200e amp for a 200e(used) headphones, synergy was excellent.
As was with ADX5000, Composer, Elite and Stealth. Just the ease it has to drive everything gets me.

the idea is to get an amp that will drive anything and last for long time...I am thinking about combining it with the denafrips ares II and call it endgame setup for headphones....then i will only try new headphones....

 

[jonathan c]

As wonderfully as NDH-30 responds to Violectric HPA V281 (post #4,732), there is even more magic with Woo WA6 (Gen 1) :

[Tubes: Brimar CV1863 KB/FE, pair Brimar CV455 KB/FB]

 

[maegnificant]

Our EP was co-mixed and mastered with the Neumann-NDH-30. We have gone for a warm, kinda bass heavy sound. But you can EQ it how you like
Please share it around if you like it! It's a free download