Neumann NDH 30

[Metal-Fi]

After taking some time with my NDH 30, I would like to ask: who has found their ~3.6 kHz peak to be somewhat troublesome? This happened to me, I tried to disregard that extra midrange elevation at first but my ears seem a bit too sensitive to frequencies around 3-4 kHz (I experienced something similar with HifiMan HE6 SE V1, which have a pronounced peak at 4 kHz); trimming 3dB at 3650 Hz with Q=2 eventually solved the issue.

 

[headstef]

@Metal-Fi After two and a half years with the NDH 30 they remain totally unfatiguing for me, just as I described long ago:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/neumann-ndh-30.963439/page-62#post-17445099

 

[feank]

In my case NDH30 don't have any peaks, I need to EQ and up 3- 4 DB in that region. I would say that Ultrasone ED11 has similar timbre and overall tune maybe more detail in treble

 

[Metal-Fi]

@Metal-Fi After two and a half years with the NDH 30 they remain totally unfatiguing for me, just as I described long ago:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/neumann-ndh-30.963439/page-62#post-17445099

In my case NDH30 don't have any peaks, I need to EQ and up 3- 4 DB in that region. I would say that Ultrasone ED11 has similar timbre and overall tune maybe more detail in treble

That's interesting, I guess we are really in the realm of subjective ear response here. In my case, however, it's not a matter of "fatigue" but just an unnecessary elevation that may cause a sense of "artificial" extra detail in the texture of some instruments: in particular, it may expose too much the grainy character of distorted guitars, resulting in an unwanted sense of bite, or enhance excessively the clashy reverb of percussions. Not a bad thing per se, but with certain tracks it might get a bit wild.

 

[Plieb]

@Metal-Fi After two and a half years with the NDH 30 they remain totally unfatiguing for me, just as I described long ago:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/neumann-ndh-30.963439/page-62#post-17445099

Yes very easy to listen to. However on some amps that may be too much of a good thing being a bit too timid.
Not suprising though im getting great results from the very linear topping a90d. More detail and bite. Ndh 30 has plenty of natural warmth to be a good pairing with clean powerful linear amps.

 

[headstef]

That's interesting, I guess we are really in the realm of subjective ear response here. In my case, however, it's not a matter of "fatigue" but just an unnecessary elevation that may cause a sense of "artificial" extra detail in the texture of some instruments: in particular, it may expose too much the grainy character of distorted guitars, resulting in an unwanted sense of bite, or enhance excessively the clashy reverb of percussions. Not a bad thing per se, but with certain tracks it might get a bit wild.

I have always perceived the reach timbre and extra detail of this headphone as a result of their high quality and very low distortion. "Artificial" has never come to mind, quite the opposite, I admire this headphone for its naturalness of vocal and instrumental reproduction. However, I haven't tried to decrease the "peak" at 4 kHz by a few dB to evaluate the difference.

 

[feank]

I need to raise in that zone because for me is too boring signature, bass is great but mids to treble too much flat

 

[Metal-Fi]

I have always perceived the reach timbre and extra detail of this headphone as a result of their high quality and very low distortion. "Artificial" has never come to mind, quite the opposite, I admire this headphone for its naturalness of vocal and instrumental reproduction. However, I haven't tried to decrease the "peak" at 4 kHz by a few dB to evaluate the difference.

Yes, a "test" would surely be of interest! However, as I said I think I might have some extra ear sensitivity to frequencies between 3 and 4 kHz. For example, the HE6 SE V1 to me sound definitely too elevated at ~4 kHz - rock guitars get a grating, abrasive timbre, while cymbals...not easy to describe, but essentially they sound excessively textured and reverbering. I have heard those instruments live quite a few times and they have never sounded like that. With the NDH 30 these effects are much more polite (also, their peak is at around 3650 Hz, while the HifiMans peak approximately at 4150 Hz and with way more decibels) but still present to my ears, so a little EQ filtering had to be in order.

 

[chesebert]

I’ve been using the Xduoo TA66 with the NDH30 for about a week, and they complement each other beautifully. I find myself listening to the TA66 much longer than usual while sitting at my computer. The piano and vocals sound realistic, with accurate timbre, particularly in the midrange and treble. The bass tone and dynamics are generally good, though sub-bass region or music that demands a broad bass tone, such as the bass drum in a symphony or highly dynamic electronic bass may leave some sub bass performance of NDH30 on the table. These limitations are acceptable for the price of the unit.

Regarding absolute sound quality, the TA66 is excellent, offering performance comparable to $1-2k amp with compatible cans. It pairs well with neutral or neutral-bright DACs but might be too warm for playback designs DACs. In terms of scaling, the TA66 did not hold back the emm labs dac2 in most areas, except for deep bass, ambience, and the ability to render expansive spaces. I believe upgrading to the DAC2x, XDS1, or DA2i or equivalent quality dacs might result in leaving too much of their performance potential unused.

The amp has been completely silent, even when placed next to my monitors, external HDs, and other equipment.

2 months check in. Still love NDH30 (perforated leather pads with silver cable) with TA66, it's like listening to a cross between 800S and Clear OG using ZDS. This is at the upper end of mid range quality IMO. TA66 hides some issues with the driver (e.g., not as smooth as 800S), provides a slightly warmer upper mid while providing a euphonic presentation and a bigger soundstage compared with solid state amps. Utopia on the real ZDS is better for sure, but it's not a huge jump.

 

[activestatic]

2 months check in. Still love NDH30 (perforated leather pads with silver cable) with TA66, it's like listening to a cross between 800S and Clear OG using ZDS. This is at the upper end of mid range quality IMO. TA66 hides some issues with the driver (e.g., not as smooth as 800S), provides a slightly warmer upper mid while providing a euphonic presentation and a bigger soundstage compared with solid state amps. Utopia on the real ZDS is better for sure, but it's not a huge jump.

Which perforated ear pads?

 

[feank]

2 months check in. Still love NDH30 (perforated leather pads with silver cable) with TA66, it's like listening to a cross between 800S and Clear OG using ZDS. This is at the upper end of mid range quality IMO. TA66 hides some issues with the driver (e.g., not as smooth as 800S), provides a slightly warmer upper mid while providing a euphonic presentation and a bigger soundstage compared with solid state amps. Utopia on the real ZDS is better for sure, but it's not a huge jump.

Where did you get those pads, do you have the link?

 

[chesebert]

@Rob80b You still got the aliexpress link to those perforated pads?

Edit: NM I found my own post
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...MTcyOTI4ODMwNy4zNS4wLjA.&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

 

[feank]

Anybody that have NDh20 and 30 to do a comparison; bass, mids, treble, soundstage size, timbre, etc, many thanks!!

 

[jonathan c]

.... always a great listen! Balanced tonality, lithe with all music genres (for me), spacious in sound, lets the music do the talking while toe-tapping does the walking.

By the way, Liquid Platinum with Valvo E188CC tubes is tremendous for NDH-30!

 

[feank]

.... always a great listen! Balanced tonality, lithe with all music genres (for me), spacious in sound, lets the music do the talking while toe-tapping does the walking. By the way, Liquid Platinum with Valvo E188CC tubes is tremendous for NDH-30!

Black edition is too easy to scratches?