Short answer: the Neumann NDH30. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#118 and #119 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Neumann NDH30 costs $699 against $799.99 for the Fostex TH610, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the Fostex TH610: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72 with a slightly warm overall tilt, a solid result for a closed-back headphone. The catch: At 0.8 lbs (375 g) it is on the heavier side for a closed-back headphone.
The case for the Neumann NDH30: In oratory1990’s measurement the bass from 60 to 200 Hz lands right on target and sub-bass stays within 6 dB down to 20 Hz, only 3.9 dB short at 30 Hz, so this open back reaches deeper than many rivals of its type. The catch: A 12.5 dB dip near 9.7 kHz leaves the treble about 5 dB and the air band about 6 dB below target, so cymbals and spatial detail sound subdued.
Buy the Neumann NDH30. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $100.99 less than the Fostex TH610.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Fostex TH610 | Neumann NDH30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.99 | $699.00 |
| Ranked | #119 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #118 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.52 dB standard deviation | 2.43 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.78 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 120 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 104 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (375 g) | 0.8 lbs (352 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 34kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Neumann NDH30:
- Focal Spirit Classic vs Neumann NDH30
- Focal Bathys vs Neumann NDH30
- Neumann NDH30 vs Shure SRH1840
- Focal Bathys vs Fostex TH610
- Denon AH-D5200 vs Fostex TH610
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The Two Headphones In Full
Fostex TH610: $799.99 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72 with a slightly warm overall tilt, a solid result for a closed-back headphone. Its 25 ohm impedance and 98 dB/mW sensitivity let a phone or laptop drive the 50 mm dynamic driver without a dedicated amp, and the closed back keeps sound from leaking in shared spaces.
Cons: At 375 g it is on the heavier side for a closed-back headphone. The Denon AH-D5200 rates higher and costs less, and the Focal Bathys rates higher at the same price while adding wireless convenience.
Full Fostex TH610 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.52 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (375 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +3.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 159 Hz | -3.8 dB | 0.59 |
| Peak | 2,578 Hz | +5.5 dB | 1.80 |
| Peak | 9,500 Hz | +3.2 dB | 2.20 |
| Peak | 5,431 Hz | -5.5 dB | 4.68 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 52 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.06 |
| Peak | 533 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.54 |
| Peak | 232 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.33 |
| Peak | 135 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.79 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Neumann NDH30: $699.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement the bass from 60 to 200 Hz lands right on target and sub-bass stays within 6 dB down to 20 Hz, only 3.9 dB short at 30 Hz, so this open back reaches deeper than many rivals of its type. Presence tracks within 0.6 dB with no peak above 1.9 dB, so vocals sound clear without glare, for a preference score of 72. It matches the rating of the pricier Fostex TH610.
Cons: A 12.5 dB dip near 9.7 kHz leaves the treble about 5 dB and the air band about 6 dB below target, so cymbals and spatial detail sound subdued. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, and its 120 ohm load at 104 dB/V gets the most from a headphone amp or strong dongle. The Denon AH-D5200 rates slightly higher at a similar price. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Neumann NDH30 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.43 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 34kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 120 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.78 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (352 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 160 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.19 |
| Peak | 9,234 Hz | +6.1 dB | 1.00 |
| Peak | 2,262 Hz | +3.5 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 3,647 Hz | -3.9 dB | 3.86 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 504 Hz | +0.6 dB | 1.11 |
| Peak | 1,033 Hz | -1.2 dB | 2.73 |
| Peak | 53 Hz | -0.8 dB | 1.98 |
| Peak | 66 Hz | +0.6 dB | 4.36 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons