Short answer: the Neumann NDH30. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#224 and #230 of 481 over-ear headphones), and the Neumann NDH30 costs $699 against $799.99 for the Koss ESP95X, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the Koss ESP95X: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 3.06 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: Presence sits about 3.9 dB low with a 12.2 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
What the Neumann NDH30 does well: 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 Koss ESP95X.
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Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 3.06 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $799.99 eBay
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Koss ESP95X | Neumann NDH30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.99 | $699.00 |
| Ranked | #230 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #224 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 100,000 ohms | 120 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 35kHz | 12Hz - 34kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (353g) | 0.8 lbs (352 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.06 dB standard deviation | 2.43 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.26 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.78 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 67 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Sensitivity | - | 104 dB SPL/V |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Koss ESP95X from capraaudio, sai, superreview and therollo9; the Neumann NDH30 from auricularesargentina, elrics and listener, all via squig.link.
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