Short answer: the Neumann NDH20, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #194 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.6/5, at $545; the Audeze LCD-2 Classic ranks #195, rated 2.5/5, and costs $799, so there is little reason to consider the other one. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones, and the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano, ranked #4 at $319, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
What the Neumann NDH20 does well: The closed back isolates well, and bass extends to 20 Hz with about 4 dB of extra weight below 200 Hz, a good fit for warm and bassy listeners. The tradeoff: An 11.2 dB dip near 9.8 kHz in oratory1990’s measurement and air about 3.7 dB under target leave cymbals and room ambience muted, and a 3 dB recession in the upper mids pulls vocals back.
The case for the Audeze LCD-2 Classic: Its 106mm planar magnetic driver sits in an open-back housing, and the 101 dB/mW sensitivity at 70 ohms means it plays at sensible levels without a heavy-duty amplifier. The catch: Presence runs 6.7 dB and treble 8.3 dB below target, with a deep 15.1 dB dip near 9.5 kHz in oratory1990’s measurement, so cymbals, consonants and fine detail sound muted and distant.
Buy the Neumann NDH20. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audeze LCD-2 Classic and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Neumann NDH20 | Audeze LCD-2 Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $545.00 | $799.00 |
| Ranked | #194 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #195 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 50 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 49 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.45 dB standard deviation | 3.73 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-8.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 150 ohms | 70 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 114 dB SPL/V | 101 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (390 g) | 1.2 lbs (544 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Neumann NDH20:
- Shure SRH1540 vs Neumann NDH20
- Sennheiser HD 598 CS vs Neumann NDH20
- Audeze LCD-GX vs Audeze LCD-2 Classic
- Audeze LCD-2 Classic vs Focal Clear Mg
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X vs Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z
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The Two Headphones In Full
Neumann NDH20: $545.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The closed back isolates well, and bass extends to 20 Hz with about 4 dB of extra weight below 200 Hz, a good fit for warm and bassy listeners. At 114 dB/V it gets loud from most sources despite a 150 ohm impedance.
Cons: An 11.2 dB dip near 9.8 kHz in oratory1990’s measurement and air about 3.7 dB under target leave cymbals and room ambience muted, and a 3 dB recession in the upper mids pulls vocals back. At 390 g it is very heavy. The Austrian Audio Hi-X55 carries a higher rating at a lower price.
Full Neumann NDH20 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.45 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 50 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 150 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 114 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (390 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 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 | -2.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 194 Hz | -3.7 dB | 0.86 |
| Peak | 2,307 Hz | +6.0 dB | 1.68 |
| Peak | 3,430 Hz | -4.7 dB | 2.52 |
| Peak | 1,753 Hz | +2.5 dB | 2.42 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 797 Hz | -0.8 dB | 1.69 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | +1.2 dB | 3.07 |
| Peak | 40 Hz | -0.6 dB | 1.43 |
| Peak | 7,033 Hz | +2.7 dB | 5.90 |
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Audeze LCD-2 Classic: $799.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Its 106mm planar magnetic driver sits in an open-back housing, and the 101 dB/mW sensitivity at 70 ohms means it plays at sensible levels without a heavy-duty amplifier. Low mids sit about 1 dB above target while the top end is held back, so fans of a warm, dark presentation will find the tuning matches their taste.
Cons: Presence runs 6.7 dB and treble 8.3 dB below target, with a deep 15.1 dB dip near 9.5 kHz in oratory1990’s measurement, so cymbals, consonants and fine detail sound muted and distant. Sub-bass also falls 6 dB short by 56 Hz and sits 8.1 dB down at 30 Hz, so deep rumble is thin despite the warm character. At 544 g it is heavy, and the Neumann NDH20 rates higher at a lower price.
Full Audeze LCD-2 Classic review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.73 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 49 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 70 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-8.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 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 | +6.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,055 Hz | -7.1 dB | 0.85 |
| Peak | 4,512 Hz | +4.5 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 131 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.24 |
| Peak | 1,578 Hz | +2.1 dB | 1.67 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,915 Hz | +2.4 dB | 3.67 |
| Peak | 5,838 Hz | -4.3 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 2,899 Hz | -1.2 dB | 3.18 |
| Peak | 4,931 Hz | +1.2 dB | 3.53 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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