Neumann NDH30 vs Shure SRH1840

Short answer: the Neumann NDH30. It ranks #118 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $699. The Shure SRH1840 ranks #126, rated 3.5/5, at $549, $150 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.

Why pick 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.

Why pick the Shure SRH1840: The response leans neutral to slightly bright, with upper mids about 1.8 dB above target and presence and treble within about 1 dB, which makes vocals and instrument detail clear. The tradeoff: Sub-bass is about 7.5 dB under target and bass is about 1.8 dB low, so kick drums and bass guitar are thin and lack rumble.

Buy the Neumann NDH30. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $150 you would save on the Shure SRH1840 does not close the gap.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Headphone Comparisons

How Neumann NDH30 compares with other leading options:

• Focal Spirit Classic vs Neumann NDH30
• Focal Bathys vs Neumann NDH30
• Fostex TH610 vs Neumann NDH30
• Shure SRH1840 vs Shure SRH1540
• Focal Azurys vs Shure SRH1840

Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Headphones In Full

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
  • AutoEQ results for the Neumann NDH30 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Neumann NDH30 vs Fostex TH610
  • Neumann NDH30 vs Focal Bathys
  • Neumann NDH30 vs Focal Spirit Classic

Shure SRH1840: $549.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: The response leans neutral to slightly bright, with upper mids about 1.8 dB above target and presence and treble within about 1 dB, which makes vocals and instrument detail clear. The preference score of 71 and 2.29 dB deviation reflect a smooth, even midrange and treble. It is an open back at 268 g.

Cons: Sub-bass is about 7.5 dB under target and bass is about 1.8 dB low, so kick drums and bass guitar are thin and lack rumble. A 4.4 dB peak near 3.1 kHz can make voices and strings sound forward or slightly harsh at higher volumes. At 65 ohms and 96 dB/mW sensitivity it benefits from a proper headphone amplifier, and the open back leaks sound. The Denon AH-D5200 earns a higher rating among its rivals. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.

Full Shure SRH1840 review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.29 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 40mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	10Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	65 ohms
Sensitivity	96 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Falls 6 dB below target at 38 Hz (-7.5 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	+0.91 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.6 lbs (268 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	+6.2 dB	0.70
Peak	3,060 Hz	-4.5 dB	1.40
Peak	581 Hz	+2.0 dB	0.95
Peak	4,732 Hz	+4.2 dB	3.22
Peak	180 Hz	-1.2 dB	0.82
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-1.1 dB	0.70
Peak	59 Hz	+0.5 dB	2.87
Peak	89 Hz	-0.2 dB	2.05
Peak	6,333 Hz	-1.0 dB	6.00
Peak	7,292 Hz	+1.3 dB	5.96

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Shure SRH1840 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Shure SRH1840 vs Focal Azurys
  • Shure SRH1840 vs Audeze MM-100
  • Shure SRH1840 vs Shure SRH1540