NEUMANN NDH 20

Product overview

The NEUMANN NDH 20 is a closed-back studio headphone combining excellent isolation with the carefully balanced sound image and outstanding resolution you would expect from Neumann: studio grade monitoring, wherever you go.

The NDH 20 offers an astonishingly detailed, well-balanced sound image, similar to Neumann's studio loudspeakers, so it is ideally suited to monitoring and mixing, even in loud and noisy environments. Newly designed 38 mm drivers with high-gauss neodymium magnets give high sensitivity and minimised distortion, the frequency response extends from 5 Hz to 30 kHz, and the sound isolation exceeds 34 dB above 4 kHz. The adjustable headband is made of spring steel, the ear cups are machined from lightweight aluminium and the circumaural memory foam ear pads give high long-term comfort. The headphone folds for transport and comes with two detachable cables. It is available in silver, anthracite and orange, and as the NDH 20 Black Edition.

Key features

• Studio quality sound with outstanding resolution and a well-balanced sound image
• High sound isolation in loud environments: more than 34 dB above 4 kHz
• Newly designed 38 mm drivers with high-gauss neodymium magnets, THD below 0.1 %
• Excellent comfort: circumaural memory foam ear pads for long sessions
• High quality metal construction: spring steel headband, aluminium ear cups
• Foldable design with a cloth pouch for easy transportation
• Two detachable cables (straight and coiled) and a 6.3 mm adapter
• Also available as NDH 20 Black Edition with an internally balanced cloth-covered cable

Critical listening and mixing

The NDH 20 is suited to mixing purposes too: an unusually even frequency response and natural stereo image allow mixing with confidence and ensure compatibility with all playback systems. Its extended frequency response from 5 Hz to 30 kHz helps to check the upper and lower extremes of the audio band.

Isolation for loud environments

The NDH 20 suits all applications that require high sound isolation, such as monitoring for musicians and engineers in the tracking room and FOH work. It is also an excellent choice for critical listening, free from disturbance from the outside world and without disturbing people nearby through leakage.

Built for the road

The mechanical construction meets the highest standards: a flexible spring steel headband and lightweight aluminium ear cup covers. The headphone folds into the supplied soft cloth pouch, the cable is detachable and the ear pads are replaceable, which makes the NDH 20 an indispensable tool for working on the road and an excellent headphone for audiophile listening.

NDH 20 Black Edition

The Black Edition has immaculate black surfaces and comes with an internally balanced, cloth-covered straight cable for improved channel separation; sound, isolation and comfort are those of the NDH 20.

In the box

• NDH 20 headphone
• Straight cable
• Spiral (coiled) cable
• 6.3 mm (1/4") adapter
• Cloth pouch
• Quick guide
• Safety guide
• NDH 20 Black Edition instead: headphone, straight symmetrical cable, 6.3 mm adapter, cloth pouch, quick guide, safety guide

Available versions

• NDH 20: Silver, anthracite, orange, Cat. No. 508585
• NDH 20 Black Edition: Black Edition, Cat. No. 399003

NEUMANN NDH 20: frequently asked questions

Is the NDH 20 open or closed?

Closed-back and circumaural, with a sound isolation of more than 34 dB above 4 kHz.

What is the impedance and sensitivity of the NDH 20?

The nominal impedance is 150 Ω and the sensitivity 114 dB SPL at 1 kHz, 1 Vrms.

Which cables come with the NDH 20?

A straight 3.0 m cable and a coiled 1.5 - 3.0 m cable, both with a 3.5 mm TRS jack, plus a 6.3 mm adapter. The Black Edition comes with a straight symmetrical cable.

What is the difference between the NDH 20 and the NDH 20 Black Edition?

The finish and the cable: the Black Edition (Cat. No. 399003) is black and comes with an internally balanced cloth-covered cable; the NDH 20 (Cat. No. 508585) is silver, anthracite and orange with a straight and a coiled cable.

Where can I buy the NEUMANN NDH 20 in India?

The NEUMANN NDH 20 is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Tracking room monitoring

Musicians and engineers recording in the same room as loud sources.

Connections

Setup

1. Plug in the coiled cable at the right ear cup and lock it.
2. Connect the 3.5 mm jack, or the 6.3 mm adapter, to the cue output.
3. Start at a low level and raise it gradually.
4. Record: the closed back keeps click and cue out of the microphones.

Tip: More than 34 dB isolation above 4 kHz keeps the outside world out and the cue mix in.

Workflow 2: Mixing on the road

Producers and engineers working away from the studio.

Connections

Setup

1. Unfold the headphone and attach the straight cable.
2. Connect to the interface.
3. Mix at a moderate level.
4. Check the extremes of the audio band down to 5 Hz and up to 30 kHz.

Tip: Fold it into the cloth pouch for travel.

Workflow 3: FOH monitoring

Live sound engineers.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the NDH 20 with the 6.3 mm adapter.
2. Solo channels and check them in a loud venue.
3. Keep levels moderate.

Tip: The closed design isolates you from the PA while you listen.

Workflow 4: Critical listening at home

Listeners and home studio owners.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect with the straight cable.
2. Choose a quiet level.
3. Listen for detail and stereo image.

Tip: No leakage disturbs people nearby.

Workflow 5: Editing and podcast production

Editors working in shared rooms.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the straight cable.
2. Edit dialogue and music at moderate levels.
3. Take breaks during long sessions.

Tip: Memory foam ear pads keep it comfortable for long sessions.

Workflow 6: Replacing ear pads and cables

Studios keeping headphones in service.

Connections

Setup

1. Remove an ear pad as shown in the quick guide.
2. Fit the new pad and press it home around the edge.
3. Unlock and swap the detachable cable if needed.

Tip: Ear pads are replaceable and the cable is detachable.