Rode NTH-100 Professional Over-Ear Headphones Review

There’s no shortage of professional headphones on today’s market. As a result, choosing the best can be confusing and time-consuming. Of course, having plenty of options is not a bad thing.

Those searching for a pair can choose from long-established headphone manufacturers like Bose, Sennheiser, and Sony. Alternatively, various fledgling brands and often fashion-forward newcomers also have lots to offer. That said, there’s a third option as well. This option involves the Rode NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones.

That’s because Rode is far from a newcomer. The company has been a global leader in audio technology for over 50 years. Best known for its microphones, Australia-based Rode has spent more than five decades committed to innovation and quality. Its NTH-100s, however, are its first-ever pair of headphones.

Rode boasts a long-standing and enduring commitment to making all-important audio products accessible to everyone. Until now, that has centered mainly around its microphones. Yet, having finally branched out into the headphone space, it’s a commitment that the company promises to carry across to an entirely new market.

With that, its NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones cost just $149. That’s considerably less than many other professional headphones, where prices often start at around twice this amount.

Despite undercutting the competition, Rode isn’t just committed to making audio accessible to everyone either. Instead, the company has wholeheartedly pledged to simultaneously make all of its audio products accessible and incredible.

There’s no doubting Rode’s credentials as a global leader in audio technology when it comes to its NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones. Custom-matched drivers, for example, that deliver an incredibly accurate frequency response are a clear demonstration of the manufacturer’s expertise.

Much the same is true of the all-new Rode NTH-100 headphones’ precision-engineered acoustic design. It is optimized for exceptional clarity and detail alike. Feature-packed, they ultimately represent a pair of over-ear headphones designed to suit everyone from podcasters to professional music producers.

Priced at under $150, they’ll also appeal nicely to more casual users looking for the very best, but at a largely affordable price. Other highlights of Rode’s NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones include:

There’s a firm focus on comfort with the Rode NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones, too. Soft, suede-like cushions, revolutionary heat-dissipating gel technology, and a fully adjustable locking headband provide the most comfortable fit possible.

Elsewhere, it would be easy to assume that Rode may have put function over form when it comes to its new NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones. Thankfully, that’s not the case. In fact, the Rode NTH-100s are among the best-looking over-ear headphones on the market in 2022.

Classic aesthetics and a nod to cutting-edge industrial design combine to ensure that the NTH-100s are instantly iconic in their appearance. Clean lines and a sleek, high-grade finish mean that they feel much more expensive than they are. They’re subtly customizable as well, with high-quality cables available in four vibrant blue, green, orange, and pink hues.

It’s little surprise that the Rode NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones perform extremely well across the board. Frankly, their audio quality is exceptional. It’s a testament to Rode’s decades of experience and wholly reflects the manufacturer’s famously high standards.

Even with their closed-back design, the Rode NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones’ 40mm drivers deliver a definite feeling of space and pin-sharp clarity. It’s something that’s usually the preserve of much more expensive and less practical open-back models.

Moreover, Rode’s NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones are noticeably less bass-heavy than alternatives from the likes of Beats. Instead, they favor a more neutral audio profile. However, if buyers want a more punchy listening experience, adjustments are easily made.

By contrast, it’s much harder to adjust headphones that are more bass-forward by default to match the neutral audio profile of the Rode NTH-100s. Accordingly, they’re far more versatile and make it possible to avoid the potential listening fatigue that’s common with other less professionally focused headphones.

Rode’s NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones won’t appeal to everyone simply by virtue of their wired-only connection. But, be that as it may, it’s important to remember that more studio-focused headphones invariably lack wireless connectivity. That’s because, for now, at least, sound quality remains superior where there’s a physical connection.

Bypassing costly built-in Bluetooth technology also allows manufacturers like Rode to invest more heavily in other areas while keeping prices as low as possible. Furthermore, it means there’s no need to worry about batteries, charging, and reliability more generally.

All Rode products are covered under warranty for one year from the date of purchase. Luckily, buyers can easily and affordably extend this coverage with Upsie. With an extended headphone warranty from Upsie, headphones have protection against manufacturing defects, mechanical faults, and other failures for up to three years.

Each of Upsie’s extended headphone warranties also includes crucial accidental damage protection. With that, customers’ headphones have protection in the event of drops, cracks, liquid spills, and other mishaps. In addition, Upsie’s warranties cost up to 70 percent less than warranties sold elsewhere. As a result, customers get the best protection at the best price.

Policies are fully transferable and include various local repair and replacement options. Upsie customers can also make unlimited claims up to the purchase price of the device. Find out more at Upsie.com or by downloading the Upsie warranty app for iOS and Android.