Rode’s first pair of headphones provides a comfortable and balanced way to monitor audio

by

Rode, the most well-known audio company for microphones, debuts its first headphones, the NTH-100.

The NTH-100 is a wired over-ear headphone designed for audio and video production. Compared to headphones made for casual listening, these provide a flatter frequency response for more accurate mixing and monitoring.

The NTH-100 aims to adopt popular production models such as Sony’s MDR-7506, Sennheiser’s HD 280 Pro, Beyerdynamic’s DT 770 Pro, and Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50x. .. The price is competitive, the price is $ 149, it has some unique features, and Rode emphasizes that producers and audio editors know what they need for long-term editing. ..

The NTH-100’s sound signature is designed to be flat and uncolored to the audio.
Photo courtesy of Andru Marino / The Verge

I have been able to try NTH100 for the past month. This is a feature that really stands out to me.

  • CoolTech gel cushion with Alcantara fabric for ear cups and headband: These are surprisingly comfortable headphones — better than any of the headphones mentioned above.After 4 hours of continuous sessions editing a podcast Verge cast, There was little or no discomfort and they didn’t get too warm on my head (I want to see how they feel after editing in my hot apartment this summer). These are common problems with headphones like this, and the NTH-100 was a pleasant surprise.
  • FitLock Headband Lock System: There are turn lock mechanisms on both sides of the headphones that adjust and then lock the height at which each earcup rests on your head. I am grateful that I can wear these on and off throughout the week without having to adjust the headband every time, and that my hair does not get caught while doing so.
  • Double-sided cable attachment: The NTH-100 cable is removable, which helps both repair and replace the headphone cable. But what’s new about them is the option to plug the cable into either earcup. It’s not often found in mixing headphones, but it’s useful when using these headphones in a variety of setups. The Rode includes a black 2.4m / 7.8ft cable, but in different colors (green,) with a length of 7.8ft or 3.9ft to match the colored labels on other Rode audio products. We also sell orange, pink, blue) cables. As with many wired headphones, microphonics (noise transmitted to the ears when the cable rubs itself or on clothing) are common and can be found in these headphones. If you’re concerned about that, it’s a good idea to test them first before you buy. At first I often noticed that I was using the NTH-100, but as I got used to it, I almost forgot to write it here.
  • Unique design: The NTH-100 is smooth with the shape of the ear cup ears and the subtle curves of the headband. These are often used behind the scenes, but Rode makes sense to make sure they are visually present in the headphone space. When watching video podcasters on YouTube, many people use the Rodec mic and Rodecaster Pro, Rodec’s audio mixer. I always wear Sony, Audio-Technica, or other brand headphones. Rode fills that gap and appeals to creators who already trust the product in their production work and who want to change the look of their headphones with video.

Both the earcups and headband have soft alcantara pads for hours of comfort.

I’ve been using these for the last month only and it’s very durable. According to Rode, durability tests guarantee “decades of use”. This is impressive, but the claim is difficult to test. You won’t notice any squeaking or rattling noises when using it — many other headphones in this price range are suffering (because of the plastic you have to return your Audio-Technica ATH-M70x for repairs over and over again. I had to have a peace break). The NTH-100 has a strong headband and not folding at all may be a drawback for some people. So, especially if you need multiple pairs to record your podcast, you’ll need to allow some extra space in your gearbag.

So how does it sound? They sound better than most headphones in the $ 150 price range. These aren’t the ultimate mixing headphones that you’ll want to throw away with a mixing monitor, but they’re great for many production tasks. There are no acoustic elements that popped out or surprised me when testing them, and that’s a kind of point. If you rely on them to mix podcasts and videos, there’s nothing to worry about.

Rode claims that the NTH-100 provides “very accurate frequency response”, but Sony’s MDR-7506 (headphones that are highly regarded for their flat frequency response) and Audio-Technica are popular. Next to the ATH-M50x, Rode’s NTH-100 has a slightly increased presence in the low and midrange, making the sound of other headphones awkward and increasing its presence at high frequencies. As an audio engineer, I learned that on all models of headphones, the color of the sound needs to be adjusted and analyzed in order to properly mix and EQ the audio. These are the same. And after a while, I started to prefer frequency response to other editing headphones.

The NTH-100 cable can be plugged into the right or left ear cup.
Photo courtesy of Andru Marino / The Verge

Overall, these stand out for comfort and durability rather than sound. With ergonomics in mind, the NHT-100 is a carefully crafted competitor to the crowded headphone market. It offers small but welcome features not found in other products in the $ 150 price range, and is comfortable to wear for long periods of time. If you’re suffering from headphone fatigue during production, cursed by fragile headphones, or want to make your video podcast look great, the Rode NTH-100s could be a great upgrade from your current pair. I have. For now, they are my go-to headphones for long session podcast editing.

Leave a Comment