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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Airpods Max would be a luxurious option with active noise canceling, making them ideal for air travel and noisy environments—they also support wireless connectivity and have a built-in mic for calls. However, if you're on a budget and willing to forgo wireless features and active noise canceling, the Rode NTH-100 offers a sturdy build quality and is said to be comfortable for extended usage, with excellent sound for music. It's important to consider whether wireless convenience and noise cancellation are worth the higher cost associated with the Airpods Max. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Max
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
8.2
The Rode NTH-100 is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
6.5
The Rode NTH-100 is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
4.8
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
7.7
The Rode NTH-100 is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
5.3
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Rode NTH-100 costs $149.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Rode NTH-100 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Max to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100 is good.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Rode NTH-100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Rode NTH-100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | March 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Rode NTH-100
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Kizito Katawonga | March 2023
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Rode NTH-100
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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