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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your priority, particularly with deep, accurate bass and overall clarity, the Audeze Maxwell outperforms the Rode NTH-100, though at a significantly higher price. However, if portability is crucial, neither are an ideal choice due to their large size. For gaming or online communication, the Maxwell's removable boom microphone offers a clear advantage. Both offer comfort, but the Maxwell's superior sound might be worth the investment for audiophiles, while the NTH-100 provides a decent, more affordable alternative for casual listening or professional work environments like podcasting or music production. 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 Audeze Maxwell
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100
- The Rode NTH-100 has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Gaming
9.0
6.5
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Rode NTH-100 is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.7
4.8
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
7.6
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100 is good.
TV and Video
8.9
7.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Rode NTH-100 is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Rode NTH-100 costs $149.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Rode NTH-100 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.4
8.2
The Audeze Maxwell and Rode NTH-100 are both very good for music.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Rode NTH-100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Rode NTH-100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | March 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audeze Maxwell
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | August 2023
"Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws. If you’re an older gamer with some cash to blow, you should be pleased with the Audeze Maxwell."
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 Audeze Maxwell or the Rode NTH-100
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
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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Why trust us
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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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