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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is often chosen for its superior overall sound quality and soundstage, making it excellent for music and TV/video with its impressive detailing and imaging. However, it might not be as comfortable as the Rode NTH-100 for long listening sessions. If phone calls or meetings are a frequent use case for you, the Rode NTH-100 has a better score in that area despite it being slightly less suited for music compared to the ATH M40X. Both are wired headphones without a built-in microphone or active noise canceling, so consider a separate mic for calls and if noise isolation is crucial, look elsewhere. The ATH M40X is more portable, foldable with a smaller carrying size, while the NTH-100 is not as travel-friendly. Additionally, the ATH M40X is lighter than the NTH-100, which could contribute to comfort during prolonged use. 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 Audio Technica ATH M40X
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
6.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Rode NTH-100 is only fair.
Phone Calls
3.3
4.8
The Rode NTH-100 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Rode NTH-100 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
7.6
The Rode NTH-100 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
7.7
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Rode NTH-100 is good.
Cost
$99
$149
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Rode NTH-100 costs $149.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
8.2
The Rode NTH-100 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both very good for music.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Rode NTH-100 are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The Rode NTH-100 and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Rode NTH-100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Rode NTH-100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | March 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
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 Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Rode NTH-100
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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.
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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