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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for music and a more immersive experience for TV and video, the Audio Technica ATH M40X excels in these areas and costs less. However, it may not be as comfortable for extended wear and lacks a microphone, making it less suitable for calls and gaming. The Rode NTH-100M boasts superior comfort and a high-quality microphone great for calls, meetings, and interactive gaming. It's more expensive but offers versatility for various activities, including a longer cable and a boom mic for clear communication, yet it's less portable and heavier than the Audio Technica. 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
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100M
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
8.9
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
9.5
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
7.6
The Rode NTH-100M 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-100M is good.
Cost
$99
$189
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Rode NTH-100M costs $189.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
8.2
The Rode NTH-100M 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-100M are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The Rode NTH-100M 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-100M compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Rode NTH-100M |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $189 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | January 1, 2023 | |
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 | 9.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 9/10 | |
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 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
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 | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof 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-100M
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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-100M
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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