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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you favor true wireless convenience and higher sound quality for music listening, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 earbuds could be your choice, as they also offer better noise isolation and are suitable for exercise with sweat resistance. However, these perks come at a higher price. On the other hand, Rode NTH-100 headphones, while less portable and without wireless capability, may offer better value if you primarily need them for less mobile activities such as watching TV or gaming where the cable isn't a hindrance, plus they could be more comfortable for longer sessions due to their over-ear design. Neither option has active noise cancelling. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.7
8.2
The Rode NTH-100 is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
6.5
The Rode NTH-100 is only fair for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
7.6
The Rode NTH-100 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.7
The Rode NTH-100 is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$181
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Rode NTH-100 costs $149.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
4.8
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Rode NTH-100 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Rode NTH-100 both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Rode NTH-100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Rode NTH-100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$181 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | March 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Rode NTH-100
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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