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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're considering the Bowers and Wilkins PI7, you are looking at premium earbuds that offer top sound quality and active noise cancellation, ideal for a pristine audio experience during commutes or travel. However, they come at a significant cost. On the other hand, the Rode NTH-100 headphones are a more budget-friendly choice suited for home or studio use, delivering high-quality audio, comfort for extended listening, and often praised for clarity which can be great for precise work like editing or music production. They don't have active noise cancellation and are larger, so they're not as portable as the PI7s. Depending on your need for portability, noise cancellation, and budget, either could be a great choice—earbuds for a versatile, high-end listening on the go or headphones for comfortable, precise audio work at a lower price point. 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 PI7
- Very good for gaming
- 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
6.8
8.2
The Rode NTH-100 is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
6.5
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Rode NTH-100 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
7.6
The Rode NTH-100 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
7.7
The Rode NTH-100 is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Rode NTH-100 costs $149.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
4.8
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Rode NTH-100 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Rode NTH-100 both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Rode NTH-100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | Rode NTH-100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | March 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 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) | 7 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
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 PI7 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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