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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Etymotic ER4XR and the Rode NTH-100M is a balance between sound isolation, portability, and usage scenarios. The ER4XR excels at noise isolation, making it excellent for environments where you want to block out distractions, but may not be the best for exercise due to lower ratings in that category. The NTH-100M, with a higher comfort score and a built-in microphone, is better for long sessions and calls or meetings. It's also highly rated for gaming, TV, and video due to low latency. The Rode performs well for music too, and includes a boom mic, adding to its versatility over the ER4XR, which has a higher price point without a microphone. If price is a significant factor, the NTH-100M offers robust features at a more affordable cost, but if maximum isolation is a priority and you don't need a mic, the ER4XR might justify its premium. 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 Etymotic ER4XR
- The Etymotic ER4XR has no clear advantages over the Rode NTH-100M.
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100M
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
8.9
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
9.5
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100M is poor.
Cost
$234
$189
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Rode NTH-100M costs $189.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Rode NTH-100M has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
8.2
The Rode NTH-100M and Etymotic ER4XR are both very good for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
7.6
The Rode NTH-100M and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.4
7.7
The Rode NTH-100M and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Rode NTH-100M compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Rode NTH-100M |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $189 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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 Etymotic ER4XR or the Rode NTH-100M
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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