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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for premium sound quality and can afford a higher price, Focal Bathys might be the way to go; these come with active noise cancellation and are praised for their immersive audio experience but require charging due to their internal amplifier, even when wired. On the other hand, if you're seeking good quality at a more reasonable price and might use them for activities such as gaming or calls, the Rode NTH-100M is a solid choice as they come with a removable boom microphone, however, they lack active noise cancellation and the sound quality, while respectable, may not match the Focal Bathys. 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 Focal Bathys
- Excellent for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100M
- Best in class for phone calls
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
5.2
9.5
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
7.6
The Rode NTH-100M is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
7.7
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Rode NTH-100M is good.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100M is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
N/A
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100M does not have a battery.
Cost
$699
$189
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the Rode NTH-100M costs $189.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Bathys 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 Focal Bathys are both very good for music.
Gaming
9.3
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Bathys to be excellent for gaming, while the Rode NTH-100M is very good.
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How the Focal Bathys and the Rode NTH-100M compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | Rode NTH-100M |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $189 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 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 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Focal Bathys
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | May 2023
"As much as I hesitate to recommend a headphone that sells for $800 USD, if you’re looking for the best sound quality you can find in the ANC space: it’s the Focal Bathys."
Rode NTH-100M
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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 Focal Bathys or the Rode NTH-100M
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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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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