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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for high-end, audiophile-grade sound quality, the HifiMan Arya Stealth headphones may be the better choice, offering expansive soundstage and nuanced detail, perfect for critical listening. In contrast, the Rode NTH-100M are versatile with a built-in microphone which suits everyday use including calls and virtual meetings, providing good sound quality at a more affordable price. The Arya Stealth, while offering superior audio fidelity, may be less practical for on-the-go or office use due to their open-back design and size, and their price reflects their premium positioning. Conversely, the Rode NTH-100M, though more budget-friendly and adaptable to various situations, won't match the Arya Stealth in pure sound quality. 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 HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100M
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
10.0
8.2
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Rode NTH-100M is very good.
Gaming
7.1
8.9
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is good.
Phone Calls
5.1
9.5
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
TV and Video
9.4
7.7
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Rode NTH-100M is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The Rode NTH-100M and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for noise reduction, though the Rode NTH-100M is somewhat better.
Cost
$999
$189
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $999 and the Rode NTH-100M costs $189.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the Rode NTH-100M has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Arya Stealth to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100M is good.
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How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the Rode NTH-100M compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | Rode NTH-100M |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$999 | $189 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 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 | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Arya Stealth
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."
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 HifiMan Arya Stealth or the Rode NTH-100M
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
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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