A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and are willing to invest more for an expansive soundstage and detailed audio reproduction, then the HifiMan Edition XS may be your preferred choice, assuming it fits within your budget. On the other hand, if you value sturdy build, comfort for long listening sessions, and perhaps additional features such as a microphone for calls or gaming, the Rode NTH-100M might be a better fit at a more affordable price. Keep in mind that the HifiMan headphones might require a dedicated amplifier to get the best audio performance, potentially adding to the overall cost and complexity of your setup. 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 Edition XS
- Best in class for TV and video
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100M
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.8
8.2
The HifiMan Edition XS and Rode NTH-100M are both very good for music, though the HifiMan Edition XS is somewhat better.
Gaming
7.4
8.9
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
Phone Calls
5.0
9.5
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
TV and Video
9.5
7.7
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Rode NTH-100M is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The Rode NTH-100M and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for noise reduction, though the Rode NTH-100M is somewhat better.
Cost
$269
$189
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the Rode NTH-100M costs $189.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.6
The HifiMan Edition XS and Rode NTH-100M are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The HifiMan Edition XS and Rode NTH-100M both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HifiMan Edition XS and the Rode NTH-100M compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | Rode NTH-100M |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $189 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Edition XS
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Rode NTH-100M
See more
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 Edition XS 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare HifiMan Edition XS vs. Apple Airpods Pro
VS
Compare HifiMan Edition XS vs. Bose Quiet Comfort 45
VS
Compare HifiMan Edition XS vs. HifiMan Sundara
VS
Compare Rode NTH-100M vs. 7hz Timeless
VS
Compare Rode NTH-100M vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
VS
Compare Rode NTH-100M vs. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
93,500
Recommendations made
14,025
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
