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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If the price is a significant consideration for you, the KZ ZSN Pro with Mic is the more budget-friendly option and it includes a microphone, which might be useful for calls or gaming. However, the Rode NTH-100M, being more expensive, typically offers higher sound quality, comfort, and durability. If you're using them primarily for critical listening or in a professional setting, the Rode may be worth the extra investment. For casual use, such as listening to music on the go, or if you need a microphone included, the KZ ZSN Pro might suffice. Remember, investing more usually brings an improvement in audio experience and build quality, but you need to balance that against your budget and how you intend to use the headphones. 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 KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
- The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has no clear advantages over the Rode NTH-100M.
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100M
- Very good for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
8.0
8.9
The Rode NTH-100M and KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) are both very good for gaming, though the Rode NTH-100M is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
5.1
9.5
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.9
7.6
The Rode NTH-100M is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.
Cost
$24
$189
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has a price of $24 and the Rode NTH-100M costs $189.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has excellent build quality, while the Rode NTH-100M has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Rode NTH-100M to be very good for music, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good.
TV and Video
7.4
7.7
The Rode NTH-100M and KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) are both good for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and Rode NTH-100M are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and the Rode NTH-100M compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) | Rode NTH-100M |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$24 | $189 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | KZ | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 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 | In-Line | Boom | |
Shopping
KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
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Dig into reviews and images
PrimeAudio
David Becker | 2019
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."
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."
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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
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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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.
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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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