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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Moondrop Chu earbuds are a budget-friendly option and are significantly less expensive than the Rode NTH-100 headphones. The Chu is more portable due to its earbud form factor, which might be ideal if you're looking for something lightweight and convenient. However, if you are after a more immersive audio experience, the Rode NTH-100 over-ear headphones may be the better choice, despite their higher cost. They typically offer better sound isolation and comfort over long listening sessions, which could make them more suitable for professional or studio use, but this does come at the expense of increased size and less portability. Both offer closed designs and don't require an amp for a good experience. The Chu offers balanced audio capability with the purchase of separate cables, whereas the NTH-100 has a longer cable and a detachable design. 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 Moondrop Chu
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100
- Very good for music
Key differences
Gaming
8.0
6.5
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the Rode NTH-100 is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.8
4.8
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Moondrop Chu is only fair for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Cost
$22
$149
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Moondrop Chu has a price of $22 and the Rode NTH-100 costs $149.
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Key similarities
Music
7.9
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Rode NTH-100 to be very good for music, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.6
The Moondrop Chu and Rode NTH-100 are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.5
7.7
The Rode NTH-100 and Moondrop Chu are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Moondrop Chu and Rode NTH-100 both have very good build quality.
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How the Moondrop Chu and the Rode NTH-100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Chu | Rode NTH-100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$22 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | March 1, 2022 | |
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 | 8.9/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | N/A | |
Shopping
Moondrop Chu
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2022
"These budget buds put the pressure on those premium priced in-ear monitors to really justify the cost disparity. Offering excellent sound quality at any price, the Moondrop Chu is both a perfect entry into the audio enthusiast hobby, and an all around good pick for music fans."
Rode NTH-100
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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 Moondrop Chu or the Rode NTH-100
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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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.
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