The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize soundstage and enjoy a more open, airy sound for your music, the Philips Fidelio X2HR would be the better choice because they feature an open-back design, which also means they'll leak sound and provide less isolation from ambient noise. On the other hand, the Rode NTH-100 has a closed-back design, which is better if you need sound isolation for quiet environments or don't want to disturb others; however, this design can sometimes result in a more confined soundstage. Both offer comfort for long listening sessions, but keep in mind the open-back design is less suitable in noisy or shared spaces. 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR
Excellent for music
Good for gaming
Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100
The Rode NTH-100 has no clear advantages over the Philips Fidelio X2HR.
Key differences
Music
9.3/10
8.2/10
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the Rode NTH-100 is very good.
Gaming
7.0/10
6.5/10
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for gaming, while the Rode NTH-100 is only fair.
TV and Video
8.8/10
7.7/10
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good for TV and video, while the Rode NTH-100 is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
5.3/10
The Rode NTH-100 and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both poor for noise reduction, though the Rode NTH-100 is somewhat better.
Build Quality
9.0/10
8.5/10
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has excellent build quality, while the Rode NTH-100 has very good build quality.
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
"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 Philips Fidelio X2HR or the Rode NTH-100
About Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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
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
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
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.