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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize comfort for extended listening sessions, the Sennheiser HD 400S, being lighter and more comfortable, may be preferable; it also has superior microphone quality, making it better for calls and meetings, plus it's better for gaming due to low latency. Meanwhile, the Rode NTH-100 offers a slightly better overall sound quality and sound imaging, suitable for music enthusiasts, but they are heavier and more expensive. Neither has wireless connectivity or active noise cancelling, so consider if a wired connection and passive noise isolation meet your needs. Lastly, if portability is a concern, the Sennheisers fold, which makes them easier to transport. 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 Rode NTH-100
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 400S
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.1
The Rode NTH-100 is very good for music, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Gaming
6.5
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the Rode NTH-100 is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.8
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Cost
$149
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Rode NTH-100 has a price of $149 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $50.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Rode NTH-100 are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.7
7.6
The Rode NTH-100 and Sennheiser HD 400S are both good for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Rode NTH-100 and Sennheiser HD 400S are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Rode NTH-100 and Sennheiser HD 400S both have very good build quality.
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How the Rode NTH-100 and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Rode NTH-100 | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Rode | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2022 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 349.2 Grams | 213 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the Rode NTH-100 or the Sennheiser HD 400S
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.
About Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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