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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for the most immersive listening experience and don't mind spending more, the Sennheiser HD800S headphones are renowned for their outstanding sound quality and exceptional soundstage, making them ideal for critical listening. However, they are open-backed and offer limited noise isolation, which makes them less suited for noisy environments or commuting. On the other hand, the Rode NTH-100 is significantly less expensive and has a more isolating closed-back design, which can be better for everyday use in potentially noisy environments. Both models lack a microphone, so neither is ideal for calls, and they're both similar in terms of not being suited for exercise or travel due to their size. 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
- The Rode NTH-100 has no clear advantages over the Sennheiser HD800S.
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.2
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Rode NTH-100 is very good.
Gaming
6.5
7.5
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Rode NTH-100 is only fair.
TV and Video
7.7
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Rode NTH-100 is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Rode NTH-100 and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction, though the Rode NTH-100 is somewhat better.
Cost
$149
$1,400
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Rode NTH-100 has a price of $149 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,400.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the Rode NTH-100 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.8
5.0
The Sennheiser HD800S and Rode NTH-100 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
8.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser HD800S to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100 is good.
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How the Rode NTH-100 and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Rode NTH-100 | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $1,400 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Rode | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2022 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 349.2 Grams | 371.9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof 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 HD800S
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | March 2023
"The cans offer stellar sound quality, comfort, and good maintenance options—so they're an easy recommendation if you have the cash and the need for the last headphones you'll buy for years."
Get a great deal on the Rode NTH-100 or the Sennheiser HD800S
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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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.
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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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