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NTH-100
Company ProductName Specs




WH-1000XM5
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

The Rode NTH-100 headphones are midrange priced, less expensive, and wired, providing quality sound with strong build and detailed musical experience, but lack features like active noise cancelling (ANC) and are not optimal for calls, meetings, or exercise. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize cost and music quality or are willing to invest in versatile, feature-rich 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 Rode NTH-100
  • Good for TV and video
  • Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
  • Very good for air travel

Key differences

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Gaming

6.5
NTH-100
WH-1000XM5
5.6
The Rode NTH-100 is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.

Phone Calls

4.8
NTH-100
WH-1000XM5
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Rode NTH-100 are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

7.6
NTH-100
WH-1000XM5
6.0
The Rode NTH-100 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.

TV and Video

7.7
NTH-100
WH-1000XM5
5.8
The Rode NTH-100 is good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.

Noise Reduction

5.3
NTH-100
WH-1000XM5
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.

Battery

N/A
NTH-100
WH-1000XM5
40.3 Hours
The Rode NTH-100 does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.

Cost

$149
NTH-100
WH-1000XM5
$398
Product image
Product image

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

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$350

$400

The Rode NTH-100 has a price of $149 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities

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Music

8.2
NTH-100
WH-1000XM5
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Rode NTH-100 are both very good for music.

Build Quality

8.5
NTH-100
WH-1000XM5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Rode NTH-100 both have very good build quality.

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How the Rode NTH-100 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones

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Spec Comparison

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Rode NTH-100Sony WH-1000XM5
Rode NTH-100Sony WH-1000XM5

GENERAL

Price
$149
$398
Brand
RodeSony
Release Date
March 1, 2022May 1, 2022
Form Factor
HeadphonesHeadphones
Connectivity
WiredWired + Wireless

SOUND

Music Score
8.2/108.3/10
Phone Calls Score
4.8/105.6/10
Gaming Score
6.6/105.6/10
TV and Video Score
7.8/105.8/10
Exercise Score
4.2/106.3/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
N/A40.3 Hours
Wireless charging
N/ANo
Charging time
N/A3.5 Hours
Bluetooth version
N/A5.2

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoYes
Noise Reduction Score
5.3/109.1/10
Virtual Surround
N/AYes
Android App
N/AYes
iOS App
N/AYes
Mic Quality
N/A8.5/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
8.5/108.8/10
Comfort score
7.6/107.6/10
Weight (headset or single earbud)
349.2 Grams249.4 Grams
Microphone style
N/AIntegrated
Waterproof Rating
00

Shopping

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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."

Sony WH-1000XM5

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Dig into reviews and images

Headphonesty

Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."

Get a great deal on the Rode NTH-100 or the Sony WH-1000XM5

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 Sony

Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.

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Why trust us

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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.

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.

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