A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for high-quality sound and comfort for extended use, such as for professional work or critical listening, the Rode NTH-100 is a premium choice, despite its higher price. On the other hand, if you need a more budget-friendly option that includes a microphone for gaming or calls, the Steelseries TUSQ could serve you well. The Rode is known for superior sound isolation and could be more durable, whereas the TUSQ, being lighter, may be more convenient for on-the-go use but might not match the sound quality and build of the Rode. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.6
The Rode NTH-100 is very good for music, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Gaming
6.5
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Rode NTH-100 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.7
The Rode NTH-100 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The Steelseries TUSQ is only fair for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Cost
$149
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Rode NTH-100 has a price of $149 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $30.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.8
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Rode NTH-100 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
7.7
7.3
The Rode NTH-100 and Steelseries TUSQ are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Rode NTH-100 and Steelseries TUSQ both have very good build quality.
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How the Rode NTH-100 and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Rode NTH-100 | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Rode | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2022 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 349.2 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Rode NTH-100 or the Steelseries TUSQ
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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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
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
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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