The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Rode NTH-100M is a closed-back design with a microphone, making them well-suited for noisy environments and they come with the convenience of a detachable boom mic for clear calls or gaming sessions. They're also slightly more affordable. In contrast, the Sennheiser 560S features an open-back design, providing a more natural and expansive soundstage for critical listening and an immersive music experience, yet it's less ideal for loud places because of sound leakage and doesn't have a microphone. If privacy and calls are non-issues and you prioritize sound quality for music, the Sennheiser 560S would be the better choice. 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-100M
Best in class for phone calls
Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Sennheiser 560S
Best in class for music
Excellent for TV and video
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.2/10
9.5/10
The Sennheiser 560S is best in class for music, while the Rode NTH-100M is very good.
Gaming
8.9/10
6.9/10
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the Sennheiser 560S is only fair.
Phone Calls
9.5/10
5.1/10
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the Sennheiser 560S is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6/10
8.1/10
The Sennheiser 560S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100M is good.
TV and Video
7.7/10
9.1/10
The Sennheiser 560S is excellent for TV and video, while the Rode NTH-100M is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3/10
2.5/10
The Rode NTH-100M and Sennheiser 560S are both poor for noise reduction, though the Rode NTH-100M is somewhat better.
"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 made a near perfect pair of studio monitors with the HD 560S. Flat bass response? Check. Neutral and uncolored midrange? Check. Extended treble with a bit of lower-treble emphasis to highlight mastering flaws? Check. Fairly easy to drive? Check. Good soundstage and imaging? Check, and check."
Get a great deal on the Rode NTH-100M or the Sennheiser 560S
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.
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
122,300
Recommendations made
18,345
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.