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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize clear communication for calls and gaming, the Rode NTH-100M comes with a detachable microphone, making it a versatile choice despite the higher price. However, if you're seeking a budget-friendly option primarily for listening to music, the Sennheiser HD 400S offers good sound quality without the extra feature of a microphone. Keep in mind that the Rode's added functionalities might justify its cost if you need them, while the Sennheiser is a solid choice for everyday casual use with a focus on affordability. 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
Very good for music
Best in class for phone calls
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 400S
Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2/10
7.1/10
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for music, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Phone Calls
9.5/10
8.2/10
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is very good.
Cost
$189
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Rode NTH-100M has a price of $189 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $50.
"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 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-100M 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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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.
Jason Lew
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