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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality and a wide soundstage for an immersive music experience, the Sennheiser HD800S would be a superior choice; however, they won't be ideal for calls and meetings as they lack a microphone. The Rode NTH-100M, on the other hand, provides great microphone quality suitable for calls, and they offer good noise isolation due to their closed-back design, which is beneficial for listening in noisy environments. They are also more versatile for mixed use, including gaming. Keep in mind, the Sennheisers are open-back, providing a more natural sound at the expense of noise isolation and may be less suitable for noisy environments or recording scenarios where microphone bleed could be an issue. Lastly, Rode headphones are a more budget-friendly option, which is an important consideration if cost is a deciding factor for you. 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 HD800S
- Best in class for music
- 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-100M is very good.
Gaming
8.9
7.5
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the Sennheiser HD800S is good.
Phone Calls
9.5
5.0
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
TV and Video
7.7
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Rode NTH-100M is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Rode NTH-100M and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction, though the Rode NTH-100M is somewhat better.
Cost
$189
$1,390
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Rode NTH-100M has a price of $189 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,390.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the Rode NTH-100M has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
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-100M is good.
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How the Rode NTH-100M and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Rode NTH-100M | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$189 | $1,390 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Rode | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | 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 | 9.5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9/10 | 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 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | N/A | |
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 | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Rode NTH-100M
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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-100M 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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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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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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