A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Rode NTH-100M offers excellent mic quality and build, making it great for calls, meetings, and gaming, plus its sound is well-suited for books and podcasts. They're less portable and don't have active noise cancelling, so they're not optimal for air travel or noisy environments. On the other hand, the Sony WH-1000XM5 boasts superior noise isolation quality and portability, with added features like wireless connectivity and active noise cancellation, perfect for commuting and air travel. It also has an app that allows equalizer and audio control customization. Consider the Rode if call and mic quality are priorities, especially in quieter environments, and the Sony if wireless features and noise cancellation are essential, particularly in noisy or on-the-go settings. 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
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
8.9
5.6
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
9.5
5.5
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
6.0
The Rode NTH-100M is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
7.7
5.8
The Rode NTH-100M is good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100M is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Rode NTH-100M does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$189
$280
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Rode NTH-100M has a price of $189 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $280.
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Key similarities
Music
8.2
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Rode NTH-100M are both very good for music.
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Rode NTH-100M both have very good build quality.
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How the Rode NTH-100M and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Rode NTH-100M | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$189 | $280 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Rode | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.2/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 9.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 349.2 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
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."
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-100M 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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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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