Australian audio organization Rode can be satisfactory recognized for its microphones, however the tech producer is wading into a very new section of the marketplace with the NTH-100, its first actual set of headphones. While a few headphone-makers construct a popularity for his or her audio tuning — Beats headphones are recognized for his or her big supporting of bass, for example — Rode’s first set of cans choose accuracy instead, with a couple of custom-matched 40mm dynamic drivers supposed now no longer to desire any precise a part of the frequency range.

That probable should not come as a surprise, clearly, given the organization’s present day offerings. Rode’s historical past in microphones and seasoned audio device should’ve been a stable trace that the organization might prioritize transparency particularly else while it got here to its first foray withinside the headphones category. The truth that the organization is pitching them at audio creators in place of simply song purchasers is any other giveaway.

Rode NTH-100’s stunning fee tag

It’s now no longer to mention that song does not sound suitable in Rode’s headphones. Fed with a few excessive-bitrate tracks, the NTH-100s are easy and straightforward. If I desired extra excessive or low end, I ought to dial that during myself with my song player’s EQ settings. By default, the headphones sounded vivid with out edging into sharpness; organization bass, however with out the hefty kick that customer headphones frequently provide.

The cost confirmed its hand once I became doing a little video editing, the flatter curve proving a ways extra beneficial while looking to discern out balancing such things as historical past audio and voiceovers. I’m now no longer a song writer, however I suspect Rode’s promise that they had paintings nicely for tracking and studying stands up there, too.

What’s stunning is the fee tag. When I first began out taking note of the NTH-100s, I failed to understand Rode’s very last discern: $149. I’d have guessed at two times that quantity, honestly.

These headphones game an suddenly considerate layout

Rode’s hardware layout seems easy at the start glance, however it is suddenly considerate. The earcups and headscarf are blanketed in Alcantara, a gentle microsuede which feels great. Inside there may be a wholesome quantity of reminiscence foam cushioning and CoolTech gel. The NTH-100s sense cool to your ears whilst you first placed them on — it is clearly a bit abnormal at the start — and that they live that manner even after prolonged periods.

The headscarf adjusts with a stable-feeling steel slide on every side. Rather than the standard ratcheting mechanism, Rode has carried out its personal FitLok machine: a twist lock for every arm, so you can alter them as soon as and understand they may be now no longer going to shift once more except you need them to. The disadvantage is they do not fold up for extra compact storage, and Rode’s blanketed wearing pouch lacks padding.

There’s a cable attachment on each earcups, so that you can select out the only to apply that locations the twine withinside the least-awkward manner. Each has a locking connector, into which the blanketed 2.four meter black cable twist-fastens. Rode additionally consists of a bag of coloured ID rings, to assist distinguish among exclusive units of headphones. A 1.2m cable, and variations in brighter colors, can also be available.

The Rose NTH-100s will now no longer be for everybody

When it involves concentrated on creators as opposed to everyday purchasers, the variations clearly come into play. The common character searching out tour headphones may not discover the Rode NTH-100s to be the satisfactory alternative for some reasons. There’s no wi-fi connectivity, for a start — yes, Bluetooth is lossier than a cable, however it is difficult to overcome the convenience. Additionally there may be no energetic noise cancellation (ANC). These functions are almost must-haves for the customer marketplace and if I’m flying, it is nonetheless a hard and fast of Sony’s WH-1000XM headphones that I’m installing my backpack.

That being said, I desire Sony’s headphones had been as cushty to put on because the NTH-100s. Given the $149 fee point, Rode makes a compelling argument for having a hard and fast of its headphones for domestic or studio use and retaining them completely plugged into your writer machine of choice.