Rode NTH-100M headset review

The Australian company Rode is well known in the audio industry, and the Rode NTH-100M is its first shot into the headphone space. That being said, boy, is it good. The NTH-100M is a $199/£215 closed-back headset designed for professional audiophiles – including streamers, podcasters and content creators – looking for masterful sound and a “broadcast-grade” detachable microphone.

The design of the NTH-100M is slim and elegant, with a professional look that made me look so amazing while broadcasting. The headset is made of the highest quality materials such as stainless steel, Alcantara fabric and durable plastics. It’s only available in black at the moment, but it’s possible we’ll see more game-oriented designs from Rode’s new gaming division in the future. Combine the wonderfully soft Alcantara fabric with super plush memory foam ear cushions and I was in heaven slipping on this headset.

The NTH-100M provides limited passive noise isolation to help drown out Some background noise, although it wouldn’t do much in a noisy environment. That said, since it’s a headset designed for content creation, any space you intend to record in should be pretty quiet anyway. Basically, Rode hasn’t jacked up the price with unnecessary features.

When it comes to sound quality, it has a surprisingly wide soundstage and excellent imaging. The sound signature is on the warm side with punchy bass that is expertly balanced with warm mids and crystal clear highs. The frequency response is 5Hz – 35KHz: a damn wider view than most gaming headsets, which tend to fall in the 20Hz – 20KHz area. Requires only 32 ohms, making it also suitable for use with consoles.

In games like Call of Duty: Warzone (opens in a new tab)The NTH-100M delivers an excellent sound spectrum with excellent positioning and clarity. In open world titles like Horizon Forbidden West, you can hear all the detailed sounds of animals scurrying in the bushes or the distant purr of Appendix hovering nearby. Explosions, gunshots and the like are suitably bombastic with bass, but never overpowering subtler audio cues like reloading or footsteps.

When listening to music, the NTH-100M was a great choice out of my many headsets. From huge orchestral set pieces to hip-hop and even a bit of trap, it makes everything sound smooth without being overdone or distorted. It’s clear sound all the time and one of the best sounding headphones available.