Popular microphone brand Rode, based in Australia, dropped the mic Tuesday with major news: It’s getting into the premium headphones business.
The company rolled out its first pair of high-end cans, the Rode NTH-100 Professional Over-Ear Headphones.
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Rode NTH-100 Professional Over-Ear Headphones
Rode said worldwide shipping is in place for its highly anticipated debut into the headphone market, named NTH-100 Professional Over-Ear Headphones. The company said the new wired cans “promise an audio experience that inspires creativity.”
And the CEO went further, calling the NTH-100s “best in their class.”
“The NTH-100s are the culmination of decades of passion and immersion in audio,” says Rode CEO Damien Wilson. “We developed these headphones from the ground up with avid attention to every detail and an obsession with perfection, and we are incredibly proud of the outcome. It is with absolute confidence that I say the NTH-100s are the best in their class. If you’re a creator looking for your first headphones or a seasoned professional still on the hunt for the perfect cans, your search is over.”
Recommended for all forms of content creation
Rode said the new headphones are made for “critical listening, from monitoring to mixing to mastering.”
The NTH-100s feature custom-matched, 40mm dynamic drivers crafted to deliver an accurate frequency response and exceptional clarity, the company said.
The headphone design is based around a custom voice coil with a four-layer ultra-high-tension aluminium alloy as its core. It’s coupled to an “ultra-stiff” triple-layer Mylar diaphragm.
Combined with a rare-earth neodymium magnet, the high-grade components ensure optimal acoustic and electrical performance for low levels of distortion and a highly accurate response across a broad frequency range, Rode said.
Contoured ear cups
Rode added that the ear cups’ contours are designed for both comfort and optimal acoustics. The ear cups feature high-density memory foam for excellent noise isolation.
The company likened the NTH-100s’ sound signature to open-backs headphones, but with all the advantages of closed-back headphones, including superior passive attenuation of external noise and no issues with spill when recording in close proximity to a microphone.
Designed for comfort
The NTH-100s feature Alcantara on the earpads and headband. Soft to the touch and breathable, it enhances the sensory experience of wearing the headphones, Rode said.
Underneath the Alcantara, a layer of CoolTech gel absorbs and dissipates heat. That actively cools the head and ears to reduce wearing fatigue during long sessions.
You can adjust the headband to fit. It features Rode’s FitLok locking system. That secures the earcups in place so they fit the same every time you put the headphones on, Rode said.
Functional and durable
The NTH-100s come with a variety of useful features. They include cable attachments on both earcups so the cable can be positioned where it’s most comfortable and convenient. A locking connector for each attachment ensures security if the cable is tugged or pulled. Ear cups are identified as right and left with luminous letters, color-coding and braille.
Each pair comes with a 2.4m (7ft 10in) black cable, with 1.2m (3ft 11in) and colored variations (pink, green, orange and blue) available separately. Also included: a storage pouch, a 3.5mm to 1/4-in adaptor for use with audio equipment, and a set of colored ID rings for easy cable identification.
Rode NTH-100 features:
- Custom-matched drivers that deliver accurate frequency response and low distortion — for critical listening in all content creation applications.
- Precision-engineered acoustic construction optimized for detail and clarity.
- Alcantara® ear cup and headband cushions for comfort.
- Ergonomic ear cups with memory foam cushions for noise isolation and CoolTech™ gel for fatigue reduction.
- Adjustable headband with FitLok™ locking system for a tailored feel.
- Rugged, hard-wearing construction and modular design for durability.
Rode ships its new NTH-100s over-ear headphone, priced at $149, worldwide. You can select a seller by region on Rode’s website or go to Amazon.
Where to buy: Amazon
