While Røde built its reputation on microphones, the Australian company’s first on-ear wired headphones deliver surprising audio quality for everything from studio monitoring to casual listening. This Røde NTH-50 headphones review finds the $99 wired cans challenge what we expect from professional headphones at this price point.
Is Røde’s entrance into the headphone market worth your attention? Let’s find out if these newcomers deserve a spot in your audio setup.
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Røde NTH-50 headphones review
These durable, comfortable and affordable hi-fi audio headphones are great for music producers, musicians, filmmakers, creators and casual listeners. In black.
- Excellent audio quality
- Lightweight
- High quality locking cable
- Not wireless
- No active noise cancellation
Released in July, Røde NTH-50 headphones stand as the first on-ear offering in the Australian audio company’s professional wired headphone lineup, which also includes their first-ever cans, NTH-100, rolled out in 2022. Priced at around $99, the new NTH-50 headphones deliver exceptional value for audio professionals seeking quality monitoring without breaking the bank. NTH-50 aims to provide balanced sound reproduction in a comfortable, durable package suitable for extended studio sessions.
Additionally, the aluminum and plastic construction offers what should be impressive durability. These studio headphones stand out for their 40mm drivers and wide frequency response. But they face stiff competition from established brands. Beyond audio specs, headphone comfort becomes crucial for professionals spending hours mixing tracks or monitoring sound. And on-ear cans have a tough time competing with over-ear cans in that regard.
Table of contents: Røde NTH-50 headphones review
- Target audience: DJs, producers and creators
- Key specs: 40mm drivers, wide 5Hz–35kHz range
- Sound quality
- Design and build quality
- Modular parts: Replaceable pads and cables
- Portability: No folding, cloth pouch only
- Comfort and fit
- What’s in the box: Cable, adapter, pouch
- Røde NTH-50 headphones review: Bottom line
Target audience: DJs, producers and creators
Røde engineered NTH-50 headphones specifically for audio professionals who require pristine sound reproduction in various working environments. DJs benefit from the headphones’ ability to handle high sound pressure levels, reaching up to 124 dB SPL. That proves essential when monitoring in loud club settings. Furthermore, users like sound engineers appreciate the solid passive noise isolation of 21 dBA, allowing for critical monitoring without external sound interference.
Content creators and producers should find these headphones particularly valuable for their balanced sound signature. The NTH-50’s design emphasizes sonic accuracy rather than artificially enhanced bass or treble, making them ideal for those who need to make precise mixing decisions. Essentially, these headphones are tailored for professionals who spend long hours in the studio. They need exceptional sound quality and comfort during extended creative sessions. But they can also be compact and great-sounding cans for anyone.
Key audio specs: 40mm drivers, wide 5Hz–35kHz range
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
At the heart of the NTH-50 lies a custom-engineered 40mm dynamic driver housed within an innovative resonant chamber. This acoustic design delivers impressive sound clarity with remarkably low distortion levels — less than 0.2% at 100Hz and less than 0.03% at 500Hz when measured at 1mW, according to the company. The drivers produce a balanced sound profile that combines rich, natural bass with detailed midrange and crisp high frequencies.
The frequency response spans an impressive range from 5Hz to 35kHz, exceeding the typical range of human hearing. That ensures even the subtlest audio details are reproduced accurately. With a low impedance of 32 ohms, these headphones are easily driven by a wide range of devices without requiring additional amplification.
The closed-back, on-ear (supra-aural) design offers a good balance between isolation and comfort. Despite their compact size, they deliver exceptional sound quality that rivals many larger over-ear models in the same price range. They impressed me by coming fairly close to my wired Sennheiser HD660S2 open-back wired over-ear headphones in sound reproduction (but not comfort). The Sennheisers cost about $375 or more on sale.
Sound quality
So here’s more detail on NTH-50 sound quality. They produce crisp, detailed mids and highs without any artificial emphasis found in some consumer-oriented models. This precision tuning allows for accurate monitoring when making critical EQ decisions. The mids and top end remain well-defined without ever sounding harsh or over-emphasized, so audio pros might actually trust them.
The ultra-low distortion becomes apparent when listening to complex arrangements — plenty of subtle details come through. Admittedly, as with most closed-back designs, the soundstage isn’t as expansive as open-back alternatives, but it’s good.
It also seems like these headphones could get the job done for DJs. The NTH-50 handles impressive sound pressure levels (up to 124 dB) without distortion. That’s helpful in a loud environment. And the bass response offers plenty of punch. And being able to connect and lock the cable to either ear cup is helpful.
Beyond professional uses, NTH-50 performs admirably for everyday listening. Tracks featuring rich acoustic instrumentation benefit from the headphones’ natural reproduction capabilities. Jazz recordings sound particularly impressive, with the NTH-50 capturing instrumental nuances faithfully.
Unlike typical consumer headphones that artificially boost bass frequencies, the NTH-50 maintains a more balanced approach. This tuning might initially seem less exciting to casual listeners accustomed to bass-heavy headphones, yet ultimately delivers a more faithful representation of the original recording. And folks might appreciate that more with extended listening.
Design and build quality
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
NTH-50 headphones showcase thoughtful design choices that balance aesthetics with functionality. At just 220g, these cans feel substantial without becoming cumbersome during extended sessions. Their construction reflects Røde’s commitment to creating professional gear that stands up to the rigors of daily studio use.
The NTH-50s feature a hybrid construction approach that combines lightweight aluminum with high-quality plastic components. The driver housings are machined from aluminum, giving them a premium feel and structural integrity. Meanwhile, the remaining plastic parts don’t feel cheap or flimsy but instead offer a quality finish that resists fingerprints and everyday smudges.
Notably, the matte black finish serves both form and function, with a scratch-resistant coating that maintains the headphones’ professional appearance even after being tossed repeatedly into a gear bag. The build quality is immediately apparent when handling these headphones—tight tolerances between components and the signature Røde gold dot add subtle sophistication to an otherwise utilitarian design.
Modular parts: Replaceable pads and cables
One of the most impressive aspects of the NTH-50’s design is its modular construction. Almost every “consumable” component can be easily replaced without tools:
- Ear cushions that pop on and off with firm pressure.
- Headband padding that’s user-replaceable.
- Detachable cable with secure locking mechanism.
- USB-C headband connections for either driver housing.
This modular approach makes maintenance straightforward and extends the headphones’ lifespan considerably. Instead of replacing the entire unit when a component wears out, users can simply swap the affected part. Consequently, these headphones represent a more sustainable investment than many competitors at this price point.
The cable design is cool, too. The 1.7m coiled cable can be connected to either ear cup based on preference, a practical feature for different studio setups. The locking connector prevents accidental disconnection — a thoughtful detail for critical recording or performance scenarios.
Portability: No folding, cloth pouch only
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Nevertheless, the NTH-50s do have limitations regarding portability. Unlike some competing models in this price range, these headphones lack any folding mechanism or swiveling ear cups. This design choice means they maintain the same footprint whether in use or packed away, making them less convenient for travel.
In lieu of a hard case, Røde includes only a cloth storage pouch for protection. Although adequate for preventing scratches and minor scrapes, this pouch offers limited protection against more significant impacts or pressure in a packed bag. For professionals constantly on the move, this might be a consideration when comparing to more portable alternatives, like collapsible cans in tough cases.
The included accessories attempt to offset these portability limitations. Each pair comes with a 3.5mm to 1/4-inch adapter for versatile connectivity, along with a COLOURS ID set that helps identify and organize cables in multi-headphone environments.
Comfort and fit
Comfort plays a critical role in professional headphones since creators often wear them for extended periods. Røde NTH-50 presents some interesting comfort dynamics.
NTH-50’s clamping force became apparent as soon as I put on the headphones. Their snugness is similar to my Beats Solo 4 wireless on-ear cans. But the NTH-50 pressure is a bit stronger than some competitors, which yields mixed results. On one hand, the kinda tight grip creates exceptional passive noise isolation rated at -21 dBA, helping users focus without distraction. But some users might find it uncomfortable after a while. Personally, I like a pretty light clamp, but these don’t bother me much.
The headband design somewhat offsets the clamping through thoughtful engineering. An integrated fontanel recess alleviates pressure on the top of the head, distributing weight more evenly across the skull. And despite the minimal interior padding on the headband, the contoured design helps prevent hotspots from forming during use.
For those finding the initial clamping force a bit much, they can gently stretch the headphones by placing them over stacked books. Just be careful because overstretching risks damaging the headband structure.
At just 7.76 ounces (220 grams), NTH-50 maintains a lightweight profile suitable for extended wear. The on-ear design places the ear cushions directly against your ears rather than around them, which affects comfort differently than over-ear models. These cushions feature soft memory foam that conforms to ear contours, providing a secure yet adaptable fit.
Across several hours of use, however, some heat buildup becomes noticeable. But the ergonomic structure and memory foam padding helps dissipate it.
What’s in the box: Cable, adapter, pouch
Photo: Rode
Røde includes several practical accessories with NTH-50 headphones:
- A 5.57-foot (1.7m) double-coiled monitoring cable with a locking connector.
- A storage pouch for protection during transport.
- A 3.5mm to ¼-inch adapter for compatibility with professional audio equipment.
- COLORS ID set for personalization.
The detachable cable features a locking mechanism to prevent accidental disconnection during use—a thoughtful detail for live performance situations. Moreover, the cable can be connected to either the left or right ear cup depending on user preference, adding flexibility for different work setups. And despite the modest price point, Røde backs these headphones with impressive confidence, offering a lifetime warranty on all NTH-50 headphones.
Røde NTH-50 headphones review: Bottom line
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Overall, the Røde NTH-50 headphones deliver impressive value at their $99 price point. Their balanced sound signature makes them versatile enough for everything from studio mixing to casual listening, though they excel particularly in professional monitoring scenarios. The custom 40mm drivers and wide frequency response prove Røde’s audio engineering capabilities extend well beyond microphones.
Despite their strong points, these headphones aren’t without limitations. The substantial clamping force creates excellent isolation but might cause discomfort during marathon sessions for some users. Additionally, their lack of folding mechanisms reduces portability compared to some alternatives.
The modular design stands as perhaps their most forward-thinking feature. Replaceable cables ear pads, and headband components ensure these headphones remain serviceable for years, justifying Røde’s confidence in offering a lifetime warranty.
Note: At time of publication, pricing from some Amazon sellers exceeded Røde’s $99 MSRP on these popular headphones. However, B&H has them in stock for $99 with free two-day shipping.
These durable, comfortable and affordable hi-fi audio headphones are great for music producers, musicians, filmmakers, creators and casual listeners. In black.
- Excellent audio quality
- Lightweight
- High quality locking cable
- Not wireless
- No active noise cancellation
★★★★☆
Røde provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
