You may be mistaken for pondering Rode already made headphones. And that’s honest sufficient, it appears like one thing the corporate would already be doing. Yet, right here we’re with the primary set from the Australian model, the NTH-100. The $150 over-ear headphones may need been a very long time coming, however when you’ve been following the corporate during the last couple of years, you’ll understand it’s making a acutely aware effort to dominate the podcast and streaming world, and that’s who these headphones are aimed toward.

At a look, the NTH-100 appear fairly easy. An all-black pair of studio headphones with no Bluetooth or noise cancellation frills. Just a cushty set of wired cans designed for residence studio use. And for essentially the most half, that’s precisely what they’re, however Rode has tried so as to add sufficient particulars right here to make them stand out in an in any other case busy phase.

Rode states that the drivers within the NTH-100 have been designed for correct frequency response which is smart if you’re pitching these to streamers and creators. They definitely don’t sound overly loaded on the decrease finish and the mid-highs don’t artificially stand out which may typically be the case on this class.

In truth, the NTH-100 sound surprisingly impartial. I used to be anticipating them to be weighted towards… one thing, however they don’t appear to be doing a lot to the supply materials in any respect. I’ve worn them for the whole lot from Zoom calls to Podcast recording and naturally limitless music listening and so they serve every of those functions effectively. I significantly like them for monitoring. I’m undecided why, however my boring voice appears to be precisely boring after I hear by these and I recognize their honesty (it permits me to higher spice it up on the edit stage, which is the entire level).

They additionally aren’t distracting to take a look at and that’s no dangerous factor. Bar the small round gold Rode emblem the one different aesthetic element is the overly massive “Ø” debossed into the aspect of every matte earcup (in gloss). It’s a bit too massive for my style and feels a bit conspicuous in an in any other case understated design however given it’s additionally black it doesn’t spoil their discreet look an excessive amount of.

Neutral and discreet is cool and all however certainly there’s a bit seasoning right here to make them fascinating? And there’s, largely of their consolation. The Alcantara protecting on the earpads feels luxurious, nevertheless it’s the “CoolTech” gel beneath that’s the actual deal with. Rode states that this makes them colder on the ears and thus reduces carrying fatigue. I used to be skeptical, however after I put them on they actually do really feel noticeably chilly and that makes an enormous distinction. Given these are aimed toward editors, creators and streamers it’s solely doable you’ll be carrying them for longer stretches so particulars like this may make a distinction.

Likewise, a intelligent element known as “FitLock” removes the necessity to modify them each time you place them on. Once you have got them set excellent, there’s a locking clip that may forestall them from by accident re-adjusting them each time you deal with them. It truly took me a bit bit to get used to the concept that I may not must verify if they’re positioned proper each time I put them on.

Given that you just’ll seemingly be carrying these at a desk, Rode noticed match to ensure you can connect the cable on both aspect. It’s a small element, however one that may shortly induce purchaser’s regret if it’s important to resolve between reorganizing your desk to have your audio interface on the opposite aspect or coping with awkward cable spaghetti.

What’s much less of a shock is that Rode has designed the NTH-100 to fit proper into its present creator ecosystem. If you personal a Rodecaster Pro or use Rode Connect or possibly simply purchased the “Colors” accent in your NT-USB Mini you’ll know that the corporate is centering numerous its merchandise round multi-person podcasting and streaming and together with colourful methods to mark which microphone (or headphones) belong to which audio channel and/or host . The NTH-100 aren’t any exception with coloration tags included within the field.

If you wish to take {that a} step additional, or merely wish to customise them a bit so that they’re not solely black additionally, you will be capable of purchase alternative cables in every of Rode’s 4 brilliant chosen colours. That’s an additional spend although after all.

All in all for $150 the whole lot feels decidedly costlier. The plastic materials on the earcups may not be essentially the most luxurious, however the general construct and sound high quality ought to make them an interesting selection for these in search of one thing comfy whereas getting some work accomplished.

The NTH-100 can be found beginning at this time.