One of our favourite pairs of headphones is getting a less expensive cousin, as Rode offers a less expensive take on the NTH-100 with a Sennheiser pair in its sites.
With great technology often comes big prices, but that doesn’t have to be that way. The democratisation of technology is seeing hardware come to more economical price points, and when you have so much already to spend on, that’s a big deal.
If you’re someone who makes music or fancies themselves as an up-and-comer in that space, you’re probably spending some serrious dollars on hardware to begin with, and maybe some of the software associated with it.
Audio gear isn’t typically cheap, and any chance you can to save is important. That’s a lesson for life, too, not just saving on a pair of headphones.
But if you did want to save on a pair of headphones, Australia’s Rode could well have something on the way for budding musicians and DJs keen to save a few bucks on a pair.
The pair follows on from the excellent NTH-100, Rode’s first pair of headphones and a set that never leaves the Pickr reviews desk, almost literally strapped to the mic stand mounted on its editor’s desk. While the NTH-100 were set as an around-ear circumaural design, the new release of the NTH-50 is designed more to be on-ear, and from the design alone, appears to target a pair from Sennheiser.
More of a supra-aural style of headphones, the Rode NTH-50 use a custom 40mm driver with a resonant chamber the company says provides deep bass while keeping the mids and treble clear and valanced. The headband flows through the cans, reminiscent of the Sennheiser HD 25, while a locking connector on the cable holds the cord firmly in place.
It’s worth noting that the NTH-50 are only wired headphones, as recording and engineering headphones typically are. However, they include passive noise isolation and a 3.5mm to 6.25mm adaptor, and can even be plugged into a microphone, the NTH-Mic, to turn the headphones into a pair made for podcasting or WFH chats.
The price aims to be particularly compelling, and does show these as obvious competition for the HD25, launching in Australia for $199.95, while its New Zealand price has yet to be determine, but will likely be around the $220-$230 price.
By comparison, the Sennheiser HD25 typically sits around the $259 to $279 mark in Australia, giving you a guide to just how much Rode is challenging Sennheiser’s pair with.
“At Rode, we are committed to developing innovative audio solutions to meet the ever-evolving needs of creators,” said Damien Wilson, CEO of Rode.
“The NTH-50s embody this philosophy, offering a level of sonic accuracy, comfort and durability that marks a new gold standard for on-ear headphones,” he said. “Engineered from the ground up by our dedicated headphone innovation team in Germany, we’ve crafted a pair of premium headphones at an affordable price point that deliver an incredibly detailed and immersive listening experience in any environment.”
Australians can expect to find the Rode NTH-50 in stores shortly, while our friends in New Zealand may need to wait a few weeks for the crates of cans to make it across.
