"An Ideal Blend of Comfort and Sound Quality in a Lightweight Design: Rode NTH-50 Review"] - Guitar | Technique

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What is it?

Choosing headphones can be a tricky process, with various different design types to consider as well as comfort, robustness and, of course, overall sound. Rode Microphone’s latest headphone addition is the NTH-50, and this on-ear design offers an alternative to their larger and more studio typical NTH-100 over-ear headphone.

Featuring a reasonably lightweight and low-profile form factor, the NTH-50 has an underlying aluminium frame construction coupled with a uniform matte black finish. Subtle Rode branding completes the picture for a robust and stylish design. Further aspects include custom-matched 40mm drivers with a resonant chamber configuration, detachable locking cable with connection to either ear cup, and soft memory foam ear cushions.

You’ll also find a padded headband with a contoured fontanel recess, which is designed to improve head top comfort. In the box you also get a storage pouch, ¼” jack adapter and a set of Rode’s colour ID clips, which you clip onto the plugs to help personalise multiple headphone cables. Finally, it’s worth noting that despite its competitive price tag, the NTH-50 is both designed and made in Australia and once registered, also includes a reassuring lifetime warranty.

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(Image credit: Future / Matt Lincoln)

Performance

Out of the box, the NTH-50 feels very well made, and at 220g is reasonably light. In typical Rode style, there’s plenty of branding, but it’s tastefully done and sets the NTH-50 apart from the plethora of generic designs now available. It’s also clear plenty of thought has gone into more practical design aspects. The part coiled, part straight cable is an obvious example, achieving the convenience of a coiled design but without the weight of a fully coiled cable. Meanwhile, the screw locking ¼” adapter and ear cup locking plug both ensure a reliable connection.

Ear cup left/right identification is easily achieved using the colour-coded cable connectors (left black, right red), meanwhile L and R braille labelling on the underside of each ear cup provides further assistance.

The NTH-50 has a pretty snug fit with good clamping. Ear cup adjustment is easily achieved and the headband has enough twist to accommodate most users. That said, the ear cups themselves have limited rotation and do not fold away, so if you’re a DJ wanting those features, then look elsewhere. For maintenance and cleaning, both the earpad and headband assemblies are quite easy to unclip and remove, and when the time comes for replacements these are available directly from Rode.

Sonically, the NTH-50 has a reasonably balanced delivery. There is some boost to the lower frequencies, but this is not too excessive. Whereas the higher frequencies are quite smooth and not boosted. We would say the mid-range is also not too forward, and the overall tonality means the NTH-50 is suited to a wide range of musical styles, including rock and guitar productions as well as contemporary beat-heavy sounds.

Detail is also well presented and the stereo image is precise. The headphone also continues to deliver plenty of punch even at high volumes. If you couple this with the natural high-frequency delivery, the NTH-50 is also not too fatiguing even at higher monitoring levels. It’s worth noting that despite being an on-ear design, the NTH-50 also offers pretty good passive isolation.

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Rode NTH-50 — (Image credit: Future / Matt Lincoln)

Price	$99 / £100 / €110
Key features	Design: closed back on-ear Driver: 40mm with resonant chamber Frequency response: 5-35,000 Hz Impedance: 32ohms Max SPL: 124dB Ambient noise attenuation: 21 dBA Sensitivity: 102dB SPL at 1mW / 500Hz
Accessories	Detachable 1.7m coiled cable, cable ID clips, storage bag, 3.5mm to 1.4” adapter
Weight	220g
Contact	Rode