Rode NTH-50 Headphones Review
My Honest Take on the Rode NTH-50 Headphones: A Game-Changer for DJs and Producers.
Hey there, fellow music lovers! I like nothing more than geeking out over the latest audio gear, and I’ve got something exciting to share. I recently got my hands on the Rode NTH-50 headphones—Rode’s first-ever on-ear professional headphones that dropped in May 2025. These babies caught my eye with their promise of crystal-clear sound, a design that’s perfect for DJs, and some cool modern touches like USB-C connectivity, all for just $99. I mean, that’s a steal, right? I’ve been putting them through their paces for the past few weeks, from rocking a DJ set at a local club to fine-tuning some dance tracks in my studio, as of this sunny Saturday morning, May 31, 2025, at 07:44 AM BST. In this review, I’ll spill all the details on how they performed, share what I loved (and what I didn’t), compare them to other headphones in the same price range, and give them a rating out of 10. Let’s dive in and see if these headphones are as awesome as they sound on paper!
First Impressions: What Are the Rode NTH-50 Headphones All About?
The Rode NTH-50s are lightweight on-ear headphones made for pros like us—whether you’re a DJ, a producer, or even a content creator. They’ve got a custom 40mm driver paired with a resonant chamber that delivers a sound that’s super balanced, with a frequency range of 5Hz–35kHz. At $99 (straight from Rode’s website), they’re packed with features like great noise isolation (-21 dBA), a modular design where you can swap out parts, and even a dual-sided cable setup with a USB-C option. They come with a 1.7m coiled cable, a 3.5mm to 1/4-inch adapter, a little storage pouch, and these handy color-coded ID rings to keep your cables organized. With an impedance of 32 ohms and a sensitivity of 117 dB SPL @ 1V/500Hz, they’re ready for a range of uses. Let’s break down how they actually feel and sound in real life.
Design and Build: Sleek, Sturdy, and Thoughtful
When I first unboxed the NTH-50s, I was impressed by how sleek they look. Made in Rode’s Sydney, Australia facility, they’ve got this matte black finish with aluminum faceplates that scream “pro” without being flashy. At 220g, they’re pretty light, and the scratch-resistant coating held up well even after I tossed them into my gig bag a few times. What I really love is their modular design—you can swap out the earpads, headband cushions, and even the cables (both aux and USB-C). That’s a lifesaver for someone like me who’s always on the go, whether I’m DJing or working in the studio. Plus, Rode throws in a lifetime warranty, which gives me peace of mind that these will last.
One of my favorite features is the dual-sided cable with a locking connector. I could plug the 1.7m coiled cable into either side, which was a game-changer while DJing—it kept the cable out of my way no matter where my mixer was. The earcups even have color-coded identifiers (with braille, which is such a cool touch!) so I could quickly figure out left from right in a dark DJ booth. That said, I was a bit bummed they don’t fold up, and they only come with a cloth pouch instead of a hard case. As someone who travels a lot, I’d love a bit more protection for these on the road, a sentiment I saw echoed in reviews on Stuff.tv.
Comfort: Can You Wear These for Hours?
If you’re like me, you know comfort is everything when you’re deep into a 3-hour DJ set or a late-night mixing session. The NTH-50s didn’t disappoint here. The headband has this clever fontanel recess design (fancy way of saying it doesn’t dig into the top of your head), which I found super comfy, as TechBuzzIreland pointed out. The earpads are made of Alcantara memory foam with CoolTech gel, and let me tell you, they feel plush. I wore them for hours while mixing a techno track, and they stayed comfy—though my ears did get a bit warm after a while, which is pretty typical for on-ear headphones, according to Soundium’s review. The headband adjusts easily, and the earcups don’t clamp down too hard, so they’re great even if you wear glasses (Rode mentions this on their site, and I can confirm it’s true!).
Sound Quality: How Do They Really Sound?
The NTH-50s have a 40mm dynamic driver and a resonant chamber, with a frequency response of 5Hz–35kHz and super low distortion (THD <0.2% @ 1mW/100Hz). But enough with the specs—let’s talk about how they sound in action across different scenarios.
Studio Monitoring and Mixing
I popped these on in my studio to mix a house track in Ableton Live at 24-bit/48kHz, and wow, I was impressed. The sound is so natural and balanced—deep, rounded bass (really shines at 50-100 Hz), clear mids (1-3 kHz), and crisp highs (6-12 kHz). Unlike bass-heavy headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, these don’t overhype the low end, which makes them perfect for detailed tasks like EQing a kick drum or balancing synth layers in a mix. The noise isolation (-21 dBA) did a great job of blocking out distractions, letting me zero in on little things—like the tail of a reverb on a vocal—without outside noise getting in the way. That said, they’re on-ear, not over-ear, so they don’t isolate as well as something like the Rode NTH-100. If you’re in a super noisy studio, that might be a slight downside.
DJing in the Club
Next up, I took the NTH-50s for a spin while DJing at a local club. They handled the live setting like champs. With a max SPL of 124 dB, I could crank them up to monitor tracks over a loud PA system without any distortion—super important when you’re trying to cue beats on the fly. The bass had a nice punch, so I could really feel the kick drum in my techno set, and the highs were clear enough to line up hi-hats perfectly. I loved the dual-sided cable setup—it let me plug into whichever side was closest to my mixer, and the locking connector meant I didn’t have to worry about it coming loose while I was moving around. My only gripe? The earcups don’t rotate, so wearing them around my neck between mixes felt a bit awkward, something Stuff.tv mentioned too.
Dance Music Production
For dance music production, these headphones were a joy to use. I was EQing a closed hi-hat, and the detailed midrange (2-5 kHz) made it easy to spot some harshness at 4 kHz—I just dialed it back with a small cut, and it sounded perfect. Their low impedance (32 ohms) meant I could plug them straight into my laptop or audio interface without needing an amp, which is awesome for when I’m producing on the go. The stereo image felt wide and immersive, helping me pan synth pads in a melodic house track so they filled the mix just right.
Content Creation and Everyday Listening
I also gave them a try for podcast recording, using the optional NTH-Mic (which you have to buy separately). With the mic attached, they turned into a legit broadcast-quality headset—my voice sounded clear and professional, which Videomaker also raved about. For casual listening, they handled everything I threw at them, from hip-hop to orchestral stuff. What Hi-Fi? mentioned they really shine with punchy genres like rock and hip-hop, and I’d agree—they brought out the energy in those tracks beautifully.
Features: What Else Do They Bring to the Table?
The NTH-50s come with some really thoughtful features that make them stand out:
Modular Design: You can replace the earpads, headband, and cables, which is awesome for keeping them in top shape over time—something the Sennheiser HD-25 can’t match as easily.
Dual-Sided Cable: That 1.7m coiled cable with a locking connector can plug into either side, giving you flexibility whether you’re DJing or producing.
USB-C Option: There’s a USB-C headband cable option, which feels so modern and works great with newer devices (Internet Tattoo loved this too).
Noise Isolation: They block out -21 dBA of noise, which is solid for monitoring in loud settings, though over-ear models might do a bit better.
Accessories: You get a 3.5mm to 1/4-inch adapter, a storage pouch, and those color-coded ID rings to keep your cables organized.
One thing I wish they had was a built-in mic out of the box—unless you grab the NTH-Mic separately, they’re not ready for gaming or streaming right away, unlike some other headphones in this price range.
Breaking Down the Competition
Sennheiser HD-25 ($129): These are a total classic in the DJ world, and at 140g, they’re super light with awesome isolation—perfect for live gigs. But their frequency range (16Hz–22kHz) isn’t as wide as the NTH-50’s, and they can sound a bit bass-heavy, which might mess with your studio mixes. They also don’t have the modern features like USB-C or dual-sided cables that the NTH-50 offers.
Rating: 8/10—Amazing for DJing, but not as versatile for studio work.AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ Preset ($145): These are all about modularity and a sustainable design, with a punchy bass that’s great for DJ sets. Their frequency range (20Hz–20kHz) is more limited, though, and the sound isn’t as neutral as the NTH-50, so they’re not the best for critical studio monitoring. Plus, the single-sided cable felt less practical for my dynamic setups.
Rating: 7.5/10—Really solid for DJing, but they fall short for studio accuracy.
My Final Thoughts: Are They Worth It?
After spending some quality time with the Rode NTH-50 headphones, I can say they’re a fantastic all-around choice for DJs, producers, and even content creators like podcasters. The sound is balanced, with deep bass and clear highs, making them a go-to for both studio monitoring and dance music production. They’ve got the SPL and noise isolation to handle live DJing, and I love the modern touches like the dual-sided cable and USB-C option. They’re comfy for long sessions, and the modular design means they’ll last for years. My main gripes? The on-ear design doesn’t isolate as well as over-ear models, and I wish they folded up or came with a hard case for travel—something gigging DJs like me really need.
Rating: 8.5/10
I’m giving the NTH-50 an 8.5 out of 10—they’ve got killer sound, versatility, and value for $99, but they lose a few points for the travel-friendliness and isolation in super loud settings. If you’re a dance music producer or DJ looking for a budget-friendly headphone that can do it all, these are definitely worth checking out.
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