Rode NTH-100 Headphones vs Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones
Get the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones, narrowly. The Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones wins Isolation, but only just, and the rest of the chart...
The Ruling
Rode NTH-100 Headphones or Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones? Get the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones, narrowly.
The Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones wins Isolation — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is the pricier of the two at $549, so the Rode NTH-100 Headphones stays the pick if $390 matters more than those specs.
At a Glance
Where each one actually leads
Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.
| Category | Rode NTH-100 Headphones | Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Low-End Reach | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| High-End Reach | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Isolation | 0/10 | 10/10 |
| Value | 10/10 | 2.9/10 |
The Split
What each one wins
Rode NTH-100 Headphones
Studio-style over-ear headphones with a detachable analog cable for monitoring and console controller audio.
It gives up active noise cancelling to the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones. It is the cheaper of the two, by $390.00.
Leads on
- Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones
Listening solution for creator monitoring, gaming, editing, and long-session comfort.
On paper the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones takes active noise cancelling (Yes). It concedes nothing measurable on the sheet. That costs $390.00 more than the Rode NTH-100 Headphones.
Leads on
-
Active Noise CancellingYesNo
ANC cancels steady background noise — useful for editing in a room you do not control.
Where they’re identical
These 3 specs are the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.
- Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz
- Fit Over-ear
- Enclosure Closed-back
The Record
14 specs, grouped by area
A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.
Bottom Line
Who each one is for
The Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Rode NTH-100 Headphones and Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones?
The clearest difference is active noise cancelling, which the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones has and the Rode NTH-100 Headphones does not. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 1 spec. They match on 3 specs, including frequency response, fit and enclosure. Two headphones from Rode and Apple, each taking a different approach to sound signature and comfort for long sessions.
Which is better for streaming, Rode NTH-100 Headphones or Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones?
Get the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones, narrowly. The Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones wins Isolation — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is the pricier of the two at $549, so the Rode NTH-100 Headphones stays the pick if $390 matters more than those specs.
What do the Rode NTH-100 Headphones and Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones have in common?
Both share 3 specifications in the catalog, including frequency response (20Hz-20kHz), fit (Over-ear) and enclosure (Closed-back). None of those is a reason to pick one over the other.
Is the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones worth the extra $390 over the Rode NTH-100 Headphones?
The Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones costs $549.00 against $159.00, a difference of $390. The premium buys active noise cancelling (Yes). Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.