Australian audio manufacturer Røde has launched its first on-ear headphones, the NTH-50, marking the company’s entry into the DJ and studio headphone market. At US$149/£99, these position themselves directly against established DJ favourites like the Sennheiser HD-25s and AIAIAI’s modular range.
The NTH-50s feature a 40mm dynamic driver housed in what Røde calls a “revolutionary resonant chamber” – their term for an acoustic design that promises to deliver deep bass while maintaining clarity across the frequency spectrum. With a claimed frequency response of 5Hz to 35kHz and sensitivity of 117dB SPL at 1V RMS, the specifications suggest these are built to go loud enough for DJing.
For DJs, other relevant features include dual-sided cable attachment (allowing you to run the cable from either ear), a locking connector to prevent accidental disconnections during performances, and 21dBA of passive noise isolation. The headphones use standard 3.5mm connections with a 1/4″ adaptor included, and the 32Ω impedance means they’ll work well with DJ mixers, controllers, and interfaces without requiring additional amplification.
First Thoughts
What’s interesting here is Røde’s positioning. The company has built its reputation on broadcast gear – we’ve been using their mics for years at Digital DJ Tips – and this move into headphones makes sense given their existing audio expertise. The on-ear design puts them in direct competition with the HD-25s, which have been a DJ standard for decades.
The modular construction is noteworthy. Like AIAIAI’s TMA-2 system, the NTH-50s feature replaceable ear cushions, head cushion, and cables. This matters for working DJs who put their gear through heavy use – being able to replace worn parts rather than buying new headphones entirely is both economical and practical.
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Røde’s inclusion of a lifetime warranty is bold, though we’ll have to see how this holds up against the realities of DJ use. The dual-sided cable attachment is a nice touch that many DJs will appreciate, allowing you to route the cable away from your mixing hand and so on, depending on your set-up.
Pricing and availability
The NTH-50s are available now for $149 directly from Røde and authorised retailers. The package includes headphones, storage pouch, 3.5mm to 1/4″ adaptor, detachable cable, and a “Colors ID set” for personalisation.
More info on Røde’s website here.
