There’s something reassuring about gear that’s made locally, especially from a well-known, established brand like RØDE. The Australian company has built its reputation on designing and manufacturing professional audio equipment, and the NTH-50 Professional On-Ear Headphones keep that tradition going strong.
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While many audio companies have long since moved production overseas, RØDE remains committed to local manufacturing, attention to detail and, most importantly, quality builds.
Evolving from Freedman Electronics, founded by Henry and Astrid Freedman in 1967, RØDE has cemented its name as one of the most respected outfits in professional audio.
What started as a small operation in Sydney repairing and distributing audio gear has transformed into a global behemoth, earning its reputation through professional-grade quality and a relentless drive to innovate.
First gaining traction through their NT1 and NT2 microphones, which became studio staples in the ‘90s, RØDE has been in the game for a long time. They offered professional-quality audio gear at prices that made sense for both commercial studios and home recordists—an ethos that has defined RØDE throughout the years.
Expanding beyond microphones into audio interfaces, wireless systems, and video production tools pushed RØDE into new territory, while staying true to its roots. The same, it can be said, for its impressive headphone range.
RØDE’s latest expansion into studio headphones is the on-ear NTH-50, joining the over-ear NTH-100 in their monitoring lineup. Engineered from the ground up by RØDE’s dedicated headphone innovation team in Germany, and manufactured locally in Sydney, these on-ear headphones are geared toward DJs, sound engineers and creators who require reliable monitoring in challenging environments.
The NTH-50 features a custom-engineered 40mm dynamic driver, housed in an innovative resonant chamber. While that might sound like a bunch of jargon, it’s a pretty important detail. This design delivers impeccable sound clarity, delivering accurate frequency response with ultra-low distortion. What you’ll hear is balanced sound that combines natural bass with detailed mid-range and crisp highs—delivering remarkable clarity across the entire spectrum. Too good.
Passive noise isolation rates -21 dBA, which translates to a huge reduction of external noise without active cancellation technology. This makes a world of difference while monitoring in loud environments and for preventing sound bleed during recording sessions.
High SPL capabilities also mean the NTH-50 can generate impressive volume when necessary. These headphones will still sound pristine when competing with stage volume, street noise, loud chatter—you name it.
Everyone knows that while sound quality is of the utmost importance, comfort matters too. No one wants sore ears.
RØDE has addressed this with a lightweight build and a contoured headband that includes an integrated fontanel (the soft spot at the top of your head) recess. This thoughtful approach distributes pressure evenly and adjusts to different head sizes while remaining comfortable for people who wear glasses. Premium memory foam padding lines the earcups, conforming to the shape of your ears while maintaining breathability to reduce heat build-up.
With the NTH 50s, RØDE continues to show its commitment to longevity. Masterfully crafted to withstand the rigours of daily professional use, whether you’re an engineer, mixer or producer, the NTH-50 has a lightweight feel, that’s complemented by premium aluminium faceplates and a scratch-resistant matte black coating, ensuring supreme durability through regular use. Colour-coded earcup identifiers also assist with quick orientation in low-light environments—a small detail that proves pretty useful during late-night sessions and gigs.
The detachable cable features a locking connector with dual-sided attachment options, providing flexibility for different setups. A premium 1.7m double-coiled monitoring cable comes included, along with a storage pouch and 3.5mm to ¼-inch adapter for professional connectivity.
Owners of NTH-100 accessories will be pleased to know the NTH-50s are compatible with the range, including modular cable options. The optional NTH-Mic can transform the headphones into a broadcast-quality headset for podcasting, streaming and content creation.
The NTH-50s excel in situations where on-ear headphones make more sense than over-ear designs. DJs will benefit from the combination of isolation and the ability to quickly move one cup aside while maintaining the other. The portable form factor and reliable isolation work for sound engineers working in the field. Producers and mixers will value accurate monitoring without the bulk of larger over-ear designs.
RØDE’s commitment to quality continues to be at the forefront of everything they do. With the NTH-50s, they continue to prove that high-quality audio gear can be designed and built locally while remaining competitive globally.
The NTH-50 Professional On-Ear Headphones are available now. Learn more here.