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THE TRIPLE REVIEW
That photo above is basically my entire audio life hanging off a microphone stand. Three pairs of headphones, all used regularly, all for completely different purposes. I am not someone who buys gear and lets it sit. Everything on that stand gets used, everything has a specific job, and I have opinions about all of it.
From left to right: the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M 80 ohm, the Sony WH-1000XM4, and the Rode NTH-100M. All three have been on aeroplanes. All three live on this stand. None of them are going anywhere.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 M 80 Ohm: The Serious One
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 M is the one I reach for when I actually want to hear what something sounds like. Music reviews, critical listening, anything where I need the headphones to get out of the way and just show me the truth. They are not the most glamorous or the most convenient, but they are the pair that earns their place every single time.
Tech Specs
| Type | Closed-back, circumaural, dynamic |
| Impedance | 80 ohm |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz to 35,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB SPL |
| Noise attenuation | 35 dBA, designed for drummers and FOH monitoring |
| Ear pads | Pleather, not velour. Different to the standard DT 770 Pro. |
| Cable | 3m straight, single-sided, fixed |
| Weight | 346g including cable |
| Made in | Germany |
The Sound
The DT 770 M is the M variant specifically, and it sounds different from the standard DT 770 Pro in ways that matter. Where the Pro (especially the 80 ohm version) is tuned with a pronounced bass boost, the M version is considerably more balanced and neutral. The low end is tighter and more controlled, the midrange is more present, and the overall character leans analytical rather than fun. Guitars, synths, vocals and strings come through with real clarity because the mids are not getting swamped by the bottom end.
The treble is crisp and extended. Classic Beyerdynamic, which means genuinely detailed but with the characteristic brightness this brand is known for. I use these with a DAC and a wired connection for any serious listening. Without amplification they are still perfectly usable at 80 ohm, but with a DAC they are a fundamentally different and significantly better experience.
The soundstage for a closed-back headphone is genuinely impressive. Wide, layered and spatially convincing in a way that many closed-backs cannot manage. Listening to a well-recorded album on these through a DAC is about as close as you can get to speaker listening in a headphone.
The Cable Is Three Metres Long. This Matters.
A full three metres of cable, single-sided entry on the left ear, straight rather than coiled. This sounds like a small thing and it is not. At a desk where the DAC is not immediately next to you, a 1.2m cable is a source of constant frustration. The 3m cable lets you move, lean back, reach for a coffee, turn around, all without the cable pulling at your head or unplugging itself. Genuine, unglamorous, practical kudos.
Build and Comfort
The M variant uses pleather ear pads rather than the velour found on the standard DT 770 Pro. This contributes to the superior 35 dBA isolation, which is exceptional. Made in Germany, built to outlast most of what surrounds it on a desk, and the ear pads and headband padding are both replaceable when they eventually wear.
Sony WH-1000XM4: The Daily Driver
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is the pair I reach for without thinking. Music on, out the door, on the plane, in a café, working from home. They are the pair that answers every vague need quickly and reliably, and they do it brilliantly.
Tech Specs
| Type | Wireless, closed-back, over-ear with ANC |
| Driver | 40mm dynamic |
| Frequency response | 4 Hz to 40,000 Hz wireless, 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz wired |
| Battery (ANC on) | 30 hours |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, multipoint (2 devices) |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Foldable | Yes, into included case |
| Weight | 254g |
The Sound
The XM4 has a warm, V-shaped sound signature. Bass is prominent and satisfying without overwhelming, the mids sit slightly recessed, the treble is present but not harsh. A tuning designed for enjoyment rather than to flatter audiophiles, and it succeeds completely at that job. For pop, hip hop, electronic music, podcasts, film scores and anything else day-to-day, the XM4 sounds full, rich and involving.
The active noise cancellation is genuinely excellent for a headphone of this vintage. On flights it handles engine drone with the kind of authority that makes long-haul travel significantly less exhausting. The 30-hour battery life with ANC on is class-leading at this price.
The Best Headphones for Travel
Of these three, the Sony is the clear winner for travel and it is not close. The fold mechanism plus included semi-rigid case means you can put them in a bag without worrying about them. They have been on flights to Sweden, through the Netherlands, to Scotland and back. They have never let me down on the road.
On the WH-1000XM6: Why I Am Not Upgrading
Sony released the WH-1000XM6 in May 2025 and by most objective measures they are better headphones. In person, they feel flimsy. The XM4 has a slightly more substantial feel in the hand and on the head. At around £199 versus £400 for the XM6, you are getting around 85 to 90% of the performance for half the price. When mine eventually die I may revisit, but they are showing absolutely no signs of doing so.
Rode NTH-100M: The Gaming One
The Rode NTH-100M started life as studio headphones (the NTH-100) and became a headset when Rode added the detachable boom microphone. The result is unusual: professional audio quality in a gaming headset form factor, without any of the RGB lighting, surround sound gimmicks or excessive bass boosting that most gaming headsets use to justify their price.
Tech Specs
| Type | Closed-back, over-ear, wired |
| Drivers | Custom-matched 40mm dynamic |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz to 35,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 ohm |
| Microphone | Detachable NTH-Mic boom, omnidirectional |
| Ear cushions | Memory foam with Alcantara and CoolTech gel |
| Headband | Stainless spring steel with FitLok |
| Modular | Yes, all parts user-replaceable |
The Sound
The NTH-100M has a warm, full sound signature with a wider-than-expected soundstage. The bass is powerful without dominating, the midrange is warm and smooth, and the treble is rolled off rather than aggressive. For gaming this character is excellent. The soundstage means you can position enemies and environmental audio accurately, the bass gives explosions appropriate weight, and the warm signature means extended sessions are not fatiguing.
The microphone is broadcast-quality, attaches via twist-and-lock, and is shockingly good for a detachable. It makes my voice sound like my voice, without the thinness or compression of cheap boom mics on gaming headsets.
Build Quality
This is where the Rode earns its price. Stainless spring steel headband, Alcantara fabric over the memory foam ear cushions, CoolTech gel embedded in the pads to dissipate heat. Every component is modular and user-replaceable. The FitLok system locks the earcups in position once you have found your fit, so you get the same position every single time. After a few months of use this feels essential.
The Full Picture: Which Does What
| Beyerdynamic | Sony XM4 | Rode | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.2 |
| Sound | Neutral, analytical | Warm, V-shaped | Warm, wide |
| Wireless | No | Yes | No |
| ANC | No (35 dBA passive) | Yes, leading | No (20 dBA passive) |
| Travel | Cumbersome | Ideal | Bulky |
| Gaming | No | No mic | Excellent |
| Critical listening | Excellent with DAC | Good | Warm signature |
| Approx. price | ~£149 | ~£199 | ~£199 |
The Honest Conclusion
If I had to keep just one, it would be the Sony because it covers the most ground. But that would be the wrong answer to the wrong question. These three headphones are not competing with each other. They each have a specific job and they each do it better than either of the others could.
The Beyerdynamic for when I need to actually hear something properly. Wired, through a DAC, no distractions. That 3m cable is one of my favourite things about any piece of audio equipment I own.
The Sony for everything else. Quick, wireless, foldable, brilliant noise cancelling, sounds great for casual listening. Right for 80% of headphone use and the only sensible travel choice of the three.
The Rode for gaming. The warmth works for long sessions, the imaging is accurate, the boom mic actually sounds like a real microphone, and the build quality means these are going to last.
Three headphones. Three jobs. None of them redundant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M different from the DT 770 Pro?
Yes, meaningfully so. The M variant is designed for drummers and live engineers who need maximum noise attenuation (35 dBA versus the Pro’s lower isolation). It uses pleather rather than velour ear pads, has a more neutral sound signature with less exaggerated bass, and the same 3m straight cable. If you want analytical listening with excellent isolation, the M is the better choice.
Do you need a DAC with the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M?
At 80 ohm you do not technically need one. But a DAC makes a significant difference, adding body, control and detail. If you are buying these for critical listening, a DAC is worth the extra investment. A basic but capable option like the FiiO E10K is perfectly matched to the 80 ohm impedance.
Is the Sony WH-1000XM4 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes. The XM6 is objectively better in several areas, but at around £199 versus £400 for the XM6, the XM4 offers exceptional value. The ANC is still competitive, the sound is excellent, and the build feels more substantial than the newer model.
Are the Rode NTH-100M good for music as well as gaming?
Yes, genuinely. The warm sound signature works well for music, particularly hip hop, electronic and pop. The microphone is detachable, so if you are not gaming you can simply remove it and use them as standard headphones.
More from the Home Studio
The headphones are only one part of the desk. For the microphone side of the setup:
- My Home Studio Mic Setup: the three mics on my desk and what each one is for
- Razer Seiren V3 Mini vs Rode NT-USB+: the honest upgrade story from someone who used both
- Best USB Microphones Under £200: five mics tested for podcasting, voiceover and streaming
- Best Wireless Lavalier Microphones UK: five wireless lav systems for filming on the move
- Rode NT-USB+ vs Rode NT-USB Mini: which one to actually buy
