Rode NTH-100 broken hinge disassembly and how to fix (repair guide)

The NTH-100 from Rode is an eye-catching headset with above-average sound, but it broke after four months. While the headband and earcup arm are made from metal. However, the clasp that connects the two is not, and that’s where the fault lies. After a few months of use, the plastic clasp snapped one day as I put the headset on.

The constant swivel of the earcup arm within the clasp and the occasional holding of the headset via a single earcup probably exacerbated the problem. But that’s no different from how I treat other headsets. The only explanation for this is the plastic is too thin and brittle to support the weight of the cup long-term.

It’s a fatal design flaw that could have been easily avoided if Rode had used a more robust material, like metal, for the clasp. The headband and arm are made of metal, so I don’t understand why the clasp isn’t.

While I was able to fix it with superglue, it’s nevertheless a dealbreaker. And with the right clasp beginning to crack, there’s no excusing the broken clasp as faulty.

What’s worse is that this isn’t an isolated incident. Several commenters on this Reddit thread have confirmed the same thing happened to their NTH-100 headsets.

#rode #headphones #repair #nth100

[Avio]

Had the same problem, contacted Rode and they requested me to ship it back to them. But then I thought "Okay, they might repair it but then it'll just break again.. so there's no use". So I just ended up buying some really good strong black tape and taping it all up, which completely fixed it and I hardly notice the tape being there. Also, I didn't want to miss this headphone. I use it every day and it's the best one I've ever had by a long shot. Superb audio and comfort.

[BHPTobias]

Thanks for this video! Perfect fix while waiting for replacement parts. Super unfortunate that this is an issue - the headphones are great otherwise. Took only 2-3 months of extremely light use for mine to break. Beware, folks. This is actually a thing.

[fiddlix]

The exact same thing happened to my NTH-100. It was such a nightmare to deal with Rode’s customer support, I ended up throwing them away and I moved on. If Ride would ever get a handle on this problem I would definitely buy again as I really miss the Rode’s.

[fathnojoum]

same as mine, why not just make the material from aluminum alloy?

[gregtaillon]

Tried this fix but your video spends more time showing the Allen-key than the actual re-assembly, so I have no way of knowing whether I reproduced what you did, but I did not find this was a salvageable method, since the reattached earphone no longer has the same tension on the headband. Did you re-place the plastic cover which acts as a sleeve, as well, or abandon it? It's one of the most common pieces to break, so in 3 of my cases it's not possible to re-use for this purpose.

[rllry]

Happened with my first pair, then paid to ship a warranty replacement. Happened with those as well in a couple of months. Known design defect.

[lauralasottile]

Glad to find you! I was shocked when it broke!!!!

[kmsrog]

well, thanks i watched the video before, i thought i would never needed this. well i am breaking now the not broken part which is harder. thank you. p.s i will just out it here even though the hinge mechanism is broken IT IS STILL usable so, still i put this as positive way.

[Narinjas]

They should offer a free replacement recall if you need, and do the metal locking part on the new headphones, so if you have the plastic locking version you can send it in, broken or not broken, to get the part or headphones replaced. (this fiasco of the fatal flaw keeps me from getting a new headphone since my Mackie MC-450 broke, and i got store credit to either buy the same one or a different one, and i really wish for the rode headphones, but i really want my headphones to last, and not easily broken.)

[Dangeruss]

Mine just cracked after only having them for about a year and using them very lightly since I have other headphones.

[_Ingcom]

I never heard of this issue until mine snapped, just under 2 years old (629 days) - I threw out my box like 2 weeks ago...

[goji_crafter]

This is honestly just embarrassing from Rode. I absolutely love the NTH-100 and would GLADLY re-purchase them if the hinge was only made from metal. I sent my pair back to Rode, and when the new one showed up it didn't even last a week before the hinge broke *again*.

[ceanswave]

Three pairs, 2 new, one a replacement return, all have the same problem.

[pkerry]

why are you bothering to repair this? it comes with a lifetime Rode warranty they literally send you out a new one to replace it no questions asked and thats before you send the old one back in Australia. So you get a replacement in a day.