The M50x aren’t Audio-Technica’s best set of professional headphones, though. They aren’t either of our favourite company pairs. The winner of both awards is the Audio-Technica R70x. Although the R70x have been available for a while, Audio-Technica has made no attempt to advertise them. When you first hear them, you’ll understand why that is because their sound is very different from the well-known Beats tuning of obnoxious bass and enthusiasm. also you can check our article on Audio-Technica ATH-R70x review. The Audio-Technica R70x are the meticulous documentarian meticulously replicating events exactly as they were captured, whereas Beats are the Michael Bay of headphones. The R70x defy long-held beliefs despite the fact that this uncolored sound is relatively less emotional and that it is poorly suited for entertaining casual listeners, as we have previously written. They are neutral and precise enough to be used for serious studio work while also being enjoyable and engaging for amateur listeners.
Design
With its “3D wing support system” in place of the typical headband, the ATH-R70x has a distinctive appearance, but its straightforward design prioritizes low weight and comfort for prolonged studio sessions. They weigh only 210 grammes, which makes them quite light. More on the comfort later. This can be attributed to the materials used; other than the thin headband bow and the aluminum ear cup grilles, all other visible parts are made of plastic. you can read our article on Audio-Technica ATH-R70x review. The build seems far from strong and appears to demand some care while handled, thus this does come at a cost. These don’t feel like headphones you can just toss in a backpack with other items and expect them to be in the same condition later, which may be deceptive. Additionally, the luxurious material used to cover the ear pads attracts dirt and hair just like Alcantara does, so they will need some upkeep to stay clean. How easily the metal sheets on the ear cup grilles that bear the Audio-Technica logo and ATH-R70x model name can be scratched is quite a disappointment. The ATH-unconventional R70x’s headband isn’t its only standout feature; the cable lacks a left and right channel. Any way you connect them to the headphones, the left channel will always be transmitted to the left earcup and the right one to the right, eliminating the possibility of human error. This is accomplished by dividing the channels in the headphones and transmitting a stereo signal to each earcup. The only cable included in the box is a 3-meter straight wire, which might not be the greatest choice for all setups while being a neat feature that restricts aftermarket cable possibilities.
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x review: Comfort
A high level of comfort is another defining characteristic of good reference headphones. The ATH-R70x once more puts on a strong performance. The distinctive headband style will immediately draw attention. However, it isn’t merely for appearances. The “3D Wing Support” system’s spring-loaded resistance is just right for it to stick to your head. But not so much that you feel a piercing in your head from these. Finding the ideal balance is challenging. But this is pretty much perfect. Safe yet incredibly pleasant. These two sections’ padding selections are likewise excellent. In addition to the distinctive headband, the ATH-R70x has fabric ear cushioning. We are both in love and baffled by these at the same time. The comfort factor on these is incredible. They are comfortable, breathable, and give a great head feel. However, the fabric is prone to accumulating debris like hair, dust, and other fluff. To keep them looking sharp, you’ll need to go over them occasionally. Even though it’s a minor issue, it deserves attention. The size of the earcups is the only other aspect worth mentioning. They do tend to be smaller. It might not fit perfectly if you chance to have larger ears. However, they provide the perfect amount of room for a circumaural fit for the majority of people. Uncomfortable headphones have the potential to quickly distract you. The Audio-Technica ATH-R70x is a great option if you want to stay away from that and spend hours in the studio.
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x review: Connectivity
The ATH-R70X headphones from Audio-Technica are described as “Professional Open-Back Reference Headphones.” In other words, they are primarily made for use with studio gear. Additionally, the 470 ohms of resistance serve as a metaphor for the futility of connecting to low-power sources. And this needs to be considered. The ATH-R70X simply cannot “rock,” in the words of some players, Bluetooth receivers of all varieties, portable amplifiers, and even more so smartphones. Denon Ceol N10 and FiiO K5Pro stationary systems served as the primary sources for our recordings. When selecting the R70X, it is important to keep in mind that the headphones are open and there is no sound isolation.
Audio performance
With sensitivity and impedance values of 99dB and 470, respectively, the R70xs can be driven by a low-power source like a USB DAC or laptop headphone output, but anyone wanting to use them at higher volumes will need something with a little more welly. Open-back phones do cause some leakage, as you might expect, but they’re not the worst offenders. The personality of the R70xs is “scooped,” though it differs from that of the M-series phones. Although the high-frequency boost is still audible, it is much more understated than the typical loud treble spike. Fantastic bass: deep, even, clean, with a slight forwardness that never sounds out of balance or overpowering. The mid-range, in contrast, seems pure and uncolored, despite being slightly recessed and soft. also you will learn our article on Audio-Technica ATH-R70x review. The ATH-R70x, however, lacks in two crucial areas. The weakest region that is most noticeably impacted by calibration is the brilliant high frequency rise. Although it’s not as bad as some rivals, like the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro, it is nonetheless audible. The weak low-end response is the other drawback; it is typical of all dynamic open-backs and is on par with the Sennheiser HD 650. Overall, if you’re looking for a serious pair of open-backed headphones for mixing, you should give these a try.
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x review: Price
They aren’t cheap—€300 in Europe and $350 in the US—but they are among the greatest open-back headphones money can buy, so from that standpoint, the price feels appropriate and acceptable. They are more reasonably priced than Sennheiser HD 650 and roughly on level with Sennheiser HD 600 when compared to competitors. Sennheiser x Massdrop HD 58X and 6XX, however, outperform the ATH-R70x in the US in terms of value for money.
Conclusion
We had been waiting for the chance to learn more about the Audio-Technica ATH-R70X, and our patience paid off. The model is quite fascinating. The ATH-R70X’s advantages are its unique design, light weight, thoughtful ergonomics, and detachable cable. However, the sound is ultimately what matters most. We believe that the headphones’ sound delivery is quite universal. They can be used for music listening as well as for professional purposes. We adore the headphones because they are both technologically advanced and have a pleasant, somewhat musical presentation. The ATH-R70X was the first open professional headphone in Audio-Technica’s history, despite the fact that it may not be brand-new. As a result, we advise paying attention to the Audio-Technica ATH-R70X when selecting open headphones in the midrange price range.
