Audio Technica ATH-R70x Professional Open Back Reference Headphones

wanted to change up my pc gaming audio after my Beyerdynamic DT990 250ohs crapped themselves after only 6 months, which dont get me wrong where amazing headphones for gaming audio and id recommend them to anyone for the price. after some research i stumbled across the ath-r70x and saw nothing but mesmerized costumers and 5 star reviews with the odd 4.5 because bob lives in china under china and had to wait an extra week for shipping. these are so worth the extra money, i have found myself spending most of my time not even gaming and just listening to all my music on spotify because the perfect crisp sound these give is just too far ahead of anything ive heard before, its like listening to each song for the first time again. 5 stars in every aspect... thankyou!

A true gem

Decided to buy these cans after scouring through endless articles and reviews of several headphones including the Sundara and the Sennheiser HD 600/650/660 series. Admittedly I have a slight bias towards the Audio Technica brand since I also own the M50x. Despite that, I was pleasantly surprised by how good these cans sound even without fiddling around with the EQ. The sound stage is wide enough and the tonality is pretty warm to set you up for long listening sessions without too much fatigue. The fatigue which does build up is entirely due to the stock pads which are totally inadequate. The overall build quality is very sturdy despite its looks. Audio Technica has never let me down with the quality and consistency of its headphones. If you are looking for some good ... MoreDecided to buy these cans after scouring through endless articles and reviews of several headphones including the Sundara and the Sennheiser HD 600/650/660 series. Admittedly I have a slight bias towards the Audio Technica brand since I also own the M50x. Despite that, I was pleasantly surprised by how good these cans sound even without fiddling around with the EQ. The sound stage is wide enough and the tonality is pretty warm to set you up for long listening sessions without too much fatigue. The fatigue which does build up is entirely due to the stock pads which are totally inadequate. The overall build quality is very sturdy despite its looks. Audio Technica has never let me down with the quality and consistency of its headphones. If you are looking for some good beginner cans and are willing to swap out the stock pads then these cans are the best value proposition in the sub 25k range.

Almost dead Neutral

These are probably the most neutral headphones in their price range - I’d say a bit more than HD 6xx too. Bass goes lower. Just needs a slight (2.5 db or so) cut from around 175 hz and a bit of boost at 4500 and 10000 hz. And you are pretty much dead neutral from 50-15000 hz. You can boost subbass and upper treble if you like for true neutral 10 octaves.Apart from the tonality, pretty good speed and dynamics, attacks are realistically fast, unlike say e-stats or something like the Utopia, very accurate imaging and image size scales up and down with volume very well, moderate sound staging for open cans, excellent if they were closed back. Cannot fault the sound. Bass is clean and fast - not as much as a planar, but these are not planars. Mids are unimpeachable but ... MoreThese are probably the most neutral headphones in their price range - I’d say a bit more than HD 6xx too. Bass goes lower. Just needs a slight (2.5 db or so) cut from around 175 hz and a bit of boost at 4500 and 10000 hz. And you are pretty much dead neutral from 50-15000 hz. You can boost subbass and upper treble if you like for true neutral 10 octaves.Apart from the tonality, pretty good speed and dynamics, attacks are realistically fast, unlike say e-stats or something like the Utopia, very accurate imaging and image size scales up and down with volume very well, moderate sound staging for open cans, excellent if they were closed back. Cannot fault the sound. Bass is clean and fast - not as much as a planar, but these are not planars. Mids are unimpeachable but with a very slight midbass boost, which you can cut out of you don’t like the added warmth. Treble is clean and extended with no metallic timbre often caused by high Q drivers which tend to have a longer decay in certain frequencies. These are ‘keep it real’ headphones.Super lightweight and comfortable - fit all manner of heads. Earlobes get a bit squished but the lightness and moderate clamping pressure make it worthwhile. Cable’s not the best feeling but seems sturdy and is plenty long for everything. This are anyway not meant to be portable cans so don’t think you really need a short cable.Possibly one of the finest value reference headphones. You’d probably have to spend a large multiple of the R70x’s price to get what it offers. Highly recommended as a pair of true audiophile headphones.

Favorite Audiophile purchase yet!

After so many purchases from headphones like DT 900 Pro X, B&O H4 to IEMs like ikko oh10, aria, fh3, tri i3 pro, mele x HBB , tin t2+, tin t3+ etc. I have finally found the sound I was looking for.The general sound signature for this hp is extremely neutral with a slight tilt of warmth. Mids a little forward in the mix , which is kinda new to me cuz even with other audiophile gear I own the mids always takes a back seat but not here, the vocals are sound really lovely on these.The best thing about these hp is that you can probably wear these for hours without any kind of fatigue. They are extremely light so that helps too but it's more due to their smooth treble response.These are also very forgiving to badly produced recordings, ex. a lot of metal ... MoreAfter so many purchases from headphones like DT 900 Pro X, B&O H4 to IEMs like ikko oh10, aria, fh3, tri i3 pro, mele x HBB , tin t2+, tin t3+ etc. I have finally found the sound I was looking for.The general sound signature for this hp is extremely neutral with a slight tilt of warmth. Mids a little forward in the mix , which is kinda new to me cuz even with other audiophile gear I own the mids always takes a back seat but not here, the vocals are sound really lovely on these.The best thing about these hp is that you can probably wear these for hours without any kind of fatigue. They are extremely light so that helps too but it's more due to their smooth treble response.These are also very forgiving to badly produced recordings, ex. a lot of metal music.This hp really plays well with my extensive music library, which consists of metal, art pop, indie music, rock , hip-hop , instrumentals and everything in between. And I couldn't be more happy with this purchase.For reference:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3L2xUaMgc0hUt3dXwUiLTo?si=4acskriuTwy-cr5jilaNKg&utm_source=copy-linkhttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/1qnXlosDQGYMIkAiCwDBUs?si=vr3ZcwaNSLamMeEx8XYkhQ&utm_source=copy-link

Feels like I’m hearing music for the first time.

As a music producer and mixing engineer, hearing all frequencies across the spectrum is essential. These headphones do an absolutely stellar job at reproducing the same while maintaining a flat response.The highs are sweet and non brittle, the mids are punchy and the bass is controlled and tight.Coming a from a pair of Audio Technical ATH-M50x, these feel like a drastic improvement. With my previous headphones, my ears would begin to ring post long mixing hours. These have definitely been a live saver!Will recommend to anyone who wants an immersive audio experience.

Flagship monitors for 21k?!

Guys, mark my word and go for these "end game" cans. A pair of "Made in Japan" flagship studio Monitors from a storied house of music is a steal even at the usual 24k. These are also driven comfortably from aging smartphones, forget the usual laptops etc. Comfort and ergonomics are unparalleled. Vocals are smooth and separation is lovely, I did'nt even realise that certain instruments were used in some songs before hearing it through the R70X. Styling is very cool what with the 3d wings and honeycomb openback structure and cool headband etc. Very industrial chic. Speaking of looks, its also compact enough to carry around and sound leakage is barely noticeable, which is great for office and outdoor usage. It comes with massive cables to plug into professional ... MoreGuys, mark my word and go for these "end game" cans. A pair of "Made in Japan" flagship studio Monitors from a storied house of music is a steal even at the usual 24k. These are also driven comfortably from aging smartphones, forget the usual laptops etc. Comfort and ergonomics are unparalleled. Vocals are smooth and separation is lovely, I did'nt even realise that certain instruments were used in some songs before hearing it through the R70X. Styling is very cool what with the 3d wings and honeycomb openback structure and cool headband etc. Very industrial chic. Speaking of looks, its also compact enough to carry around and sound leakage is barely noticeable, which is great for office and outdoor usage. It comes with massive cables to plug into professional equipment and home stereos but I'd have preferred a smaller cable for daily use. Will probably get one sometime.

Grab then before they run out!

Launched 7 years back, these are going for a pretty good price at HPZ and probably / understandably at the end of their lifecycle / due upgrade. Although my guess is that a upgraded product could be1. More expensive2. Of lower incremental Return on Additional Investment beyond the price at which they are available now. (& imo cheapest on HPZ than anywhere!)So if you are on the fence to buy that Open Back - It is a great time to step into that world with a top grade product from AT.Now there are various ways you can drive this (although with am impedance of 470ohms you need a decent amp to get them to run @potential!) and I will be testing them on all possible combinations of HP DACAMPS but here is an interesting bit to start with....Right up the bat, I opened ... MoreLaunched 7 years back, these are going for a pretty good price at HPZ and probably / understandably at the end of their lifecycle / due upgrade. Although my guess is that a upgraded product could be1. More expensive2. Of lower incremental Return on Additional Investment beyond the price at which they are available now. (& imo cheapest on HPZ than anywhere!)So if you are on the fence to buy that Open Back - It is a great time to step into that world with a top grade product from AT.Now there are various ways you can drive this (although with am impedance of 470ohms you need a decent amp to get them to run @potential!) and I will be testing them on all possible combinations of HP DACAMPS but here is an interesting bit to start with....Right up the bat, I opened the box and plugged it into my (right in front) gaming dac amp (SoundblasterX) not expecting much. Now creative has legacy of its own in the sound space esp on the gaming front and some of the best PC amps (opinions on whether they are evolving is split...but i digress), so while the amp had its capabilities tested for gaming and a rating that, on paper, could drive this...I was still apprehensive...But boy! No EQ, Just PnP, Straight Cable from the box in the 3.5, cranked to top volume ( not expecting much like I said) with audio playing from Tidal (& Apple later), I almost jumped out of my seat! It was LOUD! But so crisp that I almost felt if what's inside that little Creative USB DACAMP is repacked into a more Audiophile skin, it could give some of the USB DACAMPs stiff competition!As for the R70x's - Every review here has spoken about, how right out of the box, these are a really good first open back put forward by AT with a very respectable soundstage (I am choosing my words carefully, don't get it wrong, there are some very expansive HPs out there so one has to level expectations) but for what you pay, these are SUPER. where these are obvious standouts is the Balance, Neutral, Composed, Crisp Audio Performance. The Layering Projection and Imaging as well is absolutely FANTASTIC. There are sounds you will hear at levels and distance that you wouldn't have probably got from any consumer type set-up.My current favourite reference track right now is Thagiyan from Coke Studio and how I wished I could carry these for my very frequent travels vs the bose 700 ANC!Some of you are probably on the fence between this and Sundara and while there are many comparisons online that will guide you, my friend (who is the true audiophile amongst us) has the Sundara's and they too are the best Bang for Buck HPs to step into the Open back world (& that too Planar Magnetics) territory but this is a F1 type close finish. A tenth may be a thousandth of a second to the finish line! Where that difference is on the Soundstage (planar's slightly better) but Imaging / Crispness and Overall Composition I liked AT better. Again opinions are subjective so don't go by reviews but listen to both as no pair of human ears are the same...! Listen to both on the same amp. But the one thing I will tell you is that you will not go wrong on either!As all reviewers agree - HPZ is surprisingly efficient! These came in less than 48 hours!

Marvelous sound !

It is so light as if nothing on your head ! Now I connect it from Samsung s20plus and I am amazed and mesmerized by the sweet melodious sound . Absolutely crystal clear , totally balanced sound with velvety vocal. Sound is similar to M50x but more balanced and cleaner and sweeter.. The sound is so good that one can hear for long hours without ear fatigue. If someone is searching for perfect headphone then this is the perfect headphone. Remember I m listening it direct from mobile yet it is sounding flawless. It beats sennheiser HD 598 599 etc. Superb design and very comfortable. After hearing this is difficult to choose another headphones. Bass, treble, mids all perfect and clean. And yes , it is made in Japan. Highly recommended. Thanks headphonezone.in for ... MoreIt is so light as if nothing on your head ! Now I connect it from Samsung s20plus and I am amazed and mesmerized by the sweet melodious sound . Absolutely crystal clear , totally balanced sound with velvety vocal. Sound is similar to M50x but more balanced and cleaner and sweeter.. The sound is so good that one can hear for long hours without ear fatigue. If someone is searching for perfect headphone then this is the perfect headphone. Remember I m listening it direct from mobile yet it is sounding flawless. It beats sennheiser HD 598 599 etc. Superb design and very comfortable. After hearing this is difficult to choose another headphones. Bass, treble, mids all perfect and clean. And yes , it is made in Japan. Highly recommended. Thanks headphonezone.in for providing it to listeners.

Not an audiophile but I listen to a lot of music and I love these headphones!

I have been using these headphones for a few months now and I absolutely love them. Some reviews seem to suggest that these headphones are fragile - they really aren't. I know i should take better care of things but I don't. I toss these around all the time and have even travelled with them squishing the wires - they still sound great. They aren't flimsy - just super lightweight and comfortable to wear for hours at s stretch.Sound - I listen to a wide variety of music. Anything with vocals or just instruments (acoustic, classical) etc. sounds absolutely heavenly on these. Can't imagine a better sound for that stuff. I also listen to compositions with weird electronic sounds or music that incorporates non-musical sounds like the sounds of random objects - so stuff ... MoreI have been using these headphones for a few months now and I absolutely love them. Some reviews seem to suggest that these headphones are fragile - they really aren't. I know i should take better care of things but I don't. I toss these around all the time and have even travelled with them squishing the wires - they still sound great. They aren't flimsy - just super lightweight and comfortable to wear for hours at s stretch.Sound - I listen to a wide variety of music. Anything with vocals or just instruments (acoustic, classical) etc. sounds absolutely heavenly on these. Can't imagine a better sound for that stuff. I also listen to compositions with weird electronic sounds or music that incorporates non-musical sounds like the sounds of random objects - so stuff like Matmos, Yosi Horikawa, Four Tet etc also sounds really really good on these.The only genre that doesn't do quite so well is stuff like Techno- - anything that requires a slamming heavy bass. But even then its not bad - just not great. But overall a very versatile headphone.I couldn't be happier with this purchase. 10/10 recommend.

Read This If You Crave For Mids

This headphone has the following characteristics:* Deep and clear bass, not muffled* Mids might feel a bit lacking, but you need a headphone amp to really drive it* Treble is gentle and warmIf you want to use this for mastering, then you must know how Sennheiser HD660 sounds like. I would use the latter for mastering, if these are my only 2 choices. For listening to music, this works really well for me. Does not tire my ears, decent enough fit. Being open back, they do leak a lot of sound.