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Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Review (Headphone)

Rate this headphone:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 20 8.7%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 96 41.7%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 68 29.6%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 46 20.0%

  • Total voters
    230
I find R70X very comfortable, I use them for mixing and I can wear them non stop for many hours without any problems. Those wings were a bit strange to see at first, but they hold them in place, cups are large enough for me personally but I do not have big ears, also I can feel my left ear touching the inner mesh as well, just I do not find it problematic.
The fact that many people say they are very uncomfortable is a good reason to call this extremely subjective.

As for the frequency response and EQ, I agree but I also see two problems with giving the users the responsibility to do what the manufacturer should have done in the first place:
First, not all devices have a proper EQ, especially android phones are tricky, and when bringing the headphones to another place to work there should be an EQ to match the curve, for example another studio or whatever.
And second, measuring headphones precisely is close to impossible, so even the experienced people like me who used the EQ for decades can have a problem with tuning the headphones properly as this is all done manually. I tried all those available measurements for R70X, the calculated EQ is so different between them, not to mention that majority does not sound correct.

I do not like high distortion in low frequencies, also spare parts are difficult to source from AT, but not impossible. Mainly the cups, which are mostly ok but they use some faux leather, a plastic coating which peals off very soon after you start wearing them and this is really annoying.
 
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A fair assessment. The pads are slightly too small meaning the back edge presses on my ear flaps rather than sitting behind. These are more "on ear" than "over ear".

Inoffensive sound but really need a desktop amp and aren't priced competitively.

Anyone want to buy a pair? :rolleyes:
You still selling a pair?
 
Just caught that Maude Technical is releasing an open version of their classic M50X via the R series called ATH-R50X.
Looks like a single sided cable thing without the hammock styled headband but otherwise seems to mirror the new R70XA design.
1737669038099.png

I caught a review (headphonecheck) with a frequency response which is somewhat basic in appearance, but this site also has a measurement of the R70XA which makes things a little easier to grok. The latter pretty much looks like the old R70X whereas I personally think the R50X will be the superior sounding can….at 159$ no less. Colour me intrigued.
IMG_2745.png

IMG_2744.png
 
Just caught that Maude Technical is releasing an open version of their classic M50X via the R series called ATH-R50X.
Looks like a single sided cable thing without the hammock styled headband but otherwise seems to mirror the new R70XA design.
View attachment 423364
I caught a review (headphonecheck) with a frequency response which is somewhat basic in appearance, but this site also has a measurement of the R70XA which makes things a little easier to grok. The latter pretty much looks like the old R70X whereas I personally think the R50X will be the superior sounding can….at 159$ no less. Colour me intrigued.
View attachment 423365
View attachment 423366

Very intrigued too - I’m still on the hunt for my perfect lightweight and affordable open back!
 
Of course… just bought the R70x a few weeks ago

Very interested in this though… hope it matches the excellent imaging and soundstage of the R70x. Maybe it’ll have slightly bigger ear pads. Very interesting!
 
Bummer…
The one thing I was really hoping for with these new releases was a tad roomier pads, but it would seem that Maude Technical merely are using the same as on the old R70X.
Pics from Headcase:
IMG_2746.jpeg

IMG_2747.jpeg
 
Bummer…
The one thing I was really hoping for with these new releases was a tad roomier pads, but it would seem that Maude Technical merely are using the same as on the old R70X.
Pics from Headcase:
View attachment 423481
View attachment 423482

Me too, but maybe with the new headband it won’t be as much of a problem and will be a little more comfortable. The wings do place the pads in some less than comfortable positions at times.
 
Of course… just bought the R70x a few weeks ago

Very interested in this though… hope it matches the excellent imaging and soundstage of the R70x. Maybe it’ll have slightly bigger ear pads. Very interesting!
Seek no more. The Philips Fidelio X2 HR is pretty much the best buy if you want an affordable and reliable open back.
 
The Philips Fidelio X2 HR is pretty much the best buy if you want an affordable and reliable open back
Too bad there are no original pads available as spare parts... in fact there are no spare parts available at all.
 
Too bad there are no original pads available as spare parts... in fact there are no spare parts available at all.
A new X2HR with new pads on sale costs less than new pads alone from boutique headphone companies! :) original earpad prices are absolutely insane. Shame on headphone companies!
 
R50x looks like a better buy, no more 3d wing crappy headband, visually very RX-ish design, single sided cable, cheaper than hd560s msrp, wonder if it's nice and non-fatiguing after 3+ hours of listening
 
Looks like the cups of the R50X have no swivel (just like the R70X).
 
If I recall correctly, I think the R50x are using the same driver design as the R70x. I’m pretty sure I read that somewhere but can’t remember where now!
1739576113466.png

Audio-Technica themselves posted that, and even the impedance curve looks exactly like R70x and R70xa when it comes to shape.
 
View attachment 428725
Audio-Technica themselves posted that, and even the impedance curve looks exactly like R70x and R70xa when it comes to shape.
I tested out the R70xa and didn’t care for it. They murdered the soundstage and imaging of the original R70x, so here’s hoping the R50x is something special.

I know the review embargo is up on these tomorrow, so hopefully we get some good info.
 
Weird, but I'd trust Sai's more as he has a legitimate 43AG, whereas gadgetrytech uses a clone 711, which is a coupler that already produces weird results with OEs.
Didn't know that. Thank you.
R70xa seems flatter and more even across the board. R50x has a bit more bass and those treble peaks at 4-6kHz and 11kHz are definitely more hyped. Basically, R70xa is like a refined, smoother version of the R50x, less bassy and less peaky in the highs.
For $150 R50x might be a good deal.
 
Weird, but I'd trust Sai's more as he has a legitimate 43AG, whereas gadgetrytech uses a clone 711, which is a coupler that already produces weird results with OEs.
Looks like they use a KB006x pinna judging by the DF targets provided which is a bigger issue.
 
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