Audio Technica ATH-R70x Review: A Gateway to Soundstage

ATH-R70x Review Introduction

My first headphones, the Audio Technica ATH-A900x, were purchased during a trip to Japan more than seven years ago. Shortly after, Audio Technica unveiled the $350 ATH-R70x, an open-back, neutral alternative to the iconic Sennheiser HD600. Since then, it has consistently been on my wish list for headphones. Thanks to headphones.com, that chance has finally arrived today. Let’s see if the wait was worthwhile.

Build and Comfort:

When I first held the R70x in my hands, I was struck by how light it is. However, because of a carefully considered blend of metal and plastic in its construction, it doesn’t feel at all flimsy. The R70x’s use of Audio Technica’s notorious 3D wing design in lieu of a headband is noteworthy. I think the wing system is excellent here, despite previous criticism that it is ineffectual on some Audio Technica models.

The springs have more than enough tension to prevent the headphones from sagging, especially when paired with their lightweight construction. Good news! No more pressure sores from headbands!

When it comes to comfort, the R70x is excellent. Both the relatively modest clamping force and the light weight are fantastic. In addition, it is one of the more breathable and open-feeling headphones; unlike the HD600, it takes longer for the ears to become uncomfortable. But the cups don’t swivel vertically; they only do it horizontally.

Thus, a little more clamp force is applied to the top of the cups, just above the ears, than to the bottom, giving the headset a firm base on which to rest. The circular cups are a bit on the tiny side, which is noteworthy. Unless you have abnormally big ears, it shouldn’t be an issue for anyone.

I do have one last small complaint with the R70x. There is no exterior indication indicating which side is L or R, even though the left and right are identified on the inside, directly above the cups. There are no raised bumps or color coding. If you want to quickly pick them up and put them on and are unsure if the stereo channels are set correctly, it can be a little annoying.

Frequency Response and Tuning

The ATH-R70x was measured using a GRAS 43AG measuring apparatus, which is industry standard. The Harman target, a reference frequency response created using customer choices, is shown by the dotted black line. The headset in question measures as indicated by the blue line. This effectively illustrates how much the frequency response of the headphones deviates from the intended level. However, keep in mind that the aim is extremely smooth, and a decent headphone sound does not require rigorous adherence to the Harman target.

The graph indicates that the tuning of the ATH-R70x is very neutral-reference. In particular, the upper mids structure is spot on and lends a very organic tone to the vocals. As is common with more reasonably priced open-back headphones, you’ll notice a subbass roll-off below 60 Hz, which prevents the R70x from having a strong bass response. Although I wouldn’t describe the R70x as an extremely airy headset, the upper treble is pleasantly expanded here.

It sounds good, just like the majority of headphones with neutral tuning. It’s actually a completely inoffensive headset, in my opinion. Because of its smoothed-out and somewhat recessed mid-treble, the R70x is a non-fatiguing speaker. The R70x has a little warm tilt to it, which is complemented by a tiny bump in the upper bass and lower mids. I do believe, though, that it also gives the R70x a somewhat vague sound. In my opinion, it would sound sharper if the mid-treble was filled in to match the Harman curve.

Instrument Notes

Drums

The drums are where the R70x’s “undefined” sound is most apparent. In particular, the notes in the kick and toms have a faint bloominess that makes them appear blurry. I’ve heard the audiophile phrase “wooly” used to describe the bass, and while I’m not sure whether I completely agree with it, I can definitely understand why some people would call the R70x that. The R70x is in a bit of a bind because it can’t have a rich, deep bass response because of its subbass roll-off.

However, it also lacks a powerful midbass punch to make up for it. As a result, even though the R70x’s drums are incredibly sensitive and tonally correct, I sometimes find that they sound flat. On the plus side, I don’t really mind hats and cymbals or snares. Perhaps the snare could shatter more quickly, but that’s just my taste. The R70x easily manages the delicate timbre of the hats and cymbals, keeping them from becoming fatigued while preserving the brightness of their notes.

Guitars/Strings

Note definition is a far better problem for the bass guitar. The pluck of each note has adequate impact, even though I do believe the notes should be sharper. It is unable to dig for deep subbass sounds, just like the drums. Both electric and acoustic guitars are played well. They have a touch of warmth and lots of upper mids to enhance the strum of the acoustic guitar or excite electric guitar licks and riffs.

Vocals

Both male and female vocals sound quite nice and easy to listen to because of the R70x’s midrange structure. The R70x’s subdued mid-treble eliminates the possibility of loud or sibilant vocals. To give the vocals more breathiness, I would personally want to hear a little more vitality in the mid-treble range. With the current mix of the recession in the mid treble and the little lower mids bump, vocalists may sound a little stuffy. That must be the price paid for a non-fatiguing experience, I guess.

Presentation

One area where the R70x stands out from its competitors is in its design. For a dynamic driver headphone, it feels incredibly open, more like the HiFiMan egg-shaped planars. The R70x has a more immersive soundstage than a large one. To envelop your head with sound, the R70x adopts a more comprehensive strategy by proportionately expanding height and depth rather than just widening the width. It has a great sense of space.

Its imagery is superior to its soundstage. The R70x’s image capabilities are actually its strongest point, in my opinion. In general, I find that the center image is pushed forward to a point directly between my eyes while using most headphones.

However, the R70x causes the center image to drift outward into the soundstage and be drawn back into the center of my head. As mentioned above, this is what gives the R70x its immersion and is most apparent with vocals. The stereo precision is excellent for instruments that are not directly in the center of the mix. The arrangement of the instruments on the soundstage is extremely subtle and precise. Overall, the impact is logical and organic. It’s immersive once more. Or as far as headphones are concerned.

Regretfully, the R70x’s outstanding stage performance isn’t fully matched by some of its other technological features. Overall, the resolution is rather good, but the R70x’s faint note definition detracts from it. The R70x’s resolving power would feel much more definitive with a clearer sound. The R70x doesn’t go very far in terms of really stacking instruments on top of one another, even though instrument separation is evident. Lastly, dynamic range isn’t optimal. It could sound a bit bland and unimpressive.

Comparisons to the Sennheiser HD600 and HiFiMan Sundara

The HD6X0 and Sundara are the two most well-liked options for the mid-fi market. In my Sundara review, I discussed their differences, and the R70x now suitably joins the group.

With a similarly smoothed-out midrange, the R70x’s tune is more akin to the HD600 than the Sundara. In actuality, the HD650 and R70x graph somewhat similarly, but the HD600 fills in the mid treble a bit more to my liking and flattens off the lower mids.

The R70x is therefore more subdued than the HD600. The Sundara, on the other hand, sacrifices some tone for increased clarity. Compared to the R70x’s more ambiguous bass, the HD600’s midbass punch is noticeably tighter. However, with superior low-end control, the Sundara surpasses both of these dynamic drives. I think the R70x’s treble is the best of the three. The Sundara’s is clear and sharp, but it sounds crystalline and could be exhausting. It seems like the HD600s might get cluttered at times. The R70x is the least taxing of them all and achieves a good compromise between the two.

The Sundara is superior in practically every aspect of technical performance. Although the HD600 and R70x are in a much closer race, I believe the HD600 wins because of its crisper sound. But the staging is the one area where the R70x comfortably wins. The HD600’s setup is essentially the epitome of the closed-in, three-blob headphone experience. The R70x’s soundstage and superb imaging allow it to sound open and immersive, while the Sundara goes up a notch, but it still falls short.

Bottom line

Tonality: HD600 >= R70x > Sundara

Technical Performance: Sundara > HD600 > R70x

Staging: R70x >> Sundara > HD600

Remember that all three headphones are excellent value for the money. Even though I might give one headphone a higher rating than another in some categories, it’s more about degrees than drastic gains. Instead of only concentrating on sound quality, think about your unique use case and whether any features meet your requirements. The R70x would be my pick if you’re searching for a very cozy headphone with excellent staging that you can use for longer periods of time, as during lengthy gaming sessions.

If you can overlook some of the Sundara’s timbral blunders, I think it has the best sound quality. If soundstage isn’t a big deal to you, the HD600 is the safest choice. I would, however, go toward the R70x if you were choosing between the HD650 and the R70x.