ATH-R70X:
https://goo.gl/XuuEpf
ATH-M50X ($148):
https://goo.gl/Zmr6CM
ATH-M20X ($49):
https://goo.gl/DiBQvU
Audio Interaces that power the headphones well:
Audient ID44: https://goo.gl/wX9aCC
Audient ID4: https://goo.gl/DiXdwX
Audient ID14: https://goo.gl/96Wywf
Quickly grow your YouTube channel: https://www.tubebuddy.com/Erickson
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My Gear: https://www.amazon.com/shop/noblechief627
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Audio Technica has a rock-solid reputation in the world of headphones, in more recent years their ATH-M50Xs have become one of the most beloved and recommended headphones across the entire internet, the success of which has led to the vast popularity of the entire AT series. Audio Technica’s flagship open-back reference pair, the ATH R70X, caught my attention while on the hunt for some high-end cans that offered a flat signal for editing voiceover tracks, while simultaneously offering a premium audiophile-grade listening experience. So, how do the R70Xs compare to the ever popular M50Xs, and are these reference headphones worth their steep price tag of $350? Allow me to explain.
The R70Xs are a premium experience through and through. The patented “3d wing support system” means the headband never needs adjusting and simply slips onto your head. Your milage may vary with fit but the pair fits comfortably on my head. This headband, paired with the unit’s extremely light weight lead to the single most comfortable listening experience I’ve had with any headphones. In a sense, it almost doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything. The earcups are made of a pleasantly soft fabric, and fit snugly around the ears but never felt too tight. Compared to the M50Xs, these are far more comfortable and never leave me with any sense of ear fatigue like I experience with most other headphones. For long hours of editing, or listening to Tidal, this a huge plus. The dual-sided detachable locking cable which is L/R signal independent is meant to ensure proper stereo orientation, something I’ve failed ever to notice lacking in any headphones. That said, a detaching cable is appreciated, in the event you snap your cable like I have before with some past headphones. While I wouldn’t wear these walking around in public due to their size, I am a fan of their design and think they provide a very sleek, industrial look.
When it comes to actually powering these headphones, you’ll want to use something a little more powerful than your phone for the optimal experience. The headphones impedance level of 470 ohms means you’ll need a rather powerful output to get the most out of these. My Audient ID44 effortlessly drives the R70Xs with plenty of headroom. However, when used with my iPhone SE I was still able to listen but only when set to the highest volume. If you’re in the market for these headphones, do yourself a favor and purchase some kind of headphone amp or audio interface to get the most out of them and to truly utlize their full potential.
As for the actual sound of these headphones, in short, I have been blown away. The flat frequency means when editing my voice over recoridngs I can actually make out all of the acoustic imperfections and efficiently master with tools like compression and normalization. Nonreference headphones all color the sound in some way, usually to create a sound most consumers find pleasing. In the case of the M50x, those add subtle coloration designed for use in live monitoring situations so the talent can have a clear idea of how they will sound when the recording is later mastered, or in the case of a live performance, how the audience is hearing them in that moment. The nearly completely flat frequency of the R70X means that you will hear everything exactly as it was recorded, imperfections and all.
Using these with Tidal or the hifi tracks downloaded on my computer has proved an absolute treat and has provided the most detailed, powerful listening experience I have had the privilege of enjoying. The fairly flat frequency may not be to everyone’s taste, but in my view offers a stellar, invigorating experience unmatched by any other headphones I’ve used. I tried these with my usual playlist of Indie Folk, but also saw how they performed with hip-hop, classical, and Latin. I found the way these headphones reproduce acoustic guitar chillingly accurate, but ultimately they perform exceedingly well with all genres. Closing your eyes and listening to a favorite song with these headphones is nothing short of breathtaking.
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