Audio-Technica’s open-back flagships have long been favorites among audiophiles seeking natural tonality and precise, spacious imaging. With the release of the ATH-ADX7000, the brand elevated its design philosophy even further, but how does this new model stack up against the beloved ATH-ADX5000? This comparison breaks down how the two headphones differ in build, sound, power requirements, and overall user experience.
What You Get
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Look & Feel
The ATH-ADX7000 continues Audio-Technica’s tradition of lightweight engineering, featuring a honeycomb magnesium-alloy frame designed for durability without sacrificing portability. The ATH-ADX5000 takes a similar design philosophy but presents it with a more open, almost skeletal aesthetic. The magnesium frame keeps weight remarkably low, giving it an airy feel that many listeners immediately appreciate during long listening sessions. The ADX7000 also feels exceptionally light on the head, in part due to the plush Alcantara earpads that distribute pressure evenly and prevent listener fatigue. Unlike the ADX5000, this newer model includes two sets of earpads that feel similarly comfortable but are more for changing the sound; however, some might find one pair more comfortable than the other.
Design
Inside the ATH-ADX7000, Audio-Technica uses its advanced High-Concentricity X Dynamic Transducer (HXDT), a 58mm dynamic driver housed in a core-mount structure that improves airflow and reduces unwanted resonances. The ATH-ADX5000 uses an earlier iteration of Audio-Technica’s high-end dynamic driver technology. This driver is significantly easier to drive than the ADX7000, making the ADX5000 more accessible to a wider range of DACs and amps.
Soundstage
The ADX7000 offers an expansive, airy soundstage with an impressively wide horizontal spread and clean separation between instruments. Imaging is accurate and spacious, though not exaggerated to the point of feeling unnatural. The ADX5000 stood out for its wide and tall soundstage. It presents music with a sense of scale that feels grand without sacrificing cohesion. Its imaging is smooth and natural, making it particularly well-suited for orchestral and acoustic recordings.
Low End
On the ADX7000, bass has a strong sense of articulation and thump without becoming overly forward. It maintains a tight footprint in the mix, allowing midrange and treble detail to shine without being overshadowed. The ADX5000 provides tight, clear bass that gives percussive hits room to breathe. Its low end is balanced and clean, striking a pleasant middle ground between warmth and precision.
Mids
The ADX7000 features a transparent midrange with a slightly elevated upper-mid presence. This gives vocals and acoustic instruments vivid clarity while maintaining neutrality in the lower mids. The mids feel open, balanced, and well-integrated into the overall tuning. The ADX5000 produces a clear and airy midrange that brings vocal textures forward without harshness. Even in a loud environment, the ADX5000 showcased impressive vocal presence and softness, suggesting a midrange that leans musical rather than analytical.
Highs
Treble on the ADX7000 is crisp and defined, offering high levels of detail without becoming piercing. The highs feel controlled and well-textured, with the option to soften them using the second set of earpads. The ADX5000 leans slightly forward in its treble presentation, especially with cymbals and upper percussion, but never crosses into sibilance thanks to its smooth midrange.
Summary
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 and ATH-ADX5000 both represent high points in Audio-Technica’s open-back engineering, but each model appeals to a different listener. The ADX7000 is the more technically advanced headphone, offering exceptional resolution, balanced tonality, and premium build refinements, provided you have the amplification to match. The ADX5000, on the other hand, remains one of the most comfortable and emotionally engaging flagships on the market, delivering spacious imaging and a warm-leaning tuning that is easier to enjoy on a variety of gear. Ultimately, if your priority is pure detail, neutrality, and top-tier technical ability, the ADX7000 is the standout choice. If you’re looking for a lightweight, musically engaging flagship that doesn’t require specialized equipment, the ADX5000 is likely to feel more rewarding.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 and ATH-ADX5000 are available at Audio46.
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