Audio Technica ATH-ADG1X Review

Here at MajorHifi, we haven’t yet tackled a gaming headset, but today we’re making history with our first review of the kind:  a look at the new ADG1X from Audio Technica.  Brand-spanking-new to the Audio Technica lineup, these things are flying off the shelf at a few retailers.  So just how good is it?

Audio Technica ATH-ADG1X Review

The ATH-ADG1X comes with what seems like the standard Audio Technica packaging experience.  There’s some cardboard and some plastic and just a little bit of cloth thrown in for presentation purposes.

Once I catch sight of the headphones, they remind me instantly of the mid-range audiophile ATH-AD700x, with a solid if plastic open-back construction and a similar, heavy duty cable measuring 3.9 feet (1.2 m).  The cable has a simple mute/volume control, as well as an optional extension that splits the mic and volume feed (for PC gaming).

On paper, the ADG1X looks more than capable, with a frequency range of 5-35000 hertz, 53mm drivers, and a nominal impedance of 42 ohms.

When it comes to sound, this headphone is no joke with some great bass, decent midrange, and a good high end.  Soundstage is what we would expect from a gaming headphone.  The sound in general benefits greatly from the 53mm drivers and open-back design, giving low-frequency notes a little more oomph, while keeping the impression lifelike and spacious.

The integrated goose-neck mic is a great addition, and recording quality is fantastic – given Audio Technica’s reputation when it comes to microphone technology, this is no surprise.  And with the convenient mute/volume control built into the cable, there’s much to recommend this headphone for even casual gamers.

Should you buy it?  There are plenty of models in this price point.  The biggest names that come to mind are the Beyerdynamic MMX330 and the Sennheiser PC 363D.  While the Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser models may offer a different level of comfort, none will offer as wide of a frequency range or as lifelike bass.  With that in mind, there’s relatively little reason to opt for any of these models over the Audio Technica ATH-ADG1X.