Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa Review

For years, Audio-Technica has served as a leader in the audio industry. From turntables to microphones to, of course, headphones, the Japanese brand seemingly does it all. With credibility from audiophiles and professionals alike, it’s no wonder the manufacturer maintains its popularity. We’ve loved models like their esteemed M-line as well as newcomers like the recent ATH-ADX3000, as they offer solutions for budget users and high end listeners alike. Today, we’re looking at a more entry-level to mid-fi product, the ATH-R70xa. Coming in at $349, the R70xa is both an update to the R70x and a touchstone in the revered company’s engineering. So let’s get into these headphones and break down build, design, and sound quality to see if these might be the right ones for you.

Unboxing the ATH-R70xa

• ATH-R70xa headphones
• 3 meter detachable cable with 3.5mm termination
• 6.3 mm (1/4”) stereo adapter
• Carrying pouch

Build

The first thing you’ll notice when you hold the R70xa is its weight (or lack thereof). Audio-Technica is calling the headphones “featherlight” and I think that’s a perfectly appropriate descriptor. At a stunning 199 grams, the headphones improve on the original R70x’s 210 gram weight. Getting under 200 grams on a full-sized open-back headphone is downright impressive. This makes for an extremely comfortable listening experience with little headband pressure or clamping force. So whether you’re playing music for long periods or using them for a professional mixing/mastering session, you’ll barely notice you’re wearing them.

But don’t mistake its lightweight build for anything other than a well-crafted unit. The Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa is built by hand by Audio-Technica with components that are assembled in house. Details, like its incorporation of carbon composite resin to improve structural rigidity, keep the headphone feeling durable and sounding good. Its metal-reinforced construction, updated headband and replaceable velour earpads serve to extend the lifespan of the headphones. And the inclusion of a dual-sided detachable locking cable, which has the unique feature of being signal independent, makes the headphone more user-friendly. 

Design

Internally, the Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa keeps things as open and transparent as possible. Aside from dampening materials, the headphone is completely open. As such, you can see right through the grill into the driver housing. Using a 45mm driver, the headphone has a 470 ohm impedance and 97dB SPL. But don’t let that scare you – while it’s not the easiest headphone to drive, I was able to get it plenty loud through a dongle DAC/amp. It even sounded pretty good coming straight out of my laptop. Audio-Technica has produced a minimalist headphone that relies on its build and engineering to deliver its sound. And they’ve done a great job at that. 

Sound Impressions

Low End:

The Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa has a dynamic and punchy bass response. It can tuck itself away when an acoustic track comes on that doesn’t call for it. But when it is called upon, it delivers a whopping slam that keeps the listening experience engaging and accurate. Bass hits are quick with great attack and decay, making hip-hop and EDM come to life. Its midbass transition is nice and nimble keeping things fast and light rather than slowing things down with unnecessary bloat. Everything from 808 drums on older rap music to trombone blasts in Tchaickovsky’s 5th symphony sounds detailed and impactful within this frequency responsel. 

Midrange:

The midrange on the Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa is completely clean. Vocals come through with clarity and nuance. It matches the bass response in terms of dynamics, with instruments and vocals both giving a sense of feeling and texture in its presentation. I really enjoyed the sense of space that R70xa provides. Thanks to its fully open design, you can hear the music play out with a natural timbre and resolving transparency. I’d say that the headphone is overall pretty neutral, so the midrange and bass response don’t come into conflict in any way. Instead, their dynamic properties play well together, keeping the listener experience detailed and musical at the same time. 

Top End:

Compared to the lower end of the frequency response, the treble is a little bit more laid back. While the bass and mids are more assertive, the top end is more restrained, letting details speak for themselves rather than having them pierce your ear drums. That said, the treble is still quite tactile, adding a balance of smoothness and precision to the frequency response that is in keeping with the overall design of the headphone. Comfort is key all around, and this treble tuning keeps things engaging without testing the limits of listener stamina that a sharper sound can create. 

Soundstage:

The soundstage is the true star of this headphone’s sound. Since it’s completely open, it lacks any restraint on stereo width. The sound of the ATH-R70xa is completely engulfing from left to right and top to bottom. Imaging follows suit, with accurate sound localization that takes advantage of the headphone’s full range of sound. This openness doesn’t just benefit the soundstage, though. It also allows the headphone to feel spacious and roomy, letting sounds resolve and resonate as they would naturally. 

Final Verdict

Audio-Technica has succeeded in making a successor to the R70x. With its great sound quality and lightweight build, it serves traditional audiophiles, professional musicians, and even gamers alike. We’re giving it MajorHifi silver for its versatility and performance. While its light weight does call its long term durability into question, I have no doubt that the materials used are top notch and that this headphone is meant to last for quite some time. 

The Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa is available at Audio46.