Audio Technica ATH-R70x

The reviewer finds the ATH-R70x to be an excellent open-back headphone that competes directly with the Sennheiser HD 600, offering a neutral but slightly warmer sound with more bass and gentler highs, though with a narrower soundstage. He praises its lightweight build and comfort, but criticizes the proprietary cable connectors and the lack of detachable cables on the more expensive models. Overall, he considers it as good as the HD 600, which is high praise, but notes it's not worth upgrading if you already own the HD 600.

The reviewer finds the ATH-R70x to be a well-built, lightweight open-back headphone with an excellent neutral-warm tonal balance, though its technical performance is limited by a somewhat cluttered and hazy presentation. It offers a wide soundstage and smooth treble, but the fit can be awkward and the upper mids may border on shouty depending on positioning. Overall, it's a strong value for its price, especially for those prioritizing tonal balance over ultimate detail.

The reviewer finds the ATH-R70x to be a highly balanced, natural-sounding open-back headphone that serves as a new reference for neutrality, though it requires a dedicated amplifier due to its high impedance. It is praised for its comfort and clean, detailed sound, but it lacks the characteristic Audio Technica forward female vocal tuning, making it a departure from the brand's typical sound. The reviewer considers it one of their favorite full-sized headphones, though the AKG K712 edges it out in technical performance.

The reviewer finds the ATH-R70x to be an exceptional pair of open-back reference headphones, offering outstanding comfort, a nearly flat frequency response ideal for editing and critical listening, and a wide soundstage. They note the high impedance requires a powerful amp, and the open-back design causes sound leakage, but overall they highly recommend them for home or studio use despite the steep price.

The reviewer finds the ATH-R70X to be a lightweight, well-built open-back headphone with a notably forward midrange and decent bass extension, but criticizes its grainy detail, thin and slightly shrill sound, and lack of punch compared to competitors like the Sennheiser HD 6XX and Hifiman Sundara. While it may suit listeners who prioritize very forward mids or extreme lightness, the reviewer would not choose it over those alternatives.