Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa test and review

We’ve all been there: You invest a small fortune in high-quality studio monitors, only to find that your mix sounds thin or unbalanced when played on other systems—whether in the car, the living room, or through headphones. Everything seemed perfect in your studio, but in the real world, it turns out the mix doesn’t translate as well as you thought.

For many home studio producers, the biggest challenge is poor room acoustics. Professional acoustic treatment can quickly cost thousands of euros—a luxury not everyone can afford. But without an optimized environment, making reliable mixing and mastering decisions becomes incredibly difficult.

High-quality open-back headphones are the perfect solution in such cases. They provide a transparent, clear, and uncolored sound, allowing for more precise mixing decisions and ensuring that your mix translates well across different playback systems.

And that’s exactly the kind of headphones I’ve been testing over the past few days: the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x—the brand-new flagship model from Audio-Technica.

Scope of delivery

The included accessories for these open-back headphones are minimalistic but entirely sufficient. Inside the box, you’ll find the headphones themselves, a high-quality cable, and a simple leather pouch. Right from the first impression, it’s clear that quality was a top priority.

The supplied 3-meter jack cable features gold-plated plugs that connect securely to the headphones via a twist-lock mechanism. Initially, I searched for L/R markings on the plugs, as it’s a dual-sided connection cable with two separate plugs.

However, I quickly realized that the placement doesn’t matter. The ATH-R70x features a balanced design, ensuring the signal remains independent in both channels. A smart solution that makes setup especially convenient.

Design and handling

The first thing you notice when picking up the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x is their remarkably low weight—under 200 grams. In comparison, other headphones with similar specifications typically weigh between 350 and 500 grams, more than twice as much. This ultra-lightweight construction is a key factor in their exceptional comfort.

Thanks to their feather-light design, the headphones sit so comfortably on your head that you barely notice them after a short time, making them perfect for long mixing or mastering sessions.

Another benefit of the open-back design is the natural, airy feel. You never feel “closed in,” and ambient sounds remain audible even when no music is playing. This helps reduce listening fatigue, a common issue with closed-back headphones.

The ATH-R70x features a ratcheted size adjustment mechanism, ensuring that once set, the fit remains secure without the need for constant readjustment. The soft padding enhances comfort, providing a snug yet pressure-free fit—ideal for extended use.

Initially, I was skeptical when I first held them in my hands. Could such a lightweight model truly deliver high-quality sound? But any doubts I had were quickly and convincingly erased.

Audio quality and frequency response

The audio quality of the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x is impressive—especially considering its low weight and price. The sound is balanced and natural, with no artificial emphasis on specific frequencies.

Many closed-back headphones tend to exaggerate the bass, while some open-back models push the treble too much in an attempt to create a “high-end” sound. But that’s not the case here—every frequency sits exactly where it should.

• The bass range sounds powerful and defined, but always remains natural.
• The highs are crystal clear, without being unpleasantly sharp or shrill.
• The measured frequency range extends from 5 Hz to 40 kHz – well beyond the range of human hearing. However, it is not only the range that is important, but also how balanced the frequency curve actually is.

And that’s exactly what sets high-quality open-back headphones apart!

With closed-back headphones, a perfectly linear frequency response is less of a priority—instead, the main focus is on maximum isolation to prevent crosstalk during recording. With open-back headphones, however, isolation is irrelevant. What truly matters is a linear frequency response and an uncolored, accurate sound that can be fully trusted for mixing and mastering.

And this is where the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x truly shines—bringing us to the most important aspect.

Who benefits most from these headphones?

If you’re looking for reliable and natural-sounding headphones for mixing and mastering, the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x is an excellent choice. They deliver an uncolored, highly accurate sound, ensuring that your mixes translate well across different playback systems.

These headphones are particularly beneficial if your studio lacks perfect acoustics. Even the best studio monitors can’t perform optimally in an untreated room, as reflections and resonances can distort the sound. Headphones, on the other hand, remain completely unaffected by room acoustics, allowing you to make precise mixing decisions regardless of your environment.

If you’re not ready to invest in expensive acoustic treatment, I highly recommend starting with these headphones. For mixing and mastering, they can be a far more effective investment than high-end studio monitors in an untreated space.

Another major advantage is their incredibly low weight. As mentioned earlier, long mixing or mastering sessions are significantly more comfortable with these headphones compared to heavier models. With many other headphones, frequent breaks are necessary to prevent fatigue or discomfort. But with the ATH-R70x, I was able to work through multiple three-hour sessions without any strain—feeling no more fatigue than I would when using studio monitors.

When are these headphones not suitable?

Despite their many advantages, there are situations where these headphones may not be the best choice.

• Traveling by train or plane – Since these are open-back headphones, sound leaks out. This means those around you will inevitably hear your music—often at a noticeable volume.
• Vocal recordings – For the same reason, these headphones are unsuitable for recording sessions. The sound from the drivers escapes and can bleed into the microphone, leading to unwanted crosstalk.

For these applications, closed headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50 X are the better choice.

Link: Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa (349€)