Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa

The fully open-back design of ATH-R70xa counts on an uninhibited path to the listener's ears for its quality. Each diaphragm movement translates directly into audible output, without the use of acoustic cavities or resonance to artificially enhance specific frequencies.

In contrast to the preceding ATH-R70x, which employed damping and acoustic design to emphasise low-frequency response, the ATH-R70xa delivers pure, unadulterated sound directly from the transducer, providing a truly authentic open-back experience and minimising distortion.

Descended from the flagship ATH-ADX5000 and ATH-ADX3000's Core Mount Technology, Audio-Technica's direct approach ensures accurate and natural sound reproduction, complete with a realistic and spacious soundstage.

Designed specifically for critical listening, the ATH-R70xa headphones empower audiophiles to excavate every detail their favourite artists put into the music. The extended frequency range of the headphones ensures transparent reproduction of every nuance within a mix.

ATH-R70xa's unrestricted airflow, inherent in the open-back design, coupled with the absence of internal resonance, facilitates an exceptionally fast transient response. This rapid response is crucial for maintaining clarity and separation when working with complex contemporary mixes.

Audio-Technica's newcomers are remarkably lightweight, weighing just 199 grams without the detachable cable. The streamlined construction, combined with a newly designed headband, contributes to a comfortable fit that allows the headphones to virtually disappear during use, making them ideal for extended listening.

ATH-R70xa is a low-distortion affair always, with its voice coil kept thin and light by its 470ohm impedance. Inertia is low and Audio-Technica's driver reacts instantly to the smallest voltage impulses.

Indeed, it's a 470ohm load that's simultaneously easy to drive for any partnering amplifier, such that a tube amplifier mates comfortably with suitable damping factor and impedance matching. 

ATH-R70xa's high impedance doesn't place current demands on the many modern bridge-tied load outputs on music players.

Those won't grind their gears pushing into inordinately low impedances, small power supplies and output stages producing less in the way of distortion and noise as a result.

It will make for a happy result running from iBasso Audio's DC07 Pro and DX180, but high output impedance, imperfect voltage sources from FiiO and Shanling will not be tested untowardly either – music players from the latter both having enough mettle to push ATH-R70xa very satisfactorily.

Each ATH-R70xa is meticulously handcrafted in Audio-Technica's Machida Japan facility. The assembly process involves in-house manufactured components ensuring quality and performance standards are met.

For a $500 headphone, it's a remarkable labour of love – enough till you step up to ATH-ADX3000 here next, one of Audio-Technica's other releases here, or our other headphones here.