Audio Technica R70x

I saw no R70x discussions so I wanted to give my brief impressions of the sound of these and hopefully hear what you guys think of them, especially in comparison to the AKG K7xx, Sennheiser HD600, and Beyerdynamic DT880 - all of which I think are direct competitors.

Build & Fit
Pros

• Secure fit due to moderately high clamping force, fitting more secure than the Ad2000/Ad2000x and even less wiggle than the HD600.
• Lightweight with the winged suspension system dissipating any semblance of downwards force.
• Dual removable cable.

Cons

• The pads are grating, the texture is the same as they've always been and it is minorly irritating until heavily broken in.
• The pads are rather small in diameter, larger ears are certainly going to have fit issues.

Neutral

• Comfort is average, not really uncomfortable, but putting on the HD600 after an hour of wearing the R70x was relief that I didn't even realize I needed. HD600 and DT880 have a huge leg up here.

Sound
Pros

• Bass is clean and quick, with good driver control throughout.
• Bass has a soft warm euphoria to it, reminiscent of the euphoria heard in the Ad2000 midrange.
• Midrange is sharp, detailed, quick, and damn near linear. It bests the HD600 in clarity and detail retrieval, though the HD600 sounds smoother in linearity.
• Treble is extended nicely, not a hint of added sibilance and a touch of air throughout
• Soundstage accuracy is spot on.
• Soundstage width was reminiscent of the time I spent with the DT880, wide but not artificially so.
• Touch of air throughout giving music the illusion of dissipating outwards rather than abruptly ending.
• Instrument separation is fantastic, which adds to the spacious sound presented.

Cons

• Lacks the visceral bass slam that I miss from the ZMF Vibro, even a touch less impact than the HD600.
• Midrange tends to slightly favor the vocals, giving the HD600 the edge in linearity.
• Soundstage depth isn't as defined as the HD600

Overall
I absolutely love the R70x and feel that it performs admirably next to the HD600. I feel that it bests the HD600 in clarity, detail retrieval, and soundstaging, though the HD600 is more linear from start to finish and bests the R70x in comfort. If I had to choose one it would be the R70x, but it wouldn't be an easy choice at all.

 

I had these for a few weeks but ended up returning them because of how uncomfortable they were. Having said that, I could see myself listening to these for hours because of how smooth they sounded. Very non-fatiguing.... if only for the comfort. I was not expecting much when i bought them because I'd heard the M50x a few times and did not like them at all. But these were very different.

 

I hear you on the comfort. I didn't realize just how much it bothered me until I took them off and put on the HD600

 

R70x left me an impression as AT's (failed) attempt to make their version of HD6X0.

 

Great review!! need more opinion on this headphone!!

 

How loud do you listen on this?

Is open headphones will sound perfect with these demo with excellent piano and clarity you never heard before?
http://www.boganyi-piano.com/cd/sound-beyond-time/

 

I tend to listen on the loud side, as loud as I can without causing hearing damage, driver distortion, or soundstage smearing. I tend to find that headphones sound too cramped when played too loudly.

 

"Sound Beyond Time is a promotional CD recorded directly off the new Bogányi piano. Here listeners can listen or download the tracks to hear the original sound of the Bogányi piano, recorded professionally for the first time. Please enjoy!"

I feed dumb as I can't figure out how to download the tracks. Has anyone done it?

 

right click -> save as

 

Thank you. It seems like I'm saving a lossy file. Am I wrong in assuming that a lossless download is not available?

 

I dont think so. It's weird that they use 128 kbps file to demonstrate the hi-end piano though.

 

How does the sound of these compare to the 2000Xs? I saw the R70Xs announced shortly after I bought a pair of 2000Xs and had a slight twinge of buyer's remorse.

 

I mean you don't buy Ad2000x expecting neutrality, and the R70x is pretty neutral. I can directly compare them at some point tomorrow though.

 

Wow, I had to reach back for this one! I think it was page 38 of the headphone threads. Back to 2015, when I was just starting in this hobby.

Anyway, I just ran across town today and bought a used set of ATH-R70X's. I had looked at these for years, but never really considered them as I read that they were very close to the HD650's.
But they were so cheap, they were always kind of in the background. Up here in Canada these retail for $479.00, plus tax (15%). I have always kept any eye out for a good deal on a used set, but never pulled the trigger.
Saw a set on Kijiji for $350.00 (Canuck bucks). Watched to see where they were gonna go. A couple of days ago they dropped to $250.00. I thought WTH at that price. I picked them up today. They are in Very nice shape.
Wow, are they light! Noticeably lighter than the HD660S2's.

I am only about two hours in. Started with rock (Glorious Sons, Ayron Jones and a shot of ZZ Ward. Sounding good with nice bass, nice mids and stronger treble. Started with the iFi Pro iCAN, but they sounded a little bright even with bass boost. Moved over to my Violectric V220, which has a bit of warmth and the partnership was great.

Then I decided to move over to a new album (to me), At Plugged Nickel, Chicago (Live) from 1976, by Miles Davis. Wow, does the horn work sound sharp! Not sibilant, but like I have been using my Grado's for hours on horn jazz. Accurate, but very sharp.

For the price I paid, I could not lose unless they stopped working tomorrow.

Super comfortable, super cheap, super light and a really nice sound. Can't say anything for sure for a few weeks, but these are pretty cool.

 

Well, I am wrapping up day seven with my new friends, the R70X's and here are my thoughts.

As usual, it was a bit of shock changing headphones. In this case I went from my most expensive headphone so far, the Focal Radiance, to the cheapest headphone I have bought in years, the (used) ATH-R70X.

Initial reactions were/are:

A) I like the look of them. Very simple.

B) I wasn't sure about the wings, but I never feel them at all, so I guess they work very well.

C) I like the overall sound and there is enough bass when called upon.

D) They were pretty easy to drive with all of my desktop options. They do NOT work well with my phone and dongle combo (FiiO KA5).

E) I can NOT say this loudly enough or strongly enough: These are the most comfortable headphones I have ever touched, picked up or used!

The only downside to me is in the sound. It is not very detailed to my ears. I would say the same in regards to imaging and separation. I am really not very good with technical descriptions though. The music comes to me as one sound. I really can't pick out the guitar work, horn work, backing vocals, etc.
I am guessing that is probably to do with the very affordable pricing.
Also, I found the treble could get a little sharp with my horn jazz. But for most of my listening; new rock, classic rock, pop, blues, etc. They are just fine. You will not be listening analytically, but most folks have other 'phones for that, if so inclined.

Most of my headphones I would rate between 8 and 9 on a 1-10 scale, at this point. These might slide down to a 7-7.5, based on technicalities.
Using the same scale, I would have to give these a solid 13 on comfort.

Every so often I like to pick up a used cheapie and see what all the fuss was/is about. You usually don't lose much money and it ticks another one off the list and you move along. I am going to give these a few more turns through the rotation. The sound is fine, the comfort is sublime and they were dirt cheap. Unless you're a high end/HiFi guy these are worth taking a look at.

Unlike some here, I almost NEVER have a problem with headphone fit and if I do, Nuggets to the rescue. If you fall into this category, Check out the R70X's!

PS: My favourite pairing was with the Violectric V220. The iFi Pro iCAN didn't impress much until I changed the mode to SS, which I never use. That made a Large difference for the better.
The tube amps were great but the sound got even less precise, as tube amps do.

 

I found these to have a 3khz edge that kills the enjoyment for me. Otherwise they’re actually good