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Audio-Technica ATH R70xa Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£310Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Audio-Technica ATH R70xa Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Audio-Technica ATH R70xa
5.5/10

Overall score

Score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components

80%

5.5

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 88% of headphones
6.5

Value for money

Value for money
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

8.9

Price

â–¼Worse than 91%
5.5

Technical score

Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

52%

6.2

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.3

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.3

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 76%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

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Where to buy
    N/A~ £310
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Audio-Technica ATH R70xa

Technical score
Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components:

52%

6.2

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.3

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.3

Calls & Controls

5.5
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Audio-Technica ATH R70xa has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components:

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

8.9

Price

6.5
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
45 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 45 mm, larger driver size than 83.7% of headphones and equal to 2.4% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
5 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 5 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 10.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
?
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
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Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Audio-Technica
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
199 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 199 g, lighter than 56.3% of headphones and equal to 0.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Audio-Technica ATH R70xa vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 5 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (45 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    45 mm vs 40 mm
  • 20,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 9 newer release date
    This pair of headphones was released more recently than the average pair of headphones (2025 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    January 2025
    2025 vs 2016
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 8 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (52 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    52 mm vs 44 mm
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 5 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (45 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    45 mm vs 40 mm
  • 20,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 10x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 9 newer release date
    This pair of headphones was released more recently than the average pair of headphones (2025 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    January 2025
    2025 vs 2016
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 5 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 8 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (52 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    52 mm vs 60 mm
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 3.44x more expensive
    Audio-Technica ATH R70xa is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£310 vs £90).
    £310 vs £90
  • 5.87x less popular
    Audio-Technica ATH R70xa is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 3.44x more expensive
    Audio-Technica ATH R70xa is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£310 vs £90).
    £310 vs £90
  • 5.87x less popular
    Audio-Technica ATH R70xa is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 11.9% worse value for money
    Audio-Technica ATH R70xa has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.5 vs 7.3).
    6.5 vs 7.27
  • 8 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (52 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    52 mm vs 60 mm
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 5 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 11 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (99 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    99 dB vs 110 dB
  • 6 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (97 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    97 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Audio-Technica ATH R70xa

  • Extremely lightweight design weighing only 199 grams without the cable
  • Highly comfortable for extended studio sessions due to light clamping force
  • Stunningly neutral, balanced, and accurate reference sound profile
  • Wide, natural, and immersive soundstage with excellent stereo imaging
  • Clear, detailed midrange reproduction that makes vocals sound highly natural
  • Solid bass response with deeper extension and punch than older iterations
  • Unique L/R independent detachable cable that can be plugged into either earcup

What customers don't like about Audio-Technica ATH R70xa

  • High impedance of 470 ohms demands a powerful dedicated amplifier to drive properly
  • Open-back design causes significant sound leakage, making them unsuitable for noisy environments
  • Circular earcups run a bit small and may cramp or press on larger ears
  • Stock ear pads have very shallow depth, causing some users' ears to touch the driver grill
  • Non-foldable construction combined with an open design lacks portability
  • The minimalist, utilitarian aesthetic can feel less premium or stylish to casual users
  • Material on the earpads easily attracts dust, lint, and hair, requiring frequent maintenance

Verdict

The Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa is a flagship open-back reference headphone designed for professional mixing and critical listening, featuring large 45mm drivers, a high 470-ohm impedance, and a wide frequency response of 5 Hz to 40,000 Hz. It is distinguished by its featherlight 199g construction and a unique 3D wing support system that ensures long-term comfort during extended studio sessions. Key pros include its exceptionally neutral and balanced sound signature, precise imaging, and an expansive soundstage that provides an immersive listening experience. However, its high impedance necessitates a powerful dedicated amplifier for optimal performance, and its fully open design results in significant sound leakage and zero noise isolation, making it unsuitable for use in loud environments or recording near sensitive microphones.

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