Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa Reference Open-Back Over-Ear Headphone

Open-Back Expertise   

Our heritage  

We are constantly improving our headphones. Even when they are designed for different applications and users, each new pair of headphones benefits from past developments and new technologies. The never-ending quest for the purest and most natural sound is rooted in our Japanese heritage.  

The R70x, launched in 2015, featured a breakthrough in our transducer design for open back headphones. In 2017, this technology was advanced further in our flagship ATH-ADX5000. In 2024, we wanted to bring our latest open-back innovations (developed for the  ATH-ADX3000) to professionals with the ATH-R70xa.  

Authentic Open-Back Sound   

Unrestricted Driver Performance for pure and accurate audio reproduction  

Air movement is the foundation of sound. Manufacturing headphones is about controlling the flow of air. True open-back sound generation relies solely on the quality of the driver: each diaphragm movement translates into an instant generation of sound, meaning that frequencies are not artificially produced nor enhanced using acoustic cavities and resonance. The ATH-R70xa sound originates purely from its transducer, providing a true open-air sound and eliminating any unwanted distortion. This results in an accurate sound with the most realistic sound staging.   

Professional Design  

Designed for mixing and mastering  

Open-back headphones provide a highly detailed and accurate sound in both frequency and referencing the transient response. The ATH-R70xa headphones are made for critical listening, allowing engineers to make the right decision at every step of the production process. With a frequency range covering 5 Hz to 40,000 Hz, every detail of your mix will be transparently reproduced. The unrestricted airflow and absence of internal resonance allows an extremely fast response, ensuring the clarity and separation necessary to handle complex contemporary mixes.   

Precise and spacious open-back sound  

With a multitude of output formats, engineers need to have reference headphones they can carry with them to any studio or work environment, so they won’t have to depend only on the local monitoring system. Open-back headphones are famous for their wide soundstage and the R70xa is no exception, delivering a large, precise image mandatory for optimal source positioning. The ATH-R70xa is the perfect tool for sound production – everything from mixing music, dialogue and foley to game sound design – providing an accurate and reliable reference in stereo, surround or immersive formats.  

Unmatched Comfort  

Featherlight and breathable  

Weighing just 199 grams*, these fully open-back headphones virtually disappear when wearing them, offering a natural listening experience. The design is particularly suited to long working sessions, allowing users to be fully immersed in the sound production.  

*without the cable 

Streamlined and robust   

This lightweight design is achieved by streamlining the construction of the ATH-R70xa; every component is carefully assembled to complement the minimalistic finish. Its new headband design and metal construction guarantee a robust tool that will stand the test of time.   

R-Series 

The ATH-R70xa is the flagship model in a new line-up of reference headphones that includes the ATH-R50x and ATH-R30x, providing solutions for all needs and budgets.   

Produced in Machida, Japan  

The ATH-R70xa is handcrafted in our Machida facility by our skilled production team. Each unit is meticulously assembled from components built in-house, then rigorously tested before leaving the factory. The delicate balance and adjustments are managed by experienced staff who have been perfecting their craft for many years. This manufacturing process is a testament to Japan’s revered tradition of craftsmanship.