ATH-R70xa

Just got the ATH-R70xa as a fan of the original R70x and finds it significantly less comfortable.

Calls the ATH-R70xa the new budget king of open-back midrange headphones at $350.

First impressions of the ATH-R70xa: a wider soundstage and better instrument separation, though they find another headphone warmer and more pleasant.

Blind-bought the ATH-R70xa and has not used their HD 600 in a week since; it offers everything they want in a headphone.

Their ATH-R70xa are the most uncomfortable headphones they have owned, and a nightmare to unbox and repack for return.

Owns both and finds the ATH-R70xa brighter than the original R70x because of a slightly different driver, cable and pads.

Still does all their mixes on the ATH-R70xa months later and it still sounds great.

Their new ATH-R70xa has a tolerance issue where the metal headband scratches the outer metal of the ear cups.

After a few weeks of daily use, the felt pad on their ATH-R70xa headband came off and the magnet inside is loose.

Their new ATH-R70xa does not fit their head because of the vertical swivel design.

After two weeks with each of the AR5000, HD 660S2 and ATH-R70xa, their girlfriend settled on the R70xa for its excellent imaging.

Owns the Edition XS and ATH-R70xa; the XS is more analytical, but the R70xa is more musical.

Incredibly disappointed with the ATH-R70xa on a FiiO K11, calling it one of the worst headphones they have tried.

A few weeks in, the ATH-R70xa has knocked the HD 600 out of their rotation, a bit like an HD 600 on a tube amp.

Needed a stronger amp to make the ATH-R70xa sing, but it is so light they hardly reach for their other headphones now.

Bought the ATH-R70xa but is not as happy as with their original R70x; it clamps tighter and the headband is less comfortable.

Owned the original and now has the ATH-R70xa; agrees the headband is quirky and replaced the strap with soft padding.

After lots of buying and selling, calls the ATH-R70xa their actual endgame headphone.

A few days in, gets ear fatigue from the ATH-R70xa's sound on the stock cable.

Bought the ATH-R70xa with their own money and likes how it sounds, expecting neutral and finding the treble a bit divisive.

Switched from the HD 6XX to the ATH-R70xa and finds its soundstage way better.

The R70xa is the most comfortable headphone they've tried after bending the yokes and resetting the strap, the only one usable on 30°C summer days, though its pads are short vertically.

Would keep the R70xa because it is compact and light enough to use outdoors from a phone's 3.5 mm jack while travelling.

Owns the R70xa and calls it the best all-round headphone at its price after many $200–500 headphones. With a little EQ around 300–500 Hz and a small bass shelf it is near perfect for them, with incredible imaging and layering and no treble harshness.

“they’re a near perfect headphone for my taste. The imaging and layering are incredible without being a harsh sounding headphone if you’re sensitive to treble like me.”