[Vonbuddy]

hmmm I do wonder if the R70X refresh is the same thing and this is a limited colour/colab.

 

[llysender]

Yeah Ive watched those still seems to be similar to the orginal R70X. Im guessing going balanced should open up the treble like the orginal. The wavetheory vid was strange. Useful info peppered with the connection is bad design.

Still waiting for the global release and not the limited to US APOS audio version of the new R70X. If the treehouse rep is correct it should be sometime next month for the reveal assuming everything goes smoothly.

 

[Vonbuddy]

Yeah Ive watched those still seems to be similar to the orginal R70X. Im guessing going balanced should open up the treble like the orginal. The wavetheory vid was strange. Useful info peppered with the connection is bad design.

Still waiting for the global release and not the limited to US APOS audio version of the new R70X. If the treehouse rep is correct it should be sometime next month for the reveal assuming everything goes smoothly.

I heard warmer signature.

 

[listenerwww]

For those curious, here are measurements of the AT x Apos R70X Refine compared to a unit of the original ATH-R70X, done on @Ishcabible's clone of a GRAS 43AG.

The first results are shown with Diffuse Field compensation for the rig in question—a clone of the GRAS 43AG-4 using a chinese clone of the KB50xx pinnae and a clone 711 coupler—displayed against the preference bounds currently used by myself and Headphones.com, as well as with a 10 dB slope to (roughly) approximate the average bass-to-treble delta arrived at in Harman's research into headphone and speaker preference.

The subsequent results are shown raw, first against the Diffuse Field HRTF of the rig with Harman 2018-like filters, and then shown raw with the Harman 2018 target itself. Each trace is an average of 6 seatings total, with 3 seatings per side.

DF-compensated

Raw

As usual, I encourage readers not to pass final judgment on the results above until hearing the headphones themselves.

 

[cactus_farmer]

Is it purely the different pads that result in the different sound signature - or did Apos change the actual driver or voice coil of the headphones as well? (The identical impedance rating suggests not...)

 

[voja]

The Apos x Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Refine is available to order:
https://apos.audio/products/apos-x-audio-technica-ath-r70x-refine-headphone
$299 ($50 cheaper than the original ATH-R70x).
US and Canada exclusive.
Limited to 1000 units.
New black & gold look.
Brand-new Audio-Technica designed velour ear-pads.
“Warmer, deeper, fuller sound”.
Same ole 470Ω, 98dB/mW sensitivity, and max. 1000mW@1kHz power input, and 7.04oz weight!

Apos is also offering a whole bunch of bundle discounts, what they are calling the R70x Refine Ecosystem:

$435 Apos x Z Reviews Magia cable bundle 2 ($50 discount)


$346 ZMF Caldera hybrid ear-pad bundle ($40 discount)


$328 ZMF Ori perforated lambskin ear-pads bundle ($38 discount)


$449 NITSCH x Schiit Magni Piety (limited brass knob edition) bundle ($50 discount)


$359 TOPPING DX1 bundle ($40 discount)


$341 SMSL SU-1 MQA Audio DAC bundle ($39 discount)


$350 Antlion ModMic Uni 2 bundle ($10 discount)


$370 Antlion ModMic USB 2 bundle ($20 discount)


$420 Antlion ModMic Wireless bundle ($20 discount)

There are also other products that you can bundle the R70x Refine with. Not all are listed under Apos’ webpage. Just reach out to them via email (contact@apos.audio or support@apos.audio), and they will more than likely be happy to make it happen.

I was not paid to make this post, nor did Apos Audio send it to me. I composed it based on Apos’ website, and some information that was shared on this thread.

 

[Apos Audio]

Is it purely the different pads that result in the different sound signature - or did Apos change the actual driver or voice coil of the headphones as well? (The identical impedance rating suggests not...)

Responded to this on the other thread here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/com...th-r70x-refine-headphone.973533/post-18276088

 

[zilax002]

Bought these and looking forward to them.

Always on the lookout for light headphones with a reasonable looking FR.

If you go to Apos's page, you can see the measurements of the Refine with ZMF Ori and Caldera pads.

The Ori pads' FR looks good ... the Caldera, not so much (to my taste, anyway, based on the graph). The Ori pads are also a steal (like $28 when bundled).

Here's the stock Refine pads versus Ori:

The upper treble gets more jagged (will have to hear the headphone to see if that's perceptually relevant), but the increased sub bass and slightly reduced mid bass look like beneficial changes to my eyes.

Slight recess between 1 and 2k might impart a bit more sense of space as well (a la Hifiman tunings).

 

[Apos Audio]

Hi all,

Here's the review of the Apos x Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Refine by Passion for Sound:

 

[JML]

Are you going to sell spares of the Refine stock pads?

(Oh, I see you answered that in the other thread...)

 

[JML]

I'm very reluctant to order the Refined headphones if I won't be able to get spare/replacement pads. If the pad change was the only real modification to the original headphones (other than the gold grill color), then there's little reason, other than a lower price for the new headphone, to buy the Refined when it is going to be limited in longevity (and I guess someone who already has an ATH-R70x could just order the new pads for an existing headphone, which may be another reason why they're not being sold). But selling the Refined without the definite promise of, or currently existing option to buy, spare/replacement pads (not the completely different other two pads listed on the website) is a problem preventing me from a purchase.

And I have owned many AT headphones in the past, kept thinking of getting the R70x, and didn't get them because of the thin pad issues.

 

[XERO1]

I'm very reluctant to order the Refined headphones if I won't be able to get spare/replacement pads. If the pad change was the only real modification to the original headphones (other than the gold grill color), then there's little reason, other than a lower price for the new headphone, to buy the Refined when it is going to be limited in longevity (and I guess someone who already has an ATH-R70x could just order the new pads for an existing headphone, which may be another reason why they're not being sold). But selling the Refined without the definite promise of, or currently existing option to buy, spare/replacement pads (not the completely different other two pads listed on the website) is a problem preventing me from a purchase.

And I have owned many AT headphones in the past, kept thinking of getting the R70x, and didn't get them because of the thin pad issues.

Same for me. I never buy any headphone that doesn't have readily available OEM replacement pads.

 

[mekap]

Today I received a tracking number from APOS. I will be waiting for the parcel with impatience.

I ordered such an adapter for my cable with 3.5mm Jacks
https://aliexpress.ru/item/10050060...l.0.0.42b44aa6uezE1Q&sku_id=12000035346094614

also ordered - https://apos.audio/products/zmf-ori...medium=general&utm_campaign=general&ref=yotpo

 

[jsabini1]

I get it about the replacement OEM pad question, but the Ori pads look like a very viable alternative, and in some ways possibly even preferable. (?)

I bet Apos will end up offering replacement pads though. But what do I know?

 

[zilax002]

I get it about the replacement OEM pad question, but the Ori pads look like a very viable alternative, and in some ways possibly even preferable. (?)

I bet Apos will end up offering replacement pads though. But what do I know?

I think it would be very weird if replacement pads aren't offered by either Apos or AT (or both), but it would be nice to know upfront.

Totally with you, though. The Ori pads look great tuning-wise and I have experience with them and know I like the feel and comfort.

So between that option and the original pads for the R70x (which I know people have had issues with, but idk, would have to try them myself), I feel covered either way.