New Audio-Technica R-Series Open Back Headphones

[Audio-Technica]

Back in January, we released our new R-Series line of open back headphones including an upgrade to our former flagship, the ATH-R70x. The new ATH-R70xa is joined by the new ATH-R50x and ATH-R30x, building on the natural, open-back reference sound provided by the ATH-R70x.

The ATH-R30x has started shipping today! All three models are now available at https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/

To give you an overview of each model:

ATH-R70xa - $349 USD

• The same natural and balanced sound of the ATH-R70x but with refined accuracy and detail
• Delivers accurate and dependable reference sound with precise imaging and depth for realistic sound staging
• Featherlight; 199 g/7 oz without the cable
• New headband design and replaceable velour earpads
• Handcrafted in our facility in Machida, Tokyo, and meticulously assembled from components built in-house
• Unique, dual-sided 3.0 m (9.8') detachable locking cable is L/R signal independent to ensure proper stereo orientation

ATH-R50x - $159 USD

• Engineered to deliver dynamic, detailed audio, with surprisingly powerful sub-bass and a realistic soundstage
• Accurate upper midrange to ensure the clarity of vocals and lead instruments without sacrificing overall balance
• Absence of internal resonance allows for an extremely quick transient response, ensuring clarity and separation
• Featherlight; 207 g/7 oz without the cable
• Comes with two detachable cables (3.0 m (9.8') and 1.2 m (3.9')) each with a 2.5 mm twist-lock connector at the left earcup and a 3.5 (1/8") gold-plated stereo mini-plug

The ATH-R30x - $99 USD

• Offers the natural R-Series open-back listening experience at an affordable price
• Provides accurate audio reproduction with a spacious soundstage
• Reproduces audio with clarity and balance, delivering well-defined lows, transparent mids, and smooth, extended highs
• Fixed 3.0 m (9.8') Y-cable

If you've had the chance to give these a listen while at Can Jam NYC where these made their debut, we’d love to hear your impressions!

 

[erics75]

After hearing the Apos R70x variant at last year's Can Jam SoCal I'm very interested in this new R70xa. @Audio-Technica Are you guys sending out any review, demo, or tour units to start generating impressions within the community here?

 

[G8torbyte]

After hearing the Apos R70x variant at last year's Can Jam SoCal I'm very interested in this new R70xa. @Audio-Technica Are you guys sending out any review, demo, or tour units to start generating impressions within the community here?

I had a little hands-on time with the R70xa it at this past NYC CanJam and enjoyed the experience . Very light-weight/comfortable, barely noticeable on the head.
Sounded good on my DAP so I'm thinking it'll do real well on my OTL tube amp since it has a 470 Ohm impedance.

 

[kman1211]

Honestly really enjoying my R70xa, it’s quickly become one of my most used pairs. I borrowed a R50x for a couple weeks from a friend and really enjoyed my time with those, I really liked how they did mids. It’s been a while since I had the original R70x on hand but always enjoyed those. I am curious how the R30x sounds at its price point as I found the R50x very impressive for its price.

 

[purk]

This is cool. I wonder if this will have a more balance tuning than the Sony MDR-MV1.

 

[FcConstruct]

I made a review for the R70xa and R50x a few weeks ago if anyone is interested. My R30x review is in the works, just waiting on some measurements before finalizing.

But super quick summary:
1. R70xa is a pure musical enjoyment headphone than a reference one. It's not that it's super colored, but it is colored enough. If your ears are like mine, it's downright magical on some female vocals and treble notes.
2. R50x is more straightforward - it's a mild V-shaped headphone so arguably (?) a bit thin in the mids. Surprising amount of bass, might be the bassiest open back headphone under $500. Treble is very bright though, so be warned. It's broadband elevation so it's not peaky painful, just bright.
3. R30x is worth the $100, but I wouldn't pay much more than that. No complaints on the tuning, though it is light in the bass.

 

[kman1211]

I made a review for the R70xa and R50x a few weeks ago if anyone is interested. My R30x review is in the works, just waiting on some measurements before finalizing.

But super quick summary:
1. R70xa is a pure musical enjoyment headphone than a reference one. It's not that it's super colored, but it is colored enough. If your ears are like mine, it's downright magical on some female vocals and treble notes.
2. R50x is more straightforward - it's a mild V-shaped headphone so arguably (?) a bit thin in the mids. Surprising amount of bass, might be the bassiest open back headphone under $500. Treble is very bright though, so be warned. It's broadband elevation so it's not peaky painful, just bright.
3. R30x is worth the $100, but I wouldn't pay much more than that. No complaints on the tuning, though it is light in the bass.

Interestingly I didn’t find the R50x thin in the mids at all, it was a bit bright but not too bad for my ears, I thought the HD 560S was far brighter for instance. Though treble varies a lot person to person. And differing fit person to person definitely has an impact. Bassist open-back under $500 is probably the OAE1, the R50x doesn’t come close to its bass levels imho. The R50x does have a present and quite punchy bass for sure but it didn’t have the expansiveness, depth, and nuance of the R70xa’s bass.

 

[FcConstruct]

Interestingly I didn’t find the R50x thin in the mids at all, it was a bit bright but not too bad for my ears, I thought the HD 560S was far brighter for instance. Though treble varies a lot person to person. Bassist open-back under $500 is probably the OAE1, the R50x doesn’t come close to its bass levels imho.

That's why I say arguably. I think if you aren't sitting there A/B testing the R50x with like the HD600 or R70x then you won't have an issue. But if you are, then you might notice it a little bit. And yes, the OAE1 is definitely the bassiest... I forgot about that headphone lol. I guess I should caveat that it's rather bassy and rather bright for a "reference", but it's not anything brighter than a HiFiMan. I just know there's people who hate treble so I default to being conservative about it.

 

[kman1211]

That's why I say arguably. I think if you aren't sitting there A/B testing the R50x with like the HD600 or R70x then you won't have an issue. But if you are, then you might notice it a little bit. And yes, the OAE1 is definitely the bassiest... I forgot about that headphone lol. I guess I should caveat that it's rather bassy and rather bright for a "reference", but it's not anything brighter than a HiFiMan. I just know there's people who hate treble so I default to being conservative about it.

Yeah, the HD 600 does have very full and rich mids, but not that many headphones have fuller mids than the HD 600/650. I did notice it compared to my HD 600. Don’t have an R70X on hand but I do recall the dynamics on the original R70X being a bit on the softer side which also made it sound a bit more relaxed to my ears. The R70xa definitely has stronger dynamics than the original imho.

I’m personally quite tolerant of treble as long as it doesn’t fatigue me and I enjoy how it’s presented. I don’t find the R50x any brighter than Hifiman treble and other somewhat bright headphones in terms of presence, though I never really liked how Hifiman’s presented treble; fatigues my ears and I couldn’t ever adjust to it and get comfortable with time like I could with others. Though I haven’t tried anything newer than the Sundara. But one’s gotta figure out what works for their own ears and it can be tricky to figure out what fatigues someone.

 

[Vamp898]

Good sounding Headphones! Yes! Thank you! They still do exist. Sometimes i am beginning to loose faith but releases like this show me, there are still companies who care about making music correct. Its a shame that the R70xa costs more in Japan but yeah... its how it is. But they are so good. As my wife always uses my HD 490 Pro i was thinking about a second pair and i don't want to buy the same Headphone twice. I was thinking about an MDR-MV1 or an NDH-30 but i think im going for an ATH-R70xa

 

[OVERHATE]

Anyone has good comparisons between the R70Xa and the ADX3000?

 

[Vamp898]

Anyone has good comparisons between the R70Xa and the ADX3000?

The ADX3000 is more V-Shaped which means it has more bass and more upper-mids/treble.

the R70xa is a Flat/Accurate Studio Reference Monitor, the ADX3000 is not. That is their biggest difference, they were made for completely different purposes. the R70xa will sound less offensive and equally good with every genre, the ADX3000 will sound more fun, but will cause some songs to sound strange/off/annoying/fatiguing.

 

[dweaver]

Picked up the R50X and I am very happy with the sound of these! They have enough bass to meet most my needs, awesome mids, and airy treble.

One Of my first forays into full size headphones was the AD700 and then AD900. I loved both but sold them due different issues with ergonomics and niggles with the sound signature.

I then drifted away from AT and would occasionally try something like one of the TWS models and my son uses the M50BT/1/2 but I was never really happy with any of them.

The R50X impresses the hell out me!

For this price point these really sound good! I am sure the R70X / AX are better in many ways. But I have no desire to start chasing bigger amps and going down that path again. Plus from what I am reading I might not enjoy their refined sound...

Only issue is they are ever so slightly to confined for my ear, so not as comfy as I would like. But good enough.

Now just have to pry them away from son every once in a while since he is gonna be gaming the crap out of these...