Audio-Technica ATH-M70x Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

I adore these fabulous headphones and recommend them for audiophiles - especially music lovers. They have a high-quality dynamic response. With these, I discovered what audio engineering means. I learned how to listen for subtleties in my own productions and in existing media. Listen to music on them. You will notice sonic differences from album to album; what some people might describe as "lack of fullness" is actually a more accurate representation of the design space of each production. The cords and equipment they come with (case, aux-to-1/4 adapters, cord storage pouch) are sufficient. One of the cables is very long, which I found very useful more than a few times. With factory ear cups they are comfortable to wear for a medium-long length of time. They look cute in selfies. They are sufficiently closed-back and their design cancels a surprising amount of noise. I recently sat on them hard and they broke (and I cried), but they endured a lot of mistreatment before that. These headphones are incredible for the cost. If you are reading this, you should probably buy them.

When I first got these headphones in, I was a little taken back in a confused way... A little back story; I've been a tracking and live musician for years, but have only recently (1-2 years) gotten into engineering and producing on my own. So I am familiar with accurate (flat) sounding speakers, in-ear monitors, etc.. That being said, I didn't have a ton of experience with studio headphones since I have always used studio monitors 100% of the time, unless I'm actually the one tracking, then I use my in-ears or Ultra-phones for sound isolation. Anyway, I put these on the immediately the day I got them and was almost unsure on how I felt about them. I played every genre of music through them from Miles Davis stuff to Underoath, and everything in between. The thing I immediately noticed about them, however, was how intricate they are. I could truly pick out the finest detail of the music, from very very light snare drum ghost notes on a D'Angelo record to extremely buried guitar or keys parts on an Underoath track. However, I was still thinking that I was missing some low end, and that they were possibly a little to crisp for me. Since these are being used for listening to music 80% of the time, with the occasional accuracy check on mixes, I thought I would want something a little warmer. So after reading and watching a ton of reviews (most I had already read before picking up the M70x) I ordered a pair or M50x's. I will say, first impression, I didn't like them any more or less than the M70x's. I immediately noticed that the M50x's had a SLIGHT boost in the low end, a little boost in the highs, and a little dip in the mids, but overall I didn't think they were EXTREMELY different. After about an hour of listening to the M50x's, I went back to the M70x's for A/B purposes. That's when I immediately realized that (In my opinion) the M70x's are so much more accurate and clear. They aren't bloated in any way and each frequency range from the low low's to the highest of highs (that the human ear can hear that is) are very accurately reproduced. I felt that the M50x's are a little to thin in the mid frequency range, the highs don't seem as clear, and the lows (while more pronounced than the M70x's) where not as clear either. I then started listening to the same tracks back to back on each pair, and realized that the subtle parts I could pick out on the M70x's either weren't as clear, or just plain non-existent. I kept going back and forth between headphones on the same tracks and realized that each track was being represented WAY more accurately on the M70x's. All-in-all, just to be truthful, if I had purchased the M50x's first, I probably wouldn't have the same opinion about them as I do now and the differences are very subtle AT FIRST. And even with all that being said, I still think the M50x's live up to their reputation (for the most part). But these M70x's have opened my ears to so much detail in the music that I have been listening to for quite a while that I just don't think I could go back. It happened so quickly that I returned the M50x's the same day... I'm not a true believer in "burning in" headphones, so I hevnt gotten 100+ hours of use out of them. And I will say that It probably took a few days of listening and some comparing for me to notice how much I liked these headphones, but now I absolutely love listening to everything through them. They have really made me realize how bloated the bass is and how much mids are missing from most headphones out there. Oh and the M70x's are super comfortable, where as the M50x's squeeze your head pretty tight and after a while, can actually start to hurt. Design wise, I'd say they're about the same. Both are pretty classy looking with a basic, straight forward studio design. Last thing, I purchased a headphone amp for this and wound up returning it too. Both models really don't need that much power to run the drivers. Even from an iPad or an iPhone. They sounded about the same through the headphone amp as they did directly from whichever source I plugged them into. There may be better or same quality headphones out there for the price. But I am extremely happy with these M70x's.

Let me start off by saying that I am NOT an audiophile. I was trying to find a pair of quality headphones for my wife who is a talented musician. I read numerous headphone reviews and couldn’t understand any of the lingo used like “colorful, v-shaped, flat, rich, neutral,” etc. So for the purposes of this review I will be writing it for other non-audiophiles in plain English words that everyone can understand. First let me give you the conclusions up front: THE GOOD: 1. Reasonable price 2. Good (not great) construction 3. Light weight 4. Large earcups 5. Good noise isolation 6. Very neutral sound (more on this below) THE BAD: 1. More plastic than metal 2. Boring design 3. Don’t fold 4. Very neutral sound (read below) 5. Low volume (see below) In comparison to the famed M50X, these are the more “premium” headphones. The earcups are larger that fit AROUND your ears for a better seal rather than OVER your ears like the M50x. You’d be forgiven for buying these thinking these are the more expensive and better sounding siblings. Rather, they’re more like cousins. The two are completely different products for completely different needs. You SHOULD NOT UPGRADE from the M50x to the M70x expecting to get better sounding headphones (you will be disappointed), rather you should buy these if you NEED studio headphones. I made the mistake of buying the M50x and then buying the M70x thinking they were better. I did a lot of testing between the two and found the sound they are indeed very different with different characteristics geared to the user with different needs. If you want nice everyday headphones for music listening and enjoyment, DON’T BUY THESE. These are NOT for everyday use at home, in the subway, etc. You would be disappointed with the sound. The M50x is geared for this purpose, it’s tuned with good (but not overbearing) bass, discernible highs and mids for a beautiful listening experience for a number of music types. The M70X is extremely flat and neutral. Other reviews I read state as much also but I didn’t understand what this meant this until I started comparing them. Compared to the M50x, the M70x lack bass, the treble and mids are not as crisp or clear, and the volume of the headphones are extremely low for the same given source volume. While these qualities made them sound like they’re bad headphones for the price, it helps to understand that they were built this way for the discerning professional who makes music. You don’t want extra strong bass hits or shrieking highs when recording or mixing music. Rather you want flat sounds that’s unmodified so you can be closer to the source material. Other consumer headphones like Bose Quietcomfort, Sony MDX, and the M50x are all consumer headphones that have been tuned at the factory to deliver a bassy, punchy, and poppy sound for enjoyment. They may sound better, but it’s not the source material, rather it's a modified and tuned sound. The M70x was designed to be studio headphones, they don’t fold for travel, they’re lighter weight than the M50x for long work sessions, and they’re not designed to be flashy. They’re for the working professional. Even the low sound volume is designed for use with a professional DAC and strong amplifiers so that they blow out the headphones. However for studio headphones, these are superb fro the price. So if you are looking for good headphones, be wary of what you intend to use them for. If you want to be bopping to beats on the subway or your commute, skip these for the M50x. If you’re an at home musician looking to record and mix music for professional work, then these are for you!

2024 UPDATE : the JB Weld 2 part epoxy has held the broken hinge well for a couple of years, so it's probably stronger now than when new. Combined with the fact I got these at a healthy discount, I will change the rating from 1 to 4 stars. These are definitely more accurate than the Beyer 990s to be fair and headphones with this much 600-3k detail are absolutely essential. These remind me of the AirPods Pro 2g in the mids ... if you turn those almost all the way up. I recommend that you don't pay anything close to the list price. I'd give these five stars if they didn't break and were 75$ cheaper. ORIGINAL REVIEW: When the hinge breaks from simple normal use, these 300$ Headphones will not be useable at all. (I did buy mine renewed though they seemed new). Hypothetically lol, if these did not break so easily, I’d give them 4 stars because they do sound good, but are still overpriced. The plastic seems to last up to just around the time the warranty expires. I’ve read in another review that AT will charge $120 plus shipping to replace/repair. These are my second pair of AT headphones to break on the headband plastic. Though I’ve owned several other brands, only ATH headphones have broken this way. Will attempt to repair with super glue and baking soda, and perhaps some tape as well before sending money to AT. * Update edit: super glue worked to initially hold broken section together just enough to apply gorilla tape and JB Weld epoxy (original formula) the next day. This repair seems durable enough for regular use. I purchased beyer 990s when these broke, which I like better, even though 990s are $100 less.

As noted in my review of the ATH-MSR7, I expect a lot from headphones. As a kid, my family didn't share my affinity for classical music and film scores, so I got used to listening with headphones–first my Dad's Soundesigns, then eventually my own brand new Koss Pro4x. In the 32 years since, headphones have remained my preferred way to listen to music when I'm not socializing. I've simply grown to love the detail and intimacy headphones provide, which I've not experienced with speakers and amps costing tens of thousands of dollars. Since 2009, I've gotten progressively more interested in getting the best possible sound from both my home and portable gear. At home, I listen through the headphone jack of an Onkyo A/V Receiver (can't remember the model, sorry) that plays remarkably well with my favorite open back headphones, the Oppo PM-1, bringing just the right amount of high frequency presence and articulation to otherwise fairly lush cans. I love the sound, and have managed to set the EQ on my Astell & Kern AK100II to yield virtually the same sound, so I can enjoy it on the road, if need be. But it's rare when I take the PM-1 out of the house, despite being easily driven by portable devices–its open-back design simply isn't practical for noisy environments or hushed ones where others might not want to hear my music. So, I've been searching the past two years, fairly intensively, for the right closed back portable headphones. Many have been tried and rejected, more often than not because of poor build quality (creaking and microphonics drive me nuts, especially in expensive cans made with luxury materials, such as the B&W P7!) or unbalanced sound. I'm not a fan of bloated bass or sibilant or artificial-sounding treble. With Momentum (original, 2.0 and Wireless), HP50, M4U1, P7, AH-D600, MDR-1R, SRH1540, Crossfade M100, PM-3 and even Audio-Technica's own MSR7 having failed to strike the right balance, I was prepared to be disappointed by the ATH-M70x. Imagine my surprise, then, to find they are supremely comfortable with creak-free build quality! Period. I can wear them for hours and almost forget they're on my head. Don't get me wrong, they don't LOOK as premium or appear as well-finished as do the MSR7s, but in practice, they are far superior. Okay, so kudos to Audio-Technica on getting the build right! But have they, then, compromised on sound to keep the price down below $300 street? Not at all! Simply put, these are the flattest-sounding headphones I've used since my old Sony MDR-V6–deep, tight bass that's punchy when it's supposed to be, light and nimble when it's supposed to be; energetic mids in perfect balance between the bass and fast, detailed, non-fatiguing treble. Great soundstage, too! Almost as wide and deep as my admittedly not-so-well-imaged-for-open-backs PM-1s. Wow! I love the detailed, balanced sound these deliver. I'm sure I could EQ them to be a bit warmer, to match my PM-1s, but why when that's clearly not their intended purpose. I'll keep my Oppo PM-3 portable planars for when I need/want warmth on the go. But I have a feeling I won't be choosing them over these fantastic M70x very often.

I think I bought mine in 2016. It's only been about half a year and the ear connector broke. The other side is almost falling off too. I like the sound quality but the build quality is not up to par for almost $300. The mental hinges are connected by a piece of plastic (that breaks easy) and the glue that they use don't hold at all. I always keep mine in the case or keep it on top of my desk. I have only ever drop it once or twice on soft carpet in a height of at most a meter. It broke nonetheless. Still however, it's a good piece of headphones but don't buy it unless you get the protection plan. I tried using super glue, but it just became a huge mess on my hand. Like literally. Pros: good headphones, crisp sound quality. A little lacking on bass though. Cons: fragile. Well I've only had one to be honest so it might've been a bad one. However I would not buy again to test out my luck. 1/5 for lasting half a year.

Starting a new job at a company with an open workspace floor plan. That's going to be tough, though I. Maybe some closed back headphones will provide me with a small sense of isolation.... So, I listened to a bunch, listed below in my order of preference, with my favorites at the top. These are all closed back, with prices ranging from $120 up to $300. Music source was a laptop connected to a DAC/Headphone Amp via USB. (I also tested various DAC/Amps but the headphones make the larger difference.) I've kept notes on my impressions brief and included comparisons amongst the headphones in this list. If you want flowery vocabulary I'm sure in depth reviews are available out there on the web. --- beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Studio Headphones Very good. Get you involved with the music. Brighter than A990Z but not painfully so. I don't think these would be fatiguing. Bass solid but not overemphasized. Very comfortable. Feel secure. Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z Art Monitor Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones Good. Balanced. Not overly bright. Good space. Ethereal. One could definitely listen to these all day without fatigue. Fit: Feel loose. Odd headband. Cans are LARGE. Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones Good. Bright. Maybe too bright. Yet not as clear as the 700 PRO X. Comfort is ok. There's a bit more pressure around the ears than some, and the cans are on the smaller side so positioning them is key. beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 32 ohm Limited Edition Professional Studio Headphones Good. Less efficient than the 700 PRO X, which doesn't make a ton of sense since these claim to have lower impedance. Significantly brighter than the 700 PRO X. They do lack bass - noticeable even with male vocals. Very comfortable. Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones Bright, but lack bass. It's just not there. Scarcely more bass than the MSR7b8K's. I'd say these are "vocal forward" - lots of detail in the vocal range. I prefer the M50X. Slightly more base. Slightly warmer. Comfort is good. Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7bBK Over-Ear High-Resolution Headphones OK. Bright. Lack body (weak bass). Light. Short cord. Did not come with a 1/4" plug or an adapter. Clearly intended for a pocket source. Audio-Technica ATH-A550Z Art Monitor Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones Bad. Lack mid-range. Too much treble. If you like this style I strongly recommend that you save a bit and get the ATH-A990Z. Comfortable, but feel a bit loose. Huge cans. SENNHEISER HD 569 Closed Back Headphone Bad. Disappointing. Total lack of detail. Cymbals present in other headphones are scarcely noticed. Large-ish, tall cans.

I have never owned a pair of studio monitoring headphones, and for the price, I thought it would be a good start. I purchased these in the hopes that it would last me for years down the road. This is due in part to the reputability of Audio-Technica. turns out, this ending up being one of the most crucial purchases for my future in music production. When I first tried these on, I thought I fooled myself. I live frugally, so it wasn't an easy choice to drop 200$ on a pair of headphones. It was a great deal though, so I went for it. I could tell that these provide a completely different listening experience compared to commercial listening headphones which I produced with before. Due to these limitations, my mixes were always unprofessional and poor. However, after owning these for a couple of weeks I could tell there was a bit of a learning curve that came with it. Studio headphones operate off of true sound, which can be emulated clear and crisp with these headphones. On songs that were mixed properly, I could easily tell the difference. Build Quality: 9.5/10 - really well done, although the design does look a bit cheap and underwhelming. Smooth matte finish Comfort: 8/10 - pretty comfortable over lengthy durations, however, you will need to take them off for a bit after wearing them for a while. Padding is pretty solid Sound Quality: 10/10 - Clear mixes with moderate highs and true lows, very accurate sound Unboxing experience: 10/10 - Nice hardcover with a matte finish, comes with a great cable selection. BOTTOM LINE: These are NOT for the everyday headphone listener, you would be much better off purchasing a pair of listening headphones in that case. These headphones are very much meant for mixers and producers looking for a true and clear sound. It will take a bit of adjustment, but it will come eventually. If you are able to create a pretty good sounding mix on these, it will sound phenomenal elsewhere.

M70x is a very accurate tool throughout the entire frequency range.

ho scelto questa cuffia per sostituire l'adorata AKG K340 e per destinarla specificatamente all'ascolto di LP di musica classica e strumentale. volevo una cuffia dettagliata e brillante dove trombe e violini ti fanno vibrare, dove distingui un triangolo e un ottavino e dove le percussioni trovano il giusto spazio. ho guardato i grafici della risposta in frequenza di una decina di cuffie e ho scelto questa. l'ho provata in due sessioni di tre ore con vari LP di musica classica e anche col CD di J M Jarre Oxygene e una raccolta su CD dei Blondie ricordando la squillante voce di Deborah Harris: la cuffia mi ha soddisfatto appieno! è minutina e dall'aspetto "fragilino" ma è ben fatta almeno con le staffe e le guide d'alluminio, i padiglioni hanno cuscinetti bassi ma morbidissimi, ottimi i cavetti in dotazione, insomma per il mio gusto dico costruzione soddisfacente e soprattutto un suono completo, abbastanza dettagilato e brillante, mai affaticante, speciale per la musica classica e strumentale, magari per le "grandi voci" ma non per gli amanti dei "bassi potenti". al momento la uso con giradischi Audio Technica AT LP5 con testina AT VM95SH collegato all'ingresso phono dell'integrato Yamaha A S301 mediante cavetti Monster Cable: sembra che dalla testina alla cuffia gli apparecchi siano stati costruiti uno per l'altro. per dirla in due parole: cuffia comoda che suona ottimamente , brillante e dettagliata almeno per la sua fascia di prezzo.

I was looking at the HD 25 or the MDR 7506 headphones for monitoring camera audio whilst shooting video. I have the M70x headphones for monitoring an overhead mic into my Sound Devices 702T. I wanted to upgrade my cheap Sony headphones that I use for audio monitoring from the camera. Amazon had a great BF special on the M70x for not much more than the other two I was considering. They aren’t as portable, but I thought having the same phones on the recorder and camera might be valuable. Although their passive sound isolation isn’t what it could be, they are still quite good in that regard. So, the almost surgical top end helps in identifying any audio issues in a noisy environment, from the talent, and/or hearing what is or isn’t getting into the mic from the surroundings, depending on the mic’s polar pattern. They are fairly neutral with a revealing, but not fatiguing top end that I value very much. They are very comfortable and are fairly sturdy, if you look after them. I’ve gotten to know the sound and how that would translate come mix time. They may be too big or hot for a lot of outdoor location work day in, day out. I don’t do that. The other models I mentioned are ubiquitous for a reason, so may be more suitable for you. For my situation, they are a great tool. I’m glad I have the two pairs.

Qualidade em altíssima satisfação

the sound of the ATH M70X is excellent as expected. Still, the plastic build quality makes it seem very cheap and the fact that the ear cups don't rotate toward the back is very inconvenient, especially when using it outside with a smartphone around the neck. having the earcups facing forward is not great.