Display & Audio Setup
Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa
By Nick Miles · Updated 2026-10-03 · 3 expert sources
Pros
- +Tom's Guide says that, judged on sound alone, it would easily be some of the best audiophile headphones money can buy
- +Tom's Guide found a delicate, revealing, mids-weighted sound
- +Light weight keeps it comfortable for long periods (Tom's Guide)
- +Long cable and an included 6.35 mm adapter (Tom's Guide)
- +RTINGS rated its predecessor, the ATH-R70x, great for neutral sound
Cons
- −470 ohms per the Audio-Technica Amazon listing, the hardest load here; RTINGS says the 470-ohm R70x predecessor needs an amp
- −Tom's Guide calls the build flimsy and not up to scratch against similarly priced rivals
- −Tom's Guide flags a weird headband
- −Bass lovers will be left wanting (Tom's Guide)
Score breakdown
- Expert consensus7.0
- Effectiveness8.0
- Build safety9.0
- Durability9.2
- Value8.6
Expert Consensus rests on one rated review (Tom's Guide, 3.5/5); no other rated review of the R70xa was found on 2026-10-03. Build safety is provisional. Our 2026-10-03 search of CPSC recall data found no recall for this product, and no safety, heat or failure reports turned up in our sources, but we have not yet verified its UL/ETL or equivalent safety certification. The 9.0 is a placeholder until that evidence is reviewed, not a certified rating.
What the experts say
“If they were to be judged on their sound alone, they’d easily be some of the best audiophile headphones that money can buy.”
“They feel delicate though, and some might look for more bass.”