Short answer: the Mackie MP-360, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 1.7/5 for sound quality (#439 and #436 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the Mackie MP-360 costs $419.99 against $429 for the Audio-Technica ATH-E70, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 450 in-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Truthear Nova instead, ranked #2 at $169.99.
Why pick the Audio-Technica ATH-E70: Three balanced armature drivers per side with 109 dB/mW sensitivity and a 39 ohm impedance let a phone drive it to loud levels without an amp. Watch for: A preference score of 46 in crinacle’s measurement places it far from the response most listeners prefer, so expect a strongly colored sound.
The case for the Mackie MP-360: Three balanced armatures with 15 ohm impedance and 117 dB/mW sensitivity make it effortless to drive from a phone or a stage belt pack. Watch for: oratory1990’s measurement shows presence averaging 9.1 dB below target with an 11.2 dB dip near 2.8 kHz, so vocals and snare lose clarity and sound muffled.
Buy the Mackie MP-360. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $9.01 less than the Audio-Technica ATH-E70.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-E70 | Mackie MP-360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $429.00 | $419.99 |
| Ranked | #436 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #439 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 46 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 45 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.20 dB standard deviation | 4.37 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.70 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.50 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 3 x balanced armature | 3 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 39 ohms | 15 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 109 dB/mW | 117 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0 lbs (9 g) per earpiece | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Audio-Technica ATH-E70 compares with other leading options:
- Shure SE425 vs Audio-Technica ATH-E70
- Audio-Technica ATH-E70 vs Etymotic ER4SR
- Etymotic ER4SR vs Mackie MP-360
- Shure SE425 vs Mackie MP-360
- Shure SE425 vs Etymotic ER4SR
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-E70: $429.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Three balanced armature drivers per side with 109 dB/mW sensitivity and a 39 ohm impedance let a phone drive it to loud levels without an amp. Each earpiece weighs 9 g, and its rating matches the Mackie MP-360.
Cons: A preference score of 46 in crinacle’s measurement places it far from the response most listeners prefer, so expect a strongly colored sound. Plenty of better tuned in-ears cost far less, which makes it hard to recommend on sound.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-E70 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.20 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 3 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 46 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 39 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 109 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.70 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (9 g) per earpiece |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 214 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.58 |
| Peak | 5,106 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.99 |
| Peak | 2,872 Hz | +3.4 dB | 2.08 |
| Peak | 6,870 Hz | -5.3 dB | 3.97 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,099 Hz | -2.3 dB | 2.49 |
| Peak | 1,430 Hz | -1.5 dB | 2.52 |
| Peak | 912 Hz | +1.3 dB | 2.09 |
| Peak | 442 Hz | -0.4 dB | 1.96 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Mackie MP-360: $419.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Three balanced armatures with 15 ohm impedance and 117 dB/mW sensitivity make it effortless to drive from a phone or a stage belt pack. The closed in-ear design isolates well from outside noise, and the low mids sit about 2.3 dB above target for listeners who favor a thick, warm midrange.
Cons: oratory1990’s measurement shows presence averaging 9.1 dB below target with an 11.2 dB dip near 2.8 kHz, so vocals and snare lose clarity and sound muffled. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 47 Hz, leaving kick drums and bass guitar thin at the bottom. A preference score of 45 places it far from what most listeners prefer.
Full Mackie MP-360 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.37 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 3 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 45 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 15 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.50 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +3.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 221 Hz | -4.7 dB | 0.39 |
| Peak | 2,560 Hz | +7.1 dB | 1.07 |
| Peak | 1,435 Hz | -3.1 dB | 1.30 |
| Peak | 4,853 Hz | +4.2 dB | 2.17 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,637 Hz | -2.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 5,624 Hz | +2.2 dB | 5.97 |
| Peak | 3,933 Hz | +0.9 dB | 4.38 |
| Peak | 4,727 Hz | -1.4 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons