Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x. Both are rated 4.2/5 for sound quality (#28 and #34 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x costs $329 against $379 for the Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
Why pick the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x: A preference score of 87 and a fairly smooth 1.6 dB deviation make it one of the closer closed-back models to the Harman target. The catch: Presence is lifted by about 3 dB with a peak of 4.6 dB near 4.5 kHz, which adds bite to vocals, snares and guitars and can become fatiguing at higher volumes.
Why pick the Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa: A preference score of 86 comes from a well balanced midrange, with upper mids within 0.1 dB of target and low mids only 0.8 dB under. The tradeoff: Sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 6.5 dB under target, so bass is clean but lacks rumble.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $50 less than the Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-M70x | Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.00 | $379.00 |
| Ranked | #28 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #34 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.60 dB standard deviation | 2.11 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 35 ohms | 470 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 97 dB | 97 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (280 g) | 0.4 lbs (199 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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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.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-M70x: $329.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 87 and a fairly smooth 1.6 dB deviation make it one of the closer closed-back models to the Harman target. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz lands within 1 dB of target, and sub-bass is only about 2 dB light, so low end is tidy without being thin. At 35 ohms and 97 dB sensitivity it is easy to drive from a laptop or interface, and the closed design isolates and does not leak into a room.
Cons: Presence is lifted by about 3 dB with a peak of 4.6 dB near 4.5 kHz, which adds bite to vocals, snares and guitars and can become fatiguing at higher volumes. Treble above 6 kHz also runs slightly hot, so bright recordings sound sharper than neutral. At 280 g it is heavier than many open-back rivals in its class.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-M70x review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.60 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 97 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (280 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.6 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 | +3.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 681 Hz | +3.6 dB | 2.12 |
| Peak | 4,327 Hz | -3.0 dB | 2.54 |
| Peak | 110 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.82 |
| Peak | 69 Hz | +1.3 dB | 1.64 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,406 Hz | +2.0 dB | 4.92 |
| Peak | 3,133 Hz | -0.9 dB | 5.06 |
| Peak | 2,230 Hz | -0.9 dB | 3.09 |
| Peak | 1,352 Hz | +0.4 dB | 2.01 |
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Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa: $379.00 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x (ranked lower, rated 4/5). See every Audio-Technica ATH-R70x generation.
Pros: A preference score of 86 comes from a well balanced midrange, with upper mids within 0.1 dB of target and low mids only 0.8 dB under. At 199 g it is a very light open-back design. The warm tilt and slightly relaxed top suit listeners who find bright headphones tiring.
Cons: Sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 6.5 dB under target, so bass is clean but lacks rumble. An 8.8 dB dip near 4.2 kHz and presence about 3.4 dB low pull some clarity out of vocals and instrument attack, making it sound recessed. The 470 ohm impedance means it needs a dedicated headphone amp, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.11 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 470 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 97 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (199 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 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 | +7.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 90 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.50 |
| Peak | 4,752 Hz | +4.6 dB | 3.09 |
| Peak | 1,292 Hz | -1.7 dB | 1.42 |
| Peak | 365 Hz | +2.3 dB | 1.73 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,469 Hz | -1.8 dB | 5.37 |
| Peak | 5,813 Hz | +1.6 dB | 5.98 |
| Peak | 6,423 Hz | -1.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,177 Hz | +1.1 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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