Short answer: the Beyerdynamic MMX 300. It ranks #13 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $359.99; the Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa ranks #45, rated 4.2/5, and costs $379, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 does well: It scores 91 on the Harman model, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the whole midrange within about half a dB of target. The tradeoff: The top end is uneven, with a 4.3 dB dip near 9.5 kHz followed by a 6.1 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and air above 10 kHz about 5.3 dB hot.
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 catch: Sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 6.5 dB under target, so bass is clean but lacks rumble.
Buy the Beyerdynamic MMX 300. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
It scores 91 on the Harman model, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the whole midrange within about half a dB of target.
Amazon $359.99 eBay
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic MMX 300 | Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359.99 | $379.00 |
| Ranked | #13 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #45 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 91 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.73 dB standard deviation | 2.11 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.5 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 |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 470 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL | 97 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Weight | - | 0.4 lbs (199 g) |
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