The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x deliver a decent sound but lack the bass and versatility of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. They're stylish, comfortable, and come with a good case but have a slightly weaker build quality than some of the previous ATH-M models. They also don't block noise very well.
Our Verdict
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x are geared towards a crisp representation of instruments and vocals but lack a substantial amount of bass for the average listener. That, combined with their poor isolation, makes them less versatile than the cheaper Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or Audio-Technica ATH-M40x for everyday casual use.
- Good instruments and vocals reproduction.
- Comfortable design.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Bass-lacking sound quality.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
The Audio-Technica M70x are decent headphones for neutral listening. They're bass-lacking compared to the Audio-Technica M50x, which deliver a more balanced listening experience. However, they have a decent soundstage despite being closed-back headphones. They also have an instrument-heavy audio reproduction that will please some listeners but may be too sharp for most.
Mediocre for commuting. The poor passive isolation won't block the ambient noise of a busy commute. They're also a bit cumbersome to carry around on your person.
Not made for sports. They're large slightly bulky and not the most stable on the head. They're decently comfortable and not too heavy but will fall if used while running or jogging.
Average for office use. They won't block the ambient chatter of a lively office, and also leak a bit at higher volumes.
These headphones aren't suitable for wireless gaming.
These headphones aren't suitable for phone calls.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Aug 10, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x are less versatile headphones than others in the same lineup, including the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. See our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones, the best wired headphones, and the best audiophile headphones.
While the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x are more comfortable than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, they might not be the better choice for most people. The M50x are more affordable, meaning they'll offer great value for most people. The two headphones are very similar and the extra investment necessary for the M70x might not be worth it.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x are better headphones than the on-ear Audio-Technica ATH-M60x. The ATH-M70x are noticeably more comfortable and are also better built. Their sound profile follows our target curve more accurately but might be too sharp for some. They’ll also be more versatile, as their over-ear design will block out more high-frequency noise. If you feel like over-ears are too bulky and hard to carry around, the on-ear M60x might be a better option for you.
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