The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 are high-end open-back headphones designed for audiophiles seeking a spacious and detailed sound. They're a more affordable cousin to the brand's top-of-the-line Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 but are still made from premium-feeling materials such as lightweight magnesium alloy and plush velour. Also, the driver units are all handmade in Audio-Technica's Michada, Tokyo, facility.
Our Verdict
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 are great for neutral sound. Although they lack the deep thump and rumble of closed-back headphones, their remarkably accurate mid-range ensures vocals and lead instruments sound natural and well-defined. Their treble isn't as well-controlled as their bass and mid-range regions, so sounds like cymbals can be rendered dull or piercing depending on their pitch. Listeners who appreciate a balanced sound with a bit of extra detail might enjoy this sound profile. Their open-back design means your audio feels spacious and immersive, even if it doesn't sound as though it's coming from two speakers in front of you. It's worth noting that these headphones can sound a little different if you have a larger head, have thick hair, or wear glasses. So it's worth taking the time to seat them on your head with each listen to ensure consistent sound between wears.
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Comfortable fit.
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Well-built but still lightweight design.
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Listeners with larger heads, thicker hair, or who wear glasses may notice a drop in bass.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 aren't really meant for commuting or travel. Though well-built, comfortable, and lightweight, their bulky, wired design makes them inconvenient to carry. Their open-back build also offers minimal noise isolation and leaks a lot of audio, meaning you'll disturb those around you in public spaces.
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Comfortable fit.
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Listeners with larger heads, thicker hair, or who wear glasses may notice a drop in bass.
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Open-back design leaks a lot of audio.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 aren't designed for sports and fitness use. They can't be used wirelessly, and their cable might snag on gym equipment. While they are fairly lightweight for audiophile headphones, they're still bulky, and their open-back grilles are vulnerable to sweat and dust. Those same grilles mean they leak a lot of audio and block out very little, which makes them a poor choice for use outside or in a gym.
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Comfortable fit.
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Listeners with larger heads, thicker hair, or who wear glasses may notice a drop in bass.
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Open-back design leaks a lot of audio.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 are a poor choice for office use. Their open-back design provides little isolation from background noise like office chatter, which means they also leak a lot of sound, so anyone nearby will hear your audio. They also don't have a built-in mic for conference calls. That said, they're lightweight and comfortable enough for long workdays, so if you work in a private office or room and have an external microphone, they'd do the job.
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Comfortable fit.
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Listeners with larger heads, thicker hair, or who wear glasses may notice a drop in bass.
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No built-in mic.
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Open-back design leaks a lot of audio.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 can't be used wirelessly.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 are okay for wired gaming. If you can plug their cable into your PC's soundcard or console's controller, they'll do a good job delivering high-quality audio to you with negligible latency. Their balanced mid-range ensures voices and soundtracks sound accurate and detailed, while their superb imaging means objects like enemy fighters are accurately located in the stereo field. That said, they lack a built-in microphone, so you'll need an external mic or an aftermarket cable with an in-line mic for voice chat.
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Comfortable fit.
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Well-built but still lightweight design.
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Listeners with larger heads, thicker hair, or who wear glasses may notice a drop in bass.
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No built-in mic.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 don't have a built-in mic.
- 8.0 Neutral Sound
- 3.6 Commute/Travel
- 5.3 Sports/Fitness
- 4.4 Office
- 4.6 Wireless Gaming
- 6.8 Wired Gaming
- 1.4 Phone Calls
- Updated Mar 26, 2025: Review published.
- Updated Mar 21, 2025: Early access published.
- Updated Mar 13, 2025: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Feb 07, 2025: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jan 16, 2025: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
These headphones come in a single variant: 'Black.' Here is a picture of their label.
If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Headphones
The ATH-ADX3000 are a more affordable version of Audio-Technica's flagship audiophile headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000. As open-back, wired headphones, they're competing against high-quality offerings from the likes of Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, and HiFiMan. In terms of tonality, these edge closer to something like the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII than the smoother sound of the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO. And let's be clear: once you're spending big money on a pair of headphones from these sorts of reputable brands, measurements can only tell you so much. Yes, technical flaws like too much distortion or poor imaging are best avoided, but sound profile is a personal choice, as is the use case. For instance, open-back headphones with short cables aren't very useful for recording.
But if you like the idea of the ATH-ADX3000's slightly bright, detailed sound but are looking for headphones with a more speaker-like soundstage, the Sennheiser HD 800 S are a worthy, if expensive, upgrade. If your budget can't quite stretch to the Audio-Technica, the aforementioned Beyerdynamic are also a great pick. On the other hand, if you prefer warmer headphones, it's worth checking out the Sennheiser HD 650 or the Audeze MM-100.
If you're searching for audiophile-grade or professional headphones, check out our articles for the best open-back headphones, the best audiophile headphones, and the best studio headphones.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 are much more expensive headphones than the HiFiMan Edition XS, but they serve similar purposes. Both pairs are open-back headphones that target audiophile listeners or audio professionals such as mix engineers. Fans of a brighter sound will likely prefer the Audio-Technica's extra detail in the treble region, while bass-heads should turn to the HiFiMan, which puts out noticeably more thump. If we had to pick, we'd say the HiFiMan are the better deal, but sound preference is personal.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 and the Sennheiser HD 800 S are both high-end open-back headphones. The Sennheiser are the better headphones: they have a more balanced treble range and a more speaker-like soundstage. But they also cost a lot more than the Audio-Technica, which still offer a remarkably accurate mid-range. Some listeners may even prefer the Audio-Technica's brighter sound, but in this case, budget is likely the decisive factor.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are very different headphones. For a start, the open-backed ADX3000 are many times more expensive than the closed-back M50x, but they serve different purposes. The M50x are a great choice for use while recording or for listening to music on the go (so long as you don't mind the cable). On the other hand, the ADX3000's more open sound and remarkable imaging performance make them a good choice for critical listening work such as audio editing.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 and the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII are remarkably similar headphones. Both of these open-backed headphones combine a fantastically balanced mid-range with a slightly bright overall tonality, but the Beyerdynamic are notably cheaper than the Audio-Technica. They're also less likely to cause listeners with thicker hair or larger heads to experience bass loss. That said, the Audio-Technica have a more immersive, open soundstage and are lighter to wear.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 and the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are both audiophile-grade open-back headphones, but they target slightly different markets. The Audio-Technica are more expensive than the Sennheiser and are a better choice for fans of a balanced but bright sound. On the other hand, the cheaper Sennheiser offer a bit more low-end thump and have a more controlled treble, which some may find smoother.
Test Results
These over-ear headphones have a sleek, modern look. Their lightweight magnesium alloy frame means these headphones weigh notably less than comparable offerings from rival brands, such as the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII. The ear cups and headband are adorned with soft velour padding. Their open-back design showcases the large 58 mm driver components in each ear cup., which are located behind the honeycombed housing.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 are ultra-light, and most people will find them comfortable. They have well-padded, large ear cups that are easy to adjust on your head. However, the headband lacks plush padding, using only a velour wrap, which may cause fatigue over time, especially for people with larger heads. The ear cups swivel, which helps you find the right fit. But, while the headband offers a good range of sizes with distinct notches for easy adjustment, the notches are spaced about 3.5 mm apart, making precise adjustments harder for some users. Headphones like the AKG K361 offer much more precise fits.
The Audio-Technica ADX3000 aren't designed with portability in mind. They don’t fold into a compact shape, so they're too bulky to carry around easily.
The Audio-Technica ADX3000 come with a massive carrying case that is designed more for protection than convenience. It features foam cutouts that securely hold the headphones and cable in place, preventing damage from drops or falls. Its hard exterior shell locks tightly shut with a clamp closure, making it excellent for transporting your headphones safely, but it's not something you'd want to use every day.
The Audio-Technica ADX3000 have a great build quality, so long as they're used for their intended purpose of indoor listening. They're made from durable-feeling materials like aluminum, plastic, velvet, and cloth, and their thick cable seems like it will resist fraying. The plastic hinges do seem a little fragile, but they're smooth and quiet with a good range of motion.
That said, while the yokes feature decent notches for adjustment, they can be tricky to adjust, and the proprietary cable connectors seem fragile and could be damaged if mishandled. The headphones also lack an IP rating for water or dust resistance, so use them outdoors at your peril.
These open-back headphones offer decent stability, with enough clamping force to stay in place during gentle head movements. However, they might not stay on for more intense movements like vigorously headbanging to your favorite Haken tunes.
- Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000
- 1x detachable 6.35 mm (1/4") TRS to A2DC cable (3 m/9.84 ft)
- Hard case
- Manuals
The Audio-Technica ADX3000 deliver a balanced, slightly bright sound profile. Like many open-backs, they lack a bit of low-bass, but there's enough high-bass warmth to keep basslines feeling full and natural. Their mid-range is remarkably well-balanced, ensuring instruments and voices are reproduced accurately without added harshness. On the other hand, their treble response is a little uneven, with some peaks and dips that can render sibilants piercing. However, some listeners may enjoy the added detail this slightly bright and airy sound signature offers.
The Audio-Technica ADX3000 have decent frequency response consistency, though audio delivery can vary depending on fit and positioning. In particular, the bass response varies with the size of your head, and whether or not you have long hair or wear glasses. When putting these on, we recommend taking time to ensure a consistent fit with each wear.
These headphones offer very good compliance with our bass target. Their open-back design means sounds like 808s are robbed of some thump, and kick drums lack just a touch of punch in the mid-bass. Still, their high-bass is well-balanced, so basslines in songs like Dua Lipa's Don't Start Now have just the right amount of warmth without muddying up mid-range sounds like voices.
These headphones have outstanding mid-range target compliance. The whole region is remarkably even and flat, ensuring voices and instruments alike are reproduced accurately. Acoustic instruments in songs like Toumani Diabate's Si Naani sound natural and life-like.
The treble compliance is satisfactory. A big peak in the low-treble means the upper harmonics of vocals can sometimes sound harsh. Similarly, a couple of small dips and a larger peak in the mid-treble means sibilants can sound piercing, depending on their pitch. Finally, the slightly elevated high-treble brings out airy sparkle in your audio.
These headphones offer a decent peaks and dips performance. They control their own sound profile very well through the bass and mid-range, so instruments like bass guitars are reproduced accurately. But a big peak in the low-treble can make voices sound a touch harsh, while a dip and a peak in the mid-treble means sibilants can sound alternately dull or piercing, depending on their pitch.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 have remarkably good imaging performance. Thanks to Audio-Technica's strong quality control, they feature very low weighted group delay, which results in tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. Our unit's L/R drivers are well-matched in phase, amplitude, and frequency, ensuring precise stereo imaging. That said, imaging performance may vary between units.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 have a decent passive soundstage. They produce a very spacious sound as their open-back design means your audio doesn't build up in the driver enclosures, but rather leaks into and interacts with the space around you. On the other hand, audio feels more like it's coming from inside your head than a stage in front of you. If you're in search of headphones that do a better job on that front, consider the Sennheiser HD 800 S.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 deliver excellent weighted harmonic distortion performance. We don't expect you to notice any distortion, even when listening to audio at loud volumes.
These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.
These open-back headphones block out almost no noise, but then they're not designed to. With these on, you'll hear a slight reduction in the high frequencies of any sounds around, so the sound of a nearby A/C fan will be attenuated a little. But you'll hear anything with a lower pitch, such as a nearby conversation, loud and clear.
These open-back headphones aren't built for noise isolation. In fact, you'll likely hear any nearby sounds almost as well with these on as with them off. Car horns, pedestrian chatter, and coworkers tapping on keyboards come through loud and clear, with the headphones blocking out just a little of the very highest audible frequencies.
These headphones have terrible leakage performance, but that's by design. Their open-back design leaks audio into the room around you, so anyone nearby will hear a thin-sounding version of your audio.
These headphones connect to your audio source via a 1/4" jack. The cable itself is stiffer, making it resistant to kinks and tangling. Some listeners might prefer a more malleable cable, but firmer cables are less likely to get tangled.
It's worth noting that the cable connects to each ear cup via Audio-Technica's custom A2DC connector. Since it's a custom piece, it might be harder to find replacements than standard connectors.
If you have a 1/4-inch port on your PC's audio interface, you can plug these in and receive audio, but you'll need an external microphone for audio input.
These headphones aren't a great choice for PlayStation gaming, as they don't come with an 1/8" jack for audio delivery, nor do they come with a microphone.
These headphones aren't a good option for console gaming because they only come with a 1/4" jack, and you'll need an external microphone for voice input.
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