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.
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Good instruments and vocals reproduction.
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Comfortable design.
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Poor noise isolation.
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Bass-lacking sound quality.
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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.
- 6.0 Mixed Usage
- 7.6 Neutral Sound
- 5.8 Commute/Travel
- 5.5 Sports/Fitness
- 6.3 Office
- 4.7 Wireless Gaming
- 6.5 Wired Gaming
- 2.2 Phone Call
- 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.
- Updated Mar 01, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 22, 2016: Review published.
- Updated Sep 20, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Aug 09, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Compared To Other Headphones
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 deliver more consistent audio reproduction on top of being 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.
Test Results
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x look slightly different than the rest of the ATH-M series. They keep the overall aesthetic, with a few more silver accents, but change the ear cup and headband design. This gives them a more premium appeal but, unlike the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, they're entirely made out of plastic.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x are above-average comfortable headphones. They're not too heavy or tight on the head. They also have slightly better padding on the ear cups than the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. However, although the ear cups are large, the opening created by the padding feels a bit small and sometimes touches the tip of the ear. This can cause slight discomfort during long listening sessions, but it's not significant enough to be an issue of concern.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70X are large over-ear headphones which unlike the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, don't fold into a more compact format. The ear cups lay flat to save space, but they'll still be too bulky for smaller bags or handbags. They're too cumbersome to comfortably carry around on your person, whether they're in their provided carrying case or not.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x comes with a sturdy hard case that will protect the headphones from water damage, scratches, and falls. However, the case adds a fair bit of bulk to the already large headphones.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x have a different build than the rest of the Audio-Technica M lineup. The headband frame is no longer metal, but a dense plastic that'll still be able to withstand decent amounts of physical stress but won't be as sturdy as the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x's headband. They're durable, just not as durable as some of the other models in the same series. Also, the all-plastic build feels a little cheap for their price.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x aren't meant for sports. They're not tight enough on the head for use while running or exercising. They'll stay in place during casual listening sessions but will quickly fall off your head if used during physical activity. Also, the detachable cable locks into the ear cup. If the cable gets hooked on something, it might pull the headphones off your head before disconnecting.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M70x
- Carrying case
- Cable carrying pouch
- Audio cables (x3)
- 1/8" to 1/4" adapter (x2)
The Audio-Technica M70x's frequency response consistency is mediocre. These headphones showed about 6dB of deviation in bass delivery across our human subjects, with the most drop in bass measured on our test subject who wears glasses. This is significant and noticeable; however, their treble delivery is quite consistent.
Poor isolation. The passive isolation provided by the ear cups performs well in the treble range. They consistently provide more than 20dB of isolation. However, the overall amount of isolation is only about 10dB in the mid-range and 0dB in the bass range.
Average leakage. A significant portion of the leakage is between 2kHz and 8kHz, which isn't too broad. The overall level of the leakage is also about average.
No compatible app.
