Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Professional Open-Back Reference Headphones

LLL

LLL

New member
https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/ath-r70x

I've been looking for some phones that I can do tracking and mixing with; the idea of course being precision (speakers right up to your eardrums) and relatively flat freq response.

These are open back which means not as much low end but wider soundstaging (panning L to R) and cooler comfort.

They're amazingly lightweight and extended sessions are a breeze.

Pretty flat, really good detail, really wide soundstage and enough in the lows (150Hz and below) to be able to adjust without overcompensating.

I've done a handful of multitrack sessions; revisiting old mixes too, and I find I can really pinpoint freqs... end result is better mixes.

While these aren't for listening per se, they do a great job with the detail if you just want to chill and hear things you might not have heard before on your favorite tracks... and don't mind the non-hyped sound.

About $350 and worth every penny.

81ZiNYR+U8L._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 
Those sound awesome!

I just ordered some Beyerdynamic DT880s, should be here this week, looking forward to checking them out with the Waves CLA NX plugin.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: LLL
I'll try. The plugin should be cool too, I've messed with it a little with my old phones but the 880s are supported, meaning they have tweaked the EQ curve to work with them, and I have the bluetooh head tracker coming with them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LLL
LLL said:
They really are. And sure, one could spend thousands on a pair of nice headphones, but with today's technology, one doesn't need to.
Click to expand...

The key in all of this stuff is finding what works for you. It doesn't take a lot of money to get a good result so long as you know your gear and how to cooperate with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LLL
I don't like open back headphones for tracking . . . with vocals sometimes you get some bleed into the track and with guitars and the room sound usually means I don't the controls on the guitar quite the same way that I would only listening to the mics. That said, those look like pretty sweet headphones.
 
I'm just digging into headphones, closed back headphones are recommended for tracking because of the isolation they provide, open back are "generally" preferred for tracking because they allow for a more natural sound, they don't hype the bass like the closed back ones. Kinda like a closed back cab vs open back.

I'm sure Negease and LLL can probably provide more insight.

I went with the 880s because they are semi-open, and supported by the Waves NX plug ins.
 
devastone said:
I'm just digging into headphones, closed back headphones are recommended for tracking because of the isolation they provide, open back are "generally" preferred for tracking because they allow for a more natural sound, they don't hype the bass like the closed back ones. Kinda like a closed back cab vs open back.

I'm sure Negease and LLL can probably provide more insight.

I went with the 880s because they are semi-open, and supported by the Waves NX plug ins.
Click to expand...

I'm not typically tracking stuff that requires an extreme amount of precision.


Mixing-wise - I generally do a two step approach with mixing.

- First individual tracks/buss groups; massaging and getting general levels.

- Then do a "top down" approach where all the mustard and mayo on the "2" (master stereo track) has been applied and see how everything sits it the mix. Then fit accordingly.

After that, the trick is to test your mix on a number of different audio devices (smartphone, bookshelf stereo, car stereo, etc)

But first, put down the project for a day and give your ears a rest. :lol:
 
The room I play in is small, totally untreated, and has shelves and all kinds of stuff along the walls, I know what I am hearing from my monitors is far from optimal. Fine for practicing, learning, and writing, but I want something better as I try to get back into recording. The Waves NX plugins with the bluetooth tracker seem like the ticket to having a good mixing environment.

I got the bluettooth tracker with the NX Virtual room and picked up the CLA NX plugin too. Buying the NX Virtual Room bundle with the tracker and the CLA separate from Sweetwater was cheaper than the CLA bundle, one of those weird pricing things. Thought about the Ocean Way and Abbey Road versions too but the CLA seemed the most versatile. We'll see how it works in real life.

https://www.waves.com/hardware/nx-virtual-mix-room-nx-head-tracker

https://www.waves.com/plugins/cla-nx#chris-lord-alge-explains-cla-nx-for-headphones
 
Last edited:
devastone said:
The room I play in is small, totally untreated, and has shelves and all kinds of stuff along the walls, I know what I am hearing from my monitors is far from optimal. Fine for practicing, learning, and writing, but I want something better as I try to get back into recording. The Waves NX plugins with the bluetooth tracker seem like the ticket to having a good mixing environment.

I got the bluettooth tracker with the NX Virtual room and picked up the CLA NX plugin too. Buying the NX Virtual Room bundle with the tracker and the CLA separate from Sweetwater was cheaper than the CLA bundle, one of those weird pricing things. Thought about the Ocean Way and Abbey Road versions too but the CLA seemed the most versatile. We'll see how it works in real life.
Click to expand...

I know nothing about the NX but I looked it up. I could see it being very useful for 5.1 etc surround mixing. Not sure about stereo music.

Are you micing stuff? Or in the box? Also, not sure what the end goal is - doing whole songs with a full band, or whipping up guitar clips, or what?


I'm typically doing in the box; occasionally I'll mic up an amp or (god forbid) do a vocal track. Primary focus for mixes of course being guitar.

If micing amp, you can get away with "poor room treatment" with close micing for amps... stick the mic right on the speaker grill cloth with an SM57 or similar style.

You don't really need to do room treatment if you're not trying to capture and add your room "sound". You can add other "people's/studios" room/reverb sound with hundreds of professional plugins.
 
Pretty much all in the box, in a small room in my small rented house, just for funsies. Definitely not going to be running an amp loud enough for decent tones without disturbing the neighbors.

I needed new headphones, so I invested in the Beyers. The CLA NX is more interesting, even for stereo, I think you can download a free demo, it will work with any headphones but they have some that they specifically support. I've tried it with my cheap AKGs (don't remember the model) and it is pretty cool.

Didn't mean to sidetrack other than I have new phones coming too. Those ATs you got look sweet!
 
Last edited:
devastone said:
Pretty much all in the box, in a small room in my small rented house, just for funsies. Definitely not going to be running an amp loud enough for decent tones without disturbing the neighbors.

I needed new headphones, so I invested in the Beyers. The CLA NX is more interesting, even for stereo, I think you can download a free demo, it will work with any headphones but they have some that they specifically support. I've tried it with my cheap AKGs (don't remember the model) and it is pretty cool.

Didn't mean to sidetrack other than I have new phones coming too. Those ATs you got look sweet!
Click to expand...

Don't worry about sidetracking; I'm not one of those forum fascists with a stick up their rear-ends. :lol:

Discussions flow and jump to tangents in real life, and that's how it should be.

Well if you're doing most in the box, your room sound/treatment doesn't matter.
 
Not obstructed. A few feet, they are on stands on each side of my desk, but again, small room, one monitor is in a corner, it tends to sound artificially boomy.

And, the plug in seems fun with some decent phones, I'm not making any $ from this so might as well enjoy it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LLL
devastone said:
Not obstructed. A few feet, they are on stands on each side of my desk, but again, small room, one monitor is in a corner, it tends to sound artificially boomy.

And, the plug in seems fun with some decent phones, I'm not making any $ from this so might as well enjoy it.
Click to expand...

Well do a mix with those phones+plugin, then try the mix on various music players. You'll hear if things ain't kosher.

My first foray into mixing with phones was years ago and I was using those ubiquitous Sony MDRs (7506? IIRC). They are "broadcast standard" phones and have been around since I think the 70's.

Anyhoo, it took me some time before I realized that these phones do hardly any lows, so I was overcompensating the bass in my mixes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top