Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa Open-Back Reference Headphones

The ATH-R70xa is Audio-Technica's open-back reference pair, built for the mixing stage rather than for tracking. Open housings let the rear wave out instead of reflecting it back into the ear, which is what gives an open pair its depth and its honest midrange; the trade is that it does not isolate and will bleed into a live microphone.

Response runs 5 to 40,000 Hz into 470 ohms, a higher impedance that rewards a proper headphone amp or an interface output with some voltage behind it. The self-adjusting 3D wing support carries the weight without a clamping headband, and the cable is detachable at both sides.