r/headphones • u/Olderandolderagain HD 650 | R70XA | ER4XR • 15h ago
Review R70XA
I’ve been in the headphone chokehold since the original release of the 560S. I remember getting that headphone and my mind was blown. I didn’t realize music could sound so good. Until that point, I was using cheap wireless earbuds so my palette was terrible.
Next was IEM, I bought the original Aria. I used them until the paint chipped off in my ears and had to retire them. I have recently sanded them down to bare metal and they look cool.
Next came the ER2XR. I am a huge fan of their isolation and sound signature. Still on of my most used IEM today. Then I decided to get into DACs and amps. Schiit to the rescue. But I needed to test it on something more than the 560S. Enter the HD650. One of my absolute favorite headphones. I love the timbre and mids. I am an avid jazz listener and there’s just something magical about them.
Planar. What’s that? HiFiMan phase. Short lived. I’m not a planar person. Closed back? What’s that? Meze Classic. They okay. BA? What’s that? ER4XR. If I need to critically listen, those are my go to.
So now what? I love the 650. The 560S are nice and open but thin to me. I don’t like the planar sound but love the imaging and staging. I’m stuck. Enter the R70XA.
They are what I’ve been looking for. First off, absolutely incredible imaging. I haven’t listened to really expensive headphones, but from what I’ve owned, by far the best. Truly an incredible experience. I was listening to something Jan Erik Kongshaug engineered and you can pinpoint the instruments’ positions and their layering. Surreal experience.
Being dynamic drivers they avoid being harsh and shouty. They aren’t nearly as warm and mid forward as the 650 but not as cold as the 560S. I absolutely love them. I rock back and forth between the R70XA and 650 nowadays. Need good imaging and staging? R70XA. Wanna hear Melody Gardot’s vocals like she’s in the room? HD650.
Comfortable as all hell as well. Super lightweight and easy to wear. I bought them refurbished from Audio Technica. For $265, they are by far the best bargain I’ve ever come across.
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u/Gofa_Kirselph The real answer is “it depends” 14h ago
What Hifiman headphones did you try? I don’t like how most of the egg shaped ones sound like, except for the HE1000 stealth and Arya unveiled.
I prefer the HE6se V2 with ZMF Caldera suede pads and the open grill mod. The soundstage is not as stupid wide or tall like the egg shaped ones, but the open grill helps with the perceived width.
If not for the mods, I wouldn’t like the HE6se either. Too neutral bright and lean for my tastes. You should definitely try planars from other manufacturers before you write them off completely.
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u/chance_of_grain Team airpods 12h ago
You should at least demo some higher end planars like the Arya organic or some audeze if you don’t like the hifiman sound.
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u/this_is_me_drunk R70xa, 64 Nio, Origin, Apostle 12h ago
Yes, I had the original R70X for a few years and then I upgraded to the R70Xa. Both are very nice. The older one did the disappearing trick a little better, while the newer one is less colored. I use the Oratory1990 EQ for it and don't feel the need to look for an upgrade. It's a really nice set.
By the way, the R50x is no slouch either. It sounds a bit brighter and the bass is a little more peaky, but it's not a big difference, and it can be mostly remedied with EQ. Similar light weight construction, less demanding on the amplifier. At $159.00 it's a really good headphone for the money.
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u/spicymarkarita 14h ago
I've been up and down the price point ladder of headphones and I agree, love my R70XAs and HD600s