Earlier this year Audio-Technica introduced a new series of their R headphones, a collection of open back headphones expertly designed for an array of professional uses.
Now, Audio-Technica, a name synonymous with studio grade reference headphones, is expanding the same series even further with their most affordable addition yet, the ATH-R30x.
From critical listening tasks and professional mixing and mastering to home studio production and content creation, we already know the R series provides an incredibly natural listening experience with detailed sound for highly reliable referencing. Now you can have access to that for a lot less than you might think.
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Audio-Technica ATH-R30x
For those uninitiated, open back headphones provide a spacious sound that approximates experiencing studio monitors, and feature a more natural sound-stage than closed back headphones can achieve. Due to the reduced sound isolation, open back headphones help to create the effect that the sound you’re hearing is coming from an external source rather just inside your head, helping you reference with a more honest sound. Open backs are also generally considered a more comfortable listening experience as they apply less direct pressure to your eardrums and allow you to talk without experiencing as much internal head resonance.
The ATH-R30x’s are incredibly comfortable and lightweight, coming in at just 210g. The adjustable headband is very soft and flexible and feels like you could wear it for days without getting uncomfortable. This paired with the headphone’s soft velour earpads makes for a very comfortable experience and best of all, the open back design allows for airflow which keeps your busy ears nice and cool.
The open design of the R30x’s really allows sound to flow naturally from the 40mm drivers and provides a very immersive experience. The sound is very clear due to Audio-Technica’s transducer design and relies on very little additional tuning or dampening. The great thing about these headphones is that they’re specifically engineered to eliminate internal resonance and they deliver a very fast transient response, meaning the diaphragm reacts instantly to sudden, sharp signals like kick drums, producing a tight detailed sound without any muddy overhang. The result is a dynamic, energetic and true to life sound that makes mixing a dream.
The R30x’s also feature high efficiency magnets and a pure alloy circuit design that greatly reduces distortion and provides an extended high-end frequency response. Combined with an acoustically transparent honeycomb housing, these features produce an incredibly natural, airy sound that lends itself to a truly painless and very accurate listening experience.
The R30x’s sound very balanced, with well defined lows, even, uncoloured mids and highs that are extended but very smooth. The soundstage is very wide and realistic, ideal for mixing dense tracks and getting lost in your work. Though extremely light weight and comfortable, these headphones seem very durable and like they could handle some serious wear and tear. After wearing them for a few hours they gave me no discomfort whatsoever and the headband is very well designed and ergonomic.
Now for the nerdy stuff. These headphones are fitted with a 3.5mm TRS connector with a screw-on 6.3mm adapter included, the driver diameter comes in at 40mm, they boast a frequency response of 15-25,000hz, the maximum input power is 1,000mW and they have a sensitivity of 92dB/mW.
Facts and figures aside, the R30x’s provide an open, airy listening experience that suits not only mix referencing but all sorts of professional and recreational purposes.
They’re a great all rounder and have the sonic detail for virtually any audio related task. These cans are a great gateway into the R series at an accessible price, and are a solid option for anyone interested in trying out open-back headphones for the first time. I myself am more used to closed back headphones but after giving these a go I think I might be a convert.
I love more than anything to get lost in the process of mixing, I find it to be an incredibly immersive and meditative experience in which hours pass by like minutes and I can exist completely in the present. What really screws that up is the searing pain in your skull you get when you’ve been wearing an uncomfortable pair of headphones for too long and for that, the R30x’s are a remedy. What they also remedy is ear fatigue, their open back nature really helps to alleviate the feeling of wearing out your ears during a long session due to the reduction of direct pressure on your ear drum that the design provides.
When you’re trying to get lost in your work, comfort is key. It’s all very well to have great sounding reference headphones but if they hurt your head after a couple of hours of use you’re not going to get very far. You won’t have that problem with these. Not only is the sound as expansive, detailed and honest as you could hope for, but the lightweight construction and pillowy headband and earpads make for a luxurious experience that allows you to focus solely on your work for as long as your heart desires. It may not be advisable to stay up until 2am trying to get a snare drum to sound exactly like ZZ Top’s but at least now I can do it without causing myself an injury.
At $219rrp, these Audio-Technica cans are an absolute steal and I can’t imagine anyone regretting investing in them. If you’re curious about open back headphones and are ready to take the plunge without breaking the bank, these are the ones for you.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Audio-Technica.
