Compare Audio-Technica ATH-R70XA Headphones vs Grado Signature S750

Reviewers broadly praise the ATH-R70xa for natural, detailed, clean open-back sound, with only one dissenting review calling it merely fine and not personally compelling.

The S750 is consistently praised for exceptionally revealing, natural sound with strong musical engagement. Even the more critical takes on fit and hardware still describe the listening performance as a major strength.

Passive isolation is limited by the open-back design, making the headphones unsuitable for recording or noisy environments despite one reviewer finding outside sounds not too distracting.

The open-back construction offers little practical isolation from noisy surroundings. It is better suited to quiet home listening than portable use in busy environments.

Immersive audio impressions are positive, with reviewers describing an entrancing and surrounding presentation.

With the right source, the S750 can sound deeply immersive as well as analytical. Its vivid vocals, speed, and spacious presentation can make well-recorded music feel immediate and involving.

Frequency response is mostly praised as neutral, flat, even, and suitable for critical listening, though one reviewer heard a warm-but-lean tonal balance.

Reviewers who focused on tonal accuracy heard a lifelike, uncolored, and convincing balance with precise timbre. The S750 favors faithful presentation over added warmth or bass emphasis.

Bass is the most divided sound attribute: some reviewers hear tight, extended, accurate lows, while others want more punch, richness, or sub-bass headroom.

Bass is generally tight, articulate, and well controlled rather than boosted for impact. Most reviewers call it lean or restrained for bass-heavy music, though one heard unusually deep, powerful sub-bass when the recording demanded it.

Soundstage width is a consistent highlight, with reviewers describing the presentation as wide, spacious, airy, large, and open.

A broad, open soundstage is one of the S750’s defining strengths, often described as huge, airy, lifelike, or extending well beyond the earcups. One reviewer found the stage less expansive, but still accurate and breathable.

Sound leakage is a consistent downside because the open-back design lets others hear the music.

Sound leakage is an unavoidable downside of the open-back design and is serious enough to rule out many shared or public spaces. Quiet private listening is the intended environment.

One review positively notes the included long lead as a useful standard accessory.

The package is sparse for the asking price. Reviewers specifically criticized the lack of a case and the absence of multiple cable choices in the box.

One review criticizes the ear cup swivel for not rotating enough to help the fit and seal.

The limited 105-degree cup rotation is presented as a sensible durability choice, preserving useful flexibility while reducing wear. It favors controlled movement rather than full swivel freedom.

Connectivity is limited to wired use; one review frames that as a drawback versus wireless options, while another appreciates having no wireless complexity.

Mini-XLR connections and optional cable lengths or balanced terminations give the S750 unusually flexible wired connectivity. Reviewers liked being able to tailor the cable setup to different sources and room layouts.

The detachable cable system is convenient for some because it locks, removes, and routes either way, but others dislike the proprietary or over-complicated design.

Detachable mini-XLR cabling is widely treated as a major Grado improvement. Swappable lengths and balanced terminations make the S750 far easier to adapt to different amplifiers and listening positions.

The ear pads are generally described as soft, comfortable, breathable, and well padded, with one caveat that they can feel slightly shallow.

The new B cushions improve comfort for some listeners but are strongly fit-dependent. They can distribute pressure well, yet the flat on-ear foam felt poorly fitting or uncomfortable to others.

Headband padding feedback is split between one complaint that the pad collapses into the metal and one praise for comfort.

Extra headband padding is generally seen as a meaningful improvement over older Grados. Most reports are positive, but one reviewer still found the padding meager and insufficient for the price.

Stability depends on fit: one reviewer with a smaller head had slippage, while another found the light clamp still secure.

Stability depends heavily on fit and movement. The reinforced hardware is described as secure, but one wearer found the headphones would not stay put while moving their head at a desk.

Midrange clarity is usually a strength, with vocals and mids described as clear, present, and revealing, though one reviewer found the mids shouty and honky.

Midrange performance is a standout across the board, with vocals described as vivid, tangible, crisp, and highly intelligible. Acoustic instruments also benefit from strong presence and clean articulation.

One reviewer found resolution and clarity weaker at low levels, saying the headphone opens up more when played louder.

High-volume behavior is mixed: some listeners heard clean, glare-free treble at significant levels, while another found the brightness increasingly harsh as volume rose. The result appears especially dependent on recording quality and treble sensitivity.

Instrument separation and imaging are repeatedly praised, especially for stereo placement, mix decisions, and hearing individual elements clearly.

Complex mixes stay exceptionally easy to untangle, with instruments and voices given clear space and localization. Dense orchestral, jazz, and rock passages remain layered rather than collapsing together.

Cable quality is mixed: reviewers like the useful length and dual cable in some contexts, but others criticize the split design, length, memory, and ergonomics.

The Signature Gold cable is lighter and softer than older Grado designs, but cable ergonomics remain divisive. Critics still found it heavy, stiff, or awkwardly sized for common listening setups.

Headband adjustability is inconsistent, with serious complaints about fit and the strap design alongside one reviewer who found adjustment easy.

The familiar friction-rod headband adjustment works effectively, but its presentation divides opinion. One reviewer preferred its simple function to ornate mechanisms, while another thought it felt crude for the price.

Travel friendliness is poor because reviewers repeatedly say the open-back design is bad for commuting, public listening, and shared spaces.

These are poor travel headphones: the open-back leakage, substantial weight, and insecure movement reported by some listeners work against commuting. Their strengths are much better suited to stationary home listening.

Treble is generally praised as clear, smooth, detailed, and not harsh, with caveats about slight restraint or peakiness in a few reviews.

Treble is detailed, airy, and extended, but opinions depend on tolerance for brightness. Several reviewers found it controlled and clean, while others warned that hot recordings or louder listening can make the upper range harsh.

Aesthetics are generally praised as stylish, sleek, discreet, professional, or modern.

The S750 keeps Grado’s recognizable identity while cleaning up the presentation into a more modern, minimalist profile. The look is distinctive without becoming ornate.

Overall recommendations are mostly positive for critical listening, mixing, and mastering, but fit, bass needs, build expectations, and use case shape the verdict.

Recommendations are strong for dedicated audiophile use, especially for listeners who prize detail, openness, and spatial precision. Fit, source matching, and price make an audition advisable before buying.

Premium feel is mixed: some reviewers praise the finish and feel, while another says the simple build lacks premium materials.

The aluminum construction can feel appropriately premium, but luxury impressions are not unanimous. One reviewer thought the materials justified the positioning, while another said the pads and headband did not feel luxurious at all.

One reviewer raises a clear durability concern, saying the light construction did not inspire confidence for longevity.

The restrained swivel range and reinforced metal hardware are designed to reduce wear over time. Reviewers discussing the assembly viewed it as rugged and well suited to regular use.

Clamping force is praised as light and low-pressure, including for eyeglass users, while still staying usable on at least one reviewer’s head.

Clamp is inconsistent across head shapes rather than universally comfortable. One reviewer found it overzealous and tiring, another described the design as firm, while another thought the fit was too loose.

Weight comfort is the strongest point of agreement: reviewers repeatedly describe the headphones as extremely light and easy to forget during wear.

At about 460 g, the S750 is lighter than some Signature siblings but still feels heavy to several reviewers. The reduced mass helps versus larger models, yet weight can undermine stability and long-session comfort.

Long-session comfort is a major strength thanks to the light build and soft contact points, though fit can be poor for smaller heads.

Long-session comfort is the biggest point of disagreement. Some listeners wore the S750 for hours comfortably, while others found the on-ear pressure, foam, weight, or fit tiring within a short period.

Build quality is sharply split, ranging from flimsy, rattly, and delicate to solid, sturdy, excellent, and well constructed.

Build quality is usually a strength, thanks to aluminum construction, solid hardware, and careful finishing. Most reviewers describe it as rugged or beautifully built, although one felt some headband details looked and felt cheaper than expected.

One reviewer praises the overall design as professional-looking and good-feeling.

The industrial Grado look remains distinctive, with several reviewers praising its retro, minimalist, or elegant execution. A dissenting view felt the physical appearance did not match the premium price.

Value is generally positive for sound quality and flagship-level pricing, though reviewers still note that the headphones are not cheap.

Value depends on what you prioritize: $1,695 is repeatedly called expensive, yet several reviewers think the sonic performance competes above its price class. Buyers paying for comfort, accessories, or luxury finish may find the equation less convincing.

The S750 is not uniformly source-agnostic: several reviewers heard clear gains with capable amplification, while one pairing lost clarity and openness. Good amplification can unlock more resolution, but system matching matters.

One publication gave the S750 a Product of the Year Award before its full review, reflecting unusually strong enthusiasm for its sonic performance. That recognition reinforces how highly its sound was regarded there.

Carry case feedback is mixed: one reviewer liked the soft carry case, while another wanted a harder protective case.

Fine detail retrieval is one of the most consistent strengths, revealing low-level textures, room cues, vocal nuances, and layers in familiar recordings. The presentation is highly informative without always becoming clinical.

Feature depth is limited, with one review calling the features sparse despite a few useful extras.

Imaging is exceptionally precise, with stable placement and clear localization across the stage. Reviewers repeatedly describe instruments and voices as easy to position in a convincing three-dimensional space.

Overall satisfaction is high because the S750 repeatedly delivers memorable, engaging sound. The strongest reservations center on physical comfort and premium-price ergonomics rather than the core audio performance.

Practical portability is poor despite the detachable cable. Open-back leakage, weight, and the lack of suitability for noisy environments keep the S750 focused on stationary listening.

The stock B cushions are not the only fit option. Compatibility with Grado G, F, and L cushions gives owners a practical route to change how the S750 sits on the head.

Owners can swap the stock B cushions for other compatible Grado pad shapes to change fit. That flexibility is useful for listeners who do not get along with the default on-ear geometry.

Volume output is a practical weakness because several reviewers note the 470-ohm load needs a capable amplifier and can be too quiet from weaker sources.

The S750 handles both large dynamic swings and subtle microdynamics with unusual speed and control. Rhythm, transient attacks, and changing intensity stay composed even in dense music.

Spatial performance is praised for impressive imaging and positional cues, including mixing placement and gaming directionality.

The S750 responds well to external EQ, with one reviewer adding low-end weight through Roon without damaging speed or articulation. That makes subtle tonal correction more viable than on some earlier Grados.

Setup simplicity is praised because the wired, app-free design is plug-and-play.

One review criticizes the hinge/swivel area as weak and a source of rattles.

The left/right-independent cable routing is repeatedly treated as useful, clever, or cool.

The raw foam pads can hold noticeable body heat. That may become uncomfortable during warmer or more active use, even though the headphone is primarily intended for stationary listening.