If you’ve ever wanted to try open-back headphones but didn’t want to spend a fortune, Audio-Technica’s new ATH-R30x might finally make that possible. These wired, open-back headphones are part of the company’s R-Series, and they come in at just $99 / £85 / €99—a noticeably lower price than what we usually see for this style of headphone.
So what’s the appeal of open-back headphones, and why would you consider them over the more common closed-back models? It mostly comes down to sound and comfort.
Open-back headphones let air pass through the earcups, which tends to create a more natural, speaker-like sound. Instead of feeling like the music is coming from inside your head, it often sounds like it’s happening around you. That makes them popular with audio professionals, home studio users, and music fans who want a more “open” listening experience—especially in quieter spaces.
The ATH-R30x isn’t Audio-Technica’s first pair of open-back headphones. It joins the company’s R-Series alongside the more advanced ATH-R50x and ATH-R70xa models. But this one is clearly aimed at a wider crowd—people who want that reference-style sound but don’t necessarily need all the bells and whistles. The R30x uses a set of 40mm drivers, a bit smaller than those in the higher-end versions, and comes with a non-detachable cable.
That said, the design still focuses on delivering clean, detailed audio. According to Audio-Technica, the driver setup is built to reduce internal resonance and respond quickly to changes in sound.
They’ve used a combination of high-efficiency magnets and a specially designed magnetic circuit to help minimize distortion. The end result is meant to be a clear, spacious soundstage that works well for everything from mixing and editing to laid-back listening.
Looking at the technical specs, the ATH-R30x has a frequency response range of 15Hz to 25kHz, a sensitivity of 92dB, and an impedance of 36 ohms. That last detail means you won’t need special gear to power them—your laptop, phone, or basic audio interface should work just fine.
Comfort also seems to be a big part of the package. The headphones weigh just 210 grams (about 7.4 ounces), which is pretty lightweight for this category. They have a wider, adjustable headband that helps spread the weight across your head evenly, and the earpads are made of soft velour, which is breathable and designed for longer sessions. If the pads eventually wear out, they’re replaceable.
As for what’s in the box—there’s no travel case or fancy packaging here. These headphones come with a 3.5mm cable and a screw-on 6.3mm (1/4-inch) adapter, so you can plug them into everything from your computer to your audio gear. Just keep in mind that since they’re open-back, they’re not great for commuting or noisy environments. They leak sound in and out, so they’re best for quiet rooms or studio settings where that openness can really shine.
Technical Specifications:
With the ATH-R30x, Audio-Technica seems to be offering a more affordable path into open-back listening—whether you’re making music at home, editing video, gaming, or just listening to your favorite albums with fresh ears. And for folks who’ve been curious about open-back headphones but didn’t want to spend $200 or more, this could be a practical way to test the waters.
The ATH-R30x is available now through Audio-Technica’s website and through major online retailers like Amazon.
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