APOS R70x Refine and Gremlin Amp Review - A Match Made in Heaven

[@dustinmihalcheon5013]

I nearly bought these when they first released. My first audiophile headphone was an Audio Technica and it was great. However I ended up changing my mind and ended up settling on the Edition XS. No regrets. It’s amazing. Maybe one day on eBay I’ll pick up a Refine. 😊

[@speedy_iron]

Thank you for explaining the impedance and what to do about it. I’ve been wondering about this for a while.

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank you for this in-depth review and your informative perspectives. Take care, Sir.

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks Simon, same to you!

[@oldandslow8994]

I am in batch 3 cant wait :)

[@didgineil]

Awesome walk through, good decision on not scripting walking through the journey. You’ve got a natural style of someone who’s enjoys their job, passion and knowledge balance comes through. I installs went to check the refine sold out. But thanks for putting the gremlin back on my radar, saw these and completely forgot about it 👍

[@MakeItWain]

This combo is so good. Awesome video, sir!

[@Pib31995]

Was looking for this review when I found your squigs on them. Glad to see it!

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks!

[@gigolocalypsetv5520]

Was able to buy the Refined pads, as a separate purchase, so will be upgrading my R70X soon!

[@darmokt]

I’ve been enjoying the R70x Refine on a tube amp (xDuoo TA-66 OTL) quite a bit. The Gremlin, however, is not a tube amp. It’s a tube hybrid amp, which is a tube preamp and a solid state amp. Outside of a bit of extra distortion from the tube voltage gain stage, it’s as solid state as they come. In particular, it doesn’t have the high output impedance associated with OTL amps which impart the “tube magic” on high-impedance headphones like the R70x or 6XX.

[@graelstream2353]

The xduoo ta66 is readily available to where I live, what dac do you use to pair it with? I'm new to the hobby and got e a 2nd hand magni unity no dac, loki mini+ and a modi 3.. Would like to explore more but a bit tight on the budget hehe.

[@darmokt]

@ right now I’m using it with a phono preamp and a CD changer, so no help on that 🙂 but the modi would be a good fit I think

[@MasterRyan97]

I also heard more warmth with my R70X Refine compared to my Aune AR5000! That's so interesting! I remember thinking "Wow, male voices are SUPER full and rich!" with my R70X's. Male voices just had a different tone and were more prominent!

[@MasterRyan97]

Did you get the ZMF Ori pads with them? I hope you get your hands on them and do measurements with the R70X Refine! I love the ZMF Perf leather, it's so soft and plus. I used them on my Aune AR5000 as well and they worked amazing. Probably the best earpads I have ever used (and that's including Wicked Cushions Freeze on the Astro Nova Pro Wireless!)

[@TheGreektrojan]

Nice! I have the ar5000s right now and have the Refine's on order. If the refine is basically the lighter AR5000 and it fits my head then it sounds like a great buy.

[@GadgetryTech]

Two amazing headphones!

[@Andersg85]

I really wanted this headphones but I couldn’t get them because I live en Europe. But nice review keep up the good work

[@ruinmyshyt]

@GadgetryTech and rest of Audio community. Love the video and can’t wait for you to test R70x Refine in games. Now i do have a noob question since I’m new to the audio space. My current setup is the Soundblaster x7 paired with Beyerdyamics DT770 Pro 280ohms. I mainly Warzone + COD. Not sure if it’s me but i can’t hear footsteps for the love of me. Scout mode = doesn’t seem to work. I recently purchased, R70x refine since it’s been praised highly with its beautiful sound stage and I’m gonna pair it with Schiit Gunnr. Does sound stage mean I need something with more power than Gunnr to fully hear further out on a Warzone map? Example: less power = hearing only 5ft away with Gunnr? Or more power with Magni = 20ft away ? Thanks guys

[@airmax16]

Hey Joe, thanks for your work, your videos are perfect. Is there anything planned for a review of the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000? I think I saw them in some video when you had them on. Greetings from Germany ✌🏼

[@BIGDOOKY]

Great video as always! I’m still kinda new to the audiophile world, so I’m just wondering how the gremlin amp would do for gaming primarily?

[@carlosferjezus]

Awesome review!!! R70x refine is better than Senn Hd490pro, ou Beyer MM330 for competitive FPS?

[@kadenmeyer9732]

Any update?

[@soghotze]

Hi and thank you for the review. I just started with the „hifi game“ and got a mangird tea pro with a sound blaster g8 two weeks ago. Using it for gaming and music. Liked it so much, especially regarding music, that I ordered a Arya stealth yesterday. Now I saw your review and am asking myself if the r70x is really worse than the arya stealth, as it is significantly cheaper? Or are they comparable for music? For gaming I will mainly use the IEMs. Also: do you think I need a better/ different Amp for the Arya or the r70x?

[@blcky1545]

Hopefully they'll make those pads available separately at some point, not just because of the tonality changes. AT doesn't seem to even sell the OG pads in Europe and not having a properly tuned replacement is a dealbreaker for many. Cheers for another great review though, these had my interest since Badseedtech hyped them up.

[@johngreggsoriano2043]

Awesome! 🎉🎉

[@gigolocalypsetv5520]

Have the R70x and it's one of my favorites. From what I've read, it literally is just the pads that are the difference between this and the refined. If so l, man I wish they would just sell the pads since these pads are so proprietary. Any suggestions would be rad!

[@HitTube]

Hey @GadgetryTech could you test Rog Pelta and compare them to Rog Delta II ?

[@verboten8]

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or the one on the table is the SR7000 instead of the AR5000? Anyway, enjoyable review as always. I'm not gonna buy this set since they're nowhere to be sold where I live. And I already have the AR5000. Thanks again for the thorough review.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Joseph, I want to thank you for taking the time to review these Audio Technica products. Are they both made in Japan? Reverend Dr. Thomas, The Vegan Vicar.

[@ce7778]

So much nice gear 🎉

[@WickedOnMars]

Do you think the Schiit Gunnr would be good for using the R70x Refine as a gaming headset? Does it have enough power?

[@Sinsanatis]

badseed tech seems to think so. but definitely go for the wall wart addon. i picked up a gunnr recently in preparation for the refine. as im in batch 3, but i could still get use the gunnr now. i love the width and presence knobs on the gunnr, its fun to play around with. i only have the ie300s and he-x4, but it was really interesting to see how it all changes with the knobs. one thing tho is that the included 3.5mm to 1/4 adapter is a bit loose on the 3.5mm side. if i press it in snug and dont tug on the cable at all its fine, but it cuts out when u tug or twist it around. luckily i totally forgot that the he-x4 came with an adapter and i swapped it out and it works perfectly snug. but the refine looks to come with a screw on adapter anyway so it shouldnt be an issue if ur using it just for the refine

[@zzinsanezz]

Meze 99 Neo was the opposite, I couldn't find the L/R earcup, until I realized that both earcups can be either L or R. It depends on the cable.

[@TropicalJus]

Would you recommend the moondrop x crinacle dusk 8 months later? First time getting a iem and don’t want to make the wrong decision.

[@willsympson6195]

I'm new to this and bought a pair of r70x refine, would the k11 r2r be a good amp/dac for these?

[@guybrushtwood]

Yes

[@StealthySniper1213]

I missed out on the Apos ones, but was looking to upgrade my audio setup. Audio Technica just announced/released the R70xa does anyone know if those or the original R70x would be better for gaming? Other than that love the videos I have learned a lot from your videos about audio. Keep them coming.

[@guybrushtwood]

It’s sold out 😢

[@avengement89]

Gah was waiting a few weeks for this review to come out before pulling the trigger. Was bummed to see it was sold out a few days ago too.

[@RafaelSilva-yv3oh]

I g0t my order in like a month ago and can't wait!

[@GadgetryTech]

Timing was awful on this one. I didn't receive my production copy until late so there wasn't much I could do about it. They are in negotiations with potentially getting more units though, so we'll see!

[@guybrushtwood]

@ that’s what I wanted to hear mate. Reckon you could have a word to them about shipping outside of the US? Namely to Australia 😅 We can’t get the gremlin or Refine over here. I know many people wanting both as well

[@Artamon8371]

The refine is just a pad swap to the original. Apos has actually stated this and also has been saying they were thinking about selling the pads separately.

[@superweeb6969]

I was on the edge about ordering this until your review came out, but unfortunately they sold out. Oh well 😢

[@GadgetryTech]

Timing was awful on this one! I didn't receive my production copy until late so there wasn't much I could do about it. They are in negotiations with potentially getting more units though, so we'll see!

[@graelstream2353]

Been lucky enough to own this beauty as my first headphone. Currently running it on my Schiit Magni unity(No dac), Loki mini+ and Modi 3. Im currently looking to expand my collection, what would be a better buy? the fiio k11 r2r(heard it works well with the refine) or get more headphones like the Ft1 close back and the ft1 pro which is a open back one iirc..

[@kazemira8476]

Hello 😊 I just want to know, do you have a general EQ for the astro a50 gen 5, both for Music and gaming, I mostly game story games, like Mount and blade and some Warframe 😊

[@G00dH0uR83]

Joe - that Aune headphone looks like the new closed back AR7000. Are you sure that's the AR5000?

[@JagsP95]

Thats the SR7000 i think

[@TheGreektrojan]

Definitely the SR7000. Probably accidentally grabbed the wrong one for the video.

[@GadgetryTech]

This was actually an easter egg and I'm shocked someone spotted it so quickly. Email me for further instruction :) [e-mail]

[@muni_drecio]

Can you do a new video for sound blaster g6 to play new warzone on ps5 please

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

I had my doubts with the ft1 pro for gaming movies music music only maybe. And why did you all keep the alpha s secret from me. Sooooo good bass boosters fully open and a detailed eq movies and games

[@codydavidson877]

Could I use a ifi zen dac amp v3 with the gremlin?

[@GadgetryTech]

Yup! You need to purchase a 4.4 to 4.4 balanced cable to connect the back of the Zen DAC to the back of the Gremlin

[@jdawg206A]

The headphones are sold out 😢

[@Mihke]

I like the gremlin a lot, my only issue with it is that there is a channel imbalance (on my unit) on the volume pot until between 9 and 10 o'clock. The R70x Refine does sound really good, but the connectors are stupid. WHY? They should have just have gone with a standard 3.5mm instead of the garbage locking 2.5mm. Also, the quality of the stock cable is ASS.

[@elvemoon]

R70x Refine is sold out

[@timothyzila4705]

Bad timing for this review 😢 I bought them right away expecting them to sell out, only for it to take months. But I guess today was the day.

[@Sinsanatis]

@@timothyzila4705 yeah i started seeing the reviews 2 months after and thought id prob be too late but i wasnt so i pulled the trigger. bought it literally a month ago now. sadly im in batch 3 which comes in march 😭. theres such a big gap between 2 and 3

[@GadgetryTech]

Timing was awful on this one. I didn't receive my production copy until late so there wasn't much I could do about it. They are in negotiations with potentially getting more units though, so we'll see!

[@jesss1050]

The Beyerdynamic T1 Gen 1 and Gen 2 are even crazier with the impedance curve than the R70x, they go to like 1400 Ohm in a similar area the R70x does and are a nominal impedance of 600 Ohm.

[@calvinyip364]

Pls review Fiio ft1 pro

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

Did you watch the video 😂😂

[@GadgetryTech]

Video drops in less than 12 hours :)

[@rhalfik]

For me the original R70x is impressive but slightly boring. The highs are not great on it. It takes EQ well but it's still a darker sounding neutral, more so than HD6xx even.

[@TreSwayy]

I have the original r70x that I’m trying to sell on eBay. I never really like them Personally. Maybe because I only ever driven them with the schiit stack. They’re a bit demanding but they don’t sound interesting enough the bass distorts. They sound kind bad bass wise. They’re pretty “ok” for mixing music I guess. For gaming meh.

[@ODIOPOWER]

Crying in EU :(