ATH-M30X vs ATH-R70X: which needs more amplifier?

The Audio-Technica ATH-M30X is 47Ω at 96.0 dB/mW; the Audio-Technica ATH-R70X is 470Ω at 98.0 dB/mW. This page is only about what they ask of an amplifier — not how they sound, which no specification on either sheet can tell you.

The ATH-M30X needs 2.0 dB more than the ATH-R70X to reach the same loudness — 2.5 mW against 1.6 mW.

The numbers that decide it

SpecificationATH-M30XATH-R70X
Impedance47 Ω470 Ω
Sensitivity96.0 dB/mW98.0 dB/mW
Sensitivity (voltage)109.3 dB/V101.3 dB/V
Power for 100 dB2.5 mW1.6 mW
Voltage for 100 dB0.34 V0.86 V
Current for 100 dB7.3 mA1.8 mA
Highest source impedance
that leaves them alone (one-eighth rule)
5.88 Ω58.75 Ω
Sources that reach 100 dB
out of 280
280277

Where the two part company

3 of the 280 sources have the power for the ATH-M30X but not for the ATH-R70X — Apple USB-C dongle (EU), Steinberg UR22C, Sony NW-A306.

32 sources are low enough in output impedance for the ATH-R70X under the one-eighth rule but not for the ATH-M30X (Zoom AMS-22, Audient EVO 4, ART HeadAmp 4 Pro, 29 more).

277 of the 280 sources here reach 100 dB on both. That count is about power only — the output-impedance and hiss lines above are separate questions, and a source can pass this one and fail those.

Both pages in full

Each model has a page of its own with the full source list, the hiss estimate and the provenance of every figure above: Audio-Technica ATH-M30X and Audio-Technica ATH-R70X. Every figure on this page comes from what Audio-Technica published, or is derived from it — what that maker publishes, counted.