Audio-Technica ATH-R70X vs Fostex T50RP MK3: which needs more amplifier?

The Audio-Technica ATH-R70X is 470Ω at 98.0 dB/mW; the Fostex T50RP MK3 is 50Ω at 92.0 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 Fostex T50RP MK3 needs 6.0 dB more than the Audio-Technica ATH-R70X to reach the same loudness — 6.3 mW against 1.6 mW.

The numbers that decide it

SpecificationAudio-Technica ATH-R70XFostex T50RP MK3
Impedance470 Ω50 Ω
Sensitivity98.0 dB/mW92.0 dB/mW
Sensitivity (voltage)101.3 dB/V105.0 dB/V
Power for 100 dB1.6 mW6.3 mW
Voltage for 100 dB0.86 V0.56 V
Current for 100 dB1.8 mA11.2 mA
Highest source impedance
that leaves them alone (one-eighth rule)
58.75 Ω6.25 Ω
Sources that reach 100 dB
out of 280
277280

Where the two part company

3 of the 280 sources have the power for the Fostex T50RP MK3 but not for the Audio-Technica ATH-R70X — Apple USB-C dongle (EU), Steinberg UR22C, Sony NW-A306.

32 sources are low enough in output impedance for the Audio-Technica ATH-R70X under the one-eighth rule but not for the Fostex T50RP MK3 (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-R70X and Fostex T50RP MK3. Every figure on this page comes from what Audio-Technica and Fostex published, or is derived from it — what Audio-Technica publishes and what Fostex publishes, both counted.