The Audio-Technica ATH-R70X is 470Ω at 98.0 dB/mW; the Meze 109 Pro is 40Ω at 112.0 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 Audio-Technica ATH-R70X needs 14.0 dB more than the Meze 109 Pro to reach the same loudness — 1.6 mW against 0.06 mW.
| Specification | Audio-Technica ATH-R70X | Meze 109 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 470 Ω | 40 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98.0 dB/mW | 112.0 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (voltage) | 101.3 dB/V | 126.0 dB/V |
| Power for 100 dB | 1.6 mW | 0.06 mW |
| Voltage for 100 dB | 0.86 V | 50 mV |
| Current for 100 dB | 1.8 mA | 1.3 mA |
| Highest source impedance that leaves them alone (one-eighth rule) | 58.75 Ω | 5.00 Ω |
| Sources that reach 100 dB out of 280 | 277 | 280 |
3 of the 280 sources have the power for the Meze 109 Pro 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 Meze 109 Pro (Zoom AMS-22, Audient EVO 4, ART HeadAmp 4 Pro, 29 more).
13 sources stay below the audible-hiss threshold with the Audio-Technica ATH-R70X but cross it with the Meze 109 Pro (FiiO BTR11, FiiO K11 R2R, Lake People G103-S Mk II, 10 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.
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 Meze 109 Pro. Every figure on this page comes from what Audio-Technica and Meze published, or is derived from it — what Audio-Technica publishes and what Meze publishes, both counted.