ATH-R70xa vs ATH-WP900: which needs more amplifier?

The Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa is 470Ω at 97.0 dB/mW; the Audio-Technica ATH-WP900 is 38Ω at 100.0 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-R70xa needs 3.0 dB more than the ATH-WP900 to reach the same loudness — 2.0 mW against 1.0 mW.

The numbers that decide it

SpecificationATH-R70xaATH-WP900
Impedance470 Ω38 Ω
Sensitivity97.0 dB/mW100.0 dB/mW
Sensitivity (voltage)100.3 dB/V114.2 dB/V
Power for 100 dB2.0 mW1.0 mW
Voltage for 100 dB0.97 V0.19 V
Current for 100 dB2.1 mA5.1 mA
Highest source impedance
that leaves them alone (one-eighth rule)
58.75 Ω4.75 Ω
Sources that reach 100 dB
out of 280
275280

Where the two part company

5 of the 280 sources have the power for the ATH-WP900 but not for the ATH-R70xa — Apple USB-C dongle (EU), FiiO BTR11, Steinberg UR22C, 2 more.

32 sources are low enough in output impedance for the ATH-R70xa under the one-eighth rule but not for the ATH-WP900 (Zoom AMS-22, Audient EVO 4, ART HeadAmp 4 Pro, 29 more).

275 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-R70xa and Audio-Technica ATH-WP900. Every figure on this page comes from what Audio-Technica published, or is derived from it — what that maker publishes, counted.