I saw the new DMS video where he says at around the 1 minute mark that people with audio technica headphones “don’t really care if their headphones sound good”. While I think this is true for M50x users, I don’t think it is generally true. I’ve never owned a pair of headphones worth more than $500, but I feel like I’ve had a respectable amount to the point where I know what I do and don’t enjoy in a headphone. I’ve gone down this rabbit hole of a hobby about a decade ago, and no matter how hard I try I cannot escape the grasp of the MSR7b. It simply has the best sound signature that suits my taste in music.
I’ve owned 1 pair of open back headphones and hated them because I felt like they didn’t have nearly enough bass to suit my needs and that I have a fair amount of white noise in my room at all times. While the M50x are absurdly popular, every person who I’ve heard talk about their open backs has been singing their praises, even Z. I’ve been watching DMS for at least a few years now and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him review an AT open back, and yet he goes out of his way to disrespect people who like their headphones. Interesting.
I recall DMS himself admitted in a video that he regretted selling ATH-R70X.
I haven’t watched the video but others here comment it was likely said as a joke.
Audio-Technica are not bad IMO. They’ve made good and bad, expensive and cheap models. Some where successful, some weren’t. Each audio product is a compromise. I see no reason not to audition any ATH model when looking for new headphones.