Official Denon AH-C700 Comparisons/Impressions - Page 26 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

tstarn06 · 09-26-2007, 12:43 PM

Well, these last few posts have really got me looking forward to later today, when Ben, our UPS guy, delivers the C700s. It'll be fun to see first-hand how much different the Denons are from the Atrios. As I noted on another post yesterday, I started to REALLY listen to my PK1s amped, and I can't believe how much detail and overall fine SQ those ugly ear buds deliver. I went back and re-read the main PK1 appreciation thread, and I have to say, I should have spent more time with the PK1s. I won't make that mistake again.

Anyway, can't wait for the Denons to arrive, so I can give them a serious listen and A/B compare them to the Atrios (and the PK1s, which have become my at home phones, even more to my liking than the SR80s).

soozieq · 09-26-2007, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by tstarn06

It'll be fun to see first-hand how much different the Denons are from the Atrios. Anyway, can't wait for the Denons to arrive, so I can give them a serious listen and A/B compare them to the Atrios (and the PK1s, which have become my at home phones, even more to my liking than the SR80s).

Yes, it will be interesting to hear how they compare with the PK1s as we haven't had a comparison between those yet, and also your views re: Atrios/Denon. I can't seem to take the Denons out of my ears. I can listen for much longer than my previous headphones because I find them so addictive for every single style of music I have, and the lovely soundstage helps!

Karma 23 · 09-26-2007, 02:13 PM

soozieq,

Do you use any EQ settings on your A808? I have an A806 with EX90's and the sound is good enough for me at home and when I'm in the tube I just bump up the "Clear Bass" a notch and the sound is just about as good as when I'm home (apart from the extra outside noise). I'm actually going to move on to an iPhone once it hits Regent Street on November 9th (would have gotten it earlier had I still been living in the States in June) and I'm afraid that the EX90's just won't do with the iPhone because of Apple's notoriously bad EQ. This is why I'm asking if your Denons and/or Atrios are being listened to without EQ'ing so I can get an idea.

tstarn06,

Can't wait to hear your comparo between the C700's and the M5's!

soozieq · 09-26-2007, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Karma 23

soozieq,

Do you use any EQ settings on your A808?This is why I'm asking if your Denons and/or Atrios are being listened to without EQ'ing so I can get an idea.

Hi Karma, 95% of the time I don't need any EQ. But. . . if I listen to classical (which I do occasionally) I cut the last 3 frequencies to -1, which makes it softer on my ears. I find some classical to be quite ear grating (especially on some of the dire recordings I seem to have acquired) so reducing some of the 'higher' frequencies makes it more pleasant, less 'harsh' to listen to. Other than that, I don't bother with the EQ at all. The 808 (thankfully) seems to be a very good match with these particular headphones.

As for the EX-90, I think they complement the 808 very well. I really enjoyed the sound, but there was way too much leakage, and I needed/wanted something more isolating. Also, I had to turn the volume up very high with the 90s to reach an acceptable listening volume, and I didn't find them at all useful on the tube. . . even with CB. . .

Karma 23 · 09-26-2007, 03:46 PM

Thanks for your reply soozieq.

How would you rate the C700's vs. the EX90's? The EX90's are some of the bests canalphones I've heard. I had the Superfi 3's and they sounded horrible to me (no soundstage, no highs). Then I listened to EX85's that came with my A806 which sounded surprisingly great so I bought the EX90's to get even better sound (which I somewhat did). Sony Walkmans have excellent EQ's which helps me tailor the music to my liking in any situation but, again, since I'm getting an iPhone with a horrible EQ I'm looking for something that'll sound somewhat the same in any environment. I had the qJays vs. M5's dilemna but, being somewhat of a basshead, was leaning more towards the M5's until I saw this thread. I'm still waiting for more comparos between the M5's and the C700's before I take the plunge, though.

Anyway, all rambling aside, your take on the C700's vs. the EX90's please!

tstarn06 · 09-27-2007, 02:01 AM

Okay, this is all very preliminary, but even with very high expectations (soozieq, are you listening?), the Denons were pretty amazing right out of the box. I listened to a sampling of different musical styles, and all I can say is, wow. I tried them both amped and unamped, and in both cases, wow again (I preferred the amped sound, but only marginally). I can't believe the efficiency of the Denons, as I only had to push my ZVM to 18-19 clicks before the sound was plenty loud. With the Atrios, it's 22-23 (battery savings right there).

Anyway, the mids and highs sparkled, in a vey good way. I never thought I would be considering a move from the Atrios (are you listening cn11?), after dumping my Etys for them. And at this point, that's not a done deal. The Denons still must pass the test of time relative to listening fatigue, which the Atrios have already mastered.

After about 15 minutes, I had to run out to the gym, so I hooked the C700s up to the pink noise machine, and I will let them go until tomorrow morning. But the early results are scary. You and the others are right, Soozieq, Denon seems to have hit the sweet spot in terms of SQ, bass, comfort ... and a cord that doesn't tangle. I am going to add one of my shirt clips (I bought a bunch from Ety, the ER6i version), and start serious listening.

I don't know a rolled off high from a decaying note (that's for the real experts), but I believe I have pretty good ears (though some may disagree). If the first 15 minutes are any indication, and with all due respect to Bono, I think I finally found what I'm looking for.

Note: This doesn't mean I prefer the Denons over the PK1s. I have already decided that I favor the PK1 sound sig over the Atrios. Tomorrow, I will A/B the PK1s and the C700s as well, but I have a feeling I will love them equally, which is okay, too. Just different form factors, and one requires an amp, the other does not. It's all good.

Even if I find the Denons pass the fatigue test, I think I will keep the Atrios, cause I still like their warm, lush sound, but I have to admit, the mids on the Denons are sublime.

soozieq · 09-27-2007, 02:35 AM

tstarn - Glad you like them so far. I'm looking forward to more info re: fatigue (as epithetless has mentioned it), and also the comparison with the PK1s.

By the way, I had an idea re: replacement tips. How about we all e-mail the Denon UK MD Mike O'Mahoney from here. . .

http://www.badaweb.co.uk/denon/contact.html

. . . and include the link to this thread? I've already written to him, but he's unlikely to take notice of just one person - that's why I thought a 'mass hit' might work better! I haven't counted how many people have bought them, but I think it's about 8 so far, and other potential buyers who are still waiting for comparisons. Do you, or does anyone think it might help, despite the fact their customer service is considered to be less than useless??

Originally Posted By Karma 23
How would you rate the C700's vs. the EX90's?

Karma, the EX90s sound nice, but there is no comparison at all. If you have the same Sony unit that I do - you'll love the pairing with the Denons. They're clearer than the EX90s, have better bass, mids and highs, and about the same soundstage.

They isolate a lot more as well, so I'm able to put the volume much lower (15/30) with the Denons, as opposed to 20/22 out of 30 with the EX90s. With no EQ (except for classical), and a much lower volume, I can eke out extra battery life which is a nice bonus.

cn11 · 09-27-2007, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by tstarn06

Okay, this is all very preliminary, but even with very high expectations (soozieq, are you listening?), the Denons were pretty amazing right out of the box. I listened to a sampling of different musical styles, and all I can say is, wow. I tried them both amped and unamped, and in both cases, wow again (I preferred the amped sound, but only marginally). I can't believe the efficiency of the Denons, as I only had to push my ZVM to 18-19 clicks before the sound was plenty loud. With the Atrios, it's 22-23 (battery savings right there).

Anyway, the mids and highs sparkled, in a vey good way. I never thought I would be considering a move from the Atrios (are you listening cn11?), after dumping my Etys for them. And at this point, that's not a done deal. The Denons still must pass the test of time relative to listening fatigue, which the Atrios have already mastered.

After about 15 minutes, I had to run out to the gym, so I hooked the C700s up to the pink noise machine, and I will let them go until tomorrow morning. But the early results are scary. You and the others are right, Soozieq, Denon seems to have hit the sweet spot in terms of SQ, bass, comfort ... and a cord that doesn't tangle. I am going to add one of my shirt clips (I bought a bunch from Ety, the ER6i version), and start serious listening.

I don't know a rolled off high from a decaying note (that's for the real experts), but I believe I have pretty good ears (though some may disagree). If the first 15 minutes are any indication, and with all due respect to Bono, I think I finally found what I'm looking for.

Note: This doesn't mean I prefer the Denons over the PK1s. I have already decided that I favor the PK1 sound sig over the Atrios. Tomorrow, I will A/B the PK1s and the C700s as well, but I have a feeling I will love them equally, which is okay, too. Just different form factors, and one requires an amp, the other does not. It's all good.

Even if I find the Denons pass the fatigue test, I think I will keep the Atrios, cause I still like their warm, lush sound, but I have to admit, the mids on the Denons are sublime.

tstarn- Yeah, I hear ya, heh heh. They're pretty spectacular out of the box. I never got around to running pink noise overnight, but I haven't noticed the same amount of change as with the Atrios. I'm glad you like them... I think I'm in the same camp as you in saying it's hard to pick one over the other with the Denon/Atrio. I think I'll keep them both. But I do prefer the sound sig of the Denons. The Atrios may become my travel phone. The more I get them out every day at work the more I appreciate the no-tangle wire. The Atrios took so long to straighten out every morning...then insert properly, etc. And how about that build quality? They're so nice in that regard. As for the PK1/Denon comparison, the PK1's are that good huh? Wow. I have never owned an amp for portable listening, so that rules them out for me I guess. I had the PK2's for a short while before the Atrios, but quickly sold them here as they weren't what I was looking for.

Hmmm, well lookie there, my Vibez & Denons are right on the end table next to me beckoning- I think it's time for some evening listening.

Cheers all...

MrFaust · 09-27-2007, 05:41 AM

While the C700 sound great, they surely make me miss my D2000's.

99SiR · 09-27-2007, 07:25 AM

With regards to tips: My old tips from my sony ex-71's fit perfect. They are almost the exact same tip except seem to be a little softer, more comfortable and even a little easier to create a seal with. This could be due to to the fact they are well used and worn in, i'm not sure.

However, anyone who enjoys the stock c700 tips should equally if not more-so enjoy the tips from sony.