Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › So it looks like the ath-a700 will be my first headphone purchase...
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

So it looks like the ath-a700 will be my first headphone purchase...

post #1 of 10
8/19/08 at 5:54pm
Thread Starter 
...thats over $100 for me I was initially gonna go for the a900's but i thought it was stretching out my budget a bit. As you can tell, im pretty new to the headfi thing so my apologies.

Anyways i do have some questions before i make the purchase:

-Will the phones sound fine enough without an amp (my power source will be coming from a Zen V Plus but i might get a Cowon D2 somewhere in the future)?

-Ive demo'ed a HD 595 unamped and was wondering how the a700's sound would compare.

-ive been hearing that the ath series are pretty big so i was wondering how big it looks compared to said 595's


Again im sorta new here so please be easy on me?

Thanks
Reply
post #2 of 10
8/19/08 at 9:52pm
I'm in the same boat.

just getting them as a "portable" pair of 'phones (I know giant/bulky etc etc) just needed something closed with reasonable sound to use on public transport and in the long sessions in computer labs at uni and late at night when my open cans (HD555s) are a bit too open. I've gone completely off portable phones due to poor quality and shoddy build quality.

also can someone recommend a good place to buy them that does international shipping (I'm on Australia)?

sorry to hijack your thread.
Reply
post #3 of 10
8/19/08 at 9:55pm
oh and I've got the same questions. sorry I'm new around here too.
Reply
post #4 of 10
8/20/08 at 1:31am
Congrats on making your first serious can purchase. I have the A700 and it a fine set of cans to start your voyage. No sense in spending too much if you end up not liking the AT house sound as it's not for everyone. The A700 is easy to drive and won't require an amp to sound good. I've haven't had the opportunity to audition the HD 595 so I can't make a comparison between them. The A700 is on the large side with it's ear cups having a larger diameter than the HD 595. The A700 ear cups aren't very deep, they're about as deep as the HD 595. The A700 headband wire sits higher above your head than the HD 595 headband. The A700 cans are indeed comfortable, although some people don't like the pleather earpads because it causes their ears to get hot and sweaty. The A700 earpads are also the first thing to deteriorate after regular use. They will peel and flake requiring you to replace them. You can order replacement earpads from Audiocubes.
Reply
post #5 of 10
8/20/08 at 2:54am
Thread Starter 
Yea i mostly listen to Indie Rock (Interpol, Bloc Party), some electronics (Amon Tobin, Clark), and a few acoustic guitar music as well.

Ive heard that they work well with the rock/electronic stuff but not so sure about the latter.
Reply
post #6 of 10
8/20/08 at 2:58am
Thread Starter 
Oh and one other thing, should i assume its around the same size as the AKG k701?
Reply
post #7 of 10
8/20/08 at 3:33am
Welcome to head-fi and sorry about your wallet

Found this picture: Test comparatif ATH-A900 vs AKG K701 | Blog Casque : du bon son dans ses oreilles But for some reason A700 feels bigger than k701 on my head. HD595 feels lighter, smaller and looks more natural on my head. A700 is comfy enough though, size wouldn't be a problem for home use.

A700 will sound fine for your music and decent for acoustic guitar, not the best but decent.

I like HD595 sound better than A700 although it has less bass. It produces better vocals and has a little bit more soundstage. I have a preference for open headphones' sound. However, I believe A700 is cheaper and matches your music better, go for it.

Some people tried the D1000 and Q40 and seem to like it, have you considered them?
Reply
post #8 of 10
8/20/08 at 5:39am
Thread Starter 
I have briefly checked out the Denons and from some of the reviews it looks like i should stall a little bit longer before making the purchase lol. If possible, how does the SQ compare to the a700?
Reply
post #9 of 10
8/20/08 at 8:49am
I was planning to use my AD700s as portable phones but when I got them I realised just how massive they are, unless A700s are vastly different or you're totally indifferent to what people think, I'd advise against orienting yourself from that point of view.

Oh, I googled some people wearing AT phones to show you what I mean (yes, when you think about it that's pretty weird :P):

Google Image Result for http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/6745/headphones1wp5.jpg

Google Image Result for http://fr.sonofanzine.com/produits/tests/audiotechnica/ath/img_0361.jpg

See what I mean?
Reply
post #10 of 10
8/20/08 at 3:23pm
Thread Starter 
Yea ive seen those pics before. Who knows, maybe i might go for the D1000 that glac1er mentioned for some of the portability. As of right know im stuck between then and the a700s =P
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › So it looks like the ath-a700 will be my first headphone purchase...