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worth upgrading from ad700 to ad900?

post #1 of 41
9/26/11 at 1:58pm
Thread Starter 

right now i currently own the ad700 and i really like the sound of it.
but then theres the ad900 that cost up to 3 times ad700's price.
is it worth upgrading from ad700 to ad900?
is there's a vast improvement from the ad700 to ad900?
i read that the ad900 is a more refined version of it.
but is it at least 2 times better in sound quality since its 3 times more expensive? (the extra one time goes to build and looks)
im going to ignore the fact that people say its more of a gamer's gear than a music gear.
because i like the sound of the ad700 for my music.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Headphones
Sennheiser HD 555 Headphones
Sennheiser HD-598
post #2 of 41
9/26/11 at 8:03pm

Coming from the owner of the AD-900...

 

The AD-900's bass is supposed to be quite a bit better, among other things. It's been a long time since I listened to the AD-700 so there's not too much direct comparison I can make. The magnesium frame and black color scheme definitely make it a lot better looking.

 

Is there anything about the AD700's you aren't happy with? If I were you, I would consider getting a completely different set of headphones for a new experience. Maybe look at  a closed headphone, or just put the money towards an amp.

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post #3 of 41
9/26/11 at 8:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vheissu View Post

Coming from the owner of the AD-900...

 

The AD-900's bass is supposed to be quite a bit better, among other things. It's been a long time since I listened to the AD-700 so there's not too much direct comparison I can make. The magnesium frame and black color scheme definitely make it a lot better looking.

 

Is there anything about the AD700's you aren't happy with? If I were you, I would consider getting a completely different set of headphones for a new experience. Maybe look at  a closed headphone, or just put the money towards an amp.



theres is nothing i dislike about the ad700. if anything its imperfect recordings of some songs i listen to.
the ad700 is what opened my taste to more genres of music.
its just i have the urge to upgrade.

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post #4 of 41
9/26/11 at 8:24pm

Might be worth it to try and find a different sound as well.  Maybe something like the Beyer DT880 or an HD598.  That is, unless you already have tried out other hi-fi type headphones and have already determined you're dead-set on the AD700 type sound.  If not, then experimenting around is always fun, and could lead you to an even better sound.  I must admit though, the long term comfort of the AD700 is a real thrill.

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post #5 of 41
9/26/11 at 8:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TMRaven View Post

Might be worth it to try and find a different sound as well.  Maybe something like the Beyer DT880 or an HD598.  That is, unless you already have tried out other hi-fi type headphones and have already determined you're dead-set on the AD700 type sound.  If not, then experimenting around is always fun, and could lead you to an even better sound.  I must admit though, the long term comfort of the AD700 is a real thrill.


the only other low end mid fi headphone i tried other then the ad700 was the hd555.
i like the ad700 over the the hd555. maybe because i heard both of them unamped?
im concerned about the build quality of the hd598 though. i hear that it might crack around the side.
and im not sure if im going to invest on an amp anytime near the future.
in build quality wise i care about the them surviving the test of time more than it surviving a fall off the table.

 


Edited by EinZweiDrei - 9/26/11 at 8:33pm
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post #6 of 41
9/26/11 at 8:31pm

Well the two don't really improve from being amped.  I too like the AD700 over the HD555 too.  The beyers are completely different from what I feel is a dull sound coming from the HD555/595 though.  They're worth a shot.  I've never heard the AD900, but from what I've read they are a more warmer sounding AD700, and while there is more bass, it's not that much more, not along the lines of a Beyer.

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post #7 of 41
9/26/11 at 9:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TMRaven View Post

Well the two don't really improve from being amped.  I too like the AD700 over the HD555 too.  The beyers are completely different from what I feel is a dull sound coming from the HD555/595 though.  They're worth a shot.  I've never heard the AD900, but from what I've read they are a more warmer sounding AD700, and while there is more bass, it's not that much more, not along the lines of a Beyer.

I wouldn't really describe the AD900 as being warm, even just being used in a relative fashion as the AD900 is not even remotely a warm headphone (and what you've read and reposted could be misinterpreted, generalized even more and passed on--which is why users should only post impressions on headphones that they've actually spent some time with).  While it does have more bass than the AD700, it's still considered slightly less than neutral.  It is a different bass than what the Beyer house sound offers (although I do enjoy both).

 

That being said, I do enjoy my AD900 and think it's a pretty nice headphone--It's definitely one of my favorite low-midrange sets that I've had the chance to listen to.  I'd recommend getting a second, fun set to go with it if you ever want a more intense, head-vibrating rumbly bass though.  Luckily there are a great number of budget options with fun/bass-heavy signatures around right now.
 

 

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post #8 of 41
9/26/11 at 9:32pm

I will link to my findings to go with my comment then, in hopes that it won't go misinterpreted.  ;)

 

http://www.headfonia.com/audio-technica-ad-series-ad300-ad700-ad900-ad1000prm-ad2000/

http://www.head-fi.org/t/545533/ad900-vs-ad700-comparison-review

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post #9 of 41
10/3/11 at 2:27pm
Thread Starter 
i heard that there are no fakes in the audio techinica AD series.
is this STILL true?
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post #10 of 41
10/3/11 at 2:32pm
Heya,

It's so humorous how often the idea of "fake" headphones comes up.

Buy from a real retailer and not from some obviously google translated ebay listing with an abnormally low price. It's not that difficult to kind of `get.'

Anyhow, as for upgrading from AD700 to AD900 -- if you actually do love the sound of the AD700, then sure, get the AD900. It's an improvement. A little improvement. If you like it though, I'd probably put you on the AKG K702 instead though. Or possibly a Beyer DT880. Or even just a Fischer Audio FA-002.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it? Are you just having an itch to try a new headphone? I would suggest branching out and trying a very different perhaps, instead of just getting another of something you already have.

Very best,
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post #11 of 41
10/3/11 at 3:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EinZweiDrei View Post

theres is nothing i dislike about the ad700. if anything its imperfect recordings of some songs i listen to.the ad700 is what opened my taste to more genres of music.its just i have the urge to upgrade.



Judging by frequency graphs the AD900 fixes some of the problems that I have with the AD700 (bass extension, recessed upper mids/lower treble, treble peak around 10dB). I haven't heard them though so I cant say for sure how accurate the graphs are though it certainly looks to be much better balanced than the AD700.

 

graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=3061&graphID[]=2661

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post #12 of 41
10/3/11 at 4:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MalVeauX View Post

Heya,
It's so humorous how often the idea of "fake" headphones comes up.
Buy from a real retailer and not from some obviously google translated ebay listing with an abnormally low price. It's not that difficult to kind of `get.'
Anyhow, as for upgrading from AD700 to AD900 -- if you actually do love the sound of the AD700, then sure, get the AD900. It's an improvement. A little improvement. If you like it though, I'd probably put you on the AKG K702 instead though. Or possibly a Beyer DT880. Or even just a Fischer Audio FA-002.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it? Are you just having an itch to try a new headphone? I would suggest branching out and trying a very different perhaps, instead of just getting another of something you already have.
Very best,

im don think i'll be purchasing an amp in the future. is there anything that sound better than the ad900 at its price range?
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post #13 of 41
10/3/11 at 5:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EinZweiDrei View Post

im don think i'll be purchasing an amp in the future. is there anything that sound better than the ad900 at its price range?

Well, that's a very relative thing. I think a lot of headphones sound better than the AD900, and definitely the AD700. I don't think either of those headphones sound that great. And the AD700 is over priced and overhyped. The AD900 is a better headphone than it is, but it's still not something I generally would recommend to someone looking for a neutral but full bodied sound. I'd go after something like this. Or I'd go for a used HE-300, or used HD600, or used D2000.

Very best,
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post #14 of 41
10/3/11 at 5:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EinZweiDrei View Post

right now i currently own the ad700 and i really like the sound of it.
but then theres the ad900 that cost up to 3 times ad700's price.
is it worth upgrading from ad700 to ad900?
is there's a vast improvement from the ad700 to ad900?
i read that the ad900 is a more refined version of it.
but is it at least 2 times better in sound quality since its 3 times more expensive? (the extra one time goes to build and looks)
im going to ignore the fact that people say its more of a gamer's gear than a music gear.
because i like the sound of the ad700 for my music.


What sources are you plugging the AD700s into?

Later today my Sennheiser HD-558s will arrive, I'll compare them to my AD700, post what I think.
The HD-558 is cheaper then the AD900s.

My guess is the cheapest price for the AD900s will be about 30 days before Christmas, if they drop in price at all.
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post #15 of 41
10/3/11 at 5:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MalVeauX View Post

Well, that's a very relative thing. I think a lot of headphones sound better than the AD900, and definitely the AD700. I don't think either of those headphones sound that great. And the AD700 is over priced and overhyped. The AD900 is a better headphone than it is, but it's still not something I generally would recommend to someone looking for a neutral but full bodied sound. I'd go after something like this. Or I'd go for a used HE-300, or used HD600, or used D2000.
Very best,

VERY questionable to recommend any of those sets when he's just said he won't be purchasing an amp. It's pretty well understood that you hate the AD line's sound signature, Malveaux, but if OP enjoys the AD700 like he says, the AD900 is nice upgrade. I don't consider it an all-rounder headphone by any means, but it does some things nicely.
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Headphones
Sennheiser HD 555 Headphones
Sennheiser HD-598
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