[Rob80b]

   
I have also commented about the role that individual anatomy and the "interface" between human and headphone probably plays an important role, but I am not so sure this applies to the degree you may assume.  ..........

Hi Greggo
 
I was thinking more in terms of “neutral treble”, with the HD700 I noticed that even slight adjustments horizontally or vertically with the ear cups affected slight variances in the high frequency response, the lower frequencies and bass are less affected due to their longer wavelengths.

 

[Rob80b]

  The current retail price is worth it, IMO. I haven't heard anything at that price or below it that I've enjoyed more than the HD 700.

If you're in the states and wish to buy directly from Sennheiser USA, they have reasonable pricing on referbs.
http://en-us.sennheiser.com/outletstore
 
Us poor saps in Canada, and even more so with our falling $ , the HD700s are still listed at $1199 at most retailers.

But then there is cross border shopping!!

 

[DVass13]

  If you're in the states and wish to buy directly from Sennheiser USA, they have reasonable pricing on referbs.
http://en-us.sennheiser.com/outletstore
 
Us poor saps in Canada, and even more so with our falling $ , the HD700s are still listed at $1199 at most retailers.

But then there is cross border shopping!!

 
I would check out razordogaudio.com. They have the HD700's for only $649 (USD) and you might even be able to use promo code RAZORDOG100 to get an extra $100 off since they're over $399. I know in the fine print it says the HD700's aren't eligible for that code, but I bought my pair in December for $549 this way. Definitely give it a look.

 

[roguegeek]

Picked mine up for $570 shipped from someone here who had they for a couple weeks and didn't like them. Knowing what I know now, I would easily pay retail for them.

 

[Foresight]

How does the hd700 compare to the HD600? More specifically on mids (female vocals)

 

[Rob80b]

  How does the hd700 compare to the HD600? More specifically on mids (female vocals)

The 700 and 600s have a different perspective with staging, the problem I had/have with the 600s is that the imaging is a lot more convex as opposed to the linear or less forward 700s.
Although this does lend itself to more intimacy with the 600s, tonally I prefer the slightly brighter/cleaner sounding 700s.

 

[Rob80b]

   
I would check out razordogaudio.com. They have the HD700's for only $649 (USD) and you might even be able to use promo code RAZORDOG100 to get an extra $100 off since they're over $399. I know in the fine print it says the HD700's aren't eligible for that code, but I bought my pair in December for $549 this way. Definitely give it a look.

Ditto!

 

[Madmollusk]

   
I have also commented about the role that individual anatomy and the "interface" between human and headphone probably plays an important role, but I am not so sure this applies to the degree you may assume.  It does seem logical, but are there any studies that confirm we might here close proximity sources so differently?  I would be very interested in learning more about that.  I don't think different ear shapes process sound waves differently enough to account for a change in perception between average people.  Yes there is a proximity effect in the world of microphones, and perhaps our ears are subject to similar reactions, but my assumption has been that bass response is clearly affected by the seal and/or the volume of air being stimulated along with the distance from driver to ear... and that different shaped heads and ears would affect this and account for why some people have very different takes on bass performance... AKG K550 being a great example.
 
I still think we are all mostly hearing the same things regarding mid and treble frequencies, but our source material and electronics chain are both important variables as to how the objective response of a headphone driver translates to subjective perceptions by the listener.  I would argue that source is most important, then followed by circuits (DACs and amps) then followed by "wires/connectors".  I think it is interesting to consider that "anatomy" may in fact be a significant variable, and more interesting still to consider how to qualify and quantify.  There are clearly some folks looking at this very closely, like Tyll or Purrin, and my own take is that psychoacoustics and maybe a general proximity effect common to the vast majority of human ears accounts for emphasis often found below 1 kHz, the dips above 1 kHz, and then some emphasis at some point (or multiple points) above 4 kHz.  I also wonder how much of the deviations from measured neutrality or purposeful by the design/engineer team and how much is just the result of wrestling with a driver that is being stressed to do it all.  In the world of single driver loudspeakers, this is clearly a constant challenge borders on alchemy to get it "right", with the definition of "right" being different for a variety of audiophiles who will obviously not share the exact same values/priorities in music reproduction and listening.

Man, this stuff just keeps getting deeper and deeper. I boned-up on the subject of hearing last night, and I have to say, my awe increases with knowledge: the ear is confoundingly complex! Here's a little sample of something I read from Medline Plus.
 
"As sound waves enter the ear, they travel through the outer ear, the external auditory canal, and strike the eardrum causing it to vibrate.The central part of the eardrum is connected to a small bone of the middle ear called the malleus (hammer). As the malleus vibrates, it transmits the sound vibrations to the other two small bones or ossicles of the middle ear, the incus and stapes.As the stapes moves, it pushes a structure called the oval window in and out. This action is passed onto the cochlea, which is a fluid-filled snail-like structure that contains the receptor organ for hearing.The cochlea contains the spiral organ of Corti, which is the receptor organ for hearing. It consists of tiny hair cells that translate the fluid vibration of sounds from its surrounding ducts into electrical impulses that are carried to the brain by sensory nerves.As the stapes rocks back and forth against the oval window, it transmits pressure waves of sound through the fluid of the cochlea, sending the organ of Corti in the cochlear duct into motion. The fibers near the cochlear apex resonate to lower frequency sound while fibers near the oval window respond to higher frequency sound."
 
After reading articles like this, I can't help but think, small variations in ear anatomy could have a real impact on how we perceive sound.  Presumably cochlea hair density alone could account for much of the differing opinions concerning the HD700's treble response. I need to delve even deeper into this subject; it's genuinely fascinating.  

 

[Dionysus]

How does the hd700 compare to the HD600? More specifically on mids (female vocals)

I've owned the HD650 and they are darker sounding not as detailed can't speak for the HD600 but I am sure there pretty close to the sound of the 650, the 700 are a lot more revealing and with female one of the best phones Ive ever heard.

 

[roguegeek]

  How does the hd700 compare to the HD600? More specifically on mids (female vocals)

The reason I love the HD 700 so much is because I love how they specifically handle female vocals. They're crisp, forward, and very clear. They don't sound like that, to me, on my HD 600.

 

[Foresight]

Sounds good, from some of the reviews I have read.... Has anyones ears bled due to the treble?

 

[SNSDluv]

I think HD700 is a truly great piece of work, it however needs to be used cautiously. HD700 excel so very well in certain type of music, such as jazz and classical, but can be very unpleasant in others, such as modern pop music. The way I see it is that, Sennheiser specifically designed this headphone to be excellent in some types of music at the expense of being able to do well for everything. In my particular case, I find that I always need to keep two set of headphones around me, HD700 and something that is "fun" to listen to, something that gives a very punchy bass and can drive any type of music just fine(key word is "just fine").
PS: I have been listening to HD700 with my Modi+Bottlehead Crack set-up. If anyone has suggestions for upgrade tubes(prefer warm, recessed treble ones) or DAC, please let me know

 

[Rob80b]

  Sounds good, from some of the reviews I have read.... Has anyones ears bled due to the treble?

If that was the case there would be lot AKG and Grado users  * needing ear plugs to stop the flow, seriously though I'm perplexed how such a statement could ever be applied to the HD700s.
But ...obviously if the statement is given from someone who has seriously listened to the HD700s I guess it must be true!!!

 
*(disclaimer I'm also a AKGer and Grado user and do not have bleeding ears)

 

[Rob80b]

  I think HD700 is a truly great piece of work, it however needs to be used cautiously. HD700 excel so very well in certain type of music, such as jazz and classical, but can be very unpleasant in others, such as modern pop music. The way I see it is that, Sennheiser specifically designed this headphone to be excellent in some types of music at the expense of being able to do well for everything. ....................

So far my experience with them is that they are very good with everything pop included!

 

[wink]

Quote:Rob80b

 *(disclaimer I'm also a AKGer and Grado user and do not have bleeding ears, nor can I hear any sound above 2KHz)

FTFY