Hi all. Long time lurker here. 
 
Quick question.  I know headphone listening is a subjective experience but:
 
I have the opportunity to purchase either the Sennheiser HD600 or the Audio Technica AD700 (not AD700x) ... but not both. 
 
I would be running them through an Asus STX on my puter. 
 
I already use Sennheiser HD555 modded (apparently) to HD595's. 
 
Considering all this, would I be happier off purchasing the Sennheiser HD600's or the Audio Technica AD700's? 
 
Music is mostly flac and mp3. I listen to some electronica, more classical and new age, and some string's music.   I don't listen to very much techno. 
 
For what it's worth, the Sennheiser HD600's would be second hand and the Audio Technica AD700's would be new. 
 
Thank you.
 
Peter. 

Heya,
 
No contest in any way shape or form, get the HD600. The HD600 is essentially high-end sound in the form of a mid-fi price and bundle. The AD700 is entry level both in build and sound and is not even a complete headphone. It will not cover everything. The HD600 on the other hand is good for everything, it's easily one of the best all-around headphones and is a staple in the world of hifi for a reason. Take care of it and it will last you 10+ years easily. You can get replacement pads and cords over time too if you wear them out over a decade. Mine have lasted 10+ years with a single cord replacement in that time.
 
The STX will drive them fine too.
 
Very best,

I was thinking that.   It was just a toss up between the "New" and "Second Hand". 
 
Also, I noticed the Audio  Technica's are only a 3.5mm jack and 35 ohms (I think).   I was wanting something higher than the HD555's (HD595's) @ 50ohms in order to try them out. ... More punch. 
 
It was just that so many people have the AD700's that it looks like they are a good headphone.  But, is that just because of the price point they sell at, their low impedance, or because they are a 3.5mm jack. 
 
Ether way, yeah, HD600's. 
 
EDIT:
 
Just saw the AD700's link in your sig.   Good reading. But, yeah, I'll go the HD600's. 
 
Thanks. 

Quote:

spinifex said:

I was thinking that.   It was just a toss up between the "New" and "Second Hand". 
 
Also, I noticed the Audio  Technica's are only a 3.5mm jack and 35 ohms (I think).   I was wanting something higher than the HD555's (HD595's) @ 50ohms in order to try them out. ... More punch. 
 
It was just that so many people have the AD700's that it looks like they are a good headphone.  But, is that just because of the price point they sell at, their low impedance, or because they are a 3.5mm jack. 
 
Ether way, yeah, HD600's. 
 
Thanks. 

Click to expand...

 
Heya,
 
Impedance will not make a difference in terms of punch or anything else. It's simply a resistance rating that is used to match with higher output amplifiers and sources to achieve a specific kind of control for a sound. A headphone designed to be low impedance matched with appropriate source gear and one that is high impedance and matched with appropriate source gear is not going to be something that you can hear a difference in. Higher impedance is not higher quality sound. There are high-ends that are low impedance for example. The STX can handle low impedance and up to 600ohm impedance just fine, it's a very competent sound card that is as good as a lot of entry mid-level dedicated headphone source equipment. So you're good to go. The HD600 is simply an entire two leagues better than the AD700 in every way sonically, but that isn't due to impedance or any other measurement ratings.
 
The AD700 is popular because the internet has dubbed them "gaming headphones." They're expensive as far as I'm concerned for what you get. They have a big sound stage and are easy to drive so they plug into anything and work and are relatively comfortable. But they are faulted big time in my ears because they lack so much on the low end of the sound spectrum that they are not even neutral to me. The HD600 is neutral from top to bottom. The AD700 is all mids & treble with a little "poot" for bass output and is not enjoyable to my ears for all genres of music, only some specific things. The HD600 is good for literally everything, as it has great extension and a great balance from top to bottom. I consider the AD700 "half a headphone." The $49 Samson SR850 does everything the AD700 does for half the price. It's just not as popular because the AD700 has years of loyal computer FPS gamers/internet-goers spamming it as the holy grail of headphones for games. I would avoid it. If you want an AudioTechnica, the AD900 and A900 are better bets, but even then, I would just look to another headphone maker entirely, like Sennheiser or Beyer if you want something exceptional (eg, the HD600 and the DT880).
 
Very best,

do 
Quote:

malveaux said:

 
Heya, ...
 
...
 
The AD700 is popular because the internet has dubbed them "gaming headphones." They're expensive as far as I'm concerned for what you get. They have a big sound stage and are easy to drive so they plug into anything and work and are relatively comfortable. But they are faulted big time in my ears because they lack so much on the low end of the sound spectrum that they are not even neutral to me. The HD600 is neutral from top to bottom. The AD700 is all mids & treble with a little "poot" for bass output and is not enjoyable to my ears for all genres of music, only some specific things. The HD600 is good for literally everything, as it has great extension and a great balance from top to bottom. I consider the AD700 "half a headphone." The $49 Samson SR850 does everything the AD700 does for half the price. It's just not as popular because the AD700 has years of loyal computer FPS gamers/internet-goers spamming it as the holy grail of headphones for games. I would avoid it. If you want an AudioTechnica, the AD900 and A900 are better bets, but even then, I would just look to another headphone maker entirely, like Sennheiser or Beyer if you want something exceptional (eg, the HD600 and the DT880).
 
Very best,

Click to expand...

Kool.  
 
Given that I have now crossed the AD 700's off the list do you think I would be better off considering the HD650's instead of the HD600's?   The HD650's actually appear to be cheaper around the traps on line. Why is that?  I thought that based on the model number, the HD650's would be the better headphone?
 
EDIT:  
 
Just found a ton of HD600 vs H650 headphone articles.   I'll read through them.  Ta. 

Quote:

spinifex said:

do 
Kool.  
 
Given that I have now crossed the AD 700's off the list do you think I would be better off considering the HD650's instead of the HD600's?   The HD650's actually appear to be cheaper around the traps on line. Why is that?  I thought that based on the model number, the HD650's would be the better headphone?

Click to expand...

the 650 is smother and is funner too listen too, but the 600 is the better headphone

Quote:

spinifex said:

do 
Kool.  
 
Given that I have now crossed the AD 700's off the list do you think I would be better off considering the HD650's instead of the HD600's?   The HD650's actually appear to be cheaper around the traps on line. Why is that?  I thought that based on the model number, the HD650's would be the better headphone?
 
EDIT:  
 
Just found a ton of HD600 vs H650 headphone articles.   I'll read through them.  Ta. 

Click to expand...

 
Heya,
 
The HD650 and HD600 are simply different headphones. The HD650 is not better, it's just another flavor. The HD600 is the neutral headphone that is more along the lines of what a near high-end starts to sound like. The HD650 is another flavor of that, with reduced treble frequency making it sound a little less bright, a touch more dim, the "veil" so to speak (the only Sennheiser with the veil by the way), and a slightly increased mid-bass hump (not a big increase, and sub-bass is nearly the same, a slight touch to the HD650). So if you want absolute neutrality, the HD600 is the one to go for. If you want a little more bass hump and a touch less treble, the HD650 would be more appropriate. While on the subject, another good neutral headphone to explore if price is different for is the Beyer Dynamic DT880 and the Hifiman HE-300 (and even HE-400 if you can swing the budget towards it, I would easily recommend the HE-400 over all the mentioned headphones).
 
Very best,

Quote:

sonic boom said:

the 650 is smother and is funner too listen too, but the 600 is the better headphone

Click to expand...

 
Ta.  It's settled.  I'll go for the HD600's.
 
Thanks everyone.  
 
I think I'm going to enjoy them. 

Quote:

spinifex said:

 
Ta.  It's settled.  I'll go for the HD600's.
 
Thanks everyone.  
 
I think I'm going to enjoy them. 

Click to expand...

happy listening

malveaux said:

  Heya,
 
No contest in any way shape or form, get the HD600. The HD600 is essentially high-end sound in the form of a mid-fi price and bundle. The AD700 is entry level both in build and sound and is not even a complete headphone. It will not cover everything. The HD600 on the other hand is good for everything, it's easily one of the best all-around headphones and is a staple in the world of hifi for a reason. Take care of it and it will last you 10+ years easily. You can get replacement pads and cords over time too if you wear them out over a decade. Mine have lasted 10+ years with a single cord replacement in that time.
 
The STX will drive them fine too.
 
Very best,

Click to expand...

After reading your replies, I'm sold!