wtfwtflol
Head-Fier
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- Jun 27, 2008
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This is a short review of the new JBL S700 headphone from their recently launched Synchros line, after 40 hours of proper burn in, and to have it compared to the V-Moda M100, which is the closest I have for this price range and class. Being my first ever review in this forum I hope to translate the sound of these cans as accurate as possible into words (English is my third language), but at the same time keeping it easy to understand for average listeners, which I believe these headphones are targeted for!
It was not easy at all to buy a $300 headphones without having read several unbiased reviews from true audiophiles. But I had faith in the brand and new LiveStage DSP technology it had, which really could be either a win, or total failure. From the second I saw them, I almost knew for sure these would have a warm, embracing, Bose-like sound. I was completely wrong.
I've used these mostly with an iPhone 5s, no amp, no EQ, DSP ON, and compared to the Vmoda M100 and Sony XB920 with the same settings.
Let's start with the sound:
Bass: heavy, but not dominant to my taste:rolleyes:. Every single low note is precise, and comes with texture and shape, and it is expressed in such defined way you could grab a pen and draw it. Crank up the volume, select an EQ, and you will have your head shaken, without compromising much of the detail. It didn't add unnecessary bass to tracks that don't need it, unlike other bass heavy headphones. Compared to the M100, bass is both deeper with more extend, although it lacks the "fun" signature with a less punchy and forward sound. Bass is there, but it is not IN-YOUR-FACE kind of bass, like my Sony XB-920 which are quite muddy and vibrates on my ears. But as I say, these cans are more than willing to go if you push them.
Very little to none distortion at max volumes.
Mids: it is really hard for me to fully describe it, because I lack experience in this field. It sounds very rich and accurate, voices can be heard with a crispier tone than with my V-Moda, not necessarily a good thing if you listen to rap/hip hop music, but for most times, it works very well.
Highs: Clear. Crisp. Sharp. Every detail shines like a Christmas light in a dark house, nothing is missing, yet it never feels harsh to my ears, unlike my audiotechnica M50. Raise the volume and bass doesn't not interfere, each tone has its own lane. After a while listening to the S700 and going back to the M100, I immediately feel something is not right: the edges of the square is now gone, leaving me with a semi-circle. I hope you understand what this means.
Soundstage is wide and has great instruments separation. JBL states these are intended to make the music sound like they were originally meant to be, and I agree! In fact so much, that now I turn off my EQ and don't need the help of BBE sonic Max app to improve my listening experience. I really like S700 this much. They also say LiveStage technology will make you feel like in a concert, sometimes it does, but most time, it is your kind of music which really matters. Don't expect them to do magic.
DSP and LiveStage: To turn off and on the DSP feature, which is basically an integrated inline amp, press the left side button for 3 seconds, and there is a subtle white light and couple beeps to inform you so. When off, it still works but does not sound as vivid, and I have to go back to EQ or my fiios Andes Amp to match the sound. At no point I felt the need to plug in the amp while DSP is ON, it is really TOO MUCH in this configuration. For casual listening, it works well without DSP, but I would never paid $300 for it.
There is a phrase in the box that says: "There's nothing more powerful than original." I will never come up with a better phrase to describe the JBL Synchros S700, because to me, they are THAT good.
Now, because nothing is perfect, let's jump to built quality, accessories, and important observations.
In the box: you will find 2x 3-button aux cables, for android and iPhone. They are 2.5mm to 3.5mm. You read correctly, 2.5mm input on the left side of the headphones, sincerely, what on earth were they thinking? Is there a humanly possible way to get replacements? I don't know. Next is a 2.5mm to USB cable, used to charge the unit's internal li-ion battery. It took me about 2 hours from empty to full. A carrying case is also included, and because the headphone only turns to a side to sit flat and does not fold in anyway, it is quite big. You must unplug the cable before storing it inside the case, I wonder how many times I'm able to do it before the 2.5mm connector or the cable breaks. For a $300 headphone I expected more, or maybe Vmodas raised my expectations a bit too high?
Build quality is top class, with no cheap plastic in sight and very solid construction. This is one heavy pair of cans. Mostly made of aluminum, it looks and feels like it was made by apple. I would say it is robust enough to be on pair with the M100, but at the same time it has that classy feel and look to it. Hard anodizing in mine was flawless. BUT, the cable it comes with is a big letdown, I've only seen cables this thin on sub $50 headphones. And Sadly, there are no replacements at the time due to the 2.5mm input on the unit. Those who know where to get a better cable, please let me know.
I cannot upload any pictures as I'm writing this review from an iPad, but I hope to be able to uploads some pictures soon.
Important observations:
-There are 12 positions to adjust the size of the S700, and I'm pulling it down all the way to 11. For those with a bigger head than me, this could be a potential problem. (I have a average to large size head)
-It can be used with DSP OFF, but I haven't used it much this way because it sounds so much vivid when on. Battery is supposed to last at least 28 hours.
-As stated before, the cable is not the best quality and 2.5mm in the headphone side, so it could be hard to find a proper replacement for it.
-Although the headphone is comfortable, clamping force is still very strong in mine, I could not wear it for more than 2 hours straight.
Bottom line: a very great sounding, accurate headphone that delivers, and then some more. It sits in the line between audiophile-class accuracy and modern headphone vividness, and wipes the floor with any consumer directed integrated-amp headphones in this price range (beats, monsters, soul, 50cent, you name it).
Well this is it. I hope this review has been helpful for those who had a hard time finding reviews, any questions, please feel free to ask me.
It was not easy at all to buy a $300 headphones without having read several unbiased reviews from true audiophiles. But I had faith in the brand and new LiveStage DSP technology it had, which really could be either a win, or total failure. From the second I saw them, I almost knew for sure these would have a warm, embracing, Bose-like sound. I was completely wrong.
I've used these mostly with an iPhone 5s, no amp, no EQ, DSP ON, and compared to the Vmoda M100 and Sony XB920 with the same settings.
Let's start with the sound:
Bass: heavy, but not dominant to my taste:rolleyes:. Every single low note is precise, and comes with texture and shape, and it is expressed in such defined way you could grab a pen and draw it. Crank up the volume, select an EQ, and you will have your head shaken, without compromising much of the detail. It didn't add unnecessary bass to tracks that don't need it, unlike other bass heavy headphones. Compared to the M100, bass is both deeper with more extend, although it lacks the "fun" signature with a less punchy and forward sound. Bass is there, but it is not IN-YOUR-FACE kind of bass, like my Sony XB-920 which are quite muddy and vibrates on my ears. But as I say, these cans are more than willing to go if you push them.
Very little to none distortion at max volumes.Mids: it is really hard for me to fully describe it, because I lack experience in this field. It sounds very rich and accurate, voices can be heard with a crispier tone than with my V-Moda, not necessarily a good thing if you listen to rap/hip hop music, but for most times, it works very well.
Highs: Clear. Crisp. Sharp. Every detail shines like a Christmas light in a dark house, nothing is missing, yet it never feels harsh to my ears, unlike my audiotechnica M50. Raise the volume and bass doesn't not interfere, each tone has its own lane. After a while listening to the S700 and going back to the M100, I immediately feel something is not right: the edges of the square is now gone, leaving me with a semi-circle. I hope you understand what this means.
Soundstage is wide and has great instruments separation. JBL states these are intended to make the music sound like they were originally meant to be, and I agree! In fact so much, that now I turn off my EQ and don't need the help of BBE sonic Max app to improve my listening experience. I really like S700 this much. They also say LiveStage technology will make you feel like in a concert, sometimes it does, but most time, it is your kind of music which really matters. Don't expect them to do magic.
DSP and LiveStage: To turn off and on the DSP feature, which is basically an integrated inline amp, press the left side button for 3 seconds, and there is a subtle white light and couple beeps to inform you so. When off, it still works but does not sound as vivid, and I have to go back to EQ or my fiios Andes Amp to match the sound. At no point I felt the need to plug in the amp while DSP is ON, it is really TOO MUCH in this configuration. For casual listening, it works well without DSP, but I would never paid $300 for it.
There is a phrase in the box that says: "There's nothing more powerful than original." I will never come up with a better phrase to describe the JBL Synchros S700, because to me, they are THAT good.
Now, because nothing is perfect, let's jump to built quality, accessories, and important observations.
In the box: you will find 2x 3-button aux cables, for android and iPhone. They are 2.5mm to 3.5mm. You read correctly, 2.5mm input on the left side of the headphones, sincerely, what on earth were they thinking? Is there a humanly possible way to get replacements? I don't know. Next is a 2.5mm to USB cable, used to charge the unit's internal li-ion battery. It took me about 2 hours from empty to full. A carrying case is also included, and because the headphone only turns to a side to sit flat and does not fold in anyway, it is quite big. You must unplug the cable before storing it inside the case, I wonder how many times I'm able to do it before the 2.5mm connector or the cable breaks. For a $300 headphone I expected more, or maybe Vmodas raised my expectations a bit too high?
Build quality is top class, with no cheap plastic in sight and very solid construction. This is one heavy pair of cans. Mostly made of aluminum, it looks and feels like it was made by apple. I would say it is robust enough to be on pair with the M100, but at the same time it has that classy feel and look to it. Hard anodizing in mine was flawless. BUT, the cable it comes with is a big letdown, I've only seen cables this thin on sub $50 headphones. And Sadly, there are no replacements at the time due to the 2.5mm input on the unit. Those who know where to get a better cable, please let me know.
I cannot upload any pictures as I'm writing this review from an iPad, but I hope to be able to uploads some pictures soon.
Important observations:
-There are 12 positions to adjust the size of the S700, and I'm pulling it down all the way to 11. For those with a bigger head than me, this could be a potential problem. (I have a average to large size head)
-It can be used with DSP OFF, but I haven't used it much this way because it sounds so much vivid when on. Battery is supposed to last at least 28 hours.
-As stated before, the cable is not the best quality and 2.5mm in the headphone side, so it could be hard to find a proper replacement for it.
-Although the headphone is comfortable, clamping force is still very strong in mine, I could not wear it for more than 2 hours straight.
Bottom line: a very great sounding, accurate headphone that delivers, and then some more. It sits in the line between audiophile-class accuracy and modern headphone vividness, and wipes the floor with any consumer directed integrated-amp headphones in this price range (beats, monsters, soul, 50cent, you name it).
Well this is it. I hope this review has been helpful for those who had a hard time finding reviews, any questions, please feel free to ask me.
