[Desdinova12]

Just did the ear pad mod last night. The results were interesting. There was a slight loss of sound stage and comfort, but it gave them a warmer, more intimate sound. It reminds me of a more detailed HD600 with punchier bass. I realize its about a year old mod, but I have to say Im impressed with the results.

 

[manukmanohar]

Just did the ear pad mod last night. The results were interesting. There was a slight loss of sound stage and comfort, but it gave them a warmer, more intimate sound. It reminds me of a more detailed HD600 with punchier bass. I realize its about a year old mod, but I have to say Im impressed with the results.

Had you tried EQing the HD 700 before? (Link here for an EQ which I've heard some people saying transform the headphone)

 

[Desdinova12]

I did. I came across an extra set of pads for cheapish so I figured Id give it a try. Ive been playing with the EQ too. The mod made the mids more audiable which the EQ never quite did. Will do a bit more toying around when I get home.

Edit: Been toying around with these a little bit more. Doing an A/B test with stock pads and I have to say, I do really like the mod. While I didn't find these too fatiguing before, it's almost gone entirely. The treble and detail is there, but it doesn't linger as long as it did. The detail however, hasn't faded to point that you can't hear the blemishes on poorly recorded track like the HD600. Overall, I'm pleased with the mod. They sound a little warmer and smoother than they did before and I'm loving the sound. But unless you have another pair of pads handy, I would not suggest this. I may try the RS180 pads suggested earlier in the thread if I have time.

As for the soundstage, there wasn't much of a hit at all as I initially thought. It's still huge

 

[Jodet]

I've done a couple more nights of listening with my 650's and 700's. I just was not happy with the 700 through the QP1R. I gave it a fair shot but it never sounded good.

So I tried the 700's on my tube amp. Oh. My. All the problems, the glare, the 'spaciness' went away and they sounded amazing.

My takeaway on this is that 700's, like their bigger brother, do not scale down. If you can't feed them with a really good amp - don't bother. But with a really good tube amp the sound is amazing.

BTW, amp is a Soundquest SQ84-V2 - 6v6 tubes, 15 wpc. Best tube amp I've ever heard, I don't know why it doesn't get more press.

 

[DavidA]

I've done a couple more nights of listening with my 650's and 700's. I just was not happy with the 700 through the QP1R. I gave it a fair shot but it never sounded good.

So I tried the 700's on my tube amp. Oh. My. All the problems, the glare, the 'spaciness' went away and they sounded amazing.

My takeaway on this is that 700's, like their bigger brother, do not scale down. If you can't feed them with a really good amp - don't bother. But with a really good tube amp the sound is amazing.

BTW, amp is a Soundquest SQ84-V2 - 6v6 tubes, 15 wpc. Best tube amp I've ever heard, I don't know why it doesn't get more press.

Agree with you that a tube amp is best for the HD700, and like the HD800 is picky with amps

 

[theexexpat]

Hello!

New owner of HD700 - currently running using an AQ dragonfly black. I have to turn them up really loud - so is it worth buying the AQ dragonfly red?
I need a portable usb powered dac as will be using them on a balcony without power sockets.

 

[DavidA]

Hello!

New owner of HD700 - currently running using an AQ dragonfly black. I have to turn them up really loud - so is it worth buying the AQ dragonfly red?
I need a portable usb powered dac as will be using them on a balcony without power sockets.

My ex-GF used to use a Fiio X3 DAP with her HD700 almost everyday when she used to walk our dog and the X3 had no problem with driving the HD700. I think you might want to consider a DAP since it might make it easier with only one device.

 

[rlisin]

My ex-GF used to use a Fiio X3 DAP with her HD700 almost everyday when she used to walk our dog and the X3 had no problem with driving the HD700. I think you might want to consider a DAP since it might make it easier with only one device.

I use Fiio X5II with good results (volume and SQ), so that's another vote for a DAC/DAP solution. X3 and X5 can be used as a standalone players (battery-powered) or DACs (USB-powered).
Based on specs alone, AQ dragonfly red should give you more volume.

 

[theexexpat]

My ex-GF used to use a Fiio X3 DAP with her HD700 almost everyday when she used to walk our dog and the X3 had no problem with driving the HD700. I think you might want to consider a DAP since it might make it easier with only one device.

Thanks but sorry should of said I am using Tidal/MQA on my macbook.

 

[rlisin]

The Fiios should work as DACs with a macbook. They offer additional functionality compared to dragonfly (that's the reason I went with Fiio - I wanted something that can be used as both DAC and DAP, and works with 192/24 and DSD), but they are bigger, heavier and more expensive, at least the X5II is.

 

[GearMe]

Thanks but sorry should of said I am using Tidal/MQA on my macbook.

If you're happy with the Macbook as a source and just using a desktop amp, I'd look at the iFi Audio iCan Special Edition (SE). Got mine for $229...very nice amp for the $$$ that works well with HD700s

 

[theexexpat]

If you're happy with the Macbook as a source and just using a desktop amp, I'd look at the iFi Audio iCan Special Edition (SE). Got mine for $229...very nice amp for the $$$ that works well with HD700s

Thanks but need USB powered as its for use with the mac on my knee, on a chair on a balcony with no power.

 

[theexexpat]

I use Fiio X5II with good results (volume and SQ), so that's another vote for a DAC/DAP solution. X3 and X5 can be used as a standalone players (battery-powered) or DACs (USB-powered).
Based on specs alone, AQ dragonfly red should give you more volume.

Thank you.

 

[GearMe]

Thanks but need USB powered as its for use with the mac on my knee, on a chair on a balcony with no power.

Gotcha...the CEntrance DACport slim might be worth a look. Based on what I've read, it's supposed to be a high-value piece of kit with excellent sound.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/centrance-dacport-slim-amp-dac-combo

 

[theexexpat]

Gotcha...the CEntrance DACport slim might be worth a look. Based on what I've read, it's supposed to be a high-value piece of kit with excellent sound.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/centrance-dacport-slim-amp-dac-combo

Thank you, but better the devil you know so in the end I went with the AQ red.