So, would there be any catch for me if I ordered the ATH-AD700 from Audiocubes? I'd feel dirty for betraying Snufkin but it's a $60 AUD difference.

Aw, but what about Audio Technica's open cans? Snufkin in that review I posted earlier reckoned the AD700 were as good or better than the HD595, and in your price range you could almost fit the AD900 which are better yet.

What of the Audio Technica AD's? I like this review of the AD700:- http://www.headphones.com.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10

Quote: Originally Posted by Vicomte I collect Firefly/Serenity merchandise. I have a lot of it, and a couple hundred dollars worth of it on the way. Sure, I use most of it, in any way it may be used. I read the books/comics, listen to the soundtracks, watch the DVDs, look at the pretty...

Quote: Originally Posted by sleepkyng you've got to be kidding. I hope you are. People like this are totally unhappy listening to music -live concerts are just that - don't try to reproduce them, i don't buy high quality dvds showing other countries to see if i can truly BE there on my...

Hmm, from http://www.headphones.com.au/forums/...hp?p=3574#3574 Quote: Originally Posted by Snufkin Well, AD700 vs A900 is fairly simple - if you want isolation and more bass, while sacrificing a little soundstage, detail and cash the A900 is a good choice over the AD700. I wouldn't...

I'm not saying that training one's ears isn't a good thing, but surely you can't say that headphones should be judged only on accuracy?

Quote: Originally Posted by Fitz As soon as you are within a few feet of the exit, you lunge forward in slow motion. The falling debris is nipping at your feet, but you manage to just barely make it out before the catacombs collapse completely. You have won! Wow, you're an...

Quote: Originally Posted by BushGuy Yup.......go to live, preferably unamped/unmiked performances again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again - the goal should be to achieve the best replication of those performances with your headphone (or speaker...

No worries, I haven't let him influence me too much. As a Head-Fi newb I protected myself there - it was intended as sarcasm, but those who believe it (i.e. Fitz) would take it at face value.

Quote: Originally Posted by swt61 Then goats and small children would relieve themselves on you while chanting "death to the devil of moderation". Wow, talking goats. What can I say - it's Fitz.

Quote: Originally Posted by Fitz Wish me luck! You don't need it - You're Fitz.

Ah well, that is high praise there, but despite some level of flexibility in my budget I can't justify something as expensive as the Proline 750 when I'm only just starting out with regards to good audio. I still haven't even ordered my first good pair of headphones yet, but I have determined...

Quote: Originally Posted by Fitz They are really a 404 made by AKG. That is the secret. Yup, it's inconceivable that anyone but AKG could make good cans.

Quote: Originally Posted by Asr Everyone needs to own an AD2000 at some point in time I say! That is one hell of a claim - $500 headphones for the masses? Or do you mean everyone on head-fi? (Not including me; I'm a noob and haven't even gotten my first proper pair of headphones yet)

Now I'm just waiting to hear back from Snufkin on what he thinks about the AD700 vs A900. It would be rather mean of me to order from audiocubes after getting so much information from him, but the price difference is so large

Pricejapan looks alright, but I do appreciate a store with a proper website, and more to the point their price is pretty much the same. I live in Australia, and this thread came up when I did some googling:- http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=89876 Quote: Originally...

Quote: Originally Posted by oqvist 100 buck yes for a 400$ improvement in sound quality $400 extra in SQ eh? Wouldn't that put them in line with Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000 which cost $500 USD?? Even my meagre understanding of you people on head-fi leads me to think of that as...

Quote: Originally Posted by oqvist audiocubes.com . But still realize they aren´t even half as good as the Ultrasone Proline 750. Considering they aren't even half as expensive, that doesn't worry me much.

Oh dear, Snufkin probably would be displeased if I went to Audiocubes. They have the AD700 shipped for $167.57 compared to Snufkin's $229 and the A900 shipped for $249.60 compared to Snufkin's $299 though :S He has been nice to me, as much as talking to him has embarrassed me.

Some googling led me to find two alternatives, both of which I'm very skeptical about:- http://www.pricejapan.com/front/e_result_goods.php http://bluetin.com/stores/australia/shop.html

Alright, well if you can suggest a reliable option for international shipping of headphones that would work out cheaper than www.headphones.com.au here in Australia (AUD $299 for the A900; AUD $225 for the AD700) then please, go ahead, but I'm skeptical about the existence of such an option.

Australian dollars aren't the same thing as US dollars. $170 USD = $220 AUD so it *might* be worthwhile for me to get them shipped in from overseas, but then there would be huge shipping costs and duties and the like.

Okay, thanks, it's good to hear some positive confirmation on the AD700. For my needs they do seem to be superior to all of the alternatives within that price range, particularly when it comes to music. Are there any closed alternatives that would be much good within that price range? The...

Well, I'm looking for headphones for gaming myself, but I also want them to be good at music (rock in particular). However, my price range would be below $250 AUD which rules out the Audio Technica ATH-A900. Do you have anything to tell me on open vs closed models in that price range? I guess...