Audio Technica ATH-A700 Headphones

I have owned ATH-A700 since 2004. That was before this model (or other Audio Technica) was readily available in US. I bought it in Japan on business trip, at Yodobashi Camera electronics store. The store had 50-60 headphones on demo. Unlike US stores, these units were all working and was hooked up to the same music. I tried many of the headphones in same price range, around $150 USD. Unfortunately, it was playing jazz, which was biased toward this headphone's sound profile. And as result, ATH-A700 was best sounding headphone in the store, for its price. When I brought it home and listen to music I like (Alternative, Rock, Pop), I found out the deficiencies.

ATH-A700 has very strong highs. At first listen, this headphone is bright with music instruments that stands outs. Then the second emphasis is bass. Although not a bass-head headphone, it has decent bass. However, the mid is completely lacking.

I say this headphone is very polarizing, because it is highly dependent on the music. For music where vocals are poor and not the highlight of the music (which is most alternative, rock, and pop music), this headphone can perform well. But once I listen to music with strong vocal emphasis (Adele, Amy Winehouse, Lauren Daigle, Alicia Keys, Sam Smith), ATH-A700 is completely lacking in the vocals and sounds awful. Singers sound like they are whispering, veiled, or singing behind a wall.

Among all my headphones, ATH-A700 has the best sound stage. I can hear the depth and the width in the room when listening to the right music with good recording. I suspect the V-shaped sound profile adds to the soundstage.

In past 20 years, I have tried many headphones. I understand the sound profiles better now. I definitely understand what I like and do not like. Previously, headphones that were V-shaped always got my attention. Because at 1st listen, those stood out more. But now, I realized that those V-shaped headphones are really lacking for certain music and not well rounded. That is ATH-A700. With certain music and first listen, it really pops. But as I listen to broader range of music, ATH-A700 deficiencies show up.

I now use Hifiman Deva as my main headphone. I have not used ATH-A700 for years. Just recently, my kid wanted a headphone for gaming, so I took out the ATH-A700. One look, the kid is not interested because is usual look and size.

Ok. So I tried it for gaming. It is actually quite decent for gaming. The emphasis in highs and lows helps in hearing footsteps in PUBG (first person shooter game battle royale game). The soundstage in terms of depth is very good on this headphone, so that is huge plus. For directionality, I just used this YouTube video. Close my eyes. And ATH-A700 is the best headphone I have to differentiate the direction, though none of my headphones are for gaming:



The headphone is large, but super comfortable. It has medium clamping force (which I don't even notice); enough to keep the headphones on my head. It is just right for me. In comparison, Hifiman Deva has low clamping force, but it also tend to slide forward or backward.

The plastic frame does creak as I move around. If you move around a lot with this headphone, that can be a problem.

Polyurethane covering on the ear pads lasted maybe 10 years. Then it just flaked off and left black specks everywhere, including my ears and face. I was able to buy a velour replacement earpads from Amazon.

      After owning them for a year, I still really love these headphones. For $100, this was one of the best purchases I have made! The sound quality is on par with Bose, M-50's, and the Grado sr60i. The isolation is good enough that I used them on the bus and in the library often. They sound much more spacious than the M-50, but it isn't the same as open headphones. The bass isn't as heavy as the M-50, which makes it slightly less interesting when listening to trance. I really enjoyed the controlled sound of the bass when listening to most music. I would say that the sound quality is good enough on these, that the price of my Akg q701's may not have been worth it in that regard. If you are looking for great quality, low cost, low impedance, comfort, and isolation just get these. If you prefer heavy bass to a spacious sound, get the m-50s. Also, the head band design is pretty awesome. It is very light on my head. I have walked home from campus on occasion and it stayed comfortably in place. The quality that audio technica provides on the lower end is impressive. However, these do make you look rather odd. Maybe that is a con; it could also be a pro!
 
Anyone who finds themselves needing to adjust the headband size can simply stretch or compress the band to their own comfort. I wanted them tighter, so I compressed the band at the point where they meet the drivers. It is very bendable and can be made more permanent if you just push further. With minor fixes, this does no damage to the headphones. It simply changes the driver angle and width!

Very happy with my Audio Technicia ATH A700's !
 
I must admit I am somewhat of a AT Fan Boy but they really do offer a great entry into decent sound in my somewhat limited experience.  I have listened to some decent cans in my time ( Grado's, HD600s, DT880s, AKGs, etc ) and their is something about the AT sound that I just like and never gets old.  Clear Highs, Great Sound Stage and enough bass to have a full sound.  Mids would be considered recessed by most but I guess that is just what I prefer.
 
For the $100 I paid for them new I could not be happier and like I said I just keep going back to them.
 
After about 2 years the ear pads are starting to show signs of wear but again I wear them quite a bit for work so to be expected.  You can buy new ear pads for $20 to $50 bucks so thats a plus.