Excellent review, thanks for the useful information. Great that the headphone shares similarities with the HD600, but with the addition of the excellent spatial and imaging of HD800. Think this headphone should be a good seller for Sennheiser.

Thanks. I think that the 700s may prove to be really popular with those tempted to buy the 800s but can't justify the expense. They are different but the 700s have a distinct family resemblance in their imaging, sound stage and transparency. $500 cheaper is a major selling point when you can purchase headphones of real quality. For Classical and Jazz the 700s are excellent. Some (non-metal) Rock as well.

Great review. I have a pair of HD700s on demo now, along with HE-500s and HE-6. I keep gravitating back to the HD700s. I'm currently an HD650 owner though, so I may be biased. The comfort of the HD700s is absolutely amazing. These are the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. I like how these have good treble detail but don't sound bright to my ears. I had the T1s on loan, and they darn near made my ears bleed sometimes.

Thanks. Another HD 700 owner did a comparison of the padding on the 600/650/800s (including photos) and the difference is stark. The 700s have at least twice the padding of the other three. Clamping force is relatively light so wearing them for awhile isn't an exercise in torture. I love my 600/650s but they are not in this league. All of the 700 owners I've been in touch with love their feel and sound. The treble detail is - depending on the source - sharp but not bright or fatiguing to me as well. They're not as micro-detailed as the 800s, but they're pretty close. A good alternative, in my view.

Yea I agree with what all of what you're saying. I'm surprised that even though I have then HE-6 on loan, I keep going back to the 700's. I will say that both the HE-500 and HE-6 have a very "natural" and smooth presentation, but something about the sound signature of the HD700s that I am really digging.

Also, I don't see why there's all the hate towards the HD700s. These really are fantastic headphones. Another thing I've noticed is that the dynamic range is better than even the HE-500 and HE-6.

Headphones are very personal. Viewpoints about their relative quality tends to be subjective. Sennheiser is big and successful so that probably doesn't help. I've had these for more than 3 months and they are the ones I keep going back to. Owners of the 700s seem to like them. I think that is probably good enough for now.