[FooTemps]

There's so much hype flying around the AD700 now a day. I'm amazed honestly. It's like how the HD580 was hyped a couple years ago...

I just wanted to know how many of you have owned more than 2 headphones competing for the same market as the AD700.

I know I went around saying "Oh the SR225 is way better than the HD580 and K701" after making my first purchase. I wanted to see how many of you are doing the same thing.

THIS IS NOT ASKING WHETHER THE AD700 IS GOOD OR NOT. ANSWER THE POLL. THAT IS ALL.

 

[brn80]

I've noticed that myself. I've been away from being active in Head-Fi for nearly a year and half or so, and there's a lot more recommendations and threads on them now. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they are a great headphone; I've owned the AD900, a similar sound signature and I loved it for what it was. The AD700 wasn't looked upon too favorably back then -- the throne went to it's older cousin, the A900, of which I don't see much recommendations/threads now -- which is why I picked up the AD900. It's funny too, it's not like they dropped in price, they were always at their current price.

Sorry didn't mean to derail/detract from AD700 owners posting, just thought I'd comment on my observations.

 

[Adreneline]

It's a good headphone. The lack of bass does not interest me so I sold it.

It's not for everyone, some people make it seem like it is.

 

[ksu06]

My main issue with the AD700 was that the detail was just not there, I felt like the finer details were lost in the artificial soundstage ... Otherwise, I would say that there are no real glaring negatives with this phone and that is why they are so well regarded.

 

[scytheavatar]

It's an entry-level, <$100 headphone. If you are expecting it to be on the level of the much more expensive K701, you're expecting too much. All of the <$100 headphones has some sort of major weakness. I think the AD700 is easily better than the MS1 and HD555, both which are its main competitor. The SR80 is more exciting but the AD700 is more all-rounded. All the ES7 and D1001 have more bass but otherwise are not competitive to the AD700. What other competition does the AD700 have as entry level audiophile phones? I think someone new to the hobby should start with the AD700 cause you can't find something better unless you are a basshead.

 

[FooTemps]

Scytheavatar >> answer my question, don't defend the AD700. I know it's plenty good for low end stuff, I've heard it before.

 

[donunus]

competing for the same market meaning open cans in the same price range? ive had ms1s, hd555s, akg k240s and sextett, goldring dr150, etc... The ad700 is my fave among them all

 

[K_19]

I'm not sure if D1001 should be classified in the category (perhaps not... probably more of D2000 territory?), but as good as they are, I feel that the AD700's are better overall in every area except for the bass. And I feel that they're not THAT far off from the K701 either.

 

[Carlsan]

I use mine mostly for gaming, I have better headphones for music.

The lack of bass is actually an asset; to much bass can be distracting, especially with all the explosions in shooters.
I haven't listened to it in awhile but I thought the hd555 had better overall sound, with really nice bass for the price. Will have to make a real comparison with the two cans when I get the chance, instead of relying on memory.

 

[wilyodysseus]

I own and regularly listen to the AD700's, RE2's, PX100's, SR80's, and the K701's. I have owned the HD555, but don't anymore. I listen to mostly jazz and classical, along with a fair amount of rock and blues.

The AD700's are the ones I've been listening to the most lately. The sound stage is artificial, and they're nowhere near as detailed as the k701's. I keep the AD700's and the SR80's at work, and I've mostly stopped listening to the SR80's since I got the AD700's. The AD700's are at least as good as the SR80's, and far more comfortable. They're good enough that I'm thinking about blind-buying the AD900's. These are damn fun phones.

My main complaint about the AD700's is that in very busy passages--particularly in some rock and symphonic pieces--they loose track of individual instruments. I'm hoping that the AD900's are better in that respect.

For sub $100 phones, though, the AD700's are an amazing value. Against the cans in that price range with which I've spent a considerable amount of listing time, I'd pick the AD700's. I enjoy them more that the SR80's or the HD555's.

 

[FooTemps]

keep up the good work fellas. I like seeing more of this style of commentary on headphones rather than "AD700 rules", especially if you have the experience to really back it up.

 

[chinesekiwi]

With a bassy source, The AD700 cannot be beaten on price to preformance in terms of full-size headphones. The colouration of the mids gets to me though.

 

[lucky]

Having simultaneously owned the AD700 and the K701 as well as the AD700 and HD555, I'd take the AD700 over both of them (and did).

Unlike most HF members, however, I think all of these are good phones, and that it ultimately comes down to listener preference.

 

[Oggranak]

I've had/tried the DT770 '05, AD700, D1001, SR225, HD280, K272HD, (ugh) Bose Triport, and SR325i. and I've tried some higher-end headphones. I am going to hear some MDR-V6es soon and at some point I hope to hear HD555s (for a low-budget gaming comparison). I'd love to get some more experience under my belt in that price range, but my current situation doesn't warrant it. Maybe when I get a job this summer...

If this applies to all of the mid range, I have also heard the HD650, DT880 '05 and K601.

All of this is unamped (so it is relevant to any threads asking for unamped headphones).

 

[dcpoor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucky /img/forum/go_quote.gif Having simultaneously owned the AD700 and the K701 as well as the AD700 and HD555, I'd take the AD700 over both of them (and did). Unlike most HF members, however, I think all of these are good phones, and that it ultimately comes down to listener preference.

just a reminder for readers that lucky used the k701's direct from a macbook or with a low end mixer.