[gssjr]

I've been looking for gaming headphones and a lot of people recommend the AD700s. My roommate has the HD555s and my initial impressions are that they're amazingly comfortable (I haven't made any conclusions about the sound yet. Perhaps I can agree with other peoples statements saying they are a bit 'muddy').

I've heard that the AD700s exhibit a different kind of comfort (from pictures, they seem to have a significantly different design). I was hoping to get more details.

I primarily use headphones for everything, all day, so it's very important that they can be used for 4-6+ hours.

In my past experience I noticed if the headphone padding touches my ears at all, no matter how soft, they will start to hurt me after a while. I haven't worn the HD555s for a long session yet, but my initial impressions are that they are extremely comfortable. I like how the padding doesn't touch my ears at all, instead, cupping against my head, around my ears.

FWIW, my budget is ~$230USD (no more, but less) between a pair of headphones and a soundcard. The AD700s seem attractive to me since they are known for their superior positional audio. I'm going for immersion gaming (I also have a triple monitor setup).

When I'm not gaming, the music I listen to is:
- progressive metal/neoclassical/metalcore
- trance and other electronic music (mostly hardstyle and gabba/gabber).

I don't need the most booming bass, just a defined, full sound.

Thanks.

 

[Fandangoya]

I will make two points:

1) The HD555's are ridiculously comfortable, I don't see anyway in which another headphone could improve over it...there have been literally tons of times where I have completely forgot I was wearing mine and started looking for them

2) I've have my HD555's for over 1.5 years now, and I will say that they have NEVER sounded muddy to me all. My have always sounded extremely clear and detailed....

 

[iHelp]

Both probably won't have enough bass for metal.

But both are also really comfortable.

 

[Palpatine]

Yes...I certainly wouldn't listen to my HD555 with metal or rock for that matter. Just not enough oomph. I suppose you could eq the heck out of them.

 

[gssjr]

So I purchased the AD700s.

My initial impressions (< 30mins):

Not so comfortable. My ears get slightly warm/itchy and they press a bit on my earlobes causing some discomfort (extrapolating to 4 hours, I imagine they will end up hurting like a bitch).

I will give a little time to do a 4-6 hour test with both these and my roommate's HD555s.

If they still bother me, I will return them and get something else.

Any other suggestions? Looking to spend <$130 USD. Gaming first, music second (again, that's mostly heavy metal and electronic/trance/hardstyle).

 

[iHelp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gssjr /img/forum/go_quote.gif So I purchased the AD700s. My initial impressions (< 30mins): Not so comfortable. My ears get slightly warm/itchy and they press a bit on my earlobes causing some discomfort (extrapolating to 4 hours, I imagine they will end up hurting like a b****). I will give a little time to do a 4-6 hour test with both these and my roommate's HD555s. If they still bother me, I will return them and get something else. Any other suggestions? Looking to spend <$130 USD. Gaming first, music second (again, that's mostly heavy metal and electronic/trance/hardstyle).

Change B****. And the gaming 'phone under $130 will be hard to find.

 

[gssjr]

What do you mean by, "Change B****" ...

 

[vagarach]

The HD555 (and I'm assuming, their higher-end sibling, the 595) can't be touched for comfort. You could sit through 2 movies back-to-back and not even realize you were wearing headphones for that long. They also have a very smooth, forgiving, easy going sound that is not fatiguing.

 

[wmf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gssjr /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've been looking for gaming headphones and a lot of people recommend the AD700s. My roommate has the HD555s and my initial impressions are that they're amazingly comfortable (I haven't made any conclusions about the sound yet. Perhaps I can agree with other peoples statements saying they are a bit 'muddy'). I've heard that the AD700s exhibit a different kind of comfort (from pictures, they seem to have a significantly different design). I was hoping to get more details. I primarily use headphones for everything, all day, so it's very important that they can be used for 4-6+ hours. In my past experience I noticed if the headphone padding touches my ears at all, no matter how soft, they will start to hurt me after a while. I haven't worn the HD555s for a long session yet, but my initial impressions are that they are extremely comfortable. I like how the padding doesn't touch my ears at all, instead, cupping against my head, around my ears. FWIW, my budget is ~$230USD (no more, but less) between a pair of headphones and a soundcard. The AD700s seem attractive to me since they are known for their superior positional audio. I'm going for immersion gaming (I also have a triple monitor setup). When I'm not gaming, the music I listen to is: - progressive metal/neoclassical/metalcore - trance and other electronic music (mostly hardstyle and gabba/gabber). I don't need the most booming bass, just a defined, full sound. Thanks.

defined, full sound, and immersive?

i was thinking, not the AD700s, although they are very good, with equally nice large soundstage. bass is a little thin.
if u consider closed 'phones, maybe the a900s, unless your set on open 'phones. comfortable pads as well. just a thought.

 

[gssjr]

Reports from Day 2:

welp...they don't seem to bother my ears anymore. However, now that I don't have the ear pain distracting me, I noticed that they are pressing right on the pressure point on the jaw below the earlobes -_- Maybe that will disappear in a few days...

I'm not so sure if I want to go bending the headband just yet. I don't understand why they designed the earcups without tilt...