[geejun2]

Hi guys,

Wondering what is the difference between the AD700 opened and closed. Would also wonder which is better unamp. I like the kind of sound signature frm my ER-6i. Just need a full sized one now. And how does it compares with SR80i???


Thank you!!

 

[K_19]

By open and closed AD700, you mean between AD700 and the A700?

Can't speak for A700 which I don't own, but I would say that AD700 would be closer to ER-6i than SR80i in sound signature. As you may have experienced with your ER-6i it has a very neutral sound signature... and while AD700 is not exactly a neutral headphone SQ wise it does sound more neutral than the SR80i which has the typical coloured upfront Grado sound signature. Both should do well unamped.

 

[Redo]

A700's (closed version) are quite a bit behind the AH700's (open version). The A700's are muddy and lacking definition. The A700's are "ok" phones, but the AH700's slaughter them pretty much all around.

And what kind of music? AH700's have a nice soundstage and can be more appealing with brass and orchestra, though they still can rock. 80's will still best them for rock all around, most specifically with electric guitar and drums.

 

[geejun2]

so the A700 = closed while the AD700 = open. And the OPEN one which might get sound contamination from the "outside" world is pretty similar to the ER-6i. While it might be similar to ER-6i in terms of the mids and highs, the SR80i rocks better in terms of base and electric guitar. I hope i got that right...

oh btw, anyone know where to get/demo a pair in london, UK?

 

[MD1032]

It depends on what you want. The AD700 has a much better soundstage than the SR-80i and a little better separation, but the SR-80i has a fuller, more impactful sound. I've really enjoyed listening to the AD700's lately but the thing that I just don't get about them is why the highs are so grainy. How can a headphone with such excellent soundstage and instrumental separation have such a, frankly, low-resolution sound? I can't tell which of my music is low-bitrate and which is high-bitrate with the AD700's despite their strident highs (which usually reveals this kind of thing), and with the Grados the difference is night-and-day. Both headphones are a compromise, and it depends on what you want, but I'll say that I really think the AD700's are more classically-minded and likewise the Grados are more rock and blues-minded. Just make sure you also buy a pair of bowl pads with the SR-80i's or you'll feel like you're walking through mud with the stock comfies.

edit: I forgot to comment: The AD700's are far more efficient than I imagined they would be. Either would be fine unamped.

 

[Mad Max]

AD700/A700 or SR80i...
Well, at least you can't go wrong with either =]
PICK.

 

[geejun2]

What if i go with ES7? they loook more portable to me? does it vary a lot in sound quality?

cheers

 

[K_19]

ES7 is definitely much more "fun", but it is quite coloured with its boosted midbass and forward midrange. If you are looking for an exciting, fashionable portable headphone I would easily recommend it, but definitely not if you are looking for ER-6i type flat response.

 

[geejun2]

so if i do a direct comparison between ES7 and AD700 and SR80i, The ES7 resembles the SR80i more than the AD700 rite and sound quality wise its pretty close to AD700. do correct me if i am wrong... in a dilemma here....

 

[Linkin]

Owning AD700's for a long time and SR80i's since this week, I say get both if you play games. AD700's are nice general listening/gaming cans as they are uber comfy compared to the grados, which hurt my head after a while, and the AD700 soundstage can't be matched by the SR80i.
 
Youtube, movies, games, general listening? AD700's no contest.
 
Wanna show off your FLAC and audio gear? SR80i no contest.