[fldrice]

I was able to pickup the AD500 for a good price so let's see how they compare to the AD700.

In terms of build, both phones appear nearly identical in construction with the exception of the cable and the jack (thicker cable and screw connector on the AD700).

Like many members have reported, the AD500 does sound very similar to the AD700-I would say about 90% identical.

However, there are some differences:
1) AD500 has a more prominent low end
2) AD500 is less bright and detailed-sounds slightly muddy and muffled at times when compared with the AD700
3) Contrary to popular belief, the drivers in both headphones are not the same. (AD500 drivers resemble and sound similar (less boomy) to those found in the Philips HP910 -Perhaps dynamating the back of AD500 drivers may improve mids and highs?

Additionally, the grills of both phones are interchangeable.

 

[1Time]

Nice comparison. AT should have put the purple grills on the AD500, and lighter colored grills on the AD700.

Edit:
I recently owned the HP910 and AD700 at the same time. They did not sound at all alike from my XS71 sound card. I sold the AD700 and kept the HP910 and modded it.

 

[fraseyboy]

Nice review.

AD500's with purple grills look SO hot.

 

[fldrice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Time /img/forum/go_quote.gif Nice comparison. AT should have put the purple grills on the AD500, and lighter colored grills on the AD700. Edit: I recently owned the HP910 and AD700 at the same time. They did not sound at all alike from my XS71 sound card. I sold the AD700 and kept the HP910 and modded it.

They sound very similar if you mod them. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/5942781-post12.html

 

[KONAKONA]

I'd get the AD500 just to swap the internals from my AD700s. The 500s look way better.

 

[ourfpshero]

nice post op!

 

[jageur272]

I've been trying to find an AD500 for a while. JR.com now has them for about $50 on pre-order I think.

 

[xBones]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KONAKONA /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd get the AD500 just to swap the internals from my AD700s. The 500s look way better.

Definitely...I like the look of the 500s.

 

[fldrice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KONAKONA /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd get the AD500 just to swap the internals from my AD700s. The 500s look way better.

Personally, I prefer the look of the 700 with the grills from the 500.

 

[1Time]

I agree; the HP910 does not sound like the AD700. But I remember reading about your mod and how it makes the HP910 sound like the AD700 but with more bass. And that does seem like an interesting and simple mod to try.

Unfortunately I already had modded my HP910 differently and didn't want to bother taking it apart and re-doing it. Modding my HP910 is still a work in progress. But once I get settled on something or give up, I plan on giving your mod a try so I can compare the two mods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fldrice /img/forum/go_quote.gif They sound very similar if you mod them. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/5942781-post12.html