[mbd2884]

I think the AD500 is not low-fi, but mid-fi. Its still usually around 70 bucks, and well frankly, the norm is to use whatever ear buds that came with the ipod, iriver or whatever.

But I can see getting an AD700 over the AD500, but I don't its a replacement on the SR60. They do have distinct different sound signature. You ought to find somewhere that has a 30 day guarantee return policy maybe?

Or just keep reading about the SR60s, List what music you love and listen to most often and I'm sure Grado owners can tell you if its up your alley.
- Suggest changing the title to the topic to get some input for SR60/SR80 owners though.

 

[dspang]

Well here's to hoping I lose that auction then. Should have consulted you guys first. Its all good. How much of an upgrade would the 700's be from Senny hd 202's. Which are closed phones. So I'll be moving to open correct?

 

[scytheavatar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbd2884 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think the AD500 is not low-fi, but mid-fi. Its still usually around 70 bucks, and well frankly, the norm is to use whatever ear buds that came with the ipod, iriver or whatever. But I can see getting an AD700 over the AD500, but I don't its a replacement on the SR60. They do have distinct different sound signature. You ought to find somewhere that has a 30 day guarantee return policy maybe? Or just keep reading about the SR60s, List what music you love and listen to most often and I'm sure Grado owners can tell you if its up your alley. - Suggest changing the title to the topic to get some input for SR60/SR80 owners though.

My point is that the AD500 is worthless and you are better off with something like the SR60 or KSC75. Its clarity is not even a fraction that of the AD700. And the AD700 already doesn't have that good a bass. So with lacking clarity and lacking bass the AD500 is not worth its price.

 

[1Time]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dspang /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well here's to hoping I lose that auction then. Should have consulted you guys first. Its all good. How much of an upgrade would the 700's be from Senny hd 202's. Which are closed phones. So I'll be moving to open correct?

You stand a good chance of winning that auction. Last week the same eBay seller sold a lot of 5 refurbished AD500s, and each went for the opening bid or very close to it. I was surprised to see them sell for ~$50 shipped.

Edit:
Right, the AD700 is open and FWIR would sound very different than the HD202, which is quite bassy by comparison.

 

[1Time]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scytheavatar /img/forum/go_quote.gif My point is that the AD500 is worthless and you are better off with something like the SR60 or KSC75. Its clarity is not even a fraction that of the AD700. And the AD700 already doesn't have that good a bass. So with lacking clarity and lacking bass the AD500 is not worth its price.

Good to know, as I didn't know before this that there was that much difference between the AD500 and AD700. Thanks

 

[Tacoboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Time /img/forum/go_quote.gif So how does the AD500 compare to the AD700?

I believe the AD700s have a little better sound, but it's hard to put exact words to the difference.
The AD700s are twice the price what your paying for the AD500s
You'll be happy with the AD500s.

 

[scytheavatar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacoboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I believe the AD700s have a little better sound, but it's hard to put exact words to the difference. The AD700s are twice the price what your paying for the AD500s You'll be happy with the AD500s.

Have you heard the AD700 before? The AD700 is easily far superior to the AD500, like I said the AD500 is clearly a low end phone.

 

[1Time]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scytheavatar /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you heard the AD700 before? The AD700 is easily far superior to the AD500, like I said the AD500 is clearly a low end phone.

Apparently so, Tacoboy has it listed in his sig and has posted about his AD700 before. The AD500 is selling for ~$50, and the AD700 is selling for roughly double. Is one worth half or double the other? It depends on one's value of money and their preference for how similar or different these two sound with their associated equipment.

 

[ourfpshero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scytheavatar /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you heard the AD700 before? The AD700 is easily far superior to the AD500, like I said the AD500 is clearly a low end phone.

i have had the ad500 and the ad700. they sound extremely similar. so much so that i would recommend the ad500 over the ad700 due to the price. the ad500 needs a much much longer burn in. the real difference is the color

 

[synaesthetic]

Before buying my AD700s, I auditioned AD500s at Guitar Center and found them bad enough to make me almost reconsider buying AT cans at all.

The AD700, on the other hand, are ridiculously good-sounding for their price. They may be bass-light, but the bass they do have is tight and quick. They also have great, slightly "funky" (in a good way) mids.

 

[WittyzTH]

AD500 for $50 is a steal.

 

[scytheavatar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ourfpshero /img/forum/go_quote.gif i have had the ad500 and the ad700. they sound extremely similar. so much so that i would recommend the ad500 over the ad700 due to the price. the ad500 needs a much much longer burn in. the real difference is the color

I'll dispute claims like this. While the AD700 is easily worth more than the asking price, the AD500 is easily worth less than the asking price. The gap between the clarity of the AD500 and AD700 is like the gap between the K81 and the K501. Yeah, the AD500 loses to even the K81 IMHO. The only good thing about it is that it has a good soundstage, on par with that of the AD700. Otherwise I'll advise anyone to get the AD700 and no bother with the AD500.

 

[WittyzTH]

Interesting, I haven't heard the AD700, but I personally think AD500 is not such a low-end headphone (sub $100).

With my system, cheap on-board sound card >> Dig LinkIII >> Raptor w/ Tung-sol 5687s and Sylvania 5693 >> about 200hrs burned-in AD500, it performs quite good - large sound stage and decent bass. I would say it's worth for $100 or more, and getting it for $50 is a steal.

 

[ourfpshero]

remember peeps- the ad500 needs a LONG burn in. after that it sounds great. i was disappointed when i upgraded to the ad700 because the sound was extremely similar. i sold the ad700s in a week!
auditioning cans at quitar center is only a mediocre way to hear cans. i went into one (when i started my headphone obsession)and asked to hear an akg k240 and a beyer dt770. the salesman-boy brought them out-hooked them up to his ipod and put on his fave thrash metal song. i didnt buy either...

 

[dspang]

I'm still winning this particular auction so if anything if I hate them I can sell them to someone I know. Having not heard any really high end stuff I'm still kinda positive it might be a little better hopefully. If not oh well. That's the way it goes. But thank you all for the info and suggestions.