[Katun]

I received these for Christmas last week and since then, I have done numerous tests against my PortaPro and my Altec Backbeat Titanium. Unfortunately, there isn't really a big difference between the three. (Obviously AD700 1st, PortaPro 2nd, and Backbeats 3rd, although not significant margins.) Don't get me wrong, the AD700's are the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn, and that alone was worth the price, but the SQ seems the same as the others. It's good...but so are the PortaPros. Whenever I find something in the music I didn't notice before, I switch headphones and notice I can also hear it with my other ones. I've had about 32hrs of burn in, and am using a Sansa Clip, but is there any other recommendations of how I can make them sound better? I've tried FLAC and 320 mp3, but then again, not much of a difference between them vs normal mp3. Equalizer adjustments? New mp3? (I'm getting an iAudio7) More burn in? FLAC?

Thanks again for helping Head-Fi crew!

 

[jsplice]

I recently purchased a set of the AD700s myself. While they do have a very good soundstage and are extremely comfortable, they don't stand out to me either. I mean don't get me wrong, they sound fantastic for the money, but I never expected them to sound much better than they do, just based on their cost. It could be a matter of your source also. The Sansa is a good DAP no doubt, but you will notice more improvements in sound quality when you move up to a dedicated source and amp. Give your ears more time to adjust also, and allow them to burn in more. You may actually grow to like them a lot. Part of this hobby has a lot to do with being patient.

 

[Katun]

Thanks for the response.

Yeah, maybe I should spend more time burning them in "on my head" rather than "in my closet."

I'm also hoping the iAudio7's BBE effects can improve it as well...

 

[K_19]

I also feel that AD700 doesn't really do music too well. I strictly use it as a gaming headphone where it excels (and I wouldn't replace it for anything)... but for listening to music I find them a bit uninspiring and think that the similarly priced D1001 does a better job for that purpose.

 

[B-Dawk20]

I am very happy with my purchase so far but from putting them in different sources in my house it seems they do better. That and coming from Koss Portapro, some of my LQ music is less fun to listen to on these cans. Maybe that is what comes with the luggage of getting higher end headphones so to say but it can be upsetting. That and certain music sounds phenomenally better in these and others while they sound better, aren't an overblowing differences. I really just wanna upgrade my sources and such before I make any real judgments though.

 

[Katun]

Hmm, I guess they are top notch for games then...

I mostly listen to soundtracks, so I thought these would excel with them. They do well, but not significantly better then my other headphones. The comfort on the other hand...out of this world!

 

[dRummie]

I'm with you on this, bud. Heh, I was beginning to think I was alone. I bought mine as my first headphones a year ago, and they haven't grown on me yet. I think they're all right considering their price, but don't (imo) live up to all the glowing reviews on here. They were meant to be my can for classical, particularly large-scale orchestral, and they just don't cut it. Music doesn't come through them the way it should. The sound stage is there, but instruments sound thin and hollow. They do some things decently, but not enough to justify living with their shortcomings, so despite their comfort, they're leaving me as soon as I find a replacement.

 

[meticadpa]

They're great for gaming, but they're not so amazing for most music genres.

They're pretty much acoustic/classical headphones, and apparently they don't even handle those so well.

 

[Necrolic]

They are great headphones for the price, but VERY limited as far as what genres of music they perform well with due to the limited bass.

Also, PortaPros are $50, and definitely worth more than that SQ wise, so I wouldn't have expected to see much difference between those and the AD700s outside of soundstage.

If you like jazz, classical and acoustic music, they are fantastic cans, but there are much better options if you prefer rock or bass heavy music (Grados and Denons are my favorites).

 

[TobaccoRoad]

I never understood some people swearing AD700 is better than HD555/595 in every way, as if they're trying to justify their purchase just because it's the headphone they own. AD700 is so overrated I wonder if they were hyped just because of gaming.

fwiw, I rather have PortaPro over AD700, regardless of the price.

 

[Katun]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

I just placed order for the iAudio7, so we'll see if I can create a more "diverse" experience in comparison to the others.

 

[VALIENTE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katun /img/forum/go_quote.gif More burn in? FLAC?

I think yes, more burn in please.
When I had my new SR60, I found its sound like the sound of the cheap earbuds that comes with the Sony Portable Discman. However, after 100 hours more or less, I've got its unique sound.

 

[Frank I]

I listened and returned the AD700. I found them great but when I put them up against my 701 they fell way short in detail and bass. I also listened to the 840 which are closed but I end up purchasing the 840 to with my 701. But I will admit for 90.00 the AD700 are well worth the money as they do most things very well.

 

[nullstring]

I was also very disappointed with my AD700 purchase at first
Spend more time with them on your head.

I made a thread when I get them similar to yours.
this is one of the replies I got:

Quote:

Originally Posted by fraseyboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Even if the drivers themselves don' change during extended use, something certainly does. Something in your head. Don't judge them an hour after opening them. I wouldn't even consider making a thread about not liking them until at least a week.

Spend a week listening to only them, and then tell me you still don't think they are different than your other phones =)

 

[Katun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nullstring /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was also very disappointed with my AD700 purchase at first Spend more time with them on your head. I made a thread when I get them similar to yours. this is one of the replies I got: Spend a week listening to only them, and then tell me you still don't think they are different than your other phones =)

Thanks for that! You gave me a bit more enthusiasm.

(Hmm, what have I learned from this?)

"The burn in process not only consists of putting time through your headphones,
but also consists of putting the headphone's time, through you."