Need Help Choosing Headphones! Audio Technica ATH-AD700 or Sennheiser HD595

[RyanWhite24]

Hi everyone,

Im new to the headphone world (usually stick with earphones) so would appreciate some advice from the pro's. I have just bought myself a pacemaker, and im looking for some headphones to go with it.

So, the question is..... Audio Technica ATH-AD700 or Sennheiser HD595 headphones? or perhaps something similar in the same price range? Could you also tell me why you have chosen a particular set of headphones? Build Quality? Sound Quality? Extras? etc.

From what i have read on this site and other sites, the AD700's seem better.

Also, do i really need am amplifier? If i do, then it must be portable. From what i have found, the Flio E5 amps seem to be pretty good, and a really good seller! Can anyone comment on this? Would this be a good combo with the above headphones? or would i not get the best sound with this amp?

My main use for them both will be my iphone, macbook pro, and pacemaker. I mainly listen to trance, dance, drum n bass etc.

Thanks in advance!

Ryan

 

[scytheavatar]

Most people here will tell you not to bother with the HD595, either you get the cheaper HD555 which is a far better bang/buck phone, or you go for the HD580/HD600. The AD700 is easily the better headphone than the HD555, but you might be unhappy with its bass performance for the type of music you listen to. Maybe consider the D1001/D2000?

 

[RyanWhite24]

Thanks for the reply. From what i have read, the d1000 is completely different in the way that it sounds. I spent about abut 2 hours looking at headphones last night and i think that im going to get the AD900. What do you think about them? there seems to be quite a lot of positive comments going around on this forum about that set. I know that they have much more bass than the AD700 headphones.

Also, i have read that you dont really need an amp for the AD900, as they sound good enough without one. What would an amp really do? is it worth the extra money? what am i looking for in an amp? the same ohm's as my headphones? anything else?

 

[billybob_jcv]

Ideally, what you are looking for in a headphone amp is the ability to produce a very clean signal with enough voltage and current headroom to drive your headphones to their potential.

But - that doesn't really answer your question...

Different headphones present a different load - some are more "difficult" to drive because they present a higher load. So, whether an amp is worthwhile really depends on the capabilities of the amp in the source you are using and the specific headphones you are trying to drive. One headphone spec to look at is the "efficiency" - usually expressed in dB/mW for headphones. The lower the efficiency, the more power is required to achieve the same level of loudness. But the amp is not just about loudness - it is also about whether the amp can supply enough power to allow the headphone to produce the dynamic range of the music without sounding constricted and lifeless. Matching the gain of the amp to the efficiency of the headphone is a good start. Putting a low gain amp on a low efficiency 'phone will not provide the needed power, and putting a high gain amp on a high efficiency 'phone may cause clipping & distortion.

I don't know the AD900 or AD700 - someone else will hopefully jump in.

Finally - Welcome to head-fi - Sorry about your wallet!

 

[scytheavatar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanWhite24 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the reply. From what i have read, the d1000 is completely different in the way that it sounds. I spent about abut 2 hours looking at headphones last night and i think that im going to get the AD900. What do you think about them? there seems to be quite a lot of positive comments going around on this forum about that set. I know that they have much more bass than the AD700 headphones. Also, i have read that you dont really need an amp for the AD900, as they sound good enough without one. What would an amp really do? is it worth the extra money? what am i looking for in an amp? the same ohm's as my headphones? anything else?

billybob_jcv has answered your question about the amp, all you need to know is that some headphones need it to sound at their best.

As for the AD900, it has only a tiny bit more bass than the AD700. It's useless for me to tell you if they have or don't have enough bass, since that depends on your tastes and how much bass is considered "enough" for you. But I do think that the AD700 is a better bang/buck than the AD900, so you might want to get the AD700 instead.

 

[killz23]

AD700 is at a better price point too..Considering it's only about 80++ for a refurbished set..Last week it was on sale for 78..damn I din jump on that deal...Regretting now.....=="

Hopefully the price will come again..

 

[RyanWhite24]

i definitely think that the AD700 is awesome for the price. From what i have read about other peoples experiences though, the AD900 is worth the money.

Audio Technica ATH-AD900 Open-Air Dynamic Headphones | SALE Now On!

Its only £220 on that site. My only regret is that if i get the AD700, it might not meet my expectations and i will need to buy an amp for it. I have been told that the AD900 is a big step up from the AD700, and not just in terms of bass. Is there really that much of a difference to justify the price? i dont mind paying more for the better set, but will i really notice the difference? not just on my wallet!

Killz23 - where did you find the AD700's for £78? cheapest i can find them for is £110 brand new.

Thanks.

 

[sagitta]

If you are in the UK , the ad700 at £74 + shipping, offer won't last i guess:

Audio Technica Headphones ATH-AD700: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

 I bought mine last week from there, fast shipping, i got them within 3 days.

 

[Zathan]

I had both the AD700 and HD595 and even a pair of CAL (D1001 equivalent ~)
The AD700 were my favorite. Price vs SQ ratio, AD700 trounces the HD595

I never tested the AD900 but If I had enough cash to spare I would most likely buy a pair.

 

[logwed]

I would recommend the AD700s, you can find them for ~$100 on Amazon. My friend recently got a pair and loves them.

 

[avaddikt]

The AD700 are quite amazing at the price. They do everything well. Comfortable, sound great, a bit oversized..the only real drawback but not too heavy. And they don't NEED an amp so it's a nice easy investment from the getgo.
You can always get something better later on if you get the bug but be prepared to spend a lot more more money, in the meantime you will have great phones to rely on.

 

[hurryup]

I think the AD700 is the better deal.