[PuffyElvis]

I didn't have the HE-500 and the HD 700 at the same time, but I'm listening to the HE-500 right now and it doesn't seem to have quite as much treble energy as the HD 700.  They both have very good deep sound stages.  The HE-500 I think has a midrange that is more expansive, but the soundstage of the HD 700 is better overall.  I eventually upgraded to the HD 800, but after a few weeks I'm finding the HD 800 not as engaging as the HD 700 nor the HE-500.  
 
It's a tough call because I started out really liking the HE-500, but found it limiting after a short time.  I really liked the HD 700, but eventually found the treble too hot for certain recordings and I kind of burned out on it.  I turned to the HD 800 with the Analixus mod 2.0 (which did help a lot), but the HD 800 just doesn't have the liveliness of the HD 700 and I swear it's actually brighter, though perhaps less fatiguing with the Analixus mod.  I think now that they have reduced the cost of the HD 700 to $649 it's an absolute steal.  I can't believe it's priced only $50 more than the HD 650.  
 
I now feel that despite all the benefits of the HD 800 ring driver the treble spike it causes is a deal breaker.  Too bad I never tried to mod the HD 700, I wonder how that would have turned out?

 

[pdrm360]

  Man these are $649 right now.
 
I have the Bifrost + Lyr combo with HE-500s.
 
Trying to give myself reason not to buy these.
 
I know there are comparisons between the two but does anyone have an updated opinion between the HD700s and HE-500s.

 
I had both of them but I sold my HE-500 and kept the HD700. 

 

[neodenjin]

I currently own the m50s and am thinking about picking up the HD 700.  Would their be any point if the only thing I have driving this is a fiio e17?
 
I mostly listen to hip hop music and generally don't have good sources.  Hell I'll listen to music from youtube from my PC with an dedicated sound card.  Nothing fancy here at all.
 
Any thoughts on if I should be picking this up?

 

[Flisker]

Didn't have M50, but read a lot about it and I think it's totally different in all possible ways to HD 700. You should audition HD 700 somewhere if it's possible for you.
 
As for music close to hip-hop I listen to DJ Antonie - Ma Cherie/ House Party and both sounds outstanding from HD 700 ... Gym Class Heroes - Stereo Hearts, Mac Miller - Knock Knock, Wiz Khalifa - Black And Yellow sound also perfecly good.
 
HD 700 gives sound a lot of energy and that's probably why some ppl hate it and some love it. For me it was exactly what I was looking for. It's not just bass energy, it's also midrange and treble ... you can "feel everything".
 
For example - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74fuAE8MXt0 at 1:45 there starts some "electric rumbling" (lacking words) hope you get what I mean when you hear it and when I listen to it from speakers now at work I hardly notice there is something in background, but on HD 700 it's 3 dimensional all around your head with loads of energy and dynamics, I just love it. 
 
And yea I guess FiiO E17 will be "Ok" since I still listen to them straight from pc, because my E12 package is traveling all around the world

 

[Soundwave76]

One thing I have now noticed with the HD700s is that poor quality music sound MUCH MORE AWFUL than before. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing...

 

[Flisker]

  One thing I have now noticed with the HD700s is that poor quality music sound MUCH MORE AWFUL than before. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing...

 
It's a good thing  I would rather notice that some recordings are awful than use cheap hp's and feel like everything is good because nothing stands out.
 
Actually I had about 3 month break from decent headphones and because my last hp's was T1 .. everything sounded kind of "awful" after that Guess that once you are in higher-end audio than there is no going back.

 

[revolutionz]

So now that more people are getting these, are there people out there using aftermarket headphone cables?  I've been considering the Moon Audio Black Dragon, hoping to tame the highs just a bit and bring out a bit more low end.  Essentially balance it out a bit more.  There are only a handful that make cables for these cans, just trying to find some experiences with them, and not start a cable debate.

 

[pdrm360]

  So now that more people are getting these, are there people out there using aftermarket headphone cables?  I've been considering the Moon Audio Black Dragon, hoping to tame the highs just a bit and bring out a bit more low end.  Essentially balance it out a bit more.  There are only a handful that make cables for these cans, just trying to find some experiences with them, and not start a cable debate.

I use a custom 8 cores silver plated cable for my HD700, I love it.  The Black Dragon cables should be good on SS amps.

 

[pdrm360]

 

[bomiheko]

I currently have bitfrost+Lyr combo powering HD650.  I see the HD700 has dropped to $649. Would it be a decent upgrade? I see some people went from HD650 to HD700 and was satisfied.  I want to audition, but there's no local HD700 sellers nearby, so have to rely on other's opinions.

 

[pdrm360]

When I bring the HD800, HD700, and HD650, mostly everyone prefers the HD700. It's surprising but true.

 

[revolutionz]

I've yet to hear the HD800, but when I purchased my 700's, I extensively auditioned between HD600, HD650, and HD700.  I bought before the price drop.  I felt the 700's were worth the extra $400.  YMMV.

 

[pdrm360]

Only the HD700 cable worth extra $200 in compare to HD6X0 cables. 

 

[Eee Pee]

When I bring the HD800, HD700, and HD650, mostly everyone prefers the HD700. It's surprising but true.

Fairly true in my world also. I bring the 600, 700 and 800 and often the 700 is not exactly the winner per se, but liked more. I do think it's that energy all across the board and the incredible comfort that get people.

Disclaimer: Anax 2.0 like foam mods to 7 & 8.

It's a very logical step up from HD 600. Especially one with its foam parts removed. Maybe akin to the LCD 2 is from the 650.

 

[pdrm360]

Fairly true in my world also. I bring the 600, 700 and 800 and often the 700 is not exactly the winner per se, but liked more. I do think it's that energy all across the board and the incredible comfort that get people.

Disclaimer: Anax 2.0 like foam mods to 7 & 8.

It's a very logical step up from HD 600. Especially one with its foam parts removed. Maybe akin to the LCD 2 is from the 650.

 
Yep, it looks the HD700 is easier to enjoy (punchier bass and warmer), though the HD800 is a step up from HD700.