The ATH-AD700 Discussion Thread

[xformulax]

that cable runs through the hoops at the top and is connected directly to the left driver, i'd inspect the left side as well, an internal re-cable should be easy for anyone with any soldering experience.

any option would be cheaper than throwing down another ~$80 on another pair.

 

[kite7]

Joining the club, they sound great. I sold my HD580 to get these and I'm impressed. The soundstage is wider than the HD580 and the overall sound is very non-fatiguing. The comfort is even beyond that of a HD580, these things hardly clamp and keep my ears comfy. For under $100 these are quite a steal and sound nice out of my HDP. I was skeptical of the 3D wings, but they actually work. I'm very satisfied with this purchase and will be using them 60% of the time for gaming and 40% for music when I don't want something as bright as the RS1.

 

[tengen]

A bump for this thread, but Meritline currently has a microphone on sale for $0.69 ($0.76 for me with tax in Cali), free shipping. This looks like a perfect (inexpensive) candidate for a boom mic mod. I shall attempt to mod it and see how well that goes. Just throwing this out there for all those potential fiddlers out there waiting for the right chance.
 
http://www.meritline.com/notebook-microphones---p-37744.aspx? with coupon code MLCK204182061469NL1.
 
MLCK204182061425N (after 1000 orders, $1.69)
Credit goes to slickdeals.net.

 

[Bigrock2150]

The airiness is blissful and the soundstage makes it easy to get lost in your music. Just a shame that there isn't a valid upgrade that keeps the same sound signature.

 

[loveholic]

Quote:

The airiness is blissful and the soundstage makes it easy to get lost in your music. Just a shame that there isn't a valid upgrade that keeps the same sound signature.

What do you mean by valid? There are AD900,1000.1000prm, and 2000 if you ever want to upgrade.

 

[JayB18]

Quote:

What do you mean by valid? There are AD900,1000.1000prm, and 2000 if you ever want to upgrade.

Only the AD900 has a similar sound signature from what I have read, improving on the AD700 main faults (even if just a bit). The AD1000 and AD2000 are quite a bit different sounding from what I have read.

 

[Bigrock2150]

Quote:

What do you mean by valid? There are AD900,1000.1000prm, and 2000 if you ever want to upgrade.

Just like JayB18 said, the ad1000 and ad2000 sound quite different from the AD700. The AD900 isn't considered much of an upgrade, so....

 

[loveholic]

Quote:

Just like JayB18 said, the ad1000 and ad2000 sound quite different from the AD700. The AD900 isn't considered much of an upgrade, so....

The ad900 is definitely an upgrade, but it's overpriced because it is not available in the US. In Japan, it costs about $60 more than the ad700.
The ad1000/2000 are a significant upgrade from the ad700.

 

[Bigrock2150]

I know the AD1000/2000 are significantly better than the AD700, my point is that they both have different sound signatures from the AD700. Of course it's an upgrade, it just takes some effort to even hear differences between the two. Probably worth $60 more just for peace of mind if anything, but here in the U.S the price difference should only be explained as robbery. Hearing the sound difference between the AD700 and the AD900 left me kind of dissatisfied to say the least. 
 
Gotta Love those Ad700s tho! 

 

[loveholic]

Hmm, I feel like I wanna listen to my ad700 now. I have to find it somewhere in the house.

 

[kite7]

Quote:

The ad900 is definitely an upgrade, but it's overpriced because it is not available in the US. In Japan, it costs about $60 more than the ad700.
The ad1000/2000 are a significant upgrade from the ad700.

If it was only $60 more than in the AD700 in the states I bet it would be much more popular. Now to find a friend in Japan.

 

[Mad Max]

I feel A2000X is a possible (better) upgrade if you are willing to try AD2000.
A2000X has a very balanced sound, even better than AD700, though it isn't as colored nor is the soundstage as big, but it does everything much better, otherwise.
I love how AD700 has such a quick, effortless sound and a pinch energetic, and A2000X is a lot more energetic and effortless. My sister described it as "light and fluffy". It is by no means thin-sounding. Then A2000X has great slam, very thumpy and wonderful low-end punch yet still very balanced, no extra bass. Needs a lot of burn-in, though, but in the beginning it sounds a lot like AD700, balance-wise.
This 'phone achieves a very engaging sound with it's speed, detail, and energy. It doesn't have much of a midbass hump (it is there, probably about 0.5dB, lol) or forward mids. There's some forwardness in the lower treble, but it has continued to go away with further use. Also, it has a very sweet sound like AD700, but instead of being grainy, A2000X is liquid-smooth. A little more top-end sparkle, too.
Same spaciousness as well. It feels like a cross between AD700 and RE0, yet better than both put together.
Too bad it doesn't have RE0's timbre, though.
 
Edit: forgot a few details.

 

[donunus]

Quote:

The airiness is blissful and the soundstage makes it easy to get lost in your music. Just a shame that there isn't a valid upgrade that keeps the same sound signature.

that is exactly what AT needs... an ad700 upgrade!!! the ad900 is too forward, the ad2k is a little lacking in sparkle. Even though both cost much more money and are upgrades in refinement, they do not give you the sweetness that the ad700 delivers.

 

[donunus]

Quote:

 
The ad1000/2000 are a significant upgrade from the ad700.

Not quite. I had ad2000s, they sound different. harsher in the mids although more impactful and bold. still the ad700 has a sweeter lighter touch in the mids that are more musical in a lot of cases than the ad2000. Not a clear upgrade even at more than 5x the price. What we need is the same exact sound sig as the ad700 with deeper more impactfull bass and less grain.

 

[Bigrock2150]

Quote:

Not quite. I had ad2000s, they sound different. harsher in the mids although more impactful and bold. still the ad700 has a sweeter lighter touch in the mids that are more musical in a lot of cases than the ad2000. Not a clear upgrade even at more than 5x the price. What we need is the same exact sound sig as the ad700 with deeper more impactfull bass and less grain.

I want that soooo much. The ad700 is a headphone that desperately needs a bigger brother. One that actually hangs out with him and doesn't ditch him.