Upgrading from ATH-ES7 to ES10. Is it worth it?

Jul 7, 2011 at 12:16 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 28

flavouz

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Hello,
 
I have the ES7 and I must say I really love its sound. And I read some posts saying the ES10 is just like the ES7, but better in all aspects; others saying they prefer the ES7 over the ES10.
 
So, is the upgrade worth the price (the ES10 here is around 400 euros)? Is the sound difference really noticeable, even when listening in the subway, train, walking around?
 
Btw, I'm not an audiophile, I just like to listen to music - electronic music, specially drum and bass, but sometimes some classical and rock. My source will be my laptop with the E7 as DAC or a Sony E354; and I'll amp it with the E11 (until I get more money to get a better amp).
 
 
Thanks
 
Jul 7, 2011 at 5:02 PM Post #2 of 28
ES7 is nothing like ES10, as much as an Audio Technica fan that I am, I totally hated the ES7. Lack of detailed mids and soundstage is the main problem for me, where with the ES10 you will never heard such sound and bass is far more powerful (not in quantity but quality) but deciding if it worth the price or not is totally personal.
 
Jul 7, 2011 at 5:10 PM Post #4 of 28
Ah, I see... if the ES7 is nothing like the ES10, then I think it's worth it
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 (I was worried that the ES10 sound would be too close to the ES7)
 
But if there's a lot of improvements in the sound quality, I think I'll love the ES10 (I think the ES7 sounds great... if it wasn't for this urge of upgrading, I'd stick with the ES7 for a long time I think).
 
Thanks for the reply!
 
Jul 7, 2011 at 5:11 PM Post #5 of 28
I have the ES10 and bought my brother an ES7 as a present. I think you cannot go wrong upgrading to the ES10, especially if you like drum & bass. This is coming from a d&b-head.
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My only gripe is for the high price I expected a bit more luxury to go with the titanium ear cups. I was hoping for a higher quality cable and leather earpads/headband, but this is not the case.
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Jul 7, 2011 at 5:16 PM Post #6 of 28
I see... I'd have to find someone to do that for me (I have a problem with DIY stuff... I can't even mount a stupid IKEA shelf 
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).
 
But I think even if I replaced the cable, I'd still be thinking about how much better the ES10 would be. Sometimes I wish I could settle down with one pair of headphones...
 
Quote:
The ES7 gain from replacing the stock cable with something more professional. And it's pretty easy to do as the drivers are fixed with screws.



 
 
Jul 7, 2011 at 6:14 PM Post #7 of 28
the 10s cost a lot more than the 7s, and while they're more refined i didn't find them more fun. caveat, i haven't heard the 10s in quite a while but i own but the 7s and the 9s. frankly, the 9s are more refined and technically better phones than the 7s, but i don't find them to have quite the fun factor as the 7s. the 10s are sort of like much pricier and somewhat more refined versions of the 9s, as i recall them.
 
Jul 7, 2011 at 7:06 PM Post #8 of 28
Hmm... after reading Ra97oR and Shamrock's post I was convinced of getting the ES10, but now I don't know anymore...
 
Yeah, I'm looking for a fun headphone, just like the ES7, but better. If the ES10s weren't so expensive, I'd risk buying them, but I also want to buy a new lens for my camera, so I have to do the right choice (music and photography... I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to have these 2 hobbies 
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)
 
 
Quote:
the 10s cost a lot more than the 7s, and while they're more refined i didn't find them more fun. caveat, i haven't heard the 10s in quite a while but i own but the 7s and the 9s. frankly, the 9s are more refined and technically better phones than the 7s, but i don't find them to have quite the fun factor as the 7s. the 10s are sort of like much pricier and somewhat more refined versions of the 9s, as i recall them.



 
 
Jul 8, 2011 at 8:24 AM Post #12 of 28


Quote:
the 10s cost a lot more than the 7s, and while they're more refined i didn't find them more fun. caveat, i haven't heard the 10s in quite a while but i own but the 7s and the 9s. frankly, the 9s are more refined and technically better phones than the 7s, but i don't find them to have quite the fun factor as the 7s. the 10s are sort of like much pricier and somewhat more refined versions of the 9s, as i recall them.



I agree for the most part as I have never heard the ES10. However I'd take the re-cabled ES7 over stock ESW9 without a shadow of a doubt. Choosing between both stock cabled, the ESW9 wins.
 
Jul 8, 2011 at 8:30 AM Post #13 of 28
Lol, that's the main problem around here: entry level headphones are easy to find, but higher-end is more difficult.
 
To have an idea, I visited 3 stores here (the biggest ones), and none of them have Ultrasones. And the store where I bought my ES7, doesn't have the ES10.
 
Jul 8, 2011 at 8:37 AM Post #14 of 28
It's no better in the UK.
 
Hi-Fi "specialists" may have a few Sennheisers or Grados but nothing else, then in electronics stores or apple stores you get BOSE and the other consumer brand headphones. So all there is to go on are peoples subjective opinions on here unless you can get to a meet.
 
I don't think the ESW9 should be even compared to the ES7 or ES10. Not because it is inferior, but it is a different sound sig completely and isn't really geared towards DnB or electronic music, again IMO.
 
As for re-cabling, I bought an expensive Moon Audio Blue Dragon cable and thought it made bugger all difference!
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