Audio Technica ATH AD700 Open Back Headphones: Any Comments?

[sound and music]

I friend of mine from UK is visiting me and bringing Audio Technica AD700 open back HP next week. In India, I could not find a dealer who deals with them.

I will post my comments then.

I am really curious about this HP as all over the internet (e.g., head-fi, new egg, amazon, audio review, what hifi) people have posted very positive reviews and comments about them. I must admit that I have not listened to them but have used Senn (595, 600) and Philips (9000, 8900) in the past. I have sold Senns largely because they are overpriced (and overhyped) as far as sound quality is concerned. While Philips is still with me, it is a real value for money product. I shall be using AD700 essentially for music and some times for gaming.

Meanwhile if there users of this headphone in this forum, I would like to know what have been their impressions and experiences.

I would be using them with my Marantz CD player, Edirol and creative monitors, Nokia phone and computer with a seperate sound card. If I don't like their sound signature, I might put it on sale.

 

[longshanks]

I have sold Senns largely because they are overpriced (and overhyped) as far as sound quality is concerned.

Overpriced in india = yes.

Over hyped abt the sound quality ? i would want to differ from that completely.

having listed to the HD 555,595,580,600,650 and most of the audio technica including the one you have mentioned, i would say that the all the Sen's ive mentioned excluding the HD555 is far better than the ATH AD700. The HD 555 and AD700 is a quite good comparison, where the 555 ia very good all rounder but AD700 shines in certain kind of music plus it has better highs.

 

[sound and music]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with several phones including AD700.

I am also trying to get Senn 800 for a day or two for purely test purposes as I can't afford it presently. If my efforts succeed, then i will also post my review of it.

 

[longshanks]

^ Liking a headphone is highly dependent upon the type of music one listens to really, so depending upon that one many like the sound signature offered by a particular manufacturer . If u like audio technica then u should get the W1000 or 5000 cause those were the only audio technica HP's i liked.These headphones and tube heap amp will be real good combo.

The HD800 is an excellent headphone but not for all cause its quite analytical.

 

[KonfuSed]

Hmmm would slightly beg to differ though I'm not an audiophile here but I love the ATH-AD700's, by far the best Headphones I've ever own. They sounds really good for music, haven't watched many movies with them though to comment. But again I don't have any hi-fi music equipments but anyway have never regretted getting these phones.

 

[bhanja_trinanjan]

I have sold Senns largely because they are overpriced (and overhyped) as far as sound quality is concerned.

I would be using them with my Marantz CD player, Edirol and creative monitors, Nokia phone and computer with a seperate sound card. If I don't like their sound signature, I might put it on sale.

Without a proper source feeding a proper LINE LEVEL signal to a good headphone amplifier; every headphone will sound over-hyped and over-rated to your ears.

HD600 is a fairly neutral headphone with a slightly dark presentation... K701/K702/HD800 are far more neutral when amped well. But HD600 over-hyped??

Try them with a proper amp and let me know!

 

[sound and music]

Thanks all for your feedback.

I mostly listen to smooth jazz, classical, ghazals, old film songs, new age and instrumental music.

For music, I had used Senns 595 and 600 with my marantz CD player 5001, Marantz amp PM 80 besides Musical Fidelity HP amp. Somehow I was not pleased with 600 despite paying considerable money (the most expensive purchase of HPs till date) and bought it in Singapore. Though Indian prices are even higher. I found mids were muddy and there was a lack of transparency.

Surprisingly I found Philips 9000 a real gem in terms of sound quality, comfort and value for money. I paid close to Rs. 3500 for it and enjoying it very much. I am going to keep it forever. It has a very refined and tight bass (some listener find it weak) but it suits me as I don't like bassy sound.

Are there any dealers of AKG consumer HPs in India? I could not find any while searching on the net. There are some dealers but I checked with them and they largely deal with DJ/Professional stuff and don't keep models such as 701/702.

 

[bhanja_trinanjan]

Are there any dealers of AKG consumer HPs in India? I could not find any while searching on the net. There are some dealers but I checked with them and they largely deal with DJ/Professional stuff and don't keep models such as 701/702.

I don't think you can get the K702 from retail in India.

But do call:

AKG India: Mr. Nirdosh Agarwal

09810568450

Best is to buy the K702 direct from HeadRoom: Stereo Headphones, Amps & DACs, Wireless, Noise Canceling, Ear Canal, Earbud, Audio Cables & Accessories

They have excellent service and will ship to you via Fedex within a week.

Their HR Ultra Micro Amp is a great one and will drive your K702 well.

Even better amp for the K702 would be the SPL Auditor.

Another extremely musical option would be the Musical Fidelity X-Can V8P, known to synergize with the K702.

The stock cable of the K701/K702 are known to be average... get the ALO Audio Cyroparts cable. (Do a search for ALO Audio). Or get the Cardas cable upgrade from HeadRoom: Stereo Headphones, Amps & DACs, Wireless, Noise Canceling, Ear Canal, Earbud, Audio Cables & Accessories

The K701/K702 need lots of careful burn-in to sound their best... I will help you out with this.

They are also very transparent and can sound harsh/analytical with the wrong recording.

But you can hear deep into good recordings!

The older K501/K1000(both discontinued) are said to be better than the K701, in terms of mid-range tonality, by some... but you have to buy used.

Use revealing phone like the K702 with good sources.... bad sources will make your ears bleed.

Regards,
Bhanja.