ATH-AD700 help?

[JSH]

Hey I'm semi-new to this forum as I have been lurking for quite some time now.

This site helped me to choose my Creative Zen a year ago

After my 50 dollar korean headphones broke and with my JVC marshmallow recently breaking, I decided to invest a bit into getting a good pair of headphones (around $100)

I was thinking about purchasing ATH-AD700

I was wondering how loud it is for others
I've read some comments on how you can't wear it in public at all and you can bother your roommates or even people in adjacent rooms?

Also are there any other recommendations for headphones?

I listen to mostly trance, rock and classical
and I like less bass with clear mids and highs

Also, size isn't really an issue as I want this to be for listening music at home

Thanks!

[CrowdAds]

[skip252]

Welcome to ABI

Glad to see you jumping in, no fun lurking on the outside.

I have the ATH ad700 and they are favorite indoor, quiet listening 'phones. Notice those qualifications.
Indoor. Quiet listening.

These 'phones are absolutely OPEN. All the marvelous sound goes away with outside noise. Sound travels in as well as out. A person in the same room will have no problem singing along to the music. They may disturb a person in the same room but if they bother someone in the next room your volume is way too high. You have no problems answering the phone or a knock at the door. I can't really recommend them for traveling as the sound of a bus passing completely drowns them out.

The price seems reasonable. You may find them for a bit less on Amazon but the prices fluctuate there daily. I caught mine at around $75 but I haven't seen them that cheap since.

As far as something comparable that's going to be tough for me. Closed and open 'phones have very different qualities. The closest thing I have that gets anywhere near what you describe is a pair of Senn HD428. I love 'em to death but I've read other reviewers that say the mids and treble I hear isn't what they like. The comfort isn't quite on a par with the AD700s (not much is) but I wear them for hours with just the warm ears you get from wearing closed 'phones.

The Senns can thump if called to do it but for me what I like is the clarity in the mids. Doesn't lack any in the highs for me either. I've got older ears and admit that someone with more perception in the higher frequencies may be hearing something I'm not. I'd say they're worth investigating for a sub $100 set of headphones.

[The DarkSide]

Here's the closed model: Audio Technica ATH-A700 Headphones

I've heard the SQ is said to be quite good, though I've never tried them myself.

[rickysio]

I've heard that it has one of the best positional accuracy in the market, and makes a great gaming headphone.

I've yet to hear it though. ;/

[JSH]

Thanks for all the replies!

I'll have to give it a little more thought
I'll look into the Senn HD428 as well as the A700

The HD428 seems to be cheaper
I might try those first and then see from there

Although I really do want to try out an open headphones and see how they sound

Thanks again for all your help

[rickysio]

Open headphones generally have much better soundstage and lesser bass versus their closed variants.

[The DarkSide]

Originally Posted by rickysio

Open headphones generally have much better soundstage and lesser bass versus their closed variants.

Just remember - they're only good for quiet listening environments, that's the one flaw of open HP's.

[rickysio]

Originally Posted by The DarkSide

Just remember - they're only good for quiet listening environments, that's the one flaw of open HP's.

Not really - quite a lot of SG budget-fi-ers use a PortaPro on the go. And the PP's are pretty much very open.

[The DarkSide]

Originally Posted by rickysio

Not really - quite a lot of SG budget-fi-ers use a PortaPro on the go. And the PP's are pretty much very open.

And quite a few people here in the USA, in NYC, use them as well (the PP's). They leak sound like a sieve, and everyone around can hear what they're listening to. I'd recommend the lo-fi JVC Flats - again. The SQ vs price is undeniable IMO. They really are worth the money.

[skip252]

Originally Posted by rickysio

Not really - quite a lot of SG budget-fi-ers use a PortaPro on the go. And the PP's are pretty much very open.

True enough, the AD700 excel at positional accuracy when I'm gaming. The PortaPros, ehh, not so much.

But the OP expressed interest in traveling and not disturbing others. Every open 'phone I've had stink in those areas.

[rickysio]

Well,

I want this to be for listening music at home

[The DarkSide]

Originally Posted by rickysio

Well,

Read the OP's first and second posts - it doesn't say that ANYWHERE!!!

[rickysio]

Originally Posted by JSH

Hey I'm semi-new to this forum as I have been lurking for quite some time now.

This site helped me to choose my Creative Zen a year ago

After my 50 dollar korean headphones broke and with my JVC marshmallow recently breaking, I decided to invest a bit into getting a good pair of headphones (around $100)

I was thinking about purchasing ATH-AD700

I was wondering how loud it is for others
I've read some comments on how you can't wear it in public at all and you can bother your roommates or even people in adjacent rooms?

Also are there any other recommendations for headphones?

I listen to mostly trance, rock and classical
and I like less bass with clear mids and highs

Also, size isn't really an issue as I want this to be for listening music at home

Thanks!

Consider visiting an optician?

[skip252]

@rickysio: Your quote is partial. You partial quoted to attempt to prove a point. Your partial quote out of context give it an entirely different meaning. Partial quotes without indicating that it's your edit is considered extremely rude in these parts.

You can be as upset as you want that your opinion on open 'phones is disregarded. It's no reason to twist someone else's words.

This silliness is derailing a what was a discussion on the merits of open headphones and possible recommendations for a new member. It would be nice if we could get back to that.

[rickysio]

???

Size isn't an issue is not related to open or closed - so I excluded it. If you're upset that your opinion is invalidated, please do not take it out on me.

[skip252]

When you edit someone else's words and then post it as a quote it is both dishonest and rude. I quite intentionally did not respond when I saw your edited quote as I did not want to derail this thread. It confirmed my opinion of the value of what you say but I did not want to discourage a new member by indulging in a pointless argument.

May we please return to the topic.

[rickysio]

Edit? All I did was to snip. Other members (in these forums) do it too. But since you're insistent on me solely being in the wrong, then so be it. Perhaps I'm too used to doing that, since in other forum sections where you didn't comment about it it's perfectly acceptable behaviour as long as you don't edit anything in the quote - next time, I shall put *snipped*, whenever you're involved.

Are you happy now?



HD428, according to a few reviews I've looked at, sounds like a good fit for your

*SNIPPED*
and I like less bass with clear mids and highs
*SNIPPED*

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by skip252

@rickysio: Your quote is partial. You partial quoted to attempt to prove a point. Your partial quote out of context give it an entirely different meaning. Partial quotes without indicating that it's your edit is considered extremely rude in these parts.

You can be as upset as you want that your opinion on open 'phones is disregarded. It's no reason to twist someone else's words.

This silliness is derailing a what was a discussion on the merits of open headphones and possible recommendations for a new member. It would be nice if we could get back to that.

Well said! bravo-009.gif

[shigzeo]

I've owned the PP, the v-Jays, the Ultrasone Zino, the BD DT770 80Ω, the AD700 and many others. The AD700 are probably not the best for outside or on the tube. But they are good at home. You can get a lot of volume from them even from a clip or iPod.

But the A700 are proably a lot bette for outside.

Things to keep in mind: they are huge and they are designed for wide heads. If you are skinny, they might just slide down your skull till they weigh on your ears. I have this problem and only the lightest Audio technica headphones work for me. Unfortunately, I like the AT house sound for certain musics and would love to use them. The 3D wing design is clever, but over-engineered. It simply doesn't fit every head.

If you like bass, but also like clear highs, ultrasone make good headphones for out and about. They are a little easier to keep on the head even though they too have bad headbands. But 100$ budget may put you in line with headphones like hte ES7 or the M50 from Audio technica. Both have good highs, but are a bit darker than the AD700.

The suggestions for the JVC are also good. Try a few out before buying. I've found that no matter how good the sound, when out and about, fit and sound leakage are paramount.

[skip252]

Thanks for the recommendations Shizeo. You're dead on about the size of the ad700. They are HUGE. Fortunately I have a head large enough to accommodate them comfortably. I sometimes think a simple mesh or leatherette band would allow them to fit a wider range of head sizes.

Two questions. Have you had a chance to hear the Sennheiser PX 100 II? I've read some nice things about them but the increase in price has me wary about investing in them. If they are too bass heavy I'm not sure I would like them.

Also when you refer to the ES7 do you mean the audio technica ath es7? Those are the only ones I find in a search and they are quite a bit past the $100 range where I'm finding them.