ATH-AD700 Audiophile Open-air Dynamic Headphones
4.4
5
11
11
Don't waste your money
If your head isn't shaped like a bowling ball forget these. You can't adjust them to fit. They look impressive out of the box but I couldn't use them. There's no adjustment to bring the sides closer together. Now I have to go through the process of sending them back and finding something else.
November 14, 2012
Great Can at a great price
I own these, the close back model A-700 and AKG 702s.
If the AKGs get a 98%, these get a 95-96% at 1/3 the cost.
Great sounding comfortable cans at any price.
Remember that the open cans are more responsive, less bass and let the sounds in and out. I prefer them for accuracy and lack of heat.
August 3, 2012
Top budget headphones
I've had a pair of these ATH-AD700 cans for over a year now and I haven't looked back. In fact, I bought a second pair for work - replacing my old and reliable ATH-910 Pro cans which I'd used at work for nerly 2 years.
The older cans (modified slightly by taking out the metal 'grill' in the ear-piece# were very easy to listen to - the forward upper bass #or lower midbass# meant that I couldn't even be annoyed by a loud mid or upper range screeching.
The AD700's are a completely different kettle of fish. While the bass is extended, certainly going below my hearing at about 16Hz, it is not forward and is nicely detailed. The midbass is quite beautiful, as are the mids - making both female and male vocals quite a joy to listen to. Highs are not screechy or forward. The earpieces are soft and comfortable.
The only thing that it took me a long time to get used to was the lack of adjustment. I'm used to setting up phones so that they fit nicely. While, in the end, I do have to admit that they fit nicely, it took a long time for me to get used to the lack of user fine-tuning.
Closest comparison would be to the AKG K701 cans, which have an even dryer bass sound and a slightly more detailed #and harsher# upper range sound.
I generally wear these from 2 to 7 hours a day at work and I don't fatigue much at all. And, at home, I use them to listen to movies and music when my wife has gone to bed. Well done Audio-Technica! For the budget, they are the best I could hope for. Unless the AD900s are a big step up, then I'd have to pay over $500 for better sounding phones.
July 9, 2012
A true redefinition of Audio
This is trully a great headphone that I have used. The MS-1 I have been using so far seems completely colored and muddled after I listened to these phones. I am yet to audition a Reference phone, so I really cannot be sure which is the correct sound when it comes to MS-1 and AD700.
Lack of bass is immediately noticeable. But using a EQ does reduce it to some extent, though not up to my expectation.
Looking forward to next series of Audio Technica headphones!
February 23, 2012
Excellent gaming headphones.
I coupled these cans with a clip-on mic, and boom, you have the best gaming headset for under $100 (Amazon). The soundstage is great, allowing me to hear all of the footsteps and gunfire. It really immerses you in the game.
Music and movies are also fantastic, although bassheads need not apply. However, using the EQ on my soundcard allowed to bass to really come to life.
The 3D wing-support also makes it supremely comfortable during long sessions and the amount of pressure put on your ears is minimal. However, as it is open, there is quite a bit of leaked sound.
Buy these!
November 19, 2011
Best audiophile entrance product!
When getting into the hifi scene, the ATH-AD700 was my first choice. The pricing was right and the reviews of the product were good, so I set out to get a pair for myself to try.
Sound: The ATH-AD700 is a great pair of headphones. The sound is clear, crisp and controlled. The bass is tight and enunciated. Its not powerful or gives you that kick, but the precision is very present and punchy. It is not excessive nor muddy but clear. The sound stage is very airy and open (its an open-air headphone...) The mid-range on these are amazing for what they are. The mid range and up is very clear and somewhat bright but not fatiguing. Very good sound. Will please anyone except people looking for a strong bass presence.
Comfort: Extremely comfortable. I have a smallish head and these are huge, but they fit ever so comfortably. They sit on my head very very lightly and you do not need to adjust. They cover a large portion of you ear and more. They feel like over-sized soft earmuffs.
I really recommend these to people starting off in the headphone hifi scene! They are a great first product and I still use them from time to time after 4 years.
I dropped them once and the right side became imbalanced... Had to get that fixed.
November 9, 2011
Incredible Sound
I'm writing this review to get 15% off my next pair of headphones, but these really are incredible sound. They're my first audiophile headphones and they've gotten me addicted. I'll certainly buy more from Audio-Technica and would recommend these to anyone who asked.
October 27, 2011
Great Value
I must admit I have been an AT user for many years and when I bought these I had studio pair and a pair of ANC7's for travel.
But I read an article in Sam's column in "Sterophile", if he raves about a product I pay attention. He eas reviewing Musical Fidelity V-Can headphone amp, and said something to the effect of add a pair of ATH-AD700's and you will have an audio experience that is better than $40000.00 speaker based system or something like this, I don't want to dig out the issue. But the words and his an his excitement, stuck in my head, like it was on a loop.
So I went and purchased both and it truly was one of the best audio investments I have made.
I might add that the cans are kind of large so I wear a cap when I am listening. I am looking to purchase a pair of 900's, and checking out the site I saw a new model of the ANC7's, so I guess I will add 2 new pair in the next year.
October 21, 2011