The Audio Technica ATH-AD700.
There are things I like about all of Audio Technica's headphones, and there are things I don't like.
I like the comfort - every single one of their fullsize models (except maybe the DJ model) is extremely comfortable, so much so that I'd classify them as the most comfortable headphones available bar none. They're lightweight, have a great headband design and really nice earpads in most cases. Even the ones with pleather pads I don't mind too much (and you know how much I hate pleather).
I like their physical design - they've won awards for their designs and they all look pretty cool. Stylish yet futuristic. I still love the design of some other headphones from a utilitarian point of view, but AT have a unique design to the headphones that really stands out.
I like their packaging - best. Packaging. Ever. Seriously, you could sell empty AT boxes they're that cool (and you all know how I'm the epitome of cool.... j/k ).
I don't like the inconsistancy across their range when it comes to sound quality. They have a lot of models that sound "good" but only a few that I personally think sound fantastic. Their clipons lack bass, their higher end fullsize models can lack soul and their lower end fullsize models are fairly run of the mill.
I actually received a stack of new AT models, including the ES5, FC7, AD700, AD900 and AD2000. I haven't had a chance to test the ES5 or the FC7 yet (edit - that was at the time this review was written, since then I have had time to test all models quite well
), but out of the remainders the AD700 and AD900 have gone straight to the top of my recommended list - but I'll be concentrating on the AD700 this time around.
The first thing I noticed (after the packaging) was the funky looks. They're decked out in a very regal purple and gold. It looks a lot better in the flesh than pictures can do justice. Trust me, they look cool.
The second thing I noticed was the (usual) comfort level - very nice indeed.
And the third thing I noticed was the sound. These sound awesome.
Ok, so I haven't had a chance to test against the famous Beyer DT531, but I (and some lucky customers as well as the LSK guys) have joined me in some headphone auditioning and we all agree that the AD700 is a winner.
Bass response is fast and tight, good impact without being overwhelming. It integrates very nicely into the sound and never sounds detached. Bass notes have good speed and definition to them without sounding thin so they work well with dance and electroica as well as more traditional rock, jazz and classical.
Midrage/vocals is very smooth. Vocals are excellent and tracks like Beth Orton's "she calls my name" (which has very intimate/close/forward vocals) manage to produce goosebumps. Very sweet sounding indeed.
Upper end and treble is fast, energetic and detailed without being spitty or harsh. There are times where I expected the level of detail to sound harsh but they're so smooth it never happens. Even with agressive rock (industrial as well as Dick Dale style guitar stuff) I found that the energy was more than welcome and certainly made me want to rock out.
Overall sound is very cohesive, no individual frequency or characteristic leaps out at my ears and they perform extremely well aross a broad range of music.
Soundstage is very good, but not the best I've heard however they're easily capable of keeping up with anything in their own pricerange.
The big surprise was when I put these up against some other favourites
The Sennheiser HD555? No comparison. There is honestly NOTHING about the HD555 that should make you choose them over the AD700. The HD555 sounds dull and lifeless, even muffled at times, compared to the AD700. Separation and clarity are sadly lacking in the Sennheiser model, bass response is slow and wooly and treble detail is almost nonexistant. The AD700 makes the HD555 sound like a tired old man who's just run a 200m race.
The Sennheiser HD595? I just did this for kicks and was very interested to note that the AD700 even outdoes the HD595. There's one standout moment that confirmed this for me - at the start of the St Germain track "Sure Thing" there is some resonant bass. On the HD595 (I tried several pairs to confirm it wasn't a fault) the 595 sounds like a badly ported subwoofer, there is a strange resonance and distortion to the bass with the HD595 while the AD700 manages it effortlessly and clearly with perfect detail as well as impact.
I probably wouldn't have noticed this as much if I hadn't switched straight to the AD700 - I also tried a few other pairs to see if this was common and the HD595 was the only one that had this bass mess. Marcus from LSK confirmed (in a "blind" test) that the HD595 didn't sound right and Marcus as well as Aaron agreed the AD700 was clearly superior - both were surprised at the price difference.
The HD595 has an emphasis on certain upper midrange areas that lead them to sound "agressive" at certain times, but for long listening I find they sound simply too harsh, by comparison the AD700 has more uper end detail WITHOUT the harsh edge as well as more energy. Midrange on the HD595 is hit and miss sometimes sounding slightly muffled (much like the bass on the St Germain track) yet at other times sounding quite good, while the AD700 projects sweet, sweet midrange vocals every time very nicely indeed.
The Beyer DT440? Well, the DT440 isn't anywhere near as comfortable for a start Otherwise I'd say the DT440 is halfway between the HD595 and AD700 in overall sound signature, but I'll definitely reach for the AD700 before I reach for the DT440. I'll also be quicker to recommend the AD700 as the established AT design doesn't have any glaring flaws that are likely to cause me grief in the future. Overall the DT440 still has a sound that some people will like, but I think the price difference between it and the AD700 will make it hard to justify getting the 440.
My test equipment;
Cambridge Azur 540C or Arcam Diva CD73
Pimeta amp or Talisman T-35HP
Custom IC's
I decided to try things from a lower end "affordable" setup as well as a higher end one to see how they scale and the results are echoed from each setup.
In closing;
Wow. Comfortabe, affordable, easy to drive, good loocking headphones that sound great? You got it!
All I'll say about the ATH-AD900 (not to be confused with the A900) is that they impressed me even more
As ever, thoughts, comments questions and flames are more than welcome!
ADDED FOR CLARIFICATION
The AD series of Audio Technica models are all OPEN
The A series are closed.
Don't confuse the AD700 for the A700 or the AD900 for the A900, they're very different
Like this site, very neatly designed!
