Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 Reviews

Here’s one good review of the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700, one of AT’s premiere open-design, circumaural headphones. Also, the AD700 is offered in the U.S. unlike other Audio-Technica Japan-only imports. The review is by Andrew Kliem of Good Gear Guide.

The review

Many people underestimate the differences between closed and open headphones, pegging both models in a certain series as having a similar sound. Audio Technica produces a both a closed and open variant of each model (the A900 and AD900), and whilst they definitely have a trademark sound across the range, often other elements couldn’t sound more different.

Take the AD700 for example. Many people would simply look at the model number and slot it somewhere between the A500 and A900 in terms of sound quality - big mistake! The AD700 has a noticeably lighter sound that really lends it a different sonic signature altogether.

We would describe the AD700 as the perfect classical headphone in this price bracket, but it is also wonderful for jazz, acoustic guitar and piano pieces. It is an open model, which means bass tends not to be as booming and powerful, (on a closed model there is room for echo) so on heavy metal and dance tracks, bass fanatics will probably miss the extra punch. That said, the bass is incredibly quick and tight on this model - a case of quality over quantity - so it really depends how you like your music to sound.

The upper mid tones and highs are the real strengths of this model. The AD700 has some of the most exquisite detail and separation you will hear without spending several hundred dollars more. Instruments flow from one to the other with a beautiful layering effect that brings out the full sound of a large performance (eg: Orchestra). Some people will find the highs a little too bright for their tastes, but we absolutely adored the sound.

The mid range was rich and slightly warm, with a lovely, smooth texture. Our acoustic guitar rock, songs such as Patience by Guns and Roses sounded simply amazing.

The other real strength of this model is the soundstage. To put it simply, we haven’t heard anything as immersive as the AD700. The power and positioning of the individual instruments is mind boggling, surpassing pretty much everything we have seen in this price range (including the A900). Soundstage is paramount to a proper listening experience. If you can close your eyes and visualise the sound in the appropriate place it goes a long way towards creating that spine tingling feeling we strive for when listening to our favourite tunes. The massive soundstage is also perfect for positional audio. We’d venture that in terms of un-amplified headphones, it doesn’t get much better for games than the AD700s.

The AD700 sports the classical Audio Technica Design that has served them so well with this series. Large cups padded with velour and supported by two padded wings that rest on the top of the head. Stretching over that are two thin strips of plastic which appear quite flimsy but feel strong to touch. All of Audio Technica’s headphones are incredibly comfortable, and this model is no exception. As an open headphone, the AD700’s cups merely rest against the ear, rather than enclosing it, which made it easy to listen to even during sessions of up to six hours. They are however rather large, so wearing them around the streets will earn you the odd confused stare.

The open design of course leads to the inevitable problem of sound leakage. The AD700s do not isolate well, but that is to be expected. If you plan on using these in an office, ensure you invest in some ear plugs for those around you.

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Audio-Technica ATH-ES7 Reviews

C. Guo - audiocubes.com

These headphones are excellent, if you have a good player with large output to drive them. On players with smaller output, they sound kinda flat and boring, but on the ones with large output, they sound amazing and much more vivid. These headphones are well worth their price.

A. Wong - audiocubes.com

Asthetically pleasing, but overall, an okay pair of headphones…

The ATH-ES7 headphone has a nick name befitting of it’s stature, the “Ear Suit” 7. This simple and elegant amalgamation of steel and plastic gives off a sense of ostentatiousness for those who wear it. With a mirror finish that gives off a candescent glow with even a minuscule amount of light, the ATH-ES7 draws attention to people with it’s obviously eye-catching appearance. But beyond it’s flashy or “Bling Bling” presence, the ATH-ES7 is a well-designed headphone. The pivot mechanism for the earcups does not give. That is, it does not wobble. The two steel heavy-gauge wires gives solid support for headband adjustment, and there is enough movement in the band as well as the earcups for any ear or head size adaptation. The sound… Well, it performs quite well in midrange. In mid-bass, these babies will give quite a “Boom!”

But of course, it’s not all grandeur here…

While being solidly designed, the ATH-ES7 does have a “Wide-Shoulder” look to them. This means that if you have a slightly larger than average head, you will look goofy because the headband bulges out. And while the sound isolation is decent, it could be better.

For 140 bucks, one would expect the pair of headphones to perform like 140 bucks, but not really in this case. In mid-range, the ATH-ES7 sounds decent, but anything higher leads to erroneous textures due to rough trebles. Ever heard of close-phone honk? Yep, like many closed headphones, the ATH-ES7does have those sonic reflections. Overall, the sound is comparable to a decent pair of 60-100 pair of headphones.

But hey… Despite it’s flaws, it looks fantastic and if you listen to music where the bass action is mid-range, you will be more than happy with these headphones.

More Audio-Technica ATH-ES7 reviews.
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Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Review

Great phones for monitoring!

With the ATH-M50 professional studio monitor headphones, Audio-Technica has achieved an exceptionally accurate response and long-wearing listening comfort. Designed especially for professional monitoring and mixing, these studiophones feature an efficient collapsible design for space-saving portability and storage. Circumaural ear pieces swivel 180° for easy one-ear monitoring and luxuriously padded ear cushions create an outstanding seal for maximum isolation. The adjustable headband is generously padded for ultimate comfort during long mixing sessions. A coiled cable at the left earpiece terminates to a gold-plated mini plug with included screw-on adapter.

Audio-Technica’s sophisticated driver technology and superior components deliver exceptional power handling and very high SPL capabilities while maintaining clarity of sound throughout their extended range, with deep, accurate bass and outstanding high-frequency extension. The headphones feature propriety large-aperture drivers with neodymium magnet systems for ultra-efficient signal transfer.

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Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 Review

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 headphones are AT’s premier noise cancelling headphones. The price ranges from $100 upwards. They feature active noise-cancelling technology and needs 2 aaa batteries to activate noise-cancelling. They can work without the batteries. Check out the product specs here.

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