Audio Technica ATH-AD700 Headphones (Audio Technica ATH-AD700)

Member Name: johnpeter50

Product:	Audio Technica ATH-AD700
Date:	25/03/09 (360 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: High Frequencies Sparkle; Lightweight; Impressive Soundscape

Disadvantages: Bulky Dimensions; Reserved Bass; Not Cheap

INTRODUCTION
If you've had enough of the scant sound emanating from your iPod ear buds but don't want to invest several thousand in high end amplified equipment, you may wish to take a quick peak at the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 headphones.

At just shy of £130 RRP, these 'phones aren't exactly inexpensive; but is it worth investing in these Far Eastern imports, or would you be better with a cheaper alternative?

DESIGN & FIT
With an array of funky headphones readily available (in no part due to the folks at SkullCandy), standing out in the marketplace is very tricky. It's therefore quite refreshing to see Audio Technica indulging a two tone design, mixing matt-finish ecru plastic with metallic-violet honeycomb mesh.

It's a real "love it or hate it" aesthetic, but taking in mind the ample size of these phones, you'll be wearing them indoors rather than sporting them around town, so I doubt it'll matter much either way.

The AD700s are an open-air, dynamic style headphone. For the uninitiated, this essentially means the cups aren't sealed at the back, allowing the sound to dissipate freely from the headphones without echo. This has the distinct advantage of presenting a wider sound field, giving the impression you're listening to music 'live' rather than stuck in a sound booth.

The open nature of the design equates to a more lightweight, comfortable fit. Though the AD700s are big, they feel light. You won't get the urge to manoeuvre or readjust these every half hour - they sit with an effortless poise thanks to their innovative '3D wing' composition. In effect, they rest over the head rather than on it, meaning you avoid the nasty 'clamp down' feeling of regular headbands.

However, all this openness means the music 'leaks' from the cans much more readily than their close-backed counterpart. Those trapped in the same room have no choice but to endure the escaping sound of your favourite artistes; while this issue is inherent with all open headphones (not just the AD700s), it should be noted that this model from Audio Technica is particularly prone to sound spillage.

CONNECTORS & CABLES
The wired cord is a generous 3 metres long, and comes with a standard 3.5mm jack and 6.35mm screw-on adapter. Thankfully the cord is asymmetric, so you won't get the usual tangled mess of the more traditional 'Y'-shaped setup.

The lead runs from the left side of the 'phones, so determining which way round they go is pretty simple. Alternatively, there's also a raised dot above the left can to confirm correct placement.

SENSITIVITY & IMPEDANCE
Sensitivity & impedance are really just another way of saying 'potential loudness'. Naturally you want to listen to your music at a decent volume, so it's important to match up your level requirements with the technical ability of your equipment.

The AD700s rank in at 98 dB, which is where the level for portable headphones typically begins; this means you'll experience ample volume directly from an iPod or MP3 player. Also, as impedance sits at an efficient 32 ohms, external augmentation isn't necessary with these cans; this is great for avoiding the hassle of powered amps and external equalizers whilst travelling.

FREQUENCY & RANGE
The AD700s specify a response of 5 - 30,000 Hz, which easily envelops the spectrum of the average human ear (20 - 20,000 Hz) while still allowing plenty of space for ultra-high and ultra-low frequencies that we 'sense' rather than 'hear'.

The upper spectrum delivers a fairly 'brassy' result; cymbals and high-hats feel unnaturally aggressive and overly bright. By contrast, the upper-mid range presents a warmer (if reserved) result; vocals within this range are mellow and well defined, if not entirely sumptuous.

Comparatively well represented is the low-end, although "bassheads" may feel disappointed; subtle beats are pleasant enough but there's not much 'oomph' or punch in the lowest frequencies. Nevertheless, although the bass is a touch anaemic on the soundstange, the low-end notes never rupture and toughened basslines refuse to distort, regardless of volume.

Ultimately, these cans register a little more 'top heavy' than the norm. This lop-sidedness creates a spectacular result with acoustic and classical material, but hip-hop and metal feel underwhelming by comparison.

SOUNDSCAPE
Thanks to the open cup design, the AD700s can capitalize on an impressively wide soundscape. Fantastic separation and beautiful layering ensure a grand sense of performance from the majority of your favourite tracks. There's an immense feeling of presence when orchestras are performing, and intimate acoustic material is natural and immersive.

In fact, the only real disappointment comes when the mastering process fails to capture spatial nuances from the source. This material can feel slightly flat and lifeless when placed under similar scrutiny.

SOUND SIGNATURE
The ATH-AD700s have a unique sound design, the likes of which I've never experienced before:

As I mentioned earlier, the AD700s are very tightly controlled, especially around the low-end. Generally, this is a good thing - you don't get that dreaded 'muddy' bassline that often ruins the overall resonance; however, there are occasional exceptions to this: For example, in Basement Jaxx's dance track "Good Luck" the ATHs failed to capture the soothing rumble in the ultra-low region which other 'phones have previously brought to life.

On the other hand, the ATH-AD700's sonic preference for 'high-end' enhanced some songs no-end. The Turtles' immortal classic "Happy Together" is a shining example of this. Spatially, it's never sounded so good; backing vocals are pushed way out wide, haunting the edges of the soundscape. The 'tight and bright' sound of the phones reflected the sources' original intent well and it became surprisingly easy to lose oneself to a song that's clocked up more hours of airplay than I've had hot dinners.

OVERALL
Music, like so many things in life, is a personal preference. How you chose to listen to music is just as distinctive. If you enjoy thumping bass or a warmer sound, then the AD-700s are probably not going to be your first choice; a pair of high end Sennheisers or Grados may be more your style.

However, if you're more into acoustic rock, jazz, folk or classical, and want your instruments taut and vivid, then the AD-700s are a prime opportunity. I deny anyone to find a set of headphones with as much presence and spatial emphasis within this price bracket.

In the end, it's down to you and what you find pleasing, but on a technical note, the AD-700s outperform the majority of headphones in their class. Given the right source material they can easily outrank cans of double the price; personally, I think you'd be hard pressed to find better.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The ATH-AD700 shouldn't be confused with Audio Technica's similarly titled ATH-A700. The A700s are a closed design, and don't have the dynamic soundscope of the AD700s.

Summary: The AD-700s outperform the majority of headphones in their class!

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Ease of use:
Sound quality:
Ease of transport: