Timeless question: ATH-A700 or AD700?

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Sep 25, 2007
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I have been looking around a lot and researching a lot. What I have come up with is that the a700's have better base and have isolation while the ad700 are open with a better sound stage, better treble, and better mids.

However, I'm a little worried about leakage on the ad700's, but about possible lacking in the sound quality or sound stage in the a700's.

I will be using them for music, movies, gaming and such, etc. I listen mostly to rap(classics and underground) and r&b though. So base is going to be a very important deciding factor in this. But is the difference in bass and sound quality enough to justify the differences for either?

Which would you guys recommend for my tastes? How's the leakage on the ad-700's? Any other cans in the 100$~ range I should be looking at?
 
Thats what I was thinking too, but how bad is the leakage? Would other people be annoyed if for example, if I was riding in a car and they were listening to the radio while I listened to my mp3 player would they be annoyed?
 
I am thinking about getting one of these too. I guess I would have to go with the a700 if I wanted to use these in my campus library huh?
 
Yeah, open headphones and libraries don't mix, unless you don't mind being shushed. At this level of quality, the deficiencies of the A700 aren't that major, and quite a few folks might prefer their more impactful bass. I'd pick the A700 for gaming, movies, electronic music, rap; call it a push for rock, metal, and pop; and take the AD700 for jazz, classical/orchestral, and other intimate/non-overproduced music.
 
for example, if I was riding in a car and they were listening to the radio while I listened to my mp3 player would they be annoyed?

I think you'd be more annoyed than they would be... Since it's not only leakage you should be concerned about, all that outside noise will interfere with your listening.

If you think there will be alot of outside noise during normal everyday use, stay away from open headphones.
 
Get closed. If you want more BASS (not base lol) then try a Equation Audio RP-21. Either way, you will be REALLY happy with the sound. It is like having a decent little stereo in a small room that you can carry with you.
 
Get closed. If you want more BASS (not base lol) then try a Equation Audio RP-21. Either way, you will be REALLY happy with the sound. It is like having a decent little stereo in a small room that you can carry with you.

Lol. Spelled it right the second time, but not the first. Thikns for all your posts though. I'm leaning toward the A700's right now because I can get them for almost the same price as the AD700's, plus I think I would enjoy a larger bass and more isolation.
 
There you go. Just get the closed or the Equation Audio RP-21 which have more bass than the A700 and is easy to mod for better comfort and isolation. Beyerdynamic pad replacement.
 
Yep, the Equations are the way to go for your tastes and needs. Btw, the A700's may be closed, but they don't really offer much isolation at all.
 
Hmm.. well alright then. The RP-21's do look nice and seem to be my best option. lol, solution diverged from originally intended topic. Thanks for your help guys. :)
 
Oh yeah, just making sure that they will be alright without an amp. I don't have an amp nor do I have the funds to obtain one. :(
 
There you go. Just get the closed or the Equation Audio RP-21 which have more bass than the A700 and is easy to mod for better comfort and isolation. Beyerdynamic pad replacement.

What kind of replacement pads and how do I go about obtaining them? Also, I heard removing the foam pads inside the cups help even out the sound? Any help in that area. Sorry, I'm a total n00b to the audiophile world.
 
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