Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X assessment: Nice sound, unusual match

Those that need a wide soundstage and an open, impartial sound to their music know that open-back headphones are the best way to go. Audiophiles love them for a purpose — they lend a good looking sound to your music to really shine and make it really feel such as you’re at a live performance, however from the consolation of your private home or studio.

Associated

These Audio-Technica headphones bring flat, studio quality sound for less

Audio-Technica’s extra reasonably priced studio headphones nonetheless maintain up years later.

The Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X is a pair of open-back headphones, and I obtained to attempt them out and see how they sound. I spent over per week utilizing them day by day to see how they fare, and whether or not they’re price it for the audiophiles on the market.

Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X

$119 $200 Save $81

These open-back headphones have a beautiful sound, huge soundstage, and look cool too. The headscarf is not adjustable, so they could not match each head.

Execs

• Superb sound
• Vast soundstage
• Light-weight
• Appears to be like nice

Cons

• Does not match very properly
• Cable is not removable

Value, availability, and specs

You should buy the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X straight from Audio-Technica, in addition to on Amazon. The open-back headphones price $200 USD, and are available only one colorway, black.

The ATH-AD700X weighs simply 265 grams, making it pretty light-weight and comfy to put on for lengthy durations of time. It comes with a 3-meter cable with a gold-plated 3.5mm connector, and it additionally comes with a removable 1/4 inch adapter.

These dynamic open-back headphones characteristic 53mm drivers inside, making these headphones get very loud very simply. The open-back nature of those headphones implies that individuals will be capable to hear what you are listening to if you happen to’re listening to it loud sufficient, so be sure to make use of these in a spot the place you will not be bothering anyone.

What I preferred

Incredible sound and huge soundstage

First, the aesthetics of those headphones are actually distinctive. The metallic honey-comb sample on the ear cups appears to be like actually cool, and the scarf design is fascinating to say the least, although I will get extra into the consolation of that later. The froth ear pads are actually snug and smooth, and the masking could be very smooth. The ear pads do not press on my ears too arduous after I’m carrying glasses, which makes them good for longer-term put on.

The sound high quality of the ATH-AD700X is gorgeous. These headphones have a really impartial frequency response, which is nice for anybody who desires to listen to songs the best way they had been meant when recorded. I’ll observe that the bass is pretty quiet due to the open-back design of the headphones, and the mids do sound a bit boosted, however not an excessive amount of. The openness of those open-back headphones lends a really “ethereal” high quality to any music you take heed to by the ATH-AD700X.

Associated

Why Sony’s new mid-range headphones are my go-to for summer travel

With unparalleled sound isolation, a snug design, and $200 price ticket, the Sony Ult Put on headphones are the right aircraft accent.

To get the most effective sound from these headphones, you will have to make use of them in a quiet, extra managed atmosphere. Being open-back, the ATH-AD700X would not have a lot in the best way of isolation, as a result of that is not the purpose of open-back headphones. So to listen to your music properly sufficient and be freed from distractions, these headphones are finest used indoors in a quiet setting.

Associated

How I properly clean my studio headphones

As a musician, that is how I maintain my studio headphones wanting and sounding nice.

What I did not like

They only do not match proper

The aforementioned fascinating design of the scarf has a caveat: it isn’t adjustable, and depends on what Audio-Technica calls “self-adjusting 3D wing assist” to suit the headphones to your head. This did not work out properly for me. I’ve a smaller head, so I discovered the headphones did not fairly sit proper on me, and had been hardly hanging on, principally supported by my ears. So, for me personally, the ATH-AD700X simply could not match my head correctly, and this downside would in all probability occur to anybody who has a smaller or extra slender head.

Associated

Why Sennheiser’s new closed back headphones are getting a big reaction from audiophiles (and the internet)

Sennheiser is lastly bringing a closed-back mannequin to the enduring HD 600 line — and audiophiles and players alike are greater than prepared.

I additionally do not love that the cable is not removable. Which means that if I wished to make use of a smaller cable, I merely haven’t got that alternative. Moreover, if the cable breaks, you will not be capable to simply exchange it, and you will have to both ship it in for restore or purchase a brand new pair of headphones.

Do you have to purchase the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X?

Anybody who’s searching for a pair of open-back headphones may need to take into account the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X. It is a tremendous stable pair of headphones, the soundstage is huge, and the sound high quality is implausible. The largest caveat to me is the best way they sit on my head, so anybody with a comparatively small head ought to at the very least attempt on these headphones earlier than shopping for them.

These headphones are undoubtedly not for individuals who need to put on their headphones after they’re out and about, on public transit, within the workplace, or some other public place. Individuals will hear what you are listening to, and you’ll hear every little thing round you. In the end, these headphones are for individuals who need to take heed to music in a quiet atmosphere and be totally immersed in sound. The ATH-AD700X are additionally not for individuals who love bass — you will get a really impartial sound with these cans.

Associated

5 reasons I’d buy Audio-Technica headphones over Sony studio headphones

As a musician, I like Audio-Technica’s studio headphones for excellent efficiency on a price range.