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Sennheiser HD 700 Headphones
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Sennheiser HD 700 Headphones
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Product Description
If you're looking for a comfortable open-back headphone that marries quality build and fantastic sound, look no further than the Sennheiser HD 700. With warmer tones than the HD 800, a more precise low end than the HD 650, and a U-curved response, the HD 700 picks up the Sennheiser house sound and takes it to bold new places Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downAudioMan612
218
Jun 30, 2017
There are clearly a lot of opinions flying around here, many of which feel like they're from people with very little to no experience with the equipment that they are talking about, so I'd like to chime in and hopefully help some people out. I have owned my pair of HD 700's since the first time they were on here, around 3 or 4 years. Because of their comfort, they were my general purpose headphones up until very recently, when I upgraded to my MrSpeakers Ether Flows. I also own an Audeze LCD-X (latest revision), but due to its weight, it never became my go-to headphone for background listening, despite its sound quality.
Before I get into the sound, I'd like to stress that while measurements do matter, they only tell a part of the sound of a headphone and should never come before listening. I think the headphone community has an obsession with measurements to the point where it's a little unhealthy (and I work as a test engineer for a microphone company, so I run measurements on a regular basis). When we got the ability to really do accurate testing on two channel gear, it gave us plenty of equipment that measured great, but wasn't all that good to actually listen to. Now that we have the ability to do a pretty good job of simulating the human head and measuring headphones, I'd like see headphones not make the same mistake.
My personal rig is a Grace m920 into a Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies (first generation) with Electro Harmonix Gold-Plated 6C45 tubes powered by the older/cheaper solid state power supply (I occasionally use the amp built into the m920 as well). The HD 700 is a solid headphone, and at $400 new, a good option in my opinion. I have gotten quite a lot of enjoyment out of mine.
Before I get to impressions, I'd like to point out a few things to keep in mind: I have had my Ether Flows for less than a week, so while I had listened to them a handful of times before I bought them, I haven't had enough extended listening sessions with them to really draw strong comparisons, so I'm going to keep comparisons to the Ether Flows very brief. Also, I know that people love to compare the HD 700's to the other high-end Sennheiser headphones from the HD 600 and up. I have listened to HD 800's plenty of times recently, but it's been a while since I've really spent much time with HD 600's or HD 650's, so I will keep comparisons to those brief as well. Lastly, keep in mind that comparisons to my LCD-X's and Ether Flow's are comparing to headphones costing over double that of the HD 700, so it is expected that they overall perform better (not that these headphones don't have their own flaws as well; it's all a matter of balancing what's important to you and your own taste).
Bass: These headphones are sometimes accused of being bass-shy. The bass is by no means the best I've ever heard, but I would not call this a bass-shy headphone. Whether the headphones have enough impact for your own personal preferences in the sub-bass region will depend on your own personal taste. Also, I need to point out that the quality of the bass is very good with good control. The HD 700's bass performance easily beats that of the HD 600. The HD 650 might have more impact at lower frequencies, but it definitely isn't as tight and controlled as the HD 700. The HD 800's have a bit less bass, but I'd say it's even more controlled than the HD 700. Audeze puts out about as good of bass as you can get outside of electrostatic headphones, so it's no surprise that the LCD-X completely destroys the HD 700's here. Not only does the bass reach far lower, but it's more articulate and accurate as well. The Ether Flow also beats the HD 700's bass, though I'd still have to put the LCD-X on top.
Mids: HD 700's do a fantastic job of mids. There doesn't seem to be any large peaks or dips to my ears. I'm not super experienced with actually putting my impressions into a review, so comparing the mids to other headphones is a bit tough for me. That said, I feel less compelled to draw comparisons here because I can't think of any complaints. Perhaps the upper-mids is around where the headphones start to get a little bit bright, but that's about it.
Treble: Alright, here we go, the part of the HD 700's that everyone loves to talk about. Is the treble a bit bright/peaky? Yes, absolutely. I'm not bothered by it, as I don't find it anywhere near as obvious as many make it out to be. If you are very sensitive to treble, yeah, without some EQ, these may not be the best choice for you. Also, keep in mind that I usually drive these with my WA7, which might help with this a bit, although I've never been bothered by the treble when listening through my m920 either. When comparing to a headphone with a more smooth top-end, something like a female "s" or "t" sound will sound less natural. The HD 600 takes the advantage here. The HD 650 is a bit more complicated, as it rolls off the treble a decent amount, so it can sound a bit veiled. For me, both of these headphones have a flaw in the top-end, so you need to figure out which one works better for you. One thing that I can mention is that while I don't use EQ, if I did, it's better to use subtractive EQ than additive, so I'm curious if I could get the HD 700 to sound better with some EQ than the HD 650. Maybe someday I'll play with this if I get my hands on some HD 650's. The HD 800's are smoother, but can still be too harsh for those very sensitive to treble. This is largely why the HD 800 is so amp-picky (more on this later). The LCD-X and Ether Flows both have smoother treble, although the LCD-X does roll off a bit. I need more time with my Ether Flows before I really give a solid opinion on the highs. Note that I compared my 2016 LCD-X revision to an older model belonging to a friend of mine recently, and highs were clearly better on mine than on the earlier revisions. One thing I've noticed is that instruments like acoustic guitar sound very good on HD 700's, which I think could be because I think the slight bass emphasis, smooth mids, and bright highs work well with instruments like this.
Soundstage/Imaging: Excellent. The HD 700's have a very wide soundstage and image very well. Soundstage and imaging aren't quite as good as the HD 800, but what is? The HD 700 definitely beats the HD 600 and HD 650 here. It also beats the LCD-X without question (soundstage is a bit of a weak point with Audeze in-general). I still need more time with my Ether Flows to compare, as these also have a good soundstage.
Comfort/Build Quality: Again, excellent. The HD 700's are easily one of the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. I actually find them a bit more comfortable than the HD 800's due to their smaller cups, but this may not be the case for others. Keep in mind that while I find the HD 700's a bit more comfortable than the HD 800's, the HD 800's are still incredibly comfortable. The HD 700's are mainly made out of plastic, but all of the plastics feel well-made. The stock cable is pretty good, though it does twist up a bit, and I did have part of the cable split near where it goes into the headphone. Sennheiser did a great job of working with me and getting me a replacement for a discounted price, despite the headphone being out of warranty and the cable not being covered. If you don't like the cable, you could always swap it out for another one. I know that 10' is a bit long for a lot of people, though I love the freedom when at a desk. While I take very good care of my belongings, I did occasionally accidentally get the cable stuck on something, causing it to get yanked out, so this probably contributed to the faiure of my cable. My one complaint with the build of the HD 700 is that there is no easy way to take the padding off of the headband for cleaning. Mine definitely has some hair gel and such in it that I'd like to clean up. The earpads are super easy to remove and clean though. The HD 700's easily beat the HD 600's and HD 650's when it comes to comfort. I already compared the comfort to the HD 800's and would basically call the headphones about equal due to personal preference on cup size. They are without a question more comfortable than the LCD-X's due to the fact that Audeze has a bit of a weight problem with their headphones (getting the carbon fiber headband from an LCD-4 helped a lot with the weight distribution, but there is no eliminating the weight). The Ether Flow's are very comfortable, but due to their very light weight and smaller size, the HD 700's still take the win for comfort.
So to sum up, I like my HD 700's, and think they get a bad rap that they don't deserve. I do acknowledge that this is probably partially due to the $1000 retail price of the HD 700's when they were first released, and when initial impressions and reviews were posted. These days, the retail price has dropped to $750, and the street price is around $500, which makes much more sense. The headphone absolutely has its flaws, but so does every headphone (although I've heard the HE-1, and it's about as close to perfect as I can imagine a headphone being). I would put the HD 800, LCD-X, and Ether Flow above the HD 700, but these all cost 2 to 3 times as much, so that's how it should be. The 700's are no slouch though. They are world-class when it comes to soundstage, imaging, and comfort. If you are a hardcore bass-head, or very sensitive to treble, these probably aren't the best pick for you, but I think the vast majority of people would enjoy these headphones with a good amp, and if necessary, a bit of EQ. I'd still take my HD 700's over a HD 600 or HD 650 without hesitation, but as with everything, this is personal preference.
Lastly, I've seen some talk here about amps. The HD 700's, as with any good headphone or loudspeaker will absolutely benefit from high-quality amplification. They have an impedance of 150 ohms and a sensitivity of 105 dB SPL/V. I sometimes drive them straight off of my laptop for watching TV away from my desk, and while this is certainly a huge step down in sound quality, it's still completely usable up to a moderate volume, maybe even on the lower end of what might consider high-volume (I tend to listen louder than most people, so this is all relative). Actually, I think what I find worse is not the loss of volume but the loss of dynamics. Sennheisers are known to pair very well with tubes, and I find the HD 700 to fit this, as I love how it pairs with my WA7. Since tubes generally (but not always) tend to be a bit warmer than solid state amps, this could handle the peaks in the treble enough for most people (if you even need them handled at all). There is mention about not needing a high-power amp. This may be true, you don't NEED it, but within reason (as in not using something like a 200 wpc power amp for loudspeakers), you can never have too much headroom. Sure, you may need to be a bit more careful with the volume attenuator, but this is a lot better than having an amp that just doesn't put out the power to drive your equipment to its potential (adequate level, ability to convey dynamics, etc.). HD 800's are worth mentioning here, as they are known for being very amp-picky. They are more power hungry than HD 700's (300 ohm impedance, 102 dB SPL/V), and with how detailed they are, they can sound very dead when paired with a low quality amp. Again, tubes do work well here. The best amp that I've ever heard with the HD 800's is a prototype of the Cavalli Audio Liquid Tungsten. This was an absolutely amazing pairing. Anyone that thinks that HD 600's or HD 650's are better than HD 800's should hear this pairing, because with a proper amp, I think the HD 800 absolutely destroys the HD 600 and HD 650. A good quality solid-state amp can work very well too though. As I said, I think my HD 700's sound good when plugged into my m920 (though I definitely prefer the WA7). Another amp that I've found to work extremely well with the HD 800's is the Headamp GS-X MkII (which is still one of my favorite headphone amps that I've heard to date). Above all, an audio setup is a chain. You may be getting decent sound, but you could have a weak link that is holding back the rest of the chain from sounding its (relative) best. If you have the funds, a good quality amp is always a worthwhile investment for good headphones or loudspeakers.
Before I get into the sound, I'd like to stress that while measurements do matter, they only tell a part of the sound of a headphone and should never come before listening. I think the headphone community has an obsession with measurements to the point where it's a little unhealthy (and I work as a test engineer for a microphone company, so I run measurements on a regular basis). When we got the ability to really do accurate testing on two channel gear, it gave us plenty of equipment that measured great, but wasn't all that good to actually listen to. Now that we have the ability to do a pretty good job of simulating the human head and measuring headphones, I'd like see headphones not make the same mistake.
My personal rig is a Grace m920 into a Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies (first generation) with Electro Harmonix Gold-Plated 6C45 tubes powered by the older/cheaper solid state power supply (I occasionally use the amp built into the m920 as well). The HD 700 is a solid headphone, and at $400 new, a good option in my opinion. I have gotten quite a lot of enjoyment out of mine.
Before I get to impressions, I'd like to point out a few things to keep in mind: I have had my Ether Flows for less than a week, so while I had listened to them a handful of times before I bought them, I haven't had enough extended listening sessions with them to really draw strong comparisons, so I'm going to keep comparisons to the Ether Flows very brief. Also, I know that people love to compare the HD 700's to the other high-end Sennheiser headphones from the HD 600 and up. I have listened to HD 800's plenty of times recently, but it's been a while since I've really spent much time with HD 600's or HD 650's, so I will keep comparisons to those brief as well. Lastly, keep in mind that comparisons to my LCD-X's and Ether Flow's are comparing to headphones costing over double that of the HD 700, so it is expected that they overall perform better (not that these headphones don't have their own flaws as well; it's all a matter of balancing what's important to you and your own taste).
Bass: These headphones are sometimes accused of being bass-shy. The bass is by no means the best I've ever heard, but I would not call this a bass-shy headphone. Whether the headphones have enough impact for your own personal preferences in the sub-bass region will depend on your own personal taste. Also, I need to point out that the quality of the bass is very good with good control. The HD 700's bass performance easily beats that of the HD 600. The HD 650 might have more impact at lower frequencies, but it definitely isn't as tight and controlled as the HD 700. The HD 800's have a bit less bass, but I'd say it's even more controlled than the HD 700. Audeze puts out about as good of bass as you can get outside of electrostatic headphones, so it's no surprise that the LCD-X completely destroys the HD 700's here. Not only does the bass reach far lower, but it's more articulate and accurate as well. The Ether Flow also beats the HD 700's bass, though I'd still have to put the LCD-X on top.
Mids: HD 700's do a fantastic job of mids. There doesn't seem to be any large peaks or dips to my ears. I'm not super experienced with actually putting my impressions into a review, so comparing the mids to other headphones is a bit tough for me. That said, I feel less compelled to draw comparisons here because I can't think of any complaints. Perhaps the upper-mids is around where the headphones start to get a little bit bright, but that's about it.
Treble: Alright, here we go, the part of the HD 700's that everyone loves to talk about. Is the treble a bit bright/peaky? Yes, absolutely. I'm not bothered by it, as I don't find it anywhere near as obvious as many make it out to be. If you are very sensitive to treble, yeah, without some EQ, these may not be the best choice for you. Also, keep in mind that I usually drive these with my WA7, which might help with this a bit, although I've never been bothered by the treble when listening through my m920 either. When comparing to a headphone with a more smooth top-end, something like a female "s" or "t" sound will sound less natural. The HD 600 takes the advantage here. The HD 650 is a bit more complicated, as it rolls off the treble a decent amount, so it can sound a bit veiled. For me, both of these headphones have a flaw in the top-end, so you need to figure out which one works better for you. One thing that I can mention is that while I don't use EQ, if I did, it's better to use subtractive EQ than additive, so I'm curious if I could get the HD 700 to sound better with some EQ than the HD 650. Maybe someday I'll play with this if I get my hands on some HD 650's. The HD 800's are smoother, but can still be too harsh for those very sensitive to treble. This is largely why the HD 800 is so amp-picky (more on this later). The LCD-X and Ether Flows both have smoother treble, although the LCD-X does roll off a bit. I need more time with my Ether Flows before I really give a solid opinion on the highs. Note that I compared my 2016 LCD-X revision to an older model belonging to a friend of mine recently, and highs were clearly better on mine than on the earlier revisions. One thing I've noticed is that instruments like acoustic guitar sound very good on HD 700's, which I think could be because I think the slight bass emphasis, smooth mids, and bright highs work well with instruments like this.
Soundstage/Imaging: Excellent. The HD 700's have a very wide soundstage and image very well. Soundstage and imaging aren't quite as good as the HD 800, but what is? The HD 700 definitely beats the HD 600 and HD 650 here. It also beats the LCD-X without question (soundstage is a bit of a weak point with Audeze in-general). I still need more time with my Ether Flows to compare, as these also have a good soundstage.
Comfort/Build Quality: Again, excellent. The HD 700's are easily one of the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. I actually find them a bit more comfortable than the HD 800's due to their smaller cups, but this may not be the case for others. Keep in mind that while I find the HD 700's a bit more comfortable than the HD 800's, the HD 800's are still incredibly comfortable. The HD 700's are mainly made out of plastic, but all of the plastics feel well-made. The stock cable is pretty good, though it does twist up a bit, and I did have part of the cable split near where it goes into the headphone. Sennheiser did a great job of working with me and getting me a replacement for a discounted price, despite the headphone being out of warranty and the cable not being covered. If you don't like the cable, you could always swap it out for another one. I know that 10' is a bit long for a lot of people, though I love the freedom when at a desk. While I take very good care of my belongings, I did occasionally accidentally get the cable stuck on something, causing it to get yanked out, so this probably contributed to the faiure of my cable. My one complaint with the build of the HD 700 is that there is no easy way to take the padding off of the headband for cleaning. Mine definitely has some hair gel and such in it that I'd like to clean up. The earpads are super easy to remove and clean though. The HD 700's easily beat the HD 600's and HD 650's when it comes to comfort. I already compared the comfort to the HD 800's and would basically call the headphones about equal due to personal preference on cup size. They are without a question more comfortable than the LCD-X's due to the fact that Audeze has a bit of a weight problem with their headphones (getting the carbon fiber headband from an LCD-4 helped a lot with the weight distribution, but there is no eliminating the weight). The Ether Flow's are very comfortable, but due to their very light weight and smaller size, the HD 700's still take the win for comfort.
So to sum up, I like my HD 700's, and think they get a bad rap that they don't deserve. I do acknowledge that this is probably partially due to the $1000 retail price of the HD 700's when they were first released, and when initial impressions and reviews were posted. These days, the retail price has dropped to $750, and the street price is around $500, which makes much more sense. The headphone absolutely has its flaws, but so does every headphone (although I've heard the HE-1, and it's about as close to perfect as I can imagine a headphone being). I would put the HD 800, LCD-X, and Ether Flow above the HD 700, but these all cost 2 to 3 times as much, so that's how it should be. The 700's are no slouch though. They are world-class when it comes to soundstage, imaging, and comfort. If you are a hardcore bass-head, or very sensitive to treble, these probably aren't the best pick for you, but I think the vast majority of people would enjoy these headphones with a good amp, and if necessary, a bit of EQ. I'd still take my HD 700's over a HD 600 or HD 650 without hesitation, but as with everything, this is personal preference.
Lastly, I've seen some talk here about amps. The HD 700's, as with any good headphone or loudspeaker will absolutely benefit from high-quality amplification. They have an impedance of 150 ohms and a sensitivity of 105 dB SPL/V. I sometimes drive them straight off of my laptop for watching TV away from my desk, and while this is certainly a huge step down in sound quality, it's still completely usable up to a moderate volume, maybe even on the lower end of what might consider high-volume (I tend to listen louder than most people, so this is all relative). Actually, I think what I find worse is not the loss of volume but the loss of dynamics. Sennheisers are known to pair very well with tubes, and I find the HD 700 to fit this, as I love how it pairs with my WA7. Since tubes generally (but not always) tend to be a bit warmer than solid state amps, this could handle the peaks in the treble enough for most people (if you even need them handled at all). There is mention about not needing a high-power amp. This may be true, you don't NEED it, but within reason (as in not using something like a 200 wpc power amp for loudspeakers), you can never have too much headroom. Sure, you may need to be a bit more careful with the volume attenuator, but this is a lot better than having an amp that just doesn't put out the power to drive your equipment to its potential (adequate level, ability to convey dynamics, etc.). HD 800's are worth mentioning here, as they are known for being very amp-picky. They are more power hungry than HD 700's (300 ohm impedance, 102 dB SPL/V), and with how detailed they are, they can sound very dead when paired with a low quality amp. Again, tubes do work well here. The best amp that I've ever heard with the HD 800's is a prototype of the Cavalli Audio Liquid Tungsten. This was an absolutely amazing pairing. Anyone that thinks that HD 600's or HD 650's are better than HD 800's should hear this pairing, because with a proper amp, I think the HD 800 absolutely destroys the HD 600 and HD 650. A good quality solid-state amp can work very well too though. As I said, I think my HD 700's sound good when plugged into my m920 (though I definitely prefer the WA7). Another amp that I've found to work extremely well with the HD 800's is the Headamp GS-X MkII (which is still one of my favorite headphone amps that I've heard to date). Above all, an audio setup is a chain. You may be getting decent sound, but you could have a weak link that is holding back the rest of the chain from sounding its (relative) best. If you have the funds, a good quality amp is always a worthwhile investment for good headphones or loudspeakers.
s2030081
67
Jul 2, 2017
AudioMan612Good Job @AudioMan612 ! This is very good review of HD700!
One thing I would like to add that about the difference of Treble between HD 700 and HD 800 is that sometimes the treble, with its clarity and brightness can be a bit annoying. That is the main reason make me go away from HD 800.
Surely, some people may suggest that with a better AMP, source and run-in, this should not be a problem. But in terms of price and effort, it will cause too much to minimize these downside (or over-power?). After all, HD 800 is that top of HD line, no one will expect to use a $100 AMP for it.
I don't have chance to try on HD800S so I don't know the situation in it.
BTW, good that you use the word "control" to describe the bass of HD700. This applies to HD800 too. Both HD700 and HD 800 can have tight, deep, punchy and detailed bass, but for some songs, they appears to outputting less amount of bass than other great headphones. However, the signature of Senn is their enjoyably sound balance. Although the HD line may not be the best in every area, but you will hard to find an replacement of it. Stax may be a closer choice.
BTW, good that you use the word "control" to describe the bass of HD700. This applies to HD800 too. Both HD700 and HD 800 can have tight, deep, punchy and detailed bass, but for some songs, they appears to outputting less amount of bass than other great headphones. However, the signature of Senn is their enjoyably sound balance. Although the HD line may not be the best in every area, but you will hard to find an replacement of it. Stax may be a closer choice.
VRacer111
492
Nov 24, 2017
Only thing I really don't like about the HD700 is that stock cable. Much prefer the custom one I just got in from Impact Audio Cables:
Dicloneus
61
Nov 25, 2017
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24788141
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10848570
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531513101004940
Just going to post some articles for your convenience.
These come to show there are things in life that affect our experiences outside of our awareness.
Yes, there are lucrative manufacturers out there trying to make big bucks by selling us poorly conducted "science." But you have to also realize why these guys are there in the first place. If it weren't for the authentic and reputable cable makers handcrafting cables that actually "does stuff" (using Zeos' terminology to better resonate with the larger crowd ;) ), imposters and fraudulent companies would be nonexistent.
As the same with Evshrug, I was also one of those doubting the cable industry. I still have doubts about other factors that allegedly play a role in affecting sound such as feeding "clean electric current" to your DAC/amp, to the "shape of screws affecting electrical current," or the notorious "burning in" of peripherals outside of the realm of headphone/earphone drivers (yes. burning in of cables, players, DACs, amps, etc.). Though I've experienced the last one (and I still don't understand it...) I haven't had the luxury to do any form of comparisons on others. But, I am always open for a trial if opportunity lies.
It's a weird sensation when you notice something that cannot be explained by anything. That's why humans engage in defense mechanisms such as denial, or attribute to knowledge already acquired that makes the situation more palatable to the individual. An open mind is absolutely necessary for a hobby of this nature.
Ever since the enlightenment I've experienced, I had the honour of being able to play around with myriad cables from numerous companies: LabKable, Rosenkranz, Effect Audio, Moon Audio, ALO Audio, ZEPHONE, Brise Audio, Song's Audio, Wagnus, Kimber Kable, Oyaide, Beat Audio, Crystal Cable, Nobunaga Labs, and many more. I must tell you that though I cannot tell you which ones are "better," they all had a character of their own. I am using LabKable's 8-core Takumi TRRS (a weave of copper and silver wires) on my 64Audio U4-SE, and boy are they quite something. Soundstage widened, the once sibilant highs on stock cable were smoothed out, and last but not least, sounded as if all the drivers were driven to their maximum potential maintaining their beautiful tonal coherence.
There are whiskey snobs and wine snobs out there not knowing what they're talking about, and I might sound like one of them for audio gear. Of course. Personal audio is taken up by the smallest niche of individuals, already being stigmatized for their superficial "elitism," and focusing on factors such as cables that seem out of the equation for sonic effects is furthermore esoteric. But, once again, keep an open mind. Reserve your judgements until you have actually experienced them for yourself. I'm gonna tell you right now. Some of them are definitely a game changer.
Yes, there are lucrative manufacturers out there trying to make big bucks by selling us poorly conducted "science." But you have to also realize why these guys are there in the first place. If it weren't for the authentic and reputable cable makers handcrafting cables that actually "does stuff" (using Zeos' terminology to better resonate with the larger crowd ;) ), imposters and fraudulent companies would be nonexistent.
As the same with Evshrug, I was also one of those doubting the cable industry. I still have doubts about other factors that allegedly play a role in affecting sound such as feeding "clean electric current" to your DAC/amp, to the "shape of screws affecting electrical current," or the notorious "burning in" of peripherals outside of the realm of headphone/earphone drivers (yes. burning in of cables, players, DACs, amps, etc.). Though I've experienced the last one (and I still don't understand it...) I haven't had the luxury to do any form of comparisons on others. But, I am always open for a trial if opportunity lies.
It's a weird sensation when you notice something that cannot be explained by anything. That's why humans engage in defense mechanisms such as denial, or attribute to knowledge already acquired that makes the situation more palatable to the individual. An open mind is absolutely necessary for a hobby of this nature.
Ever since the enlightenment I've experienced, I had the honour of being able to play around with myriad cables from numerous companies: LabKable, Rosenkranz, Effect Audio, Moon Audio, ALO Audio, ZEPHONE, Brise Audio, Song's Audio, Wagnus, Kimber Kable, Oyaide, Beat Audio, Crystal Cable, Nobunaga Labs, and many more. I must tell you that though I cannot tell you which ones are "better," they all had a character of their own. I am using LabKable's 8-core Takumi TRRS (a weave of copper and silver wires) on my 64Audio U4-SE, and boy are they quite something. Soundstage widened, the once sibilant highs on stock cable were smoothed out, and last but not least, sounded as if all the drivers were driven to their maximum potential maintaining their beautiful tonal coherence.
There are whiskey snobs and wine snobs out there not knowing what they're talking about, and I might sound like one of them for audio gear. Of course. Personal audio is taken up by the smallest niche of individuals, already being stigmatized for their superficial "elitism," and focusing on factors such as cables that seem out of the equation for sonic effects is furthermore esoteric. But, once again, keep an open mind. Reserve your judgements until you have actually experienced them for yourself. I'm gonna tell you right now. Some of them are definitely a game changer.
Megazine
544
Jan 25, 2018
If there ever was a way to uncover new truths it could only be by science, because they are the only ones seeking new truths.
Will
8470
Chief Product Officer
Aug 21, 2014
International shipping is unavailable for this drop at the request of Sennheiser.
If you're an international customer and you would purchase this product, endorse this post.
After a couple days of requests, I'll let Senn know and hopefully they'll reconsider. To be clear, there's a very low probability of them letting this go international (TONS of distribution agreements to consider) but I figure it's worth a shot if we can show some interest.
If you're an international customer and you would purchase this product, endorse this post.
After a couple days of requests, I'll let Senn know and hopefully they'll reconsider. To be clear, there's a very low probability of them letting this go international (TONS of distribution agreements to consider) but I figure it's worth a shot if we can show some interest.
KarlM
21
Jun 28, 2017
What is the best buy? These or the HD 6XX? Money is not an obstacle (not to sound like a douche).
znahum
91
Aug 22, 2014
I got my hopes up when I saw the price and thought they were the HD800. Still the lowest price bracket these are insanely good value. Too bad I am not going to spend an entire paycheck on one particular item... unless I sleep on it for a month.
Silverstrike
154
Aug 25, 2014
Man, don't worry about condescending or not. Good advice is well.. good advice. People started paying by card instead of hard cash and that's were all the control went and impulse buying stuff came in.
Even if advice looks all basic, its good to have a friend remind you now and then. :-)
Even if advice looks all basic, its good to have a friend remind you now and then. :-)
andypak01
430
Aug 25, 2014
Just because one is of certain age does not mean they are mature. Point is they really should not be buying item of this value when their 1 month (even bi-monthly) paycheck can cover the cost. Most people in U.S., including professionals like doctors, have high liability and low net worth, so point still stands. They are not financially savvy even if they are adults.
Will
8470
Chief Product Officer
Aug 21, 2014
xXShakeXxHi xXShakeXx,
Yup, HD800 would have been ideal, but don't forget this is one of Senn's first drops. After a few more, when they have a better handle on how our platform interacts with the rest of their business, they might be able to list additional products, but right now it's about showing them the value of the Massdrop community.
Thanks for your post (Massdrop is built on community product selection) but try to keep your comments positive. Senn will be watching this drop closely and their perception of the Massdrop community will be heavily influenced by what they see in this thread.
Yup, HD800 would have been ideal, but don't forget this is one of Senn's first drops. After a few more, when they have a better handle on how our platform interacts with the rest of their business, they might be able to list additional products, but right now it's about showing them the value of the Massdrop community.
Thanks for your post (Massdrop is built on community product selection) but try to keep your comments positive. Senn will be watching this drop closely and their perception of the Massdrop community will be heavily influenced by what they see in this thread.
jazzfuze
18
Nov 26, 2016
I have both the HD700 and the HD800. Is the HD800 better? YES! $600 to $800 better?
Most days no. Once in awhile, I'm totally captivated by the 800s.
If you have $400 to invest in a GREAT sounding pair of headphones: Grab these
DON'T listen to the critics. The 700s get a very unfair review by many.
Cruxiaer
9
Nov 28, 2016
jazzfuzeI have the Audio Technica ATH R70x and love it very much with its clarity and detail. My friend has a pair of HD650. To my ear the HD650 sounds veiled or too warm. I'm pretty sure the HD700 has better clarity than the R70x so I'm not sure why some claim that the HD650 can sound better than the HD700 in terms of details and warmth.
CasualSin
114
Jul 14, 2015
LOL man some of you guys are so jaded and have such unreasonable expectations.
zoomorph
423
Jul 17, 2015
A good deal is a mutual agreement between the buyer and seller on what they think is a fair price for the item. If the seller originally prices them at a 90% markup and then lowers them to a 60% markup for a sale, this may be the lowest price ever but it's not necessarily still a good deal. Many of you seem to want to downplay the role of the buyer and basically just accept whatever price is pushed by the seller. In my view, that is not a great recipe for getting a good deal. In our case we have massdrop representing us in negotiating with the seller, but we also have to stay alert and keep massdrop in line, as we know that they are in this for profit too and won't care any more about our best interests than we force them to.
Sennheiser is very smart and adept at keeping their products highly priced in the market. If buyers continue to pay high prices for these products with glee then Sennheiser will be happy. If buyers tell Sennheiser to lower the prices more or they'll go with many of the alternative manufacturers then we can expect to see lower prices, because I'm sure Sennheiser is still making a rich profit margin on these.
Sennheiser is very smart and adept at keeping their products highly priced in the market. If buyers continue to pay high prices for these products with glee then Sennheiser will be happy. If buyers tell Sennheiser to lower the prices more or they'll go with many of the alternative manufacturers then we can expect to see lower prices, because I'm sure Sennheiser is still making a rich profit margin on these.
echineko
196
Jul 18, 2015
zoomorphIf you ever start a petition to Sennheiser, let me know, I'd also like to buy the HD800 for less and will definitely sign up.
Based on retail prices in the market today however, my statements still stand, as it seems you can't actually provide an example where these are/were sold lower anywhere else. And with that I bid you a good day, sir.
Based on retail prices in the market today however, my statements still stand, as it seems you can't actually provide an example where these are/were sold lower anywhere else. And with that I bid you a good day, sir.
insightsurf88
72
Jul 4, 2017
ShitI can't possibly imagine that Massdrop is not already on that project, especially in regards of how much all sennheisers drops have popularity. I can't talk for something i doesn't know as i don't work for them, but it would greatly be beneficial for the community and i'm sure they know it. They listen to us and sennheiser knows the trick with it.
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