I wonder how much of an impact we have had on the HD700's sales.  I mean how important is head-fi for them?  If they flop on head-fi as they have so far, does it ripple through the internet?  I have a feeling the hype machine will start building as soon as we stop posting about them and they'll do fine anyways.  But I don't know. 

I agree, it's such a fail for Sennheiser to desert their blindly loyal followers, who would have bought an HD650 successor without question.  Now they're completely disjointed.

I hope we had a major impact. I hope the HD700 is a major failure.

The theory that an engineer was butt hurt due to the Sennheiser veil or saw it as an opportunity really makes sense. However, in attempting to address a minor issue, they brought up a ton of major issues.

Quote from: rhythmdevils on June 18, 2012, 04:14:00 AM

My point in this thread is not about whether the Mackies are the best studio monitor, I don't want to argue that here, because I think the point I am trying to make is an important one. They are better engineered, more precise and more accurate than almost any headphone ever made.  And aside from absolute resolution and bass extension I'd say they are better than any headphone ever made period.  If there are better speakers out there for the price, it only reinforces the fact that headphones are overpriced, and under-engineered.  And we should expect much much more.

So much WIN there rhythmdevils! I agree with you completely. You should have been there at T.H.E. show. Total failure and disappointment for me...I should have asked for a refund.

hm... I did have a fun afternoon listening to all sorts of stuff, picked up half a dozen CDs (several isomike SACDs that are quite nice), talked to some rather intense music maniacs, and thought it was good to catch up on some previews and new stuff from a few companies I like, including several headphone amps, so for me it wasn't merely the usual "total tease"

You guys are totally giving Senn too much credit for the sound of the HD700.  The 800 is their flagship, they aren't going to make something cheaper that sounds equal or better.  It's a freaking exercise in marketing and product filler.  Why are people thinking Senn failed?  I think they met their objectives perfectly.  We may not agree w/ those objectives but.....


The HD700 is just part of the competitive business tactics and corporate playground rock throwing by Senn, Beyer and Ultrasone.  There is nothing altruistic about it that warrants us applying that standard.  Come on, a middling product at $1000?  That's just LoL from the get go, you don't need to hear it or measure it.

What, other than the HD800, would you consider an alternative for the T1 in terms of soundstage at less than $1k?  It's the one thing I like more about the T1 over the HD650, and the only reason I use it for classical and choral music.  Yes, the treble and the ringing can be annoying on modern music, but I find it quite enjoyable with certain, well recorded genres.