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Author Topic: Sennheiser HD700 impressions  (Read 9979 times)

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Marvey

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Sennheiser HD700 impressions
« on: January 10, 2012, 07:39:53 PM »

FYI 5/29/12 UPDATE - GETTING PRODUCTION HD700s IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
UPDATE: Measurements Here

Summarized from HF:

Now that the cat's out of the bag... (CES)
 
I happened to drop by LFF's place a week ago and had a chance to listen. Sennheiser tried to make these sound like the HD800. The bass, midrange warmth, and slight dip around 4k is there. However, where it fails is the treble. The treble is very peaky. If the HD800 has an elevated treble, then the HD700 has extremely peaky treble. The HD700 does sound less grainy than the HD800 (out of a modest amp), but where it fails is that certain tracks where snare drums and percussion fall on those peaks, the HD700 is basically un-listenable, at least for me. Soundstage and low-level information retreival seemed just slightly behind the HD800. IMO, it reminded me somewhat of a "good" T1 I measured a few weeks ago, although I feel the T1 has more upper midrange energy (i.e., not recessed) and is actually less peaky. I've always liked Sennheiser headphones (HD558, HD600, HD650, HD800), but this one I don't like.

Compared to the HD650, the HD700 is more technically proficient, but at the cost of an uneven treble response with peaks. The worse thing that's said about the HD650 has been its "veil". FWIW, I've never heard this so called veil, but I've only heard the HD650 on good amps (EHHA, B22, Dynahi, AGD Phoenix, BA, etc.) The HD650 is still a laid-back headphone though. Although I appreciated the technical capabilities of the HD700, I prefer the HD650, which IMO still has excellent detail retrieval capabilities. Maybe even as good as the HD700 although I can't say for certain without having both here in front of me. From memory, the HD700 bass is more articulate than HD650.

Compared to HD600 tonal balance: not at all like the HD600. HD600 is neutral with smoother and less elevated treble. Soundstage "openness" is between HD600 and HD800 as would be expected, but closer to HD600. 
 
IMO, the HD800 is not something you make a little brother out of. The HD800 is one of those headphones that's already on the edge - you can't stray too much from it without ending up with serious flaws. My opinion of the HD700 is slightly less than that of LFF's.

Will it sell? We don't have Sennheiser's sale data. The world of headphones is much larger than Head-Fi. For all we know, the Beyer T1 could have been selling like hotcakes, and Sennheiser wanted to fill in that gap. It's a business to make money after all.
 
A lot of people like peaky, I mean sparky treble.

Continued:

http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,88.msg406.html#msg406
http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,88.msg467.html#msg467
« Last Edit: June 11, 2012, 12:48:41 AM by purrin »
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LFF

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Re: Sennheiser HD700 impressions
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2012, 08:22:44 PM »
Hey....the HD700 isn't that bad.... :-\
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Marvey

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Re: Sennheiser HD700 impressions
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2012, 08:37:45 PM »
Just changing tastes over time. Getting cranky as I get older. I guess I'm having less and less tolerate for trebly shit and really looking forward to some speakers again. Besides, these things are a THOUSAND fricking dollars!

On a related topic, when are these going retail! Can't wait to present "special" data on them.  ;)
« Last Edit: January 13, 2012, 03:42:50 PM by purrin »
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victor25

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Re: Sennheiser HD700 impressions
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2012, 08:40:18 PM »
Thanks for impressions and link to this site. I hope I don't have to go through some weird hazing period as with Head-Case (wtf). Do you have any sextet's for measurements? I wonder because I mostly ended up with the K1000's and sextet's after listening to many many headphones.
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Marvey

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Re: Sennheiser HD700 impressions
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2012, 08:42:23 PM »
Hell no! No hazing here. I'm forbidden encouraged by my religion to be mean kind although I somehow can't avoid being mean on HF. I'm much nicer here. Keep in mind kindness does not mean always saying or doing things people will like. For example, giving an alcoholic a drink is not nice.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2012, 08:44:58 PM by purrin »
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victor25

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Re: Sennheiser HD700 impressions
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2012, 08:43:29 PM »
Oops was a bit too soon to reply, see you have EP sextet's measured. I have never heard the EP's, but I listen to my MP's all the time (should have a pair of LP's coming in tomorrow).
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Marvey

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Re: Sennheiser HD700 impressions
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2012, 08:46:16 PM »
Quote from: victor25 on January 10, 2012, 08:43:29 PM
Oops was a bit too soon to reply, see you have EP sextet's measured. I have never heard the EP's, but I listen to my MP's all the time (should have a pair of LP's coming in tomorrow).


One of these days I'll have to get myself one of them.
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victor25

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Re: Sennheiser HD700 impressions
« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2012, 08:56:05 PM »
About 2 years ago I used to own one (MP), and really liked the sound (not loved), but the discomfort was horrible. My ears would sit on the plastic inside's the whole time, and started to hurt very much after listening for 10mins onwards. Also very sweaty ear pads... I sold most of the headphones I had at that time, only kept a HD650 (I like the laid back signature for listening at night), and my true love the K1000. Later I bought another K1000 for backup, but started to miss a easy 'fun' headphone, so bought another sextet mp.

We all know how listening to music seems to become better after a beer/wine or two. That 'euphoric' sound, seems to be going on with the sextet all the time. Also they can tolerate bad recordings much better than most headphones. New ear pads are a MUST though, not just for sound, but for comfort. My ears don't touch the plastic now, and don't get sweaty.

I'v been snatching most of the sextet's on headfi for the last 2-3 weeks, but I buy most of them at prices <150$. For me they are a steal, there is no headphone near this price that gives me the same satisfaction. The only headphone I am really interested in now is the LCD-2 and HE-500. Also because 'rhythmdevils' seems to like the HE-500 (also a K1000 and sextet fan). He is one of the guys that seems to have the same ears as me (together with Fitz, KrMathis etc.).
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Re: Sennheiser HD700 impressions
« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2012, 09:33:11 PM »
I gotta admit that I'm relieved. Having just spent $950 on an HD800, I would've had serious buyer's remorse if this was a darker little sibling. I guess I'm safe until the HD850 comes out.
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anetode

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Re: Sennheiser HD700 impressions
« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2012, 12:29:57 AM »
Quote from: purrin on January 10, 2012, 08:42:23 PM
For example, giving an alcoholic a drink is not nice.

My corner bar bartender must be an evil fucking bastard.
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