Audio Techinica ATH-AD700 VS Sennheiser HD598 - HiFi Headphones Forum - online headphone & earphone community forums

albi86 · 02-12-2011, 09:40 AM

Hi everyone, I would like to buy a pair of open headphones in the range of 150 bucks. Reading reviews and so on, I guess the ones which fit me best are these two.

I plug them into a Denon M38 receiver, so please consider I have no dedicated amp and I'm not planning to buy one in a short time.

I also own a pair of ATH-M50, which I'm very happy with, but I was looking for a wider sound. So I bought a pair of Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO, and I really cannot complain about them, except a bit about build quality. Unfortunately, their 250 ohm impedance turned out to be almost unbearable for my tiny system, and I'm giving them back. Although very poorly driven, I could still perceive how bigger drivers and a open-back profile make sound way more enjoyable, so I'll keep going down this route.

I listen to every kind of music, so I would like to get a fair compromise between punchy bass and sound detail. Most important to me is the vocal projection: I really cant stand headphones which sound as if the singer got a cold.

I'm leaning toward the ATs: I have a very good experience with this brand, I find their build quality great, they're easy to drive and those 53mm drivers look damn appealing. I also read a lot of very positive reviews, so I guess it's a safe buy.

But I also had good experiences with Sennheiser, and I read good things about these cans too, so I would like to hear some opinions.

Thanks in advance

ShaunG · 02-15-2011, 09:56 PM

From your explanation of what you are looking for I would say the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 is the right choice over the Sennheiser HD598.

The ATH-AD700 has a massive, open soundstage and excellent reproduction of the mid-range. The Sennheiser HD598 is much more relaxed and smooth sounding (typical of Sennheiser).

A pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50 and the ATH-AD700 is a great pair of contrasting headphones... one for listening in noisy environments (or if you don't want the headphones to leak sound) and one for listening in the peace and quiet.

albi86 · 02-16-2011, 05:49 PM

Thanks, I've already ordered a pair

View Poll Results: Which one?
Sennheiser HD 598	0	0%
Audio Technica ATH-AD700	2	100.00%
Voters: 2. You may not vote on this poll

02-12-2011, 09:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
albi86 Headphone Newbie Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Audio Techinica ATH-AD700 VS Sennheiser HD598 Hi everyone, I would like to buy a pair of open headphones in the range of 150 bucks. Reading reviews and so on, I guess the ones which fit me best are these two. I plug them into a Denon M38 receiver, so please consider I have no dedicated amp and I'm not planning to buy one in a short time. I also own a pair of ATH-M50, which I'm very happy with, but I was looking for a wider sound. So I bought a pair of Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO, and I really cannot complain about them, except a bit about build quality. Unfortunately, their 250 ohm impedance turned out to be almost unbearable for my tiny system, and I'm giving them back. Although very poorly driven, I could still perceive how bigger drivers and a open-back profile make sound way more enjoyable, so I'll keep going down this route. I listen to every kind of music, so I would like to get a fair compromise between punchy bass and sound detail. Most important to me is the vocal projection: I really cant stand headphones which sound as if the singer got a cold. I'm leaning toward the ATs: I have a very good experience with this brand, I find their build quality great, they're easy to drive and those 53mm drivers look damn appealing. I also read a lot of very positive reviews, so I guess it's a safe buy. But I also had good experiences with Sennheiser, and I read good things about these cans too, so I would like to hear some opinions. Thanks in advance

02-15-2011, 09:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
ShaunG Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 416 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 60 Posts	Audio Techinica ATH-AD700 VS Sennheiser HD598 From your explanation of what you are looking for I would say the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 is the right choice over the Sennheiser HD598. The ATH-AD700 has a massive, open soundstage and excellent reproduction of the mid-range. The Sennheiser HD598 is much more relaxed and smooth sounding (typical of Sennheiser). A pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50 and the ATH-AD700 is a great pair of contrasting headphones... one for listening in noisy environments (or if you don't want the headphones to leak sound) and one for listening in the peace and quiet. __________________ Shaun @ HiFi Headphones HiFi Headphones - the UK Headphone & Earphone Store That's Serious About Headphones Ultimate Ears, Grado, Phonak Audéo, Klipsch, Shure, Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and many other high quality brands - visit our store. Join us on FaceBook

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02-16-2011, 05:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
albi86 Headphone Newbie Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, I've already ordered a pair