[jamienufc]

Hi,
I've previously owned the astro A40s and currently have a pair of Audio Technica AD700s paired to my astro mix amp.

I've owned the Ad700s for two weeks and have recently returned them due to a fault. In the meantime I've made some cash and have been thinking shall I upgrade my headphones again?

My main criteria is better Sound Quality and a huge sound stage. The AD700s are very good and I have been pleased with them, but what are my other options if I added £100-£150, making my overall budget £250?

I've seen the audio technica AD900s, but wonder if they are worth the extra £130 and will I see a big performance increase? For that money is there something better for gaming and the odd movie out there that will out perform my ad700s?

I've got the spec's of the two sets of headphones below. (on paper there isn't that big a difference between to two sets)


AD900s

• Type: Open-Air Dynamic
• Driver Unit: 53mm, CCAW voice coil
• Magnet: Neodymium
• Frequency response: 5-35,000 Hz
• Impedance: 35Ω
• Max. Input Power: 700mW
• Output overpressure value: 100dB/mW (JEITA)
• Plug: Mini/Standard Gold plated 2 Way
• Cord length: Elastomer/OFC/3.0m
• Net weight (without cord): 250g
• Detachable phone plug

AD700s

• Type: Open-air Dynamic
• Driver Diameter: 53 mm
• Magnet: Neodymium
• Voice Coil: Copper-clad aluminum wire
• Frequency Response: 5 – 30,000 Hz
• Maximum Input Power: 500 mW
• Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW at 1 kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Weight: 280 g
• Cable: 3.0 m (Single/Hybrid-PCOCC)
• Connector: 1/8" (3.5 mm) mini stereo, gold-plated
• Accessory Included: Detachable 1/4" (6.3 mm) adapter


Any help or advice would be really appreciated. I'm open to all suggestions and like I say its the sound quality and sound stage thats important.

Cheers,

Jamie

[jamienufc]

Has anyone got an opinion?

I'll put it another way - If you had upto £250 to spend on headphones that you would use primarily for gaming with a mixamp and the occassional movie which set would you get? Your looking for a set that provide excellent sound quality and have a huge sound stage to allow you to hear sound around you.

You own a set of Audio Technica ad700s, but wonder if the ad900s would be a worthwhile upgrade? Or would you spend your money on another set of headphones?

Like I said in the op, any help or suggestions would be really appreciated.

Jamie

[Drubbing]

I doubt you'd get much return on investment. 250 quid is probably overcapitalising, for you usage.

Both SS and SQ will be limited by games files (and games consoles), which are not as demanding of headphones as music is. Most of the soundstage effects are pretty simple, and easily reproduced to potential by the AD700, which are known for wide soundstage. You can't get more out the file than isn't there in the first place by buying more expensive phones. The AD900 will sound better for music, but you won't notice any real improvement, beyond games soundtracks.

Beyond knowing the impedance, specs are pretty meaningless.

[jamienufc]

Originally Posted by Drubbing

I doubt you'd get much return on investment. 250 quid is probably overcapitalising, for you usage.

Both SS and SQ will be limited by games files (and games consoles), which are not as demanding of headphones as music is. Most of the soundstage effects are pretty simple, and easily reproduced to potential by the AD700, which are known for wide soundstage. You can't get more out the file than isn't there in the first place by buying more expensive phones. The AD900 will sound better for music, but you won't notice any real improvement, beyond games soundtracks.

Beyond knowing the impedance, specs are pretty meaningless.

Thank you,

A friend of mine read the thread and pretty much said the same thing. I havent got a decent amp or speaker set up at home and he said I'd be better spending my money there than on more headphones.

[24 P]

I picked up a set of Pioneer S12 plasma speakers for 25 quid.
I mounted them on my gaming chair.
I hook them up to my 5.1 amp.
This is funny so please read.
I have a pair of Sennheisser HD 600s going through a Hybrid amp, I connect the rear only for surround, and the sub is available if needed.
The effect works, and quite pleasingly.
I can hear rear effects beyond my headphones easy, and the chair does vibrate with the speakers when they are activated with rear effects.
I have a JVC head phone amp, its dire, also Tritton AX Pro.
Out of all 3 bar true 5.1, my mad little scientist endeavor, I have the perfect effect.
Now I do understand this may not be practical for some, as headphones are the only thing they can use, but still, if anyone is interested, I am happy to post pics of my mad mod...

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by jamienufc

Thank you,

A friend of mine read the thread and pretty much said the same thing. I havent got a decent amp or speaker set up at home and he said I'd be better spending my money there than on more headphones.

I'd only agree on the map if you were listening to music, again for gaming, not a good return, there's no 'added' SQ with amps (off a very basic source like a console), for phones that don't need them, and the AD700/900 don't need them.

[jamienufc]

Originally Posted by Drubbing

I'd only agree on the map if you were listening to music, again for gaming, not a good return, there's no 'added' SQ with amps (off a very basic source like a console), for phones that don't need them, and the AD700/900 don't need them.

Thank you, I appreciate your honesty. I dont want to be throwing £100-£150 at something and not getting much gain in return. I was curious to see if it would be worth it, but obviously its not considering the ad700s are decent cans for gaming. looks like I'll stick with them and my mixamp.

[Spinning Plates]

What about the MMX 300? It would be interesting to hear how they compare to your AD700's.

I remember reading a post by one person that said he had only used them for about 5hrs but already they blew his AD700's away.

[mudstuff]

Originally Posted by jamienufc

Thank you,

A friend of mine read the thread and pretty much said the same thing. I havent got a decent amp or speaker set up at home and he said I'd be better spending my money there than on more headphones.

+1, that was me.

Since you're a big movie fan as well as gaming, like me, and have a decent lounge, I'd start putting the money towards a home cinema setup. I've played MW2 over the last couple of days with headphones (Astros, very good but admittedly not as engaging a soundstage as the AD700s) and via my BR5s and 2309 amp. Even with "limited" DD 5.1, the amp wins hands down. There's so much more grunt and presence. Dialogue comes out fo the centre channel nicely and the floorstanders do a terrific job with the chaos surrounding. I don't currently have rear speakers hooked up but was fully immersed even without.

In MP, the Astros were a little more accurate in locating the source/direction of sounds and obviously useful for comms but the HT setup was far more accomplished and the beauty is everyone gets to enjoy it - useful for music and movies.

Also bear in mind that with movies, you'll be able to listen to lossless soundtracks which sound a million times better than vanilla 5.1 (especially 5.1 via headphones).

My advice would be stick with the AD700s for gaming, music and movies when not wanting to make much noise and get an amp to share the experience and also for the bombast and excitement (and HD tracks).

You could probably pick up an entry level amp around £250, add some decent £100 bookshelves to get started and then use those as rears when you can afford some better front speakers. Alternatively, save for a decent sub/sat package, you'll be surprised at the difference.

Next time you're over, you'll have to bring theAD700s and compare them on something like MW2 versus my 2309 and BR5s.