Audio Technica ATH-AD700 Open Air Dyanmic Headphones

I believe that I mentioned in my review of the iFrogz CS40 that I miss the days of cushioned earphones, and wished that there were more like them.  It’s nice to see that other audio companies are getting into the cushioned headphone business.  It’s almost like it is some sort of new fad. 

I’ve seen other Audio Technica products before such as (product), and they were quite good.  Of course, doing headphone reviews is difficult.  Whenever I get quality headphones like this, I always put in some big action movie with computerized special effects like The Matrix or Transformers.  I usually make my review based on how good the sound is from watching films with lots of awesome science-fiction sound effects. 

As I predicted, they were quite good.  Of course, considering the architecture of these guys, it isn’t hard to see why.  I mean, when you get something padded and put it on your ears, what do you expect?  The large-aperture 53mm drivers with neodymium magnet systems and CCAW voice coils for superior sound production is probably some of the best sound that you can buy. 

One  of the things that was difficult about this product was to fight my instinct to try and adjust them when they were on my head.  The ATH-AD700 has some odd holder things above the ear cups that keep the phones on your head.  Try as I might, I couldn’t adjust them better, but I didn’t really need an adjustment.  In fact, I was able to put them on my 7-year old daughter and they fit just fine. 

As for what is inside, they do not call these the Open Dynamic headphones for nothing.  They are designed for resonating bass and vocal projection.  These have a large-aperture 53mm drivers with neodymium magnet systems and CCAW voice coils.  It has a magnesium frame and honeycomb aluminum casing that makes the ear cups look like they were speakers rather than headphones. 

The cord of the headphones is extra long a high-quality PCOCC and titanium alloy cord.  It has a gold-lated stereo 1/8 inch (3.5mm) connector with ¼ (6.3mm) adapter. 

Here is a list of specs:

SPECIFICATIONS

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

You should be able to get the ATH-AD700 Open-air Dynamic headphones for about $249.95 MSRP.