Sennheiser HD700 Review

When it comes to mid-fi sound, options abound.  To the beginner audiophile, the optionas can look equally impressive.  The Sennheiser HD700 looks a great deal like the more expensive HD800 and HD800S, but sports a lower price tag of $499.  So where does this headphone figure in terms of sound in relation to other Sennheiser models?  And how does it stack up in comparison to other mid-fi models?

Sennheiser HD700 Review

The HD700 comes in a big black box like most of the other high-end Sennheiser models.  The box holds the headphones, some product info, and a removable headphone cable with a 1/4” stereo plug.

Build-wise, these headphones are premium stuff.  With hard plastic making up the bulk of the construction, the headphones remain light.  Yet, they retain a measure of strength, too, with the inclusion of aluminum extenders.

Comfort relies heavily on the padded velour headband and earcups, which soon melt away and leave you alone to enjoy the music.

Specs

Color: titan
Frequency response (headphones): 10 – 42000 Hz (-3 dB)
Sound pressure level (SPL): 105 dB
THD, total harmonic distortion: < 0,03 %
Ear coupling: Circumaural
Jack plug: ¼” (6.3 mm) stereo
Cable length: 3 m Symmetrical, silver-plated oxygen-free (OFC) copper cable
Transducer principle: Dynamic, open
Weight w/o cable: 270 g
Nominal impedance: 150 Ω
Operating temperature: –10 °C à +55 °C
Frequency: Diffuse field equalized

From these specs, we can come to the conclusion that this headphone offers an impressively wide frequency range, good volume levels, ultra-low distortion, and a moderately high impedance.  You’ll definitely want to pair this headphone with an amplifier.  For my review, I used the Hifiman EF100.

Low End

The HD700 features a deep and sprawling low end.  This vast and expansive sound is complemented by a clean and articulate bass that doesn’t bleed, while still offering decent impact.

Mids

In the midrange, you’ll hear strong detail and impressive fidelity.  Due to the dynamic nature of these headphones, the mids seem to play second fiddle to the highs and lows, leading to an impression of a recessed midrange.  To be sure, though, there’s an awful lot of detail at play here.

High End

Clear and detailed, and sometimes downright sparkling, the high end is not piercing or uncomfortable, but may sound a little thin at times – especially where strings are concerned.  Female vocals always seem to come across as buttery-smooth, though.

Soundstage 

The HD700 boasts an amazing soundstage.  There is plenty of depth and placement to instruments.  Even when compared to most other open backs, the level of immersion is greater here, and I feel like I’ve been forced inside of the music.

Overall Impressions

The HD700 may possibly be overlooked as fans of Sennheiser move from the HD600 or HD650 to the pricier, top-tier HD800 or HD800S.  However, if the low lows and high highs of the HD700 do much to recommend it, especially if you’re coming from the HD650.  That being said, regardless of what headphones you currently own, the impressions of the HD700 will probably hold universally true – a premium-built headphone with plenty of comfort, rich sound, and luxurious soundstage.

Recommendations

If you’re in the market for the priciest Sennheiser headphones you can get, these aren’t the ones for you.  In the manufacturer’s  lineup, they still remain a mid-level choice.  However, compared to any other similarly-priced headphone, the clarity and detail, as well as the v-shaped sound signature, set them apart as a unique headphone.

For listeners of rock, EDM, or hip hop, few headphones will compare at this price.  For those seeking a more neutral sound, options abound – from the $495 Grado RS2e to the $399 AKG K712.  While the HD700 wouldn’t be my first choice for classical or jazz music, I still found the sound agreeable to those genres – even though the dynamic sound detracts somewhat from the emphasis on the mids, the detail throughout the frequency range is definitely something that needs to be heard in order to be believed (it really is that staggering).

And on that note, folks, I recommend testing this headphone before crossing it off of the list entirely.  Obviously, if you want the flattest sound possible, you can forgo my advice, but for anyone who needs detail (and some bass and treble, too), this headphone is sure to hit a sweet spot.