The Audio Technica AD700 is a very popular headphone that is widely considered to be among the best-sounding headphones under $100. I have listened to the AD700 several times in noisy meet situations and left away liking it. Now that these headphones can be found for as cheap as $85 in the United States, I have finally bought one myself to see how good it really is. For this review, I am also including the Superlux HD668B, a headphone I bought for $35 but seriously impressed me and other Headfonia staffs for the price. You can find the review we had done for the Superlux HD668B in this website.
The AD700’s champagne and purple coloring. Love it or hate it.
The HD668B is more utilitarian looking in black. Housing design mimics AKG’s K240.
I want to begin by discussing the ergonomics and build of both headphones. In the world of fullsize headphones where neutral colors and natural material color like wood and metal dominate, the AD700 comes in a rather unconventional champagne and purple color. It is a good color scheme that stands out, though I figure it will look a bit goofy in most people’s head. In terms of construction, the AD700 is solid. It creaks a little, but the overall build quality is definitely among the best I have come across for the price. The AD700 is a big headphone with big circumaural pads made of soft breathable velour. Combine this with its patented 3D wing design; this headphone is very comfortable and suitable for long listening sessions. Held side by side against the AD700, the all-black plastic HD668B does feel a little bit like a toy. The fit of the Superlux is on the tight side but is very secure and its pressure is well distributed. It was uncomfortable when I first tried them on, but after few weeks, I have gotten used to the tight fit, and it is quite tolerable now. The only thing I still don’t like about the fit is how their 3D wing pads presses hardly against the top of my head.
Audio Technica is the original innovator of the wing shaped headband.
HD668’s wing shaped headband copies Audio Technica’s design. It doesn’t look as fancy, but it functionality it’s very good.
odon
are you sure the price of ad 700 was under $100?
it seems under $200, ad 300 market price $70
Mike
Hi, here is one from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Audiophi…
Harlin
Wait until you properly damped AD700 🙂
It raises the bar even more…
Mike
Hahaha.. I bet it is. 😀 Let me take a listen to it then! 😀
Joey
Try adjust the headband of the superlux. You'll find a decent fit and they'll no longer press against your head after a while, the smaller your head is, the wider gap between the two rectangular things.
I'm getting the AKG velour pads + stretching the headband to improve comfort. These bad bois would slaughter my V6 nicely.
Mike
Hi Joey,
Thanks for the tips. How do you exactly adjust the headband on these? I don't have the 668B with me right now, but as far as I remember, we couldn't find a way to adjust it.
Joey
It's really hard to describe without pictures but I learned this from reading the instruction book. 🙂
Mike
That's how you figured it out!
I didn't get an instruction book. 😀
Joey
🙂 mine come in a cardboard box (looked pretty badass for a <$40 pair of headphones)
basically the two pads on top can be slide along the plastic parts that they're attached to.
Value pair of headphones. Nice mids but after few days of using I find the bass extension a bit lacking (as you said, these needs a very warm amp), it's punchy and lean.
The build quality is decent. What I like the most is the cheap plastic 😛 , making the phones so light to wear and carry around. Overall, perfect choice for college students, who wants to enjoy quality music in the library for a affordable price.
Mike
Library huh? Don't they leak sound a bit? Or are you listening @ low volume?
FanBoy
if hd668b compared with srh940, which one better (from it’s clarity, bass, soundstage)
Anonymous
Actually very comparable, though the SRH940 is less harsh, more refined, and maybe a tad more resolution. So clarity is about the same, bass is punchier on the 668B, soundstage is wider on the 668B, but better imaging and deeper on the SRH-940.
FanBoy
what is imaging? i confused with that term :p
hd668b will be nice if use the velour pad
i want to preorder them from china
Anonymous
Listen to a good live recording, and the headphone with the better imaging will recreate that live venue better.
Nessuno1234
Hi. for RnB,Classic, Pop and Vocals,
is better
HD668b or Ad700?
HD668 costs 60 euros with the pads.
AD700 costs 105 euros.
I’ve already supelux HD660.I don’t like it. to close sound(claustrophobic), and too much bass.
Thanks
Anonymous
Okay, you think the HD660 has too much bass? Then I suggest you go with the AD700, though personally I think the AD700 would be too far bass-light for RnB.
299792458
thanks. do you think there is something better for 100-150€?
I like femele vocal: alicia keys(acoustic version), avril lavigne, rihanna(california king bed, love her voice and this song)
Anonymous
Well from what you said (you want a lighter bass and don’t want a closed sound) I would think that the AD700, or better yet the AD900 would be good for you.
Personally I would use something warmer like the B&W P5 for alicia keys, avril lavigne, and rihanna.
Duna21
hi,
how is this in term of mid performance to ath m-50? which is sweeter & fuller?
Anonymous
Duna,
Again both are roughly “equal” on a scale of “sweeter and fuller mids”, though each with a different presentation. The ATH AD-line up is never about full mids, it’s about a big spacious soundstage, with the only exception being the flagship AD-2000. http://www.headfonia.com/audio-technica-ad-series-ad300-ad700-ad900-ad1000prm-ad2000/
Duna21
thank u headfonia
Billybobjoe
Which one should I get for gaming and skype? I don’t listen to music and I have a small head. Is there something better for me?
Billybobjoe
Also, how comfortable are they, and do they need an amplifier? I don’t listen at high volumes and I am using an integrated sound card but will be building a new computer soon with a better integrated sound card.
Mike
Billy,
The AD700 seems pretty popular with gamers, though I don’t play computer games so I can’t really verify that. It should be good with the integrated sound card too.
You need a microphone for Skype, by the way. I personally use a Logitech USB headset for Skype.
Billybobjoe
Thanks for your help. I have a microphone and I am getting these.
Mike
You’re welcome.
furlonium
Be sure to grab a Mixamp or something similar to power and process the DD output into Dolby Headphone, if you’re on a console that is.