Sennheiser HD 700 Review | 93 Data compared

The Sennheiser HD700 is an open-back, mid-fi headphone priced at $499 that shares a premium aesthetic with the more expensive HD800 series but delivers a distinct, V-shaped sound signature. Key advantages include its lightweight construction built with aluminum extenders, luxurious comfort provided by padded velour earcups, and an exceptionally immersive soundstage with deep instrument placement. Sonically, it boasts an ultra-low total harmonic distortion of under 0.03%, an impressively wide frequency response of 10 to 42,000 Hz, and a clean, sprawling low end that makes it excellent for genres like rock, EDM, and hip-hop. On the downside, its dynamic tuning creates a recessed midrange where detail plays second fiddle to the highs and lows, making it less ideal for neutral listening, classical, or jazz music. The treble, while highly detailed and clear, can occasionally sound thin—especially when reproducing string instruments. Additionally, with a moderately high nominal impedance of 150 ohms, these headphones are not easily driven by standard devices and require pairing with an external amplifier to achieve their full potential.

The TechWalls review of the Sennheiser HD700 highlights these mid-range, open-back headphones as a stellar option for audiophiles, bridging the sonic gap between the legendary HD600 and the high-end HD800. Driven by 40mm drivers and a nominal impedance of 150 ohms, they perform best when paired with a dedicated headphone amplifier, such as the Denon DA-300USB. The reviewer praises their unique and beautiful aesthetics, exceptional comfort during long-term listening sessions due to spacious velour earpads, and a warm, natural sound profile. Additionally, a subtle bass boost makes them highly appealing to younger audiophiles, while their significantly reduced market price makes them a great value option compared to their initial launch price. On the downside, the review notes a few distinct weaknesses, starting with the heavy use of plastic throughout the body, which compromises the high-end, premium feel expected at this price point. The open-back nature of the earcups means they heavily leak sound and lack isolation, restricting practical usage strictly to quiet rooms. From an audio perspective, purists looking for a strictly well-balanced sound signature may find the raised low-mids...

The Sennheiser HD 700 ($999.95) is a full-size, open-back audiophile headphone celebrated for its exceptional transparency, neutral sound profile, and remarkable comfort. Weighing 272 grams, it features a unique 40mm driver housed in an open-air acoustic chamber and plush, microfiber-covered earpads that prevent heat buildup. Testing by reviewer Steve Guttenberg revealed an incredibly wide, realistic soundstage that detaches audio from inside the listener's head, floating freely to mimic high-end speakers. Performance pros include a highly accurate frequency balance, crisply defined bass texture, clear vocal dialogue, and an unfatiguing design that puts zero pressure on glasses frames. It delivers top-tier resolution of fine details in both music and home theater environments, easily running off an iPod Classic or a dedicated amplifier. Despite its stellar 8.1 out of 10 score, the headphones possess notable cons regarding build, price, and practicality. At nearly $1,000, buyers may find the extensive use of gray plastic on the earpieces and headband to feel cheap for a premium product. It is exclusively a "stay-at-home" model because it does not fold up, lacks a travel bag, and features...

In the Headfonia review of the Sennheiser HD700Go, the headphones are characterized as an exceptionally comfortable and durable open-back design that bridges the gap between the musical HD 650Go and the analytical HD 800Go, boasting outstanding balance, high speed, and precise instrument separation. The reviewer praises the "fun" and engaging sound, specifically highlighting its tight, well-controlled, and high-quality bass performance. Despite the praise for design and comfort, the review notes a key con: the treble can become sharp or "peaky," causing fatigue on certain tracks. Furthermore, due to its specific sonic, technical signature, it is described as a picky headphone that is not suitable for all genres, particularly failing to excel with rap or punk. To mitigate the sharp treble and achieve the best performance, the review recommends pairing the HD700 with OTL tube amplifiers, such as the Bottlehead Crack, which helps with synergy, as some amplifiers like the Woo Audio WA2 and LaFigaro 339 can produce a minor background hum.

The Headfonics review highlights the Sennheiser HD700 as a uniquely designed, comfortable, and highly articulate headphone with a warmer, more forgiving sound signature compared to the flagship HD800. While praised for its physical comfort and detailed, analog-like audio performance, it is considered a "mini HD800" that fails to clearly improve upon its predecessor, the HD600. However, the review outlines significant challenges, noting the HD700's awkward market positioning and high price point relative to fierce competition in a crowded market. Ultimately, despite its technical capabilities, its overall value proposition is deemed weak, making it a difficult recommendation over established alternatives.

The Sennheiser HD 700 headphones deliver an elegant, smooth, and evenly balanced sound profile, featuring an appealing warm tone that excels at rendering vocals and intricate acoustic details with composure. Designed as an open-backed, lighter "baby brother" to the flagship HD 800 models, they utilize trickle-down technology and an advanced ventilated magnet system to effectively reduce air turbulence and harmonic distortion. The review highlights outstanding comfort as their primary strength; they feature a silicone-coated headband and plush, soft velour ear cups that cushion the head perfectly, making them exceptionally easy to wear for hours without any sense of strain or fatigue. However, this gentle and relaxed presentation comes with specific performance trade-offs in sound dynamics. The review notes that the HD 700s lack a bit of bite, precision, and attack compared to close competitors like the Grado PS500s, meaning they do not deliver a highly sharp or determined bass performance. Additionally, their open-backed design results in natural sound leakage, rendering them strictly suited for home listening rather than portable use outdoors. Ultimately, while they sacrifice raw sonic punch, they remain...

Headfonia's review of the Sennheiser HD700 highlights a smooth, fast, and energetic sound with punchy bass, distinguishing it from the HD800 by removing low-treble glare and providing easy driveability from portable devices. Despite these strengths, the headphones feature a sharp top-treble peak causing sibilance and offer a less technically capable, though engaging, bass compared to flagship models.

The Sennheiser HD 700Go headphones offer high-end, fatigue-free audio with a warmer, darker, and smoother sound signature than the HD 800Go, featuring a fast, muscular bass response. Positioned between the HD 650Go and HD 800, they are praised for exceptional tonal balance and a detailed, non-analytical presentation suited for extended listening. However, the review notes a narrower, less airy soundstage compared to the HD 800, along with a tighter, less abundant bass quantity that may require adjustment for those upgrading from the HD 650. While initially exhibiting minor treble issues, the final retail unit provided a smooth, non-fatiguing experience with only minor, subjective limitations in soundstage and bass, as reported by Trusted Reviews.

The Sennheiser HD700 is described as a highly polarizing, unconventional, and "U-curved" headphone that sits between the HD650 and HD800, offering an exciting, clean, and punchy sound with tightened bass and forward upper mids. It is characterized as a fun, energetic option for listeners seeking a departure from traditional neutrality, rather than a direct upgrade to other flagship models. Head-Fi.orgConversely, the review highlights significant drawbacks, notably sharp, severe acoustic peaks at 5.5kHz and 11kHz that can lead to intense listening fatigue, mirroring the aggressive treble often associated with Grado or Beyer headphones. Because of these peaks, the reviewer strongly advises against the HD700 for those prioritizing a smooth, neutral frequency response or long-term, high-volume listening sessions.

This Super Best Audio Friends review offers a positive re-evaluation of the Sennheiser HD700, highlighting a surprisingly good, warm, and tight bass response paired with energetic treble when powered by a Schiit stack. While the mids are deemed decent, the review notes a slight recession, along with a prominent top-treble peak causing sibilance and potential comfort issues with the stock pads.

The Headfonia unboxing of the Sennheiser HD700 highlights a smaller, lightweight housing and 40mm drivers, designed to offer a more intimate listening experience than the HD800, potentially correcting the excessive soundstage found in the flagship for certain music styles. Early impressions suggest it bridges the gap between the HD650 and HD800, promising a unique sound signature in a more compact form factor. Conversely, the review identifies significant cons regarding the physical build, which is described as feeling less premium and more plastic-like than the HD800, resembling lower-tier wireless models. The reviewer notes a dramatic drop in material quality compared to the flagship, which may not align with the product's premium market positioning.

Sennheiser HD 700Go reviews on Head-Fi describe a polarizing open-back headphone with an elite, lightweight, and exceptionally comfortable design featuring plush microfiber ear cups. Sonically, they are lauded for a massive soundstage, precise instrument separation, and fast, detailed sound, though they are frequently criticized for a sharp 7kHz treble peak that causes harshness. Furthermore, while mid-bass is detailed, the headphones suffer from an early sub-bass roll-off, leaving them lacking in deep, physical impact compared to competitors. While stock performance is divisive, reviewers note that pairing with a high-quality amplifier and applying EQ can significantly improve the listening experience.

The Sennheiser HD 700 review by Mike Liang highlights it as a more affordable, $999 MSRP alternative that trickles down technology from the flagship HD 800. The pros center heavily on its outstanding design and physical usability; it features an ultra-light frame, silicone-treated headband, and plush, oversized ear cups that make it remarkably comfortable for extended listening. Additionally, it includes a clean, dual-entry, silver-plated oxygen-free copper cable utilizing a standard 1/8-inch connector for simple upgrades. On the sonic front, the headphone delivers high-quality low-frequency response with fast, weighty, and punchy bass, while offering a wide soundstage with great stereo separation. It is also significantly easier to drive than its fussier sibling, pairing admirably with portable Apple devices and small amplifiers. However, the reviewer notes several cons related to sonic compromises and preparation. Most notably, it compromises on the ultimate resolution found in the HD 800, sacrificing micro-details for a smoother performance. It also demands a substantial "break-in" period, requiring the user to run music continuously for about a week before the drivers cook enough to sound their absolute best. Finally,...

The Sennheiser HD700Go review on Super Best Audio Friends portrays the headphones as a polarizing "black sheep" with superb, lightweight comfort and a wide, technical soundstage suitable for electronic music. Key technical pros include a "punchy," quick driver response and high resolution, despite the overall sound signature being described as technically flawed. Conversely, the review identifies significant cons, specifically a "shitty tonal balance" and a severe 6-7kHz treble peak that causes listening fatigue. Additional drawbacks include a 2kHz dip and a lack of naturalness compared to the HD600 series, often requiring modifications or specific pairings for optimal enjoyment.

The RTINGS.com review highlights the Sennheiser HD 700 as specialized open-back headphones, praising their superb, nearly neutral sound profile and spacious, immersive soundstage. They offer a lightweight, robust build with deep ear cups for excellent comfort and feature a 150-ohm impedance that makes them easier to drive than higher-end models. Conversely, the open-back design results in high sound leakage and no ambient noise isolation, making them unsuitable for public environments. Performance drawbacks include a recessed sub-bass and a mid-range boost that can sound muddy, coupled with a bulky, non-portable design that requires a stationary setup.