Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones, Black (AUD ATHAD500X)

I have been on the hunt for the RIGHT gaming headset for over a year. I have owned the Turtle Beach Stealth PX24, Hyper X Cloud Stinger, both the Playstation Gold and Platinum Wireless headsets. Then, I upgraded to the wire-happy, Astro A40 TR with mixamp. I felt the A40 was a bit, overpriced, performance-wise. THEN, I went to the Turtle Beach Stealth 520, which is wireless and has several, surround sound presets, including the featured, SuperHuman Hearing. However, it seemed, like each time I would game with the Stealth 520 for a bit, my ears and eventually, the head would start to sweat, due to the enclosed, faux-leather design of the ear cushions. Many times, I would snatch the headset off and play, without it. Then, I went to the Arctis Pro, which was superb in sound quality and builds. However, I returned them because they caused me to have headaches after gaming sessions. Then, I was on the hunt for another headset. However, I decided to go a different route and get some stereo headphones for gaming, which led me to find out about the semi-open back, HD688B by Superlux, which are superb, especially for its low price. However, I wanted to try an open-back pair of headphones, which is something I have never owned, previously. That led me to purchase the Audio-Technica ATH-700X. So, the question is, will I like open-back or return to closed or semi-open?ATH AD700X VS. ATH AD500X: There has been, much confusion in what is the difference between the two. Amongst the many, design and specs similarities, the only difference is the ATH AD700X has a frequency response of 5-30KHz, while the ATH AD500X has a frequency response of 5-25KHz. Then, the ATH AD700X has an impedance of 38 ohms, while the ATH AD500X has an impedance of 48 ohms. Also, the ATH AD700X has a maximum output of 700 mW, while the ATH AD500X has a maximum output of 500 mW. The price discrepancy between both is $15.DESIGN: Overall, the design of the ATH AD700X is good, overall. The double-hooped, headband is made up of a thick, wired, plastic structure, which looks cheap, but is extremely, durable. Underneath, is what Audio-Technica calls, 3D Wing Support, which is spring-loaded and self-adjusting for stability and comfort. Underneath the 3D Wings, which covers the head is made of mesh, fabric. Ear cups is lightweight, aluminum-honeycomb, which is transparent enough to see the drivers on the inside. The ear cushions are made of raised fabric ear cushions, similar to velour. Overall, the headphones have a bit of weight to them. In fact, some say the headphones are uncomfortable. However, I have no issue, when wearing them for long periods of time. Also, the headphones do not have any external buttons to work the headphones, like a volume button or an external mic, as it is not a gaming headset by default. PS4 users will have to change the volume by accessing the Volume Control (Headphones) option on the PSN settings menu. Not much of a hassle in my opinion. A mod-mic will be needed to use a microphone for these headphones.SOUND: Instead of using the ordinary title, open-back, Audio-Technica uses what is called, Open-Air Dynamic technology. The Open-Air Dynamic technology was made to produce, lower pressure on the ears while listening. I must mention, they keep the ears cool. However, ordinary open-back headphones have sound leakage by default. This means sound from the headphones can be heard by others, nearby. In addition, the user will be able to hear some outside noise, as well. Honestly, I do not hear, much sound-leakage, while playing. Beneficially, open-air has a wider sound-stage, which creates an immersive, natural, surround sound-like, performance. Sounds can be heard, very clearly and accurately. Of course, sound performance, may vary, depending on where and how they are used. With that said, I will only be speaking from a video game, standpoint. The driver size is 53mm, which is very, large. As I mentioned, the frequency response is outstanding, 5-30KHz. The impedance of 38 ohms with a maximum input power is a whopping, 700 mW is impressive for protection from overload by various audio equipment. The sound can be pumped up with a DAC. I have a Neoteck 192hz DAC and Converter. I used it on these headphones and it pumped up the sound. However, they can put out some sound, without a DAC. Once, I connected the headphones to my PS4 Pro controller, along with turning the controller volume up on the PSN settings menu. Unlike many, gaming headsets, surprisingly, they can get mighty, using the controller.Speaking of gaming, I tested the Open-Air Dynamic performance of the ATH AD700X, while playing Rainbow Six Siege and Call Of Duty Black Ops 4 on my PS4 Pro. The sound from the ATH AD700X, gave perhaps, the clearest and most authentic sound I have heard, while gaming with open-back headphones. I was more impressed with the open-air performance of the ATH AD700X, rather than with closed and semi-open, gaming headphones or headsets. Every sound was heard with crispness and ample, clarity from all angles with no distortion. The highs and mids were very, balanced. The lows are good, too. Great, but surprising, treble. In fact, it can be a little harsh on the ears. When playing Black Ops 4, the "squish" sound, when getting a kill, has me on edge because I am never prepared for that abrupt, loudness. The bass is there in the ATH AD700X, but not, much. I prefer a decrease amount of bass because I believe it drowns out some sound in my opinion. Of course, preference varies.While testing the ATH AD700X on Rainbow Six Siege, which is a very, detail-oriented game, when it comes to a need of hearing, various sounds while playing. Having the right headphones can be essential to survival. Anyhow, my character, Ash, sent the drone around the area. She could hear the White Masks, shuffling back and forth, while crouched in cover positions, waiting to attack. She could hear, exactly, where they were, either behind a wall or other structures. She could hear footsteps of roving patrols, very clearly. Plus, hearing how close and how distant he was from her position while taking his patrol routes. Also, she could hear the White Masks, communicating with each other, while waiting in their cover positions. I could hear my character’s footsteps getting louder or softer, depending on movement speed. Knowing this, lets you know, when to move slowly, as your footsteps can also, be heard by the enemy. They WILL shoot through a wall if they hear you coming.While testing the ATH AD700X on Call Of Duty Black Ops 4, I could hear gunfire, explosions, dialogue and other random sounds, which can be heard, throughout the map to the left and right of me were heard with an increasing amount of accuracy and clarity. I knew, EXACTLY, what was going on and where the action was taking place on the map, especially on the Nuketown. I felt, as though I had been thrown directly into the middle of a war. The ATH AD700X picks up small sounds, like a vacuum, thanks to the headphones lows. For example, on the Morocco map, outside of hearing the common sounds, during game-play, I could hear the subtle, clinging and breakage of pottery, kicked around, while traversing the area. Also, hearing voices from other Specialists on the maps, who were at a bit of a distance. I could, barely here this with other headsets, but in more abundance, but not with the ATH AD700X. The crunching sound, as my character was trampling through the deep snow and the crack of the ice on the Icebreaker map, sounded unbelievably, real. Once, my character, Battery, ran inside of an open-ended bay of the Summit map. Battery was communicating, while outside and finished talking, while going inside of the bay. There was an echo of Battery's voice while speaking inside of that open-ended bay. The authenticity of the echo was unbelievable and nearly, scary.Of course, I am sure, some are wondering about footsteps. Well, the ATH AD700X, picks up footsteps on Call Of Duty Black Ops 4, very well. I have been able to get the drop on enemies while ducking for cover and waiting on them to search for me. This happened, while on the Summit map, once. Battery ran up the stairs and took cover on the side of the building, looking toward the open trailer, while waiting on an enemy to pop out of the bay. Meanwhile, she heard footsteps to the left of her. She waited, patiently for the enemy to pass. Sure enough, it was Prophet, running towards the bay, where Battery was waiting on enemies to come out of. She ran up behind him and took him out. Immediately, she got fired upon from the rear. She immediately ran and hid in a corner, between some with tarp in-between the back of the opened, trailer door. Again, she heard footsteps from her left. This time, it was Crash. He came in front of her with his gun drawn. However, due to her being able to hear his footsteps and seeing his shadow on the ground, she was ready and took him out. Then, she saw another enemy coming on the mini-map. She went on the other side of the tarped crates with drums and skid, lying next to a yellow forklift. She heard footsteps on the left. It was Crash, again. This time, he was heading into the bay to take on some of Battery’s teammates. She took him out. Hearing footsteps, helped Battery take out three enemies. Be warned! Players cannot always, rely on hearing footsteps because of the nature of the going-ons, during matches, which is lots of gunfire, explosions, etc.MIC (OPTIONAL): As I mentioned, a mod-mic will have to be purchased to utilize, while online gaming. The prices vary. I have not tried this, yet, as I do not have a mod-mic at this time. I do know, with one attached, it should perform, exceptionally, well.VERDICT: Overall, the ATH AD700X is currently, a good price, considering it was once, sold for $200. In addition to that, Audio-Technica is a well-known and trusted, brand. At this point, when it comes to gaming in a quiet environment, I would argue that open back is the best way to go because of that sound, which I mentioned, above. At this point, when it comes to gaming, I will likely, not go back to closed-back headphones or a headset.

So, I was in the market for some new headphones. A friend of mine had suggested the AudioTechnicaATH-M50x, but after perusing lots of extensive reviews on them I decided against them. The most important factor to me is comfort, and from what I had been reading about those, they weren't necessarily bad headphones, they just weren't very good ~$200 headphones. And apparently, they take "some getting used to" in terms of comfort. I was turned off by both of these sentiments and decided to look for something else. I figured open-back may be the way to go, and eventually settled on a pair of the ATH-AD700X's.In my opinion, the best things about these headphones are, ironically, things a lot of people have outlined in their own reviews here as being negatives.Let's start with the mechanism these use to stay on your head.You have likely seen many reviews here saying the mechanism these headphones use is "too loose". In my opinion, they are not too loose at all. They grip your head with a very light, feathery touch. At first it may feel like they could slip off if you just tilt your head the wrong way, but they will not. Unless you're thrashing your head to some VERY SERIOUS metal there is no way these are going to fall off, whether you're laying down in bed or sitting in a chair. Also, I have always had difficulty laying down in bed and using big headphones. More often than not, the cans just get shoved into strange, awkward positions, or the whole thing is really just gripping my head way too tight and it gets VERY uncomfortable VERY quickly. That is not the case with these headphones. They are extremely comfortable to wear in bed, and they sound great too.Next, let's go to the cable.I've seen SO MANY reviews saying they hate the cable for being "too long", and they hate how the cable "coils up." In my opinion, these are actually things worthy of praise. I would rather have a pair of headphones with a cable that is too long than a pair with a cable that is one inch too short. NOTHING is more frustrating than that. As for the cable "coiling up", when in use this is never a problem. The cable is so long that any coiling is going to occur pretty far away from your body. And the cable "coiling up" sounds like a bad thing at first, until you see HOW it is coiling up. This cable has a tendency to coil up into the shape it was originally packaged in. So if you put the headphones away somewhere, you can rest assured knowing the cable will VERY EASILY arrange itself back into a very space efficient form factor. This is a pro to me, because I do not have a dedicated microphone. So I will often switch between headphones when using my computer. Additionally, you will know the cable is also SAFE in these conditions. I have broken many headphones over the years because I have poorly maintained the cable. This cable going into the exact arrangement I need when I wish to store it somewhere, with very little effort on my part, is a godsend and I am totally cool with that.Now that these two are out of the way, let's move into some more pros. The sound is great. I'm not an audiophile, so I have no opinion on how "chocolatey" the mids are or how "minty" the treble is, or whatever buzzwords those people like to use to describe their sound equipment. But what I can tell you is, the sound is very clear and crisp and you will no doubt pick up on details in music that you never heard before, especially if you've spent your whole life using substandard, cheap headphones or "gaming" headsets. I play a digital piano through my DAW software, and immediately I could tell a massive difference in not just the overall quality, but also the clarity in the finer details of the various piano libraries I had been using for months --- details I previously did not even know were there. And this is straight, out of box performance. No EQ, not even hooked into an audio interface. Just plugging right into a line output on my computer case.So, how about audio clarity in a noisy environment?In my opinion, ambient background noises are only SLIGHTLY easier to hear through these, than my usual pair of closed-back headphones. I have a fan in my room that I run pretty much all the time on the lowest setting. Even with my usual pair of closed-back headphones, I can hear the fan. The only time I can't is if I barrage my ears with a constant stream of very loud noises. The same exact case applies with these headphones. If the sound is loud enough you will be completely tuned out to any external noises. I don't even need them that loud to reach a point that they overpower the sound of my whirring fan.Are there any cons I can think of? Not really. I guess they aren't quite as bassy as my usual headphones could get, but I prefer that. Sometimes stuff would just sound so...mixed up and muddied on my other headphones, and that was all due to their closed design. I'm sure someone with vastly superior background in audio equipment can find something to dislike about these headphones, but I'm a simple man. As that kind of person, I really can not find anything to dislike about these headphones. So far they have been a blast and I am loving them. If you are a relatively simple person too, and you just want to get something better than whatever dollar store headphones you've been using for years, these will definitely be good value to you. I will not be giving any rating towards "Noise Cancellation", because these are not noise cancelling headphones. Why that is even something I can rate on these doesn't really make any sense to me.