Which Headphone Can Fill the Gap Left by the HD 700?

[oblivion34]

I need your advice and recommendations on something that’s been on my mind.About four years ago, I used to own a Sennheiser HD 700, and to this day I deeply regret selling it. My main use for headphones is actually gaming and watching movies – basically, general PC use.When I had the HD 700, the positional accuracy I got in games was unreal. I could pinpoint enemy locations so precisely that I was accused of cheating more than once – and I loved every moment of it. Eventually, with work and life taking more of my time and my PC usage dropping, I decided to sell them… but I’ve regretted it ever since.Since then, I’ve tried the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X, Philips SHP9500, and several gaming headsets, but nothing has ever matched the HD 700 for me. So, I’m here to ask for your help in finding something that could fill that gap. I definitely want an open-back headphone, as I just can’t use closed-back ones.. I use a Rodecaster Duo audio interface, which I understand can comfortably drive headphones up to around 250 ohms. Since I’ll be spending my entire budget on the headphones themselves, I won’t be able to get an additional amp. My budget is around €450 maximum.Based on all of this, could you recommend something that might give me that HD 700 magic again? I hope I’ve explained myself well enough, and I really appreciate any advice you can offer. I made a list of headphones I'm considering, but I have no chance to try them here, so I would appreciate guidance from experienced users before making a purchase. Thanks in advance.
Hifiman Ananda Stealth Magnet v3 / Nano / Edition xs
AKG K712 Pro / K701 / K702
FiiO FT1 Pro
Sennheiser HD 660S / 660S2 / 560S
Audio-Technica ATH-R50x / R30x

 

[LTig]

HD800 (S)?

 

[kyuu]

Why not just buy another pair of the Sennheiser HD 700?

 

[zonk]

The HD800 can be found on Ebay as well. If you stretch your budget and checking from time to time the Sennheiser Outlet (Sennheiser HD800S refurbished) when they have one back in stock.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ytqtyrtwwi6qav85163lc/Sennheiser-HD800S.pdf

 

[Curupira]

The HD 700 is basically a HD 800 with a terrible treble peak, so that would be your first option aside from a used or NOS HD 700.

From other brands, you can try the Beyer T1 2nd gen, which will be more warm sounding but still bright, with a 6khz peak and good imaging due to the angled drivers.

 

[zonk]

Apart from this site on the following homepage you can find the measurements of many headphones:
https://www.reddit.com/r/oratory1990/wiki/index/list_of_presets/

The Beyerdynamic T1 V2 was tested here by Amir
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/beyerdynamic-t1-review-v2-headphone.20192/

 

[oblivion34]

HD800 (S)?

I live in Türkiye and I don't have much chance of getting it here as the price is incredibly high.

 

[oblivion34]

Why not just buy another pair of the Sennheiser HD 700?

I could not find a second-hand HD 700 in my country.

 

[oblivion34]

The HD 700 is basically a HD 800 with a terrible treble peak, so that would be your first option aside from a used or NOS HD 700.

From other brands, you can try the Beyer T1 2nd gen, which will be more warm sounding but still bright, with a 6khz peak and good imaging due to the angled drivers.

View attachment 469306

Could the only reason I miss the HD 700 be its stage width? Would I be satisfied if I bought a headphone with the same stage width?

 

[Overseas]

This parameter is not really measurable, I think.