Sennheiser HD 700 - Sennheiser's Queen In 2016

Sennheiser was kind enough to lend me their HD 700 for a home demo. And as you k
now, I already own the HD 650 (silver drivers) to compare them to. And thankfull
y, Sennheiser has also agreed to lend me their HD 800 in a few days, for a more
thorough side by side comparison. But that is best left to another review.
I'm not sure whether these HD 700 headphones have been burned in or not. But. Ne
ither do I care. Because I'm not a big believer in burn in making a radical diff
erence to the sound. At least in the majority of cases. Anyway, just mentioned t
his to explicitly state that I've no idea.
How much time have I spent with Sennheiser's HD 700 so far?
Not much. Less than 24 hrs in fact. But. I've already listened to a few songs I'
m reasonably familiar with.
So. This isn't a review done after extensive testing. But. I've tried to be as a
ccurate as possible.
How much time have I spent with the HD 650 and the rest of my setup?
At least over 2 years or so. Maybe longer. So that shouldn't hinder this review.
The Setup
Headphones: HD 700 (2012), HD 650 (silver drivers)
Headphone Amplifier: Project Ember v1.0 (just tried a single tube, Marconi 6dj8
is what I recall from memory)
DAC: Asus Essence One Muses Edition
Transport: Asus Essence STX SPDIF to the PC
The HD 650 was tested with and without Sonarworks. Sonarworks is a VST plugin th
at neutralises the tonality of supported headphones. Sonarworks doesn't support
the HD 700 yet.
Music
Bollywood (Arijit Singh etc)
Mozart (very little)
I'd like to sum up the basic advantages of each headphone over the other, before
I proceed to a more detailed review. So those in a hurry can still quickly get
to know the overall gist in brief.
Advantages of the HD 700 over the HD 650
Way more comfortable. In fact, the HD 700 is so comfortable that that alone just
ifies twice the price over the HD 650 if you consider them equals otherwise.
More or less better all around when it comes to technical prowess.
Clearer, cleaner, more articulate, crisper transients and better speed.
The overall sound is very tight and coherent.
The bass is a lot tighter.
Much better resolution; more detailed.
Reasonably improved soundstage and imaging.
More open and slightly more speaker like.
More detailed and believable vocals.
Basically, the difference in going from a mid range to a high-end can.
Disadvantages of the HD 700 over the HD 650
Additional treble that makes it unnaturally bright (not ear piercing though).
Fatiguing and not as polite for extended listening sessions.
There is something that makes them sound less natural and less musical.
The tonality isn't as neutral; the vocals are a bit upfront as compared to the r
est.
Advantages of the HD 650 over the HD 700 (Many of these advantages may be audibl
e only if you have Sonarworks, as that takes the experience to another level.)
More musical, lush, smoother and sweet overall.
The bass isn't as tight but perhaps more natural and with greater punch.
The treble isn't as sharp; it is smoother.
More suitable for extended listening.
It has most of the pros of the HD 700 but not quite to the same level. In terms
of technical prowess, it is what it is. An outdated flagship.
Now.
You're probably waiting for a more in-depth comparison between the two. And that
is exactly what I'm coming to now.

HD 700 v/s HD 650 (with Sonarworks) - One on one

Sound signature
HD 700
The HD 700 isn't as connect in tonality. But it is a very enjoyable sound signat
ure nevertheless. The bass is super tight. The treble is lively and slightly Bri
t. The vocals are upfront. The sound is very tight overall. Everything is very t
ight.
HD 650
More neutral and balanced. Sounds smoother and sweeter, more musical. Nothing st
ands out even though the vocals are delicious.
Soundstage & Imaging
HD 700 > HD 650
The difference isn't huge. But is still significant. And easily audible. Can be
a deal breaker for many once they get used to the HD 700.
I'm not too certain about the imaging. But. I think the HD 700 has an edge there
as well.
Vocals
HD 700
More articulate and realistic. They have better resolution and are more detailed
. Also more upfront. Crisper.
HD 650
More musical, rounded and smoother. But not quite of the same stature.
Bass
HD 700
A lot tighter. Perhaps artificially tight. Not sure though.
HD 650
Far more hollow and rounded. But a tad more natural. Smoother. And with more pun
ch.
Treble
HD 650 > HD 700
HD 650's treble is just right with Sonarworks. HD 700 is a bit peaky and that ta
kes time to adjust to. Note, the HD 700 isn't very bright. But the 650 is just m
ore natural and balanced.
Transients, speed, articulation
HD 700 > HD 650
Not even a contest. There are really far apart here. The HD 650 is very good in
its own right. But not of the same pedigree.
Timbre and tonality
HD 650 is a bit better than the HD 700 here.
Comfort
Don't get me wrong. The HD 650 is pretty comfortable on its own. However, althou
gh its sound is suitable for extended listening, it's comfort isn't exemplary. I
t is just good.
The HD 700 is probably the most comfortable headphone ever. More comfortable tha
n the HD 800 I think. (I have tried the HD 800 twice.)
It is like going from average to superlative in terms of comfort. That alone jus
tifies 2x the price for the HD 700.
Finally. Is the HD 700 a true upgrade to the HD 650?
Technically, yes. Definitely.
However, since the sound signature isn't exactly the same, subjective preference
s may differ. Some may take one over the other.
But as far as technical prowess is concerned, the 700 definitely has an edge. An
d a definite one at that. And combined with the much better comfort, its price i
s justified. Without doubt.
Yes. I recommend the HD 700 over the HD 650 even at twice the price. But only if
you feel the need for something that the HD 650 is unable to deliver. And ideal
ly, you should try to audition before you buy it.
Update to Sennheiser HD 700's review
I have had a chance to listen to the HD 700 with two more setups:
Asus Essence One Muses DAC/Amp

iPad Mini 2 -> FiiO E12

I also compared it to the HD 650 with both setups.
The Fiio E12 setup sounds pretty good. With both cans. But not quite at the leve
l of my previous setup or even the Asus E1 Muses.
I didn't do an AB test or DBT, so I can't be sure. And being an objectivist, I'm
not sure why or whether there should be this kind of difference. But for some r
eason, the Asus setup sounds cleaner, clearer and less muffled.
The FiiO E12 is very good in its own right. And even with low gain I'm at about
12 o clock to get reasonably loud volume with either headphone.
HD 700 vs HD 650
After some more listening, I have come to realise that the HD 700 is a clear and
very significant step up. And not only in terms of comfort.
The HD 700 is a lot cleaner, clearer, tighter, more articulate, faster and just
gets the vocals a lot more right.
The HD 650 is still better for extended listening as the HD 700 does fatigue you
after a while. But I've become used to HD 700's treble in under 72 hrs (and les
s than 2 hrs of use). It is not really fatiguing. But definitely a bit for exten
ded listening. Unlike the HD 650.
Everything else goes in favour of the HD 700. You can hear a lot more detail. An
d the transients are a lot crisper as well.
The HD 650 does sound musical and lush. But vocals are relatively frighteningly
real with the HD 700.
Honestly, I can't see much reason to choose the HD 650 over the HD 700 except fo
r the smoother treble and better suitability for extended listening.
The HD 700 is difficult to use for over 20-40 minutes tops at a time. Unlike the
HD 650. But that could be very personal. I couldn't listen to Soundmagic E80s f
or over 5 minutes tops. So maybe I'm just used to the less treble energetic HD 6
50.
Also, do note that most of these comparisons have been done while using the HD 6
50 with Sonarworks. So the HD 650 was dot neutral. In its stock form it is a bit
too laid back for my tastes. And just can't compete with the HD 700.
Stuff like breath and air movements are something that really make the HD 700 sh
ine. The HD 650 is okay here. But not in the same playing field.
The Fiio E12 does a good job with both the HD 700 and HD 650. But. I don't know
why. I preferred the Asus Essence One Muses Edition with both the headphones.
Solid State vs Tube
For some reason, I always felt the HD 650 felt dead and cold with the Asus Essen
ce One Muses edition. It felt lifeless. Like something was lacking.
However, the HD 700 also fares really well with this solid state amp. In fact, I
preferred it with the Asus over my hybrid tube amp Project Ember, I think. I'm
not sure though.
But. With the HD 650 I always chose Project Ember instead.
Now I'm really not sure why this is happening. I may have gone mad and maybe thi
s is all placebo. But these are my findings so far...
P.S. Honestly, after listening to the HD 700 for a while, the HD 650 sounds like
a distorted and muffled mess. The difference is at least as big if not bigger t
han moving from a HD 598 to a HD 650. The jump is probably a lot bigger in fact.
The HD 700 does better most of the stuff the HD 650 does well, and much better a
t that. But it is definitely a different presentation. And it is best to auditio
n before you buy either!