Sony MDR-ZX700

[Za'afiel]

Stereo Headphones MDR-ZX700
Superior Recording
Studio Monitor Sound

Box notes:

Features:
Large 50mm driver unit reproduces a wide frequency range, broader dynamic range and accurate sound
360kJ/m³ high power neodymium magnets are used to reproduce clear mid-range sounds and wealthy low range sounds
Resists high power input up to 2,000 mW

Type:                                  Closed, dynamic (circum-aural)
Driver unit:                         50mm dome type drivers (OFC Voice Coil)
Power handling capacity:   2,000 mW (International Electrotechnical Commission)
Impedance:                        24 Ω at 1kHz
Sensitivity:                         106 dB/mW
Frequency Response:        5 ~ 40,000 Hz
Cord:                                 1.2m (47 1/4 in)
Plug:                                  Gold-plated stereo mini plug
Mass:                                Approx. 260g (9.17 oz) without cord

Copyright 2010 Sony Corporation - Made in Thailand 4-266-059-02


This portable Sony has a single-sided cable that comes out from the left earcup and terminates to a mini stereo plug.

There are several things that I find inconsistent with this ZX700 and it being marketed as a studio monitor, because of the following:

1. Non-foldable design
2. Non-unimatch stereo plug (although the insulating rings are green--something consistent with most studio monitors)
3. No 1/8 in to 1/4 in adapter included

I'm going to listen to these for a few more days before making any solid impressions, but so far it has a good midrange-focused presentation, with clean (some would say weak) bass and slightly rolled-off highs. Let's raise a glass of burn-in, and hope for the best, shall we?

[marcusd]

Sounds like the AD2000 - is it warm or analytical? My guess slightly analytical. A good mid-range headphone should be nice for harmonized arena rock and some vocal work.

[Za'afiel]

A couple more pics for everyone:

Look ma, no folding!




Is that a bass vent or something else?




It's so that this little thing won't damage the cups, I think.




Faux-leather, but it goes around the whole headband.




Circum-aural pads and from the looks of it, angled drivers.




Silver/champagne yokes break the monotone black vibe.




Stereo mini plug and fixed cable.

[Za'afiel]

Sounds like the AD2000 - is it warm or analytical? My guess slightly analytical. A good mid-range headphone should be nice for harmonized arena rock and some vocal work.

This is right up the portable mid-fi alley. Yes slightly analytical, and I can easily tell that XB lovers won't like this one bit. The highs are somewhat disappointing, but again I'm going to try a wide range of genres to make sure it isn't the track's fault.

At $100, midrange is easily this headphone's strongest suit.

[carb0n]

A comparo with the Z1000 may be an interesting addition to your to do list.

[marcusd]

This is right up the portable mid-fi alley. Yes slightly analytical, and I can easily tell that XB lovers won't like this one bit. The highs are somewhat disappointing, but again I'm going to try a wide range of genres to make sure it isn't the track's fault.

At $100, midrange is easily this headphone's strongest suit.

I am shocked at the price actually, this puts it up against the likes of the new lux which I am going to bring with me tonight so you can compare to your old and new sony - which of course you will be bringing right? haha

[Za'afiel]

I am shocked at the price actually, this puts it up against the likes of the new lux which I am going to bring with me tonight so you can compare to your old and new sony - which of course you will be bringing right? haha

Ah, yes of course!

It's kind of sad that whenever I come back to the 7506 I'm greeted with punchy bass, sparkly highs, and--. I hope you can find replacement pads for these 1994 model monitors in the GH mall.

For five blue bills this is a portable contender that is literally ready to go out of the box, though potential mods aren't going to be that hard to do with this headphone too.


This is kind of weird but according to the Sony UK site...

Colour choice - Pick from black, white, blue or red colour options to suit your style.

[marcusd]

I suspect Sony might be seeing this a a consumer headphone also but then the lux 661 is doing the same color range - flattery

5 blue bills? I see man colors only, must be a 500php haha

[Za'afiel]

I suspect Sony might be seeing this a a consumer headphone also but then the lux 661 is doing the same color range - flattery

5 blue bills? I see man colors only, must be a 500php haha

Yeah definitely consumer-marketed. The box is a big sexy black piece of cardboard. Idiot-proof packaging: it comes with the headphones, instruction manual, warranty, period.

AFAIK, the new MDR-7510 and 7520 use the same packaging as the 17-year old "Professional" MDR-7506: blue box with see-through front, headphone surrounded by silver velvet cloth, including a carrying bag and 1/4 unimatch adapter. It's like an anachronism.

[marcusd]

Did yours come with a case?

When will these manufacturers start shipping with nice hard cases rather than the soft pouches - it really helps - vmoda did a great one for the crossfade. The lux copy of the 7506 only has a cloth bag.

Sony cases can be good though like the one for the PFR-V1 - they should pack something like that with their consumer stuff.

[Za'afiel]

Did yours come with a case?

When will these manufacturers start shipping with nice hard cases rather than the soft pouches - it really helps - vmoda did a great one for the crossfade. The lux copy of the 7506 only has a cloth bag.

Sony cases can be good though like the one for the PFR-V1 - they should pack something like that with their consumer stuff.

Nope, no case. When you open the box (it folds open like a book), what greets you is the headphone wrapped in white watchamacallit soft paper-esque stuff, and the cable rolled up in its own separate plastic, held together with an inch of tape. Below, there's the folded warranty document, and the folded instruction manual. And... th-that's it!

I'm looking for a nice solid portable case for these now. But if they're too big, then a soft one's fine.

[marcusd]

Nope, no case. When you open the box (it folds open like a book), what greets you is the headphone wrapped in white watchamacallit soft paper-esque stuff, and the cable rolled up in its own separate plastic, held together with an inch of tape. Below, there's the folded warranty document, and the folded instruction manual. And... th-that's it!

I'm looking for a nice solid portable case for these now. But if they're too big, then a soft one's fine.

I would be on ebay and tpc right now hunting for a case haha

[donunus]

I have a feeling I will like the zx700 more than the old v6. I always thought the V6 was bright yet rolled off above its brightness like all the air was sucked out of it.

[HK-47]

Very, very cool-looking. 

How's the comfort on these?

[cdarcc]

Nice joma

Midrange is the character of this headphones. The bass though is somewhat lean on this. the rolled-off highs I can live with but it gets peaky on some tracks esp. bad recordings.  Comfort is really good, well-padded headband.

I had it modified thru sandmooose to make it detachable ala Z1000 but I'm hearing imbalance lately so I might recable it to dual entry. I'm not sure what other mods you can do with it, I don't think dampening the drivers will help improve its bass.

For it's price range, it deserves 7/10 rating;
5/10 in the realm of all headphones I tried.