TDK ST700 review

Tonally well balanced and solidly musical Tested at £150

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

A classic audio name beats younger pretenders for quality

Pros

  • +

    Good tonal balance

  • +

    clear treble

  • +

    controlled bass

Cons

  • -

    Not quite as good as the best

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

We were struck by déjà-vu when we saw these new TDKs.

And not for the first time: like the memorably named Fanny Wangs before them, these portable on-ears seem to owe a debt to the Beats Solos, particularly in the design of the headband and earcups.

Still, there’s nothing wrong with imitating a design if it’s a good one – the TDKs look classy and feel solid. That headband squeezes fairly tightly, but the earcups twist to make sure the fit is comfy.

What’s more, these ST700s sound better than both the Beats and the Wangs.

They’re tonally balanced, with clear treble, controlled bass and direct vocals, though not quite that of the very best rivals.

There’s pace and definition to them, but not at the expense of listenability – a solid four stars it is, then.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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