TDK ST-700 On-Ear Headphones review

The basics

The TDK ST-700 over-the-ear headphones have been designed for life on the street for those who like bigger headphones. The lightweight construction is matched by a neat folding design that means they take up less space when you need to pack them away.

TDK’s big selling point is that these headphones have bee and crafted with the high-end market in mind, using superior materials and components that deliver a distinct look and durable feel.

The soft cushions come with an acoustic seal, which is perfect for blocking out external ambient noise. At the heart of the TDK ST-700 headphones are a pair of 40mm drivers, which offer a rich and warm sound with plenty of bass, making them perfect for more upbeat and fast-paced music.

The good

In terms of design, the TDK ST-700 nicely bridge the gap between the youth market and TDK’s more traditional, more mature, high-end market. The simple look, with matte-black surface of rubber and plastic feels high-quality and will certainly live up to heavy use both around the house and out on the streets.

TDK has done a great job of getting a nice balanced sound from these headphones. Sure, it tends towards the bassy but not at the sacrifice of overall sound. There are boomier headphones out there but we really liked the vibrancy on offer here.

We tested the TDK ST-700 headphones on our iPhone 4S as well as Windows 7 laptop and even when turning the volume to full, found there was no distortion of sound.

A black cloth carry bag is included, as is a 6.25-inch (quarter inch) headphone jack, which is a neat nod to the serious music fan, which is TDK’s core audience.

The bad

The TDK ST-700 comes with quite a short cable from the cans, ending in a 3.5mm audio jack. This is great if you like to keep cable wires to a minimum but if you keep your music player in your jeans pocket, for example, you’ll need to use the bundled extension cord.

The biggest problem with the TDK ST-700 headphones is that once you’ve worn them for a short period you’ll find them to start feeling a little uncomfortable. The main reason for this seems to be the rather small size of the padded cans themselves, which tend to push onto the ear instead of resting comfortably on or over.

The bottom line

The TDK ST-700 are compact and lightweight on-ear headphones that a great look and a booming but balanced sound. However, in a market that seems to be getting more over-crowded by the day there is little here to differentiate itself.