AKG K701 vs Ultra' PROline 2500

[Rayz]

Hey...
This is my second post here and I hope you'll help me this time. (:

I would like to know who's the one who better from the following headphones in high detailing sound music.- Ultrasone PROline 2500 or AKG K701? or there's something better?

(Open or close doesn't matter, gonna amp them)

Thanks.

[manuvajpai]

K701 is one of the most detailed phones for the price, almost to a fault. It is very popular amongst studios for that reason. The trouble with it is that since it is a low impedance phone, it requires more current to reach sufficient audio levels, and therefore needs a quality amp. Remember, not all amps are created equal.

Please post the details of your source (CD player/ipod/computer soundcard etc.) and your current headphone amplification setup so that others can recommend you one of them. More importantly, mention the music of your choice. Each of these headphones has specific genres they do/don't shine with.

[MacedonianHero]

Originally Posted by Rayz

Hey...
This is my second post here and I hope you'll help me this time. (:

I would like to know who's the one who better from the following headphones in high detailing sound music.- Ultrasone PROline 2500 or AKG K701? or there's something better?

(Open or close doesn't matter, gonna amp them)

Thanks.

IMO with the proper amp, the AKG K701 mops the floor with the Ultrasone. It's not even close here! These are probably the best headphones out there with regards to micro details and soundstage.

[Rayz]

I see...
Thanks you both.

The amp gonna be just my next new soundcard - ASUS Xonar Essence STX who includes amp... I don't know if it's enough for the AKG K701...

[MacedonianHero]

Originally Posted by Rayz

I see...
Thanks you both.

The amp gonna be just my next new soundcard - ASUS Xonar Essence STX who includes amp... I don't know if it's enough for the AKG K701...

Hold on there...a new sound card will most likely NOT do with these cans. You will need an external amp with a whole lotta juice!

[oqvist]

Both Ultrasone and AKGs are certainly popular in the studio

Sure there is better amps then that on the Essence ST but it was really very efficient for my K701. Most is the synergy the op amps surely don´t skimp on bass and roll off the highs just a tad. I liked the K701 better on that then on my Slee Solo. I always thought the Slee Solo was a great match for it. Even though it was never enough to make me preferr it over my ultrasone Pro 900 for most music.

As for soundstaging K701 puts everything far away from you whereas the ultrasones gives kind of one slot for each instrument. Both are quite easy to keep track of different instruments surely even though the soundstaging of the Ultrasones feels more natural for me. If you only listen to music K701 does impress often with live concerts where you do want it distant often

[Acix]

The K701/2 are more balanced then any Ultrasones. Sound stage the high detailing, the K702 it's the one.

[Graphicism]

Originally Posted by MacedonianHero

IMO with the proper amp, the AKG K701 mops the floor with the Ultrasone. It's not even close here! These are probably the best headphones out there with regards to micro details and soundstage.

While I haven't heard the PROline 2500s the AKG K701 completely fails in comparison with HFI 780s. They have an entire frequency missing in the bass department, as I and others have said it's like the bass player doesn't show up. In direct comparison there are nuances completely missing from the 701s and no low-end texture. Even with the likes of classical, you will get a good idea of the stage and direction of music but not of the timbre. The only time I would consider using the 701s would be for studio monitoring and there not even marketed towards that, with there adds showing DJs using them at gigs, it's silly.

If you want to monitor music, like a very airy sound get the K701s. If you want to hear the full spectrum of music, fast and detailed go with the Ultrasones.

[bhanja_trinanjan]

K701 lacks timbre at low volumes. A lot of that timbre comes back at realistic concert levels.

[MomijiTMO]

I drove my K701 off the STX for a week and it felt ok at the time. Then on to amp land and I noticed a nice small positive difference. Going back to the STX this morning was surprising because I noticed how slow and muddy it sounded in some faster songs.

I'm actually considering the 2500s because they supposedly have a bit more bass.

You'll find it difficult to get a verdict on the K701s because you have people who like them, people who loathe them, people who like them who completely forget about the neutral bass, people who hate them who omit their strengths etc.

[bhanja_trinanjan]

Yes... The K701 is nothing short of a phenomenon. It is a very very interesting headphone. It loves power and needs to be played at realistic dB to sound correct.

[Rayz]

Oh man, you guys are making me confusing.
'Guess I have to try them both and find out who's the one I like the most...