Disorganized thoughts only right now. My full-length three-way review is not going to happen for a while, as I have to burn in two of these 3 headphones. 
Since my full-lengther isn't going to be for a while I thought I would just throw this up with quick impressions.
First, it should be noted that I got the K501 used with a handful of hours on it (less than 10 from what I understand) and the K601 brand-new. The K601 currently has about 20 hours on it.
These 3 headphones are definitely all about 2 vs 1 - the K701 and K601 vs the K501. I know, the K501 and K601 aren't burned in yet, but it's pretty obvious what burn-in won't do (it doesn't work thank-the-lord-I've-got-bass-after-1000-hours! type miracles folks, let's get real). The K501 clearly has its own signature while the K601 and K701 are actually quite similar. I'm just going to come out and say it: the K501 isn't a bad headphone, it has its strengths. But the K601 is definitely worth the jump, it's a taste of more than 67% of the K701, for a good amount less. I might regret saying this later but I'll just do it anyway - the K601 is the value killer in this round-up! Bass is already satisfyingly deep, it's got nice and warm mids, the trademark AKG female-vocal emphasis, and good clean highs. The highs aren't very extended but who expects them to be? It's all you need really - I don't know why anyone would consider <$300 headphones if they want a response that high.
Yes, the K501 has a lack of bass. It's actually really noticeable. Its signature just lacks weight. I'm completely guessing without doing a formal test in saying that it probably drops off around 45-50 Hz (I'll try to get a number later). However it's very crisp and clean, and has a great transient response. It actually doesn't sound too unlike a Grado. Has a great attack too. Focal point is in the upper-mids on this one.
The K601 sounds a bit more full than the K701 right now. It sounds less tonally-neutral than the K701 - a bit more coloration over the mid- and upper-mids. Focal point is on the mid mids here. It already sounds more involving than the K701 - more engaging, more of that emotional factor. I'm starting to suspect that maybe AKG designed the K601 for pleasure-based listening and the K701 for monitoring.
All 3 sound great with tubes, no question. So eargasmic - it's like a hot sexy woman grabbing you and jumping you. Or something like that.
That's all for now, will provide a couple more updates over the weekend.
Since my full-lengther isn't going to be for a while I thought I would just throw this up with quick impressions.First, it should be noted that I got the K501 used with a handful of hours on it (less than 10 from what I understand) and the K601 brand-new. The K601 currently has about 20 hours on it.
These 3 headphones are definitely all about 2 vs 1 - the K701 and K601 vs the K501. I know, the K501 and K601 aren't burned in yet, but it's pretty obvious what burn-in won't do (it doesn't work thank-the-lord-I've-got-bass-after-1000-hours! type miracles folks, let's get real). The K501 clearly has its own signature while the K601 and K701 are actually quite similar. I'm just going to come out and say it: the K501 isn't a bad headphone, it has its strengths. But the K601 is definitely worth the jump, it's a taste of more than 67% of the K701, for a good amount less. I might regret saying this later but I'll just do it anyway - the K601 is the value killer in this round-up! Bass is already satisfyingly deep, it's got nice and warm mids, the trademark AKG female-vocal emphasis, and good clean highs. The highs aren't very extended but who expects them to be? It's all you need really - I don't know why anyone would consider <$300 headphones if they want a response that high.
Yes, the K501 has a lack of bass. It's actually really noticeable. Its signature just lacks weight. I'm completely guessing without doing a formal test in saying that it probably drops off around 45-50 Hz (I'll try to get a number later). However it's very crisp and clean, and has a great transient response. It actually doesn't sound too unlike a Grado. Has a great attack too. Focal point is in the upper-mids on this one.
The K601 sounds a bit more full than the K701 right now. It sounds less tonally-neutral than the K701 - a bit more coloration over the mid- and upper-mids. Focal point is on the mid mids here. It already sounds more involving than the K701 - more engaging, more of that emotional factor. I'm starting to suspect that maybe AKG designed the K601 for pleasure-based listening and the K701 for monitoring.
All 3 sound great with tubes, no question. So eargasmic - it's like a hot sexy woman grabbing you and jumping you. Or something like that.
That's all for now, will provide a couple more updates over the weekend.
