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The final two...DT-990 Vs K701

post #1 of 19
8/7/07 at 2:52pm
Thread Starter 
ok after driving myself(and head-fi)crazy,with many threads...
i have decided to get either DT-990,or K701.
DT-990 Pros:
1.good for rock(i listen to alot of rock)
2.great bass.
3.too much highs.

Cons-
1.not enough midrange.

K-701 pros:
1.soundstage.
2.clarity.
3.details.
4.better midrange than DT-990.

Cons:
1.no bass at all
2.too cold and sterile sounding.
3.thin sounding at times.
4.not good for rock and metal at all.

i have 2 questions:
1.how bad is the midrange on dt-990?
2.how much bass does the k-701 lack?do they have less bass than my sr-80?
3.how do each of them perform with classic rock and prog rock?
4.which one of them have better instrument speration?

i love and need bass...but still want clarity....so i really cannot decide...
i guess you can't have it all \=
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post #2 of 19
8/7/07 at 2:56pm
From your last statement alone I would recommend the 990s. I love my K701s and feel they do fine with bass but if you are putting that much emphasis on bass presentation then, IMO, the 990s are the clear choice.

And, yes - I do own both.
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post #3 of 19
8/7/07 at 4:04pm
I'm also interested in knowing the amount of bass the 701 got, any reference??
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post #4 of 19
8/7/07 at 4:27pm
I have them both and like them both, but for my ears the K701s are better. A few observations....

- The mids in the 990s are more of a problem than the bass in the K701. The K701s have great bass extensiona and a very tight presentation. It just sometimes seems a little bass light because of the great wide stage and a lack of background energy in the lower mids / upper bass. There is no "bloat" at all in the 701s and I think a lot of folks like bloat.......

- No contest, imho, in terms of separation. The K701 excels in this regard and that is part of what makes them stellar for classical/jazz.

- For prog rock I could see it going either way. For good old classic rock, I would lean 990 - that is where they are probably near the best. Plus you would likely turn that up a bit and maybe compensate a bit foir the recessed mids. At least for me, i have found that a litttle volume (maybe too much) gets the mids to a place that seems less sucked out.

- One other option - MS2i. Once you get used to the clarity and precision of the K701s, it is sort of tough to switch. The MS2is have that clarity and give you some bass wallop at the same time. More aggressive than either of these 2, but less than other Grados. I modded mine with some Ultrasone pads and really like the toned down presentation that still keeps detail, clarity, and (most of) the impact intact.
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post #5 of 19
8/7/07 at 4:37pm
Bass is deep but not full on the 701. I would say the bass is similar, but not less than the SR-80.
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post #6 of 19
8/7/07 at 4:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by senns&nonsense View Post
I have them both and like them both, but for my ears the K701s are better. A few observations....

- The mids in the 990s are more of a problem than the bass in the K701. The K701s have great bass extensiona and a very tight presentation. It just sometimes seems a little bass light because of the great wide stage and a lack of background energy in the lower mids / upper bass. There is no "bloat" at all in the 701s and I think a lot of folks like bloat.......

- No contest, imho, in terms of separation. The K701 excels in this regard and that is part of what makes them stellar for classical/jazz.

- For prog rock I could see it going either way. For good old classic rock, I would lean 990 - that is where they are probably near the best. Plus you would likely turn that up a bit and maybe compensate a bit foir the recessed mids. At least for me, i have found that a litttle volume (maybe too much) gets the mids to a place that seems less sucked out.

- One other option - MS2i. Once you get used to the clarity and precision of the K701s, it is sort of tough to switch. The MS2is have that clarity and give you some bass wallop at the same time. More aggressive than either of these 2, but less than other Grados. I modded mine with some Ultrasone pads and really like the toned down presentation that still keeps detail, clarity, and (most of) the impact intact.
I agree with just about everything stated (though I can't comment on the MS2i) except perhaps prog rock going either way - I would lean towards the 990s. I too have no issues with the bass on the K701s but I can also understand how so many consider it too lean. Like most headphones, your ears adjust. Jump from the 990s to the 701s and initially you might wonder what happened to the bass. But after a few minutes you readjust and realize the 701s do just fine.

I recommended the 990s due to the OP's last statement because the 990s bass presence is more pronounced but it is also very controlled.
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post #7 of 19
8/7/07 at 4:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by senns&nonsense View Post
I have them both and like them both, but for my ears the K701s are better. A few observations....

- The mids in the 990s are more of a problem than the bass in the K701. The K701s have great bass extensiona and a very tight presentation. It just sometimes seems a little bass light because of the great wide stage and a lack of background energy in the lower mids / upper bass. There is no "bloat" at all in the 701s and I think a lot of folks like bloat.......

- No contest, imho, in terms of separation. The K701 excels in this regard and that is part of what makes them stellar for classical/jazz.

- For prog rock I could see it going either way. For good old classic rock, I would lean 990 - that is where they are probably near the best. Plus you would likely turn that up a bit and maybe compensate a bit foir the recessed mids. At least for me, i have found that a litttle volume (maybe too much) gets the mids to a place that seems less sucked out.

- One other option - MS2i. Once you get used to the clarity and precision of the K701s, it is sort of tough to switch. The MS2is have that clarity and give you some bass wallop at the same time. More aggressive than either of these 2, but less than other Grados. I modded mine with some Ultrasone pads and really like the toned down presentation that still keeps detail, clarity, and (most of) the impact intact.
That one line is probably one of the biggest reasons I'll never let go of my K701. They always pull me back in.
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post #8 of 19
8/7/07 at 5:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pearljam5000 View Post

i have 2 questions:
1.how bad is the midrange on dt-990?
2.how much bass does the k-701 lack?do they have less bass than my sr-80?
3.how do each of them perform with classic rock and prog rock?
4.which one of them have better instrument speration?

i love and need bass...but still want clarity....so i really cannot decide...
i guess you can't have it all \=
1. I didn't hear much of a midrange on the DT990, but that was using a HR Microstack at the time, but on the other hand, I could really hear the mids on the Grado or AKG 701s. IMHO, it was really lacking for my tastes.

2. I think the bass on the AKG 701 is quite good, but it might not be what you are searching for in regards to rock. I hear more bass with my GCHA setup, but rock sounds best with my Grados IMO.

3. I think they both did okay, but again I thought the Grados were better.

4. By far I thought the AKG 701s did a better job at that.

Just a question, have you heard a SR225, SR325i (I don't have one yet, but I hear it has great bass), or RS1? Even a SR80 would be a good start since it has more bass than the SR60. The Grado line really does wonderful with rock and classic rock. I would give those a listen before you make a final decision. Truth be told that I first tried the AKG 701, HD 650s, and DT990s, before giving the Grados a chance. I read on head-fi that they were uncomfortable and bright so I stayed away from them. In the end, my friend had gotten a SR225, and I loved them immediately. It was the sound I was searching for all that time, Then I moved up to more higher end Grados. Not to say you will like the Grados or fine them good; that's for your ears to determine. But, I would definitely give them a chance since I know Pearl Jam rocks with Grados. Good luck
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post #9 of 19
8/7/07 at 5:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pearljam5000 View Post
i have 2 questions:
1.how bad is the midrange on dt-990?
2.how much bass does the k-701 lack?do they have less bass than my sr-80?
3.how do each of them perform with classic rock and prog rock?
4.which one of them have better instrument speration?
The DT990 doesn't have a bad midrange in my opinion, its ok, but not as good as the K701 can produce.
The K701 has more bass than the SR80 which is lacking very much in low bass. The bass on the K701 isn't strong, but with a good amp it'll go low.
The K701 are nice cans for acoustical music but with rock I dont like them as they are just too civilized and smooth. The DT990 on the other hand are more engaging yet a little harsh on treble. I think the DT990 will be better if you dont mind some harshness in the highs. If you prefer a smooth sound the K701 are better, a matter of taste.
Separation in the K701 is better IMO.

BTW, since I know you are from Israel, read here:
http://hwzone.co.il/community/index....104#msg2291104
I've organized a few headphone meets in Israel, in the last one we had both of them (and a few other cans including the K340's I recommended you earlier) you can read some impressions over there.
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post #10 of 19
8/7/07 at 5:55pm
I personally enjoy music more when the bass is controlled and fills the music without thumping over the rest.

DT990's bass thumps right over the entire midrange until you hit that high end sizzle (and I do mean sizzle!). Some people enjoy the bass like that, but I think it detracts so very much from the rest of the music. I loved the 880's bass, though it could have used a hair more naturally, but the 990's are out of control.
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post #11 of 19
8/7/07 at 6:06pm
REDO - x2 on the thumping. That is the annoying part of the 990 (for me) and I think it is what some people like and call "fun". I don't get it, but worth auditioning to see how one feels.....

Warrior - You are probably right about the prog rock. I was just thinking how some of the quirkier stuff from Bright Eyes and/or The Decemberists sounds very cool on the K701s, but The Eagles (for example) need the 990s. And the thumping.....
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post #12 of 19
8/7/07 at 6:45pm
Thread Starter 
thanks for the help.
the answer is no,but...i do have SR-80,which i love,but they do lack bass,but maybe that's because all i have is an mp3 player... and no amp.
regarding SR225....i have read they very good for rock,but i need headphones for all types of music,and...from what i have read,they sound just a tad better than my sr-80...so im not sure they are worth the extra money.
and by the way... pearl jam rocks hard even when played with 5$ earbuds



Quote:
Originally Posted by riceboy View Post
1. I didn't hear much of a midrange on the DT990, but that was using a HR Microstack at the time, but on the other hand, I could really hear the mids on the Grado or AKG 701s. IMHO, it was really lacking for my tastes.

2. I think the bass on the AKG 701 is quite good, but it might not be what you are searching for in regards to rock. I hear more bass with my GCHA setup, but rock sounds best with my Grados IMO.

3. I think they both did okay, but again I thought the Grados were better.

4. By far I thought the AKG 701s did a better job at that.

Just a question, have you heard a SR225, SR325i (I don't have one yet, but I hear it has great bass), or RS1? Even a SR80 would be a good start since it has more bass than the SR60. The Grado line really does wonderful with rock and classic rock. I would give those a listen before you make a final decision. Truth be told that I first tried the AKG 701, HD 650s, and DT990s, before giving the Grados a chance. I read on head-fi that they were uncomfortable and bright so I stayed away from them. In the end, my friend had gotten a SR225, and I loved them immediately. It was the sound I was searching for all that time, Then I moved up to more higher end Grados. Not to say you will like the Grados or fine them good; that's for your ears to determine. But, I would definitely give them a chance since I know Pearl Jam rocks with Grados. Good luck
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post #13 of 19
8/7/07 at 6:53pm
I have not heard the 225, but given your desire for clarity and bass, I keep thinking the MS2is make sense.

I find that they are flexible/neutral enough for all genres, rival the K701s for clarity, and have the bass and (just enough) aggressive presentation for rock.
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post #14 of 19
8/7/07 at 6:55pm
You can always use EQ to tone down the DT990 bass if it's too much for you (I've noticed that toning down bass with EQ works much better than boosting up bass).
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post #15 of 19
8/7/07 at 6:58pm
Do both of these phones need to be amp'd?
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