ALO AKG701 Mod JenaLabs 18AWG Cryo

The Ultimate Audiophile Headphone - The ALO JenaLabs 18G Cryo AKG701

I have recently adopted the same JenaLabs 18AWG Cryo Headphone cable we are attaching to the Ultrasone HFI780s for the AKG 701 headphone with amazing results. The barrier for doing this mod was and always been the delicate internals of the AKG701. This is no longer a problem with my new method of modifications being done to these wonderful headphones. If your after the most resolving, open and airy sounding headphone these are the ticket, overtaking my previous reference headphone. The best of the best.



I spent a lot of time thinking about how to tackle the problem of attaching the large gauge JenaLabs 18AWG Ultra Wire to the AKG701 headphones. There were many obstacles preventing us in using the JenaLabs 18G wire in this application. After extensive testing and tinkering to find a way around the mechanical problems while not compromising the sound or durability problems. The result is perhaps the worlds finest production headphone. The stock AKG 701 already being a top audiophile headphone is propelled to the top of the headphone heap. The true potential of the AKG701 is unleashed in the ALO JenaLabs 18G Cryo modified 701's. The new AKG 701 headphone comes with a Cryogenically treated JenaLabs 18G headphone cable installed, terminated to a gold 1/4 plug. Please email me for longer lengths.

The headphone cable is made from 4 x 18 gauge JenaLabs Cryo Ultra Wire. Each UW strand is an ultra high purity 99.9999%, linear crystal, stress-free, super annealed, micro-polished, ultra fine stranded copper conductor. It is jacked in modified PE dielectric which offers dissipation and dielectric constant figures similar to Teflon, but without its mechanical resonance problems. Moreover a special extrusion process allows the insulation to exert and tremendous inward redial force on the wire strands, thus reducing audio smearing micro-vibrations. UW is Immersion CRYO treated by JenaLabs proprietary process.

I have the ALO AKG701s for sale now. These are made from brand new AKG701s we buy and modify. We are not offering this mod for users headphones and will only be selling them new with the JL 18G cables installed. For more information please visit www.ALOaudio.com

Its a 6 foot cable, the 1/4 plug can be a number if brands and this one just happens to be a Furutech. The price reflects what work has to be done and time to do it as well as what the improvements that are made sonically. I have yet to hear a better sounding open back production headphone.

Ken

I just answered a email along the same lines. Here is the email I sent and I think it captures my position on this with regards to the cost issue.

Sir,

Its took me a long time to figure out how to do this mod. The whole process is pretty involved but basically your paying for the innovation, materials, time to do the mod and what I believe to be a super product. If you can produce the best sounding headphone I think the price is correct. I have a pair of $900 GS1000s and my AKG701 is better. This AKG mod is the most difficult headphone to do correctly but the end result is well worth it. I understand the price is high but I also feel it to be correct. As a business person I have to ask for what I do in order for me to remain in business. I do not make a high volume of anything but what I do want to do and continue doing is make a small volume of very high quality products with good customer service.

I can terminate the headphone to what every plug you want. Yes Furutech plugs I do have and also include a 1/4 to mini adapter.

Again thank you

Ken

I prefer these to my E9s however keep in mind that the E9s are closed and the 701s are open. The E9s are portable and the 701s are not. The reproduction of sound made in the 701s are more resolving IMO. If I wanted to listen to classical, Jazz, chamber music, blues, acoustic music, vocals etc.. the 18G modded 701s are simply not touchable. For hip hop rock funk I would probably would go with the E9s but not always.

I will have a pair of the 18G 701s at my table for people to try, perhaps an extra pair if someone whats to borrow them for a while.

I am sure I will get some people who will bash me for the price tag (I am use this it is nothing new for me) and I am not too concerned about that. People are free to go and buy a Stefan AudioArt cable for less. I only ask that people not bash me or others for the price issue, its all relative and this hobby is not cheap. I want to make the best gear I possibly can regardless of the cost of material and time it takes to assemble.

Thanks

Ken