K701 appreciation thread! - Page 145

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contrails 

G'day everyone,

 

I have some questions regarding the K701. I am very new to this hobby, so please bare with me.  I appreciate everyone's replies.

 

I am looking for a new pair of headphones to upgrade from my HD280.  I am also using an e17 (a very basic and low end set-up).  A while ago, I went to a local audio store where I had the chance to listen to a few headphones.  I listened to LCDs, K701, HD650 and HE400 while plugged into a Burson amp.  I am not sure of the exact model.  I was listening to the live acoustic version of 'Hotel California'.   

 

Most likely, my untrained ears missed the details that differentiate the greats from the good, but the one headphone that really stood out was the k701 with it's projection of music in front of my face.  Initially, I did not like the K701 headphones as they sounded very 'harsh' (the treble seemed really bright).  But I really enjoyed the sound being projected in front of my face.  

 

So, I am planning on going back and having another listen to them.  My plan is to at least spend a good hour listening to them.  

 

So, my first questions is - what songs would you recommend for me listen to through them to make them shine?

 

How is the soundstage affected with different amps? I am planning to use an O2 with e17 as the DAC.  I am wanting good width and dept to the soundstage.

 

Is this with all AKG models or just the K701? Or is there a headphone with that front face projecting sound that has good bass as well? I listen to all genres...  I am guessing the k701 would suit classical and jazz a lot more than electronic.  I plan to use them for jazz and classic rock.

You should listen to music as high-res as possible. If possibly, SACD's. It really is noticeable with K701's.

Some of my favorites....well, in general, are anything live, acoustic, instrumental, classical, blues, jazz, vocal, etc.

Maybe try to get a hold of some binuaral records too.

For example....

A.A. Meyers - Air (2011) in 24/192

Engegårdkvartetten - STRING QUARTETS Beethoven; Nordheim; Bartók (2010) in 24/96

John Holloway - H.I.F. Biber - Unam Ceylum (2012) in 24/96

And then something not classical like...

Hoff Ensemble - Quiet Winter Night (2012) in 24/96

Diana Krall - The Girl In The Other Room (2004) SACD  (2822400 Hz sample rate :P) - sounds absolutely glorious, so much better than CD version. Superb mastering.

Patricia Barber - Verse (2005) SACD - same as the Diana Krall album, just stunningly good sounding.

Fleetwood Mac - Tango in the night (1987) in 24/96

The Eagles - Hotel California - SACD - changed my perception on songs I've heard thousands of times before

Fourplay - Energy (2008) - SACD - such dynamics...clarity, punch....eargasm.

Barney Wilen - French Ballads (1987) - shows how awesome the mids are on K701

Allison Krauss + Union Station - Live (2002) - great live recording

Eric Clapton - Unplugged (live) - also great sounding live record.

Nilf Lofgren - Acoustic Live (1997) - one of my favorite live records, sound awesome, acoustic guitar + vocal, just great.

Vlatko Stefanovski & Miroslav Tadic - Krushevo - probably my favorite of all instrumental guitar records of all time - sounds amazing, there's great ambiance, and music is just awesome.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV-mlPy3TDk

And you definitely have to try out binaural records like:

Amber Rubarth - Sessions from the 17th Ward (2012) - 24/192 - don't have the words to describe the sound here...its as if you're THERE.

Same goes for Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra - Up Close (2008)....  I really wish there were more binaural records out there.  

Thanks for the replies.  'Front face presentation' is probably not the right phrase for it.  

I have added k550 to the list to give the k701 a bit of competition.  

Will play a few songs from the artists you guys mentioned and see how I go.  Will keep you guys updated.  Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contrails 

Thanks for the replies.  'Front face presentation' is probably not the right phrase for it.  

 

I have added k550 to the list to give the k701 a bit of competition.  

 

Will play a few songs from the artists you guys mentioned and see how I go.  Will keep you guys updated.  Thank you.

I absolutely agree with you on the front face presentation.  I find the K701's pretty aggressive (still smooth) and very alive sounding, very sparkly, quick, immediate, punchy. They take your attention 100%. They're not laid back headphones like HD650's which you can have on your head and read a book at the same time. You just can't focus on anything else but music.  I would have expected such sound from Grado's rather than K701's by only reading descriptions of headphones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contrails 

G'day everyone,

How is the soundstage affected with different amps? I am planning to use an O2 with e17 as the DAC.  I am wanting good width and dept to the soundstage.

Generally, the sound-stage will stay wide, since that is one of the key traits of the K701, but different amps can definitely expand it or have clearer instrument separation. The latter is more noticeable with upgraded gear, but the expansion, at least to me, mostly unchanged. I would say it does, but it could very well be me trying to justify my purchase. That, and the clearer separation kind of gives the feeling or "illusion" of a larger sound-stage. Nonetheless, the greatest improvements will be clearer separation, and maybe a change in tonality.

Also, if you enjoyed the K701's, but thought they maybe lacked in the lower end, then you could look in to the K702 anniversary edition.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2enty3 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contrails 

G'day everyone,

How is the soundstage affected with different amps? I am planning to use an O2 with e17 as the DAC.  I am wanting good width and dept to the soundstage.

Generally, the sound-stage will stay wide, since that is one of the key traits of the K701, but different amps can definitely expand it or have clearer instrument separation. The latter is more noticeable with upgraded gear, but the expansion, at least to me, mostly unchanged. I would say it does, but it could very well be me trying to justify my purchase. That, and the clearer separation kind of gives the feeling or "illusion" of a larger sound-stage. Nonetheless, the greatest improvements will be clearer separation, and maybe a change in tonality.

 

Also, if you enjoyed the K701's, but thought they maybe lacked in the lower end, then you could look in to the K702 anniversary edition.

Isn't that some $500 USD? I think I'll pass if that's the case....no need to discuss a spin-off of a Beats Detox-like version of a headphone in this thread.

That being said, the newer K 701's sound similar to the Q 701 supposedly, which sounds warmer than a standard K 702.

I find the K 701's soundstage to be quite wide and true for L/R stereo imaging. Even though the mids are slightly forward and warm-sounding, I don't find them to be in-your-face in terms of presentation. I find the L/R imaging so good in fact, that it leaves much of the "space in between the two channels" kind of lacking in my opinion. It doesn't sound that bad, but sounds aren't as up-front and engaging as other headphones I've heard. Don't get me wrong, I love the K 701, but I do think its center imaging isn't its strong point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by miceblue 

Isn't that some $500 USD? I think I'll pass if that's the case....no need to discuss a spin-off of a Beats Detox-like version of a headphone in this thread.

Considering he was looking at the LCD, I didn't think $500 would be too much for his taste.

And spin-off it is not. Take a look at the dedicated thread to the 65th edition. It does indeed look much nicer, and has a heftier price tag, but has "improved" on the sound of the K701, if you will.

Of course, the "improved" part is completely subjective, as I personally welcome the additional low-end, where others do not not, hence my suggestion if he found the bass to be too light.

And if you ask me, the 65th has better imaging, in that the music is coming from the front and center now, instead of the L/R that you mentioned.

You shouldn't dismiss a headphone merely because of price and looks, when you haven't heard it before.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2enty3 

Quote:

Originally Posted by miceblue 

Isn't that some $500 USD? I think I'll pass if that's the case....no need to discuss a spin-off of a Beats Detox-like version of a headphone in this thread.

Considering he was looking at the LCD, I didn't think $500 would be too much for his taste.

 

And spin-off it is not. Take a look at the dedicated thread to the 65th edition. It does indeed look much nicer, and has a heftier price tag, but has "improved" on the sound of the K701, if you will.

Of course, the "improved" part is completely subjective, as I personally welcome the additional low-end, where others do not not, hence my suggestion if he found the bass to be too light.

 

And if you ask me, the 65th has better imaging, in that the music is coming from the front and center now, instead of the L/R that you mentioned.

 

You shouldn't dismiss a headphone merely because of price and looks, when you haven't heard it before.

Oh OK, mah bad. I thought the K 702 Anniversary Edition was just another re-make of the K 701 like the original K 702 and Q 701 were to an extent (removable cables aside)....and I suppose the new 8-bump K 701.

Quote:

Originally Posted by miceblue 

Oh OK, mah bad. I thought the K 702 Anniversary Edition was just another re-make of the K 701 like the original K 702 and Q 701 were to an extent (removable cables aside)....and I suppose the new 8-bump K 701.

You could compair the differences self - the most differences, the selected capsules for the K702 and Q701 / and the other pads for the K702 65th Anniversary Edition

http://www.akg.com/site/powerslave,id,7,nodeid,7,_language,EN,cat,11.html

K601/K701

http://www.akg.com/mediendatenbank2/psfile/datei/58/k601_k701439d5815555d1.pdf

K702 / K702 65th Anniversary Edition

http://www.akg.com/mediendatenbank2/psfile/datei/4/k70248b2a8664eaf0.pdf

Q701

http://www.akg.com/mediendatenbank2/psfile/datei/34/Q7014ccfcf894bb82.pdf

This hints are posted here often again!

My K701 have 7 pumps and ser# 12750

my Q701 have 8 pumps an ser# 02018

Thanks again for the replies.  I was looking at the LCD, but it was more out of pure curiosity and amazement, not to help my wallet lose weight. 

I am very intrigued by the k702 65th after reading the reviews.  Will post some questions on the relevant thread.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by derbigpr 

And you definitely have to try out binaural records like:

Amber Rubarth - Sessions from the 17th Ward (2012) - 24/192 - don't have the words to describe the sound here...its as if you're THERE.

Same goes for Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra - Up Close (2008)....  I really wish there were more binaural records out there.  

 

Here I post my experience about my compairing K501, Q701, D7000 and use the Amber Rubarth - Sessions from the 17th Ward (on CD) too

http://www.head-fi.org/t/157102/akg-k501-love/810#post_9134621

Out of curiosity, do the K 701 earpads fit your guys' head? For me they generally fit but since the earpad hole is so large, it doesn't get a good seal near the top-forward position.

Right here:

#84506

Had K701's for a few days now, bought new. Defo a little warmer than the K702's and with a bit more body. Really nice well balanced bass. Treble is still fatiguing if the recording is hard. (brass on older classical) But I wouldn't have it any other way;) Mids seem a little thicker and imaging is more centered. Soundstage is a fraction narrower than my old 702's.

I've been looking out for a better compliment to my LCD2's recently and these have beat the HE500's and DT880 to the post. Not saying these are better, just a better for what I want them for. And that is classical/world and ambient. LCD2's are for Jazz... :D 

Quote:

Originally Posted by LugBug1 

#84506

 

Had K701's for a few days now, bought new. Defo a little warmer than the K702's and with a bit more body. Really nice well balanced bass. Treble is still fatiguing if the recording is hard. (brass on older classical) But I wouldn't have it any other way;) Mids seem a little thicker and imaging is more centered. Soundstage is a fraction narrower than my old 702's.

 

I've been looking out for a better compliment to my LCD2's recently and these have beat the HE500's and DT880 to the post. Not saying these are better, just a better for what I want them for. And that is classical/world and ambient. LCD2's are for Jazz... :D 

Wow, that's quite the compliment for the K 701. Usually people would prefer the HE-500 I think due to its awesome bass response.

I love my 701's! I am in the market for a tube amp in the $500-$750 range. In the running so far: PanAm, Woo WA3 or 6 and maybe a Schiit Lyr. Any suggestions about pairings? I also have Senn HD580's and I forsee HD650's in my future.