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Does the AKG K701/2 do anything better than HD800?

post #1 of 194
2/2/10 at 8:38pm
Thread Starter 
Many have stated that the HD800 are like AKG K701 on steroids, or that it's a refined or improved version of AKG K701 with more bass.

Does the AKG K701/2 do anything better than HD800?
If yes, in what areas?
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post #2 of 194
2/2/10 at 8:53pm
Not really... Having heard both quite a bit, I can not think of a single thing the K701 does better except cost a whole lot less and be way cooler. (I find the HD800 extremely unappealing.)

SQ wise it's no contest AT ALL.
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post #3 of 194
2/2/10 at 9:09pm


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post #4 of 194
2/2/10 at 9:13pm
Yes, in my experience the K702 still have bigger sound stage with a better depth and overall the 3D sphere it's more complete and easy to pinpoint the direction of the sound (great for studio mix/mastering). Compare to my 702 the 800 have some boost on the upper bass lowermids, that make them more bassy ( I like it, but it's not sounds natural or balanced with the rest of the FR ). The high mids sound laid-back in relation with the bass/low mid( I don't like) . Remind me of the 650 just with better resolution. The 800 are great hps if you coming from the 650, or suffer from the "I don't hear have bass" syndrome. Members will have hard time to admit that they sound similar in term of sound resolution, not to mention the ridicules price tag of the 800.
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post #5 of 194
2/3/10 at 12:37am
There has always been a fanboy bias toward the high end Sennheisers on here since I can remember. I am sure it upsets a few people that you would even dare compare the two lol.
Reading between the lines if a headphone is compared to a high end Sennheiser and they are said to be about equal its probably a good bit better. I am surprised there is even some criticism of the HD800. Back in the day if you criticized the HD600 you would be flamed.
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post #6 of 194
2/3/10 at 12:51am
No comparison. Have compared both side by side using exactly the same setup.
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post #7 of 194
2/3/10 at 1:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chinesekiwi View Post
No comparison. Have compared both side by side using exactly the same setup.
Who's your winner?
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post #8 of 194
2/3/10 at 1:22am
HD800 by a mile. It's in a different league (so are the pricetags).
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post #9 of 194
2/3/10 at 2:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Acix View Post
Yes, in my experience the K702 still have bigger sound stage with a better depth and overall the 3D sphere it's more complete and easy to pinpoint the direction of the sound (great for studio mix/mastering). Compare to my 702 the 800 have some boost on the upper bass lowermids, that make them more bassy ( I like it, but it's not sounds natural or balanced with the rest of the FR ). The high mids sound laid-back in relation with the bass/low mid( I don't like) . Remind me of the 650 just with better resolution. The 800 are great hps if you coming from the 650, or suffer from the "I don't hear have bass" syndrome. Members will have hard time to admit that they sound similar in term of sound resolution, not to mention the ridicules price tag of the 800.
Is it opposite day?
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post #10 of 194
2/3/10 at 2:25am
The 701 is much whiter. No contest.
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post #11 of 194
2/3/10 at 2:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhythmdevils View Post
Is it opposite day?
LOL Couldn't help it.

There must be something that the AKG K701 excels at over the HD800.
For example: HD800 is a superior headphone to the Grado RS1 and AH-D7000 but I believe the Grado RS1 excels at rock over HD800 and AH-D7000 excels at Bass Impact and Thump for bass heavy music. Of course others may disagree but even though certain phones may be inferior but still able to excel at some things or some music.
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post #12 of 194
2/3/10 at 2:53am
Okay. In repeated listening sessions with different people, there's no question that the K701/2 excels at chamber music and Renaissance/baroque music. The clarity and delicacy of the sound is very impressive.

The HD800 lacks the light touch of the K701 for the aforementioned music.
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post #13 of 194
2/3/10 at 6:25am
Less wallet damage!
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post #14 of 194
2/3/10 at 6:32am
I was under the impression that AKG standards were lowered when they introduced the K701/702, I was told they made better headphones prior to these, wouldn't that make the company to be in a different league especially if their K701's and K702's are compared to the HD 800
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post #15 of 194
2/3/10 at 6:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by spinali View Post
Okay. In repeated listening sessions with different people, there's no question that the K701/2 excels at chamber music and Renaissance/baroque music. The clarity and delicacy of the sound is very impressive.

The HD800 lacks the light touch of the K701 for the aforementioned music.
'light touch' meaning more bright coloured = more unbalanced. the K701's soundstage was really like a 'in construction' version of the HD800's resolved soundstage.
Anyway, as an off-note, the 'Opposite Day' episode of Spongebob = an oldie but a goodie
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