*' –.– '* Help: Is there a "higher quality" AKG K701? *' –.– '* - Page 2

I would strongly recommend either the AKG K280 parabolic or K340 Electrostatic-dynamic headphones. All the detail of the K702s but with more 'meat' to the sound. The K280s can out sound stage the K702s with their four drivers and the K340 has a similar depth to the sound. Some K340s are described as bass heavy and others are not. I would say mine are not. Both are available on ebay, often in very good if not NOS condition for £20-£50 for the K280 and £60-£150 for the K340s.

Keep your K701, and wait AKG announce their new flagship.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prog Rock Man 

I would strongly recommend either the AKG K280 parabolic or K340 Electrostatic-dynamic headphones. All the detail of the K702s but with more 'meat' to the sound. The K280s can out sound stage the K702s with their four drivers and the K340 has a similar depth to the sound. Some K340s are described as bass heavy and others are not. I would say mine are not. Both are available on ebay, often in very good if not NOS condition for £20-£50 for the K280 and £60-£150 for the K340s.

I don't know mate, could sonic nirvana be attained under 200 pounds.

What are you getting us to do.

I also recommend you look into the Audio-Technica AD2000's

i think i'm gonna stand by my first post.

unless you can step up to high end cans, anything you buy will be a side-grade.

if you like the k702, chances are you'll like it even more with a better source and amp.

that is where the money should go for now... 

trust me, they scale up.  big time.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MacedonianHero  


"For the money (under $1K), then no. I'd stick with the K701s and try and build up your system (amp/dac/ source/cables....in that order) around them. They ( K70x) do scale quite nicely."


I pretty much agree with one slight alteration:


Amp/source/dac/cables


The AKG K-70x headphones are, IMHO, the best headphone for the price. Especially typical used street prices ($200 or less). So you already have a solid foundation. Since they do scale so well, improving the amp/source/dac (and to some extent cables after you've found the right setup) will nicely improve the performance of the AKG.

I prefer this order better...

by source upgrade, we mean that you can purchase an external DAC (digital-to-analog converter) for your PC listening.

it will provide a noticeable improvement over a stock sound card (if that's what you're using).

regarding the glow audio.  just so we're clear, there's a difference between "works" and "is optimal."

the k701 are some PICKY headphones.

until you've heard them powered by some of the higher end amps, and supplied with a really resolving source, you haven't heard what they are capable of.

that's why we're trying to steer you toward an external dac and a nice solid state amp. 

or, you can just buy another set of headphones, and not notice any improvement from the K701s.  just different sound. 

just to reiterate. i'm not bashing your glow amp.

it's that i personally don't feel that tubes are best for the k701s.  especially an OTL tube amp.

solid state amps work better with those cans.  to my ears it's quite pronounced.

If you're willing to try the closed route, look into ATH-A2000X, will be right up your alley.  It is very efficient, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWuss 

just to reiterate. i'm not bashing your glow amp.

it's that i personally don't feel that tubes are best for the k701s.  especially an OTL tube amp.

 

solid state amps work better with those cans.  to my ears it's quite pronounced.

You should add that hybrid tube amps also do, report-ably, well with the K701.

But, an OTL amp would have trouble pushing enough wattage into those low impedance cans.

No love for the K601? From the couple times I have heard it, it is a step in the right direction regarding the anorexic bass issue of the K701 while keeping a similar sound across the mids and highs. 

All that and the K601 are less expensive!