*' –.– '* Help: Is there a "higher quality" AKG K701? *' –.– '* - Page 3

Ive been using the K701 with the audio-gd Fun and it really does an excellent job with these cans. It's an SS amp and dac. It's just been updated recently and improved.

One thing though, are you guys sure the glow amp is OTL?

I also recommend trying out the K501s if you can find an opportunity. They sound like almost exactly what you want. I use a Bravo V3 tube amp to drive mine and they're lovely for female vocals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kouzelna 

Well, I read a great review from Suzanne on Amazon about the SA5000, and based on that info and others on the 701 vs sa5k thread, that's not the can for me.  

 

Question:

 

As I understand, the higher end Audio Technica are all variations on a theme: same basic sound signature.  I love the M50, but I heard the A950 Ltd and I didn't like the cold, flat, analytical qualities of this can.

 

So that makes me wonder, will I like the AD2000?  Or the W5000?  Probably not?

 

Second, just what is it that makes the K501 any better than the K701?  And where does the K601 fit into this crowd?

 

I've found a few of both, so a good comparison or link to one would be very helpful! 

The W5000 and the SA5000 share a unique sound signature that needs to be offset by the right amp, and the amp that works the best with both of them is the matched amp for the W5000, the HA5000. It' a 100v Japanese-market SS SE amp that needs a step-down transformer to operate on the US. It's totally worth acquiring to get the best out of these two stellar headphones; I have all three for my SE system and love the synergy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kouzelna 

Well, I read a great review from Suzanne on Amazon about the SA5000, and based on that info and others on the 701 vs sa5k thread, that's not the can for me.  

 

Question:

 

As I understand, the higher end Audio Technica are all variations on a theme: same basic sound signature.  I love the M50, but I heard the A950 Ltd and I didn't like the cold, flat, analytical qualities of this can.

 

So that makes me wonder, will I like the AD2000?  Or the W5000?  Probably not?

 

Second, just what is it that makes the K501 any better than the K701?  And where does the K601 fit into this crowd?

 

I've found a few of both, so a good comparison or link to one would be very helpful! 

The A950 as cold, flat, and analytical? And that's with you owning the K701?
 

I haven't heard the A950 myself, but I have heard the A900Ti, and while you can kinda get a bit of the W5000 sound, the W5000 is also considerably different. I'd say its even more analytical (although I'd say its a strength, its detail retrieval is second to none of the headphones I've personally heard), and maybe flatter (the W5000 has sorta an inverse fun curve, while the A900 and derivatives tended toward the fun curve sound), although I don't think I'd call it cold as its a very musical headphone as well (I wouldn't really call the A900s I've heard as cold either though). Considering all the comparisons to the K701 made about the W5000, I would say at least check it out if you can, but I'm surprised by your assessment of the A950. Maybe they were modded, since the blu tak mod was very popular and that can push it to that type of sound.

Ok, just now actually fully read your original post, and I definitely think you should try the W5000. It has a mesmerizing way of presenting sound that I think you will love. Female vocals are definitely a strength, and the highs are present and accounted for without being shrill (although with highs, its always a very, "your mileage may vary"), has good soundstage, and you talk about layers in the music you listen to and that's how I would describe the W5000 presentation. It shows the layers to you. I don't have experience with too many of these other headphones to really tell you if they offer the same or not or any comparisons.

The ATH AD2000 is exactly what you are looking for.

It's a perfect upgrade from the K701 and does extremely well in just about every music genre.

It's on sale for $485 on Amazon right now, which is a bargain to say the least.

Trust me, You're not going to find a better option. They're also really easy to drive and not very source dependent.

Trust me, the ad2000 is eveything but cold and "blah". The mids (especially with female vocals) will literally melt your heart.

The AKG is what most would call cold because of it's analytical sound unlike the ad2000 which is very musical. 

The bass is less than the hd650 but more than the k701 so i'd say its just perfect. 

By A950 do you mean ATH A900? If so, the AD2000 and A900 are like night and day... completely different sound signatures. Also, the w5000 has a different sound signature as well. 

A couple more things to add (sorry if its sounds over simplified or vague, buts it's hard to explain in a small paragraph):

Most people assume that the AT line all sound alike which is not the case. From what I have experienced (and most head-fiers) is that only the bottom two tiers (AD700 & AD900) sound similar.

Both the 700 and 900 both play emphasis on the soundstage so the mids are a bit muffled. Normally this results in the vocalist singing behind the band. Which is Ok but isn't the most natural sound.

The Ad1000 and the Ad2000 switches the sound by playing more importance on the mids, thus narrowing the soundstage but bringing the vocalist up front (more natural). The AD1000 sounds better than the AD900 in terms of sound quality, but it can't hold a candle to the ad2000. 

The W5000 is once again different from all the other AT's. FWIR the sound is excellent for Chamber Classical and Jazz music, probably not what you're looking for as it's less versatile with every genre.

I got an Audio Technica W1000 and I thought it had a sound signature similar to the K701s. After awhile, I realized that they had what I thought the K701s were missing: nice mids. Mids that make vocals sound so natural that it made me excited like a little child again. I haven't felt like that for a long time.

Then I got the W5000s. I thought the W5000s sounded far too much like a studio monitor to me. Kind of bland and not exciting. I have AD2000s coming in this Friday. Can't wait to listen to them. From what I have read, the AD2000 should sound very different.

If you like the HD650 except for the amount of bass, why don't you just use your equalizer to tone it down?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kouzelna 

 

 

........The Solution?   

 

I'm wondering what I can find in a K701 sound signature with that awesome accuracy, precision and soundstage, that sounds a little smoother and higher quality.  ( I didn't like the 650 because it is a bit muted sounding, and muddy on detailed passages to my tastes, and the soundstage isn't nearly as wide as I like.  For example, the 701 picked up many details the 650 totally left out )........

 

 

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by volume 

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

 

What are you getting us to do.

Retaining the AKG K701 sound as described by Kouzelna whilst adding the missing requirements. Bear in mind that the recommended headphones were originally as, if not more expensive than the K701s.