AKG Q701 + Total bithead amp = ????

You will certainly enjoy the difference. In the long run, there are ways to maximize your enjoyment (sound quality-wise), but for now just enjoy your new headphones! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohaooa 

Hello everyone,

 

I am in now way considered an audiophile although I would really like to be. I have been listening to music through my stock iPhone 4 headphones for quite some time now and decided I wanted a MAJOR upgrade. I went ahead and ordered the new AKG Q701 Quincy Jones Signature Line reference headphones and the total bithead amp from amazon.com and the are both expected to arrive tomorrow Nov. 2. I also downloaded an entire library of lossless music as I anxiously await my gear to arrive. My question is to those more experienced listeners and audiophiles. Am I going to notice an unbelievable difference between my current setup (Apple earphones) and my new one? Could you describe the difference? And do the two products I ordered work well together? Forgive my noobiness and many thanks in advance!!

 

P.S.

 

I will post pics once I receive the order

Since when did either the Q701 or Total Bithead become High-end Audio?

Oh...and Welcome to Head-fi.

Well, it's high end to those who have been stuck in the mortar store scene and really only knew of low end Sony, Bose, Skullcandy.

The K701/2 (or Quincy Jones line if you must) is still highly regarded around here, enough that people love to match them up against headphones worth 4 times the price.

I know they're mid-fi, but have a lot of high fi enthusiasm...

I myself just use them mainly for gaming, and don't care too much for it's flavor of sound for music, but they are definitely hi-fi for me for my use.

I hate to burst your bubble, but the Total Bithead won't have enough power for the Q701's.  I have tried that USB/DAC/amp with the very similar K701, and there just isn't enough juice.  Heck, for early 80's CDs mastered at a low volume, the Total Bithead runs out of juice with all of the Grado SR80i, SR125i, SR225i, SR325is, and MS2i.  And Grados are relatively easy to drive.

The Total Bithead is powered by a max of 6V from the batteries (5V from USB), and that just doesn't compare to amps powered by a wall wart.  (12V to 18V).

I don't understand why you wouldn't ask about this combo before the purchase. 

And personally, I don't like the K701.  Way too much treble emphasis.  Not enough bass for my tastes, and I'm not a basshead by any stretch of the imagination.  See more here:

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacedonianHero 

Since when did either the Q701 or Total Bithead become High-end Audio?

 

Oh...and Welcome to Head-fi.

What's wrong with you?  To whom or what are you responding?

He wants a "MAJOR upgrade" from stock Apple headphones and that's exactly what he's getting with his order.  He's asking this forum to explain both the attributes of the upgrade he's getting, as well as how well the two devices will work together.  Does your experience lead you to suggest that his new gear is not an upgrade to his current buds?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schweiz 

 

What's wrong with you?  To whom or what are you responding?

 

He wants a "MAJOR upgrade" from stock Apple headphones and that's exactly what he's getting with his order.  He's asking this forum to explain both the attributes of the upgrade he's getting, as well as how well the two devices will work together.  Does your experience lead you to suggest that his new gear is not an upgrade to his current buds?

 

Sure it is an upgrade....

Take it easy mate 

Just ignore any of these people that want to ruin your fun. The k701 (q701) is a good headphone, but it's VERY difficult to drive in my experience. Even harder then my HD-600!

As far as I know, the Total Airhead and the Bithead are almost the same. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Airhead was not enough to power the k701 to 100%.

It will sound fine and even good, but will not make full use of the k701. There will be a little lack of bass.

The Total Airhead is one good amp and I love mine. I accidentally killed mine once and I ended up buying a second one. I just highly doubt there is a portable amp that can power the k701 well.

Some people seem to think though that the k701 will sound perfect with just an E5, so maybe it will work out well.

If you have a receiver or a large stereo system, that actually may power the q701 better! My Onkyo receiver actually sounded better with my old k701 over my Airhead.

BTW my airhead had enough power to even power my HD-600 decently. Not to make full use of it, but enough to make it sound good and with actual bass! I would never suggest that combination though.

From what i've heard, some of the cheaper solid state amps even have problems with the k701. Maybe not the Matrix M-stage, but I haven't checked yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schweiz 

 

What's wrong with you?  To whom or what are you responding?

 

He wants a "MAJOR upgrade" from stock Apple headphones and that's exactly what he's getting with his order.  He's asking this forum to explain both the attributes of the upgrade he's getting, as well as how well the two devices will work together.  Does your experience lead you to suggest that his new gear is not an upgrade to his current buds?

please calm down. this thread was originally posted or double posted in the "High-end Audio" Forum where it didn't belong.

As Mad Lust Envy already said, for those who are coming from the really low end. A headphone from this class will certainly be a noticeable improvement if that's the first ever step to higher end gear. Even without the amp the improvement will be there. It's a different story when you have already listened to different very high end audio equipment, because your standards (ears) are higher by then.

An amp is not nesseary but will certainly improve your perception in SQ. As for the synergy you'll have to find out yourself. The Q701 is relatively recent to the market so there haven't been much people talking about their experience with an specific amp yet.

If the Q701 is pretty much the same like a K701 you'll notice improvements in the fine details you would have probably never heard. Dynamics should also improve. Note that these are just generalized statements I make here because I own a K701. As for the sound signature of the Q701 that's up to you to decide if you like or not. You get more feel for what you are looking for after you have bought a 2nd headphone also from higher grade. You can then find the difference for what you like or not.

Personally I like to listen to my Audio Technica ATH-A900 more than the K701 because for their sound signature. Still waiting for my amp to arrive. That might change my mind.

As always thrust your own ears.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

The K701/2 (or Quincy Jones line if you must) is still highly regarded around here, enough that people love to match them up against headphones worth 4 times the price.

 

Examples, please.  Which headphones do the K-701 "beat" and how many of them have you listened to?

I'd term the K-701, et al. as controversial headphones around here.  Some love them, especially new members who have never owned good headphones before. You should find them a big step up from Apple's earbuds.  However, there are quite a few who do not like the K-701, usually people who own AKG's older models.  Some strong arguments have broken out.

Unfortunately, I don't know how happy you will be running your headphones from a portable amp.  You might want to read through Boomana's Wiki article for new users.  If you're trying to keep your costs low, you can power your headphones with a vintage receiver.  They're usually affordable and have enough power to drive tough headphones.  Side benefits of a receiver include getting a radio, a phono stage (for hooking up a turntable) and also being able to power speakers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schweiz 

 

What's wrong with you?  To whom or what are you responding?

 

He wants a "MAJOR upgrade" from stock Apple headphones and that's exactly what he's getting with his order.  He's asking this forum to explain both the attributes of the upgrade he's getting, as well as how well the two devices will work together.  Does your experience lead you to suggest that his new gear is not an upgrade to his current buds?

 

 

 

But he posted them in the Hi-End section...so I might ask...what's wrong with you. Yes they are a major upgrade over iBuds, but Hi-End they ain't. This forum usually discusses Sony R10s, HD800s, Rockhopper B22s, Eddie Current amps,etc... How do you think they (especially the Total Bithead) fit in here? I'm not saying they are bad, (well maybe the K701s...IMO), but not Hi-End forum gear....WHERE IT WAS FIRST POSTED.

I see now that it has been moved to the standard Headphone Forum....it's rightful place IMO.

I did own BOTH and found the Total Bithead clipped and could not sufficiently power them (sorry to the OP...but you should have asked before purchasing). My comments were on the location of this thread in the High End Forum, NOT the contents. Not to mention...they were tongue in cheek...thus the "" in my initial post. So again...what's wrong with you?

You might want to read Uncle Erik's post above mine.

And don't forget they need a period of Burn In before they reach their typical sound signature.

Ah, I see.  I didn't realize this was in the high-end forum.

And ohaooa, good luck.  I look forward to hearing your impressions.

Photos ???