Unamped K701
Nov 7, 2010 at 10:04 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 22
Rayz

Rayz

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Hey, I need some of your experience about the K701 in both unamped and amped sides.

How was K701 sounded to you unamped?
And then, how did they sound amped? what was the difference?
 
Thank you.
 
Nov 8, 2010 at 9:47 PM Post #4 of 22


Quote:
happy camper said:
Too many threads already in the system about this topic.
 
Click to expand...


Exactly...
 
Try this link:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/search.php?action=advanced&search=
 
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Nov 8, 2010 at 11:16 PM Post #6 of 22


Quote:
rayz said:
Hey, I need some of your experience about the K701 in both unamped and amped sides.

How was K701 sounded to you unamped?
And then, how did they sound amped? what was the difference?
 
Thank you.
Click to expand...


I'll answer.  The 701s must be amped and amped well, and even then they only sound passable with the highest quality, best mastered recordings.
 
I've had them for a few years, and rarely use them.
 
USG
 
Nov 9, 2010 at 2:53 AM Post #7 of 22


Quote:
rayz said:
Hey, I need some of your experience about the K701 in both unamped and amped sides.

How was K701 sounded to you unamped?
And then, how did they sound amped? what was the difference?
 
Thank you.
Click to expand...


The difference is staggering. People aren't kidding when they say it NEEDS an amp. The difference between unamped, and using my E9 is night and day. Unamped is anemic, weak, and low, so much that the general consumer would probably crap their pants at spending $250+ on a headphone that sounds that weak if they knew nothing about adding amps.
 
Amped pretty much brings the K701 to life in every single way. The lower end becomes full and quite present (more close to neutral, but not lacking in impact), the mids and highs are also become a lot more refined and present...
 
You can get away with some hard to drive headphones unamped. With the K701, it's a damn shame.
 
Nov 9, 2010 at 4:07 AM Post #8 of 22
K701 without an amp or with a cheap porta amp sounds similar to a Grado SR60 but with bigger soundstage, more details, less but tight bass, and laid-back.
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Nov 9, 2010 at 10:45 AM Post #9 of 22
Unamped the K701 sounds emotionless. This is very present for voices and timbre. A bit cold and harsh. The bass is shy too.
 
Paired with the right amp the K701 really comes alive. The whole range gets definition and statement. The bass department improved greatly too in deepness. Still discovering improvements ever since I'm the proud owner of a Musical Fidelity V8P hybrid Tube/SS Amp for 5 days now.
 
If you want musicality out of a K701 I'd personally recommend to take a Tube Amp.
 
Nov 9, 2010 at 12:17 PM Post #11 of 22


Quote:
uncle erik said:
Unamped K-701: flabby, loose, anemic

Amped K-701: artificial, plasticky, unnatural
Click to expand...



I couldn't agree more. I only heard the 701 for one day, but I tried it in 4 different amps, tube, solid state, and hybrid, and always found the same thing, not to mention the amped characteristics can also be found unamped. I suppose this is why that quote of yours has a home in my signature.
 
Nov 9, 2010 at 1:41 PM Post #13 of 22
I kind of agree. I'm not a fan of the AKGs... for music.
 
But they are a godsend for gaming with Dolby Headphone.
smily_headphones1.gif

 
Nov 9, 2010 at 3:54 PM Post #15 of 22
Quote:
cky8 said:
Unamped the K701 sounds emotionless. This is very present for voices and timbre. 
Click to expand...
 
I disagree. Even unamped, the voices are full of emotions, not that much compared with my Grado SR60. 


Quote:
uncle erik said:
Unamped K-701: flabby, loose, anemic

Amped K-701: artificial, plasticky, unnatural
Click to expand...


I disagree too. K701 doesn't sound artificial. Maybe plasticky sometimes but it depends on the source. Pair it with the right music and you'll be amazed even unamped.
biggrin.gif

 
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