I'm looking to buy a new pair of headphones and I have narrowed my choices to the AKG 702 and the Beyerdynamic DT880. So I could use some help in deciding. I listen to all kinds of music but I mainly listen to classical and jazz. This is for my desktop. I currently have the Audioengine N22 amp and Audioengine P-4 speakers. The N22 amp has a reasonably capable headphone amp that can drive (or at least that's what the manufacturer told me) headphones with an impedance from 16 to 300 ohm so it should work well with either headphone. If not, I'll be prowling around the headphone amp section trying to figure out which one to buy. I own 2 pairs of less expensive headphones and liked them a lot (Sennheiser 595hd and the Audio Technica AD700) so I'm looking for an upgrade. Any advice will be appreciated.
New headphone help: AKG 702 vs Beyerdynamic DT880
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Acix
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The K-702 is the obvious choice here, especially if you mainly listen to classical and jazz.
I've been leaning towards the K-702. I won't be able to audition them before buying them, though, and there seem to be a lot of people esp. on this site who have mixed views of the AKG 702s. Why do you think they are so clearly better?
MalVeauX
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Heya,
The choice is simple. The DT880 will have more bass. The AKG702 will have much less bass. If you listen to new fusion jazz which has a lot of heavy bass, you may want the DT880's if that's what you like. If you don't listen to bassy jazz (example, Euge Groove), the AKG's will likely be your better bet for classical & jazz in general. They both will have great sound. The AKG will be more clear sounding simply due to less bass being pronounced. The DT880 is often too bassy for people looking for a neutral headphone (they're supposed to be neutral, yet still a bit too bassy for some). If you really enjoy bass, get the DT880, hands down. If you are not wanting to hear bass much and want to hear crisp instruments and a lot of mids, the AKG is the one for you.
Very best,
Acix
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First, the K-702 have a better depth in the sound stage that create a 3D sound sphere, compare to the 2D L-to-R of the DT880. Second the DT880 have some smiley face sound EQ, the bass can be sometimes a little boomy, but the biggest issue I had with the 880 are overpowering highs, that can be very annoying if you're not deaf.
So, the K-702 are more balanced, with a better sound stage. Just keep in mind that with both hps you'll need some hps amp.
@Acix & @MalveauX: I wanted to thank both of you for your replies to my post; this is very helpful information.
caracara08
Headphoneus Supremus
i purchased the 70X a couple times because i want to like them. theyre cheap, comfy, and clear but to make them sound good, id have to EQ a good amount. because to my ears, theyre thin. ill like it for a bit but after a while, i wont. i havent tried the 880s but theyre one that i would consider if i were to downgrade. if the bass is boomy, its better to EQ things out than to add weight like i would have to with the 70x. that being said, i might consider buying both, playing with the eq a bit, and deciding.
try to buy used and you can resell it for the same or close to the same price you paid. thats the fun of this hobby... trying new things, learning as you go. going from bottom to the top in a step isnt as fun (to me).
try to buy used and you can resell it for the same or close to the same price you paid. thats the fun of this hobby... trying new things, learning as you go. going from bottom to the top in a step isnt as fun (to me).
varsitypride3
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For your tastes, I'd say the 702 is a better choice.
I've owned both of those cans. Of the two, I liked the 702 better, even though the
bass was light. The highs were just so... transparent & beautiful.
I've owned both of those cans. Of the two, I liked the 702 better, even though the
bass was light. The highs were just so... transparent & beautiful.
wberghofer
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Then please let me add that the “bumps” in the headband used for the AKG K70x headphones cause trouble and even pain for a lot of people. For me the wearing comfort was not acceptable, and after two years of trying to like the AKG K701 I eventually switched to a Beyerdynamic DT 990/600 Ω. Never looked back.
All the best for your decision,
Werner.
VALIENTE
1000+ Head-Fier
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Brand new K701 headband is really annoying but after days to months of constant use, heads adapt making it comfy to supercomfy. I had this experience!
Well I hope I don't have the same experience as Wberghofer and that my head is as adaptable as Valiente's! I've only tried three different cans (Grado SR 60, Sennheiser 595HD, and Audio Technica ATH AD 700). The Grados were, in my opinion, the least comfortable but I didn't like the sound that much either and that may have influenced how I felt about their comfort. I liked both the sound and comfort of the Sennheiser 595 and Audio Technica AD700.
Both. :evil: 
Tough call between the two....but I preferred the beyer DT880/600s. Better bass depth, control and impact. The sound staging is better on the K701s...both are great headphones IMO.
http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2621&graphID[]=2751
Tough call between the two....but I preferred the beyer DT880/600s. Better bass depth, control and impact. The sound staging is better on the K701s...both are great headphones IMO.
http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2621&graphID[]=2751
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