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Q701 appreciation thread - Page 126

post #1876 of 3032
10/22/12 at 8:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spangler View Post

Okay a couple of days ago I went to Jaben Melbourne and then I asked for a couple of amp that may fit my budget. First of all the guy gave me govibe martin.. I listen for a while, try some jazz, classic, opera, pop, and it turns out not what I expected and then he gave me graham bells voyager and it totally kick the Q701 to another level... but the price was 350$AUD (or is it too pricy ?) and I am amazed cause as far as I know there are other choices around that price range. I was wondering if you guys could recommend some amplifier that fits well with Q701, I want to make it warmer.

 

Also on earlier post I am having trouble with equalizing, can anyone give me some tips on equalizing Q701 ? I've tried to equalize it and reduce the hissing.. but I feel like I lose some of the highs and details...

 

Thanks and enjoy Q701

 

A lot of us Q701 guys (and grrls?) are very happy with the Matrix M Stage.

It adds a touch of warmth to the Qs and is a pretty good amp for the $$$!

The propellor heads can roll Op Amps if they like.

 

As for the hiss, a better amp, like the Matrix M, may solve your problem.

I don't hear any objectionable high frequency noise, grunge, spitch out of the Qs unless it's in the recording. In my experience, bad recordings/masters are often to blame.

I.e. Diane Birch "This Corrosion" from iTunes.................tons of nasty high frequency noise, spitch and distortion!angry_face.gif


Edited by Chris J - 10/22/12 at 8:36am
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post #1877 of 3032
10/22/12 at 8:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spangler View Post

 

Also on earlier post I am having trouble with equalizing, can anyone give me some tips on equalizing Q701 ? I've tried to equalize it and reduce the hissing.. but I feel like I lose some of the highs and details...

 

Thanks and enjoy Q701

 

If you're hearing hissing with the Q701, something is wrong.  They're a bit hard to drive and slightly warm IMO, so they will usually bury any noise in the signal - so if you can still hear hissing it must be unusually prominent.

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post #1878 of 3032
10/22/12 at 8:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chicolom View Post

 


Oh, so you use Viva paper towels?  I prefer Bounty paper towels with the Q701, or occasionally when I'm in the mood for extra warmth a ShamWow.

 

tongue_smile.gif

 

Those are all fantastic options if you're on a budget.  But it shouldn't be confused with higher end choices such as Chinet napkins.  Comapred to the budget options they just offer a level of clarity, warmth, and open soundstage that value-towels can't match.  rolleyes.gif

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post #1879 of 3032
10/22/12 at 8:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chicolom View Post

 

If you're hearing hissing with the Q701, something is wrong.  They're a bit hard to drive and slightly warm IMO, so they will usually bury any noise in the signal - so if you can still hear hissing it must be unusually prominent.

 

I did notice some high frequency hiss on my desktop low-fi dac/amp (read: x-fi usb) , so far I didn't notice any on my other, expensive set-up.

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post #1880 of 3032
10/22/12 at 8:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baten View Post

 

 

These Q's might not have the highest impedance, but they are the first headphones I have to call HARD to drive, they really need power (in my opinion even more so than Beyer 600 ohms). With my amp the bass becomes more enjoyable and the treble/highs are tamed just a little, making them just a little less fatiguing and more suited for general listening/movies, but I still prefer the 650's for that.

 

Overall, my HD650's are better all-rounders. PRaT on both is awesome, though. The Q701's thankfully don't sound half as analytical as its brothers, but they still are quite fatiguing. What they do feature is more detailed and immersive/engaging sound (dat sound stage). All I can think of to tromp it in sound stage is the AD700 (although with LOTS of air between elements, but also much cheaper), and electrostats or $1K+ 'phones. I imagine the HD800 also features much more intimate vocals.

Man, I just do not get the "hard to drive" thing that seems to follow the Q701 like a malevolent ghost!confused_face_2.gif

 

To me they are fairly easy to drive, for sure they need more volume than some of my little cans like the Audio technica ATH-ESW10 or Senn PX-100 ii but I can actually listen to my Qs via my E17 if I want too. I find my 600 Ohm DT880s can be more finicky to drive....i.e. a fair amount of voltage needed, a smooth amp, etc.

I've never heard the Qs thru a Burson so cannot comment any further, maybe the Burson is too analytical for the Qs? But I'm just guessing here.confused.gif

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post #1881 of 3032
10/22/12 at 9:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chicolom View Post

 


Oh, so you use Viva paper towels?  I prefer Bounty paper towels with the Q701, or occasionally when I'm in the mood for extra warmth a ShamWow.

 

tongue_smile.gif

 

Is there a picture somewhere describing exactly how this is done? I recall seeing a post with the open cups - even responded to it, but not sure if this is referring to the same mod. Thanks a bunch! As I listen to different tracks, I did not notice that some high-hat and cymbals sounded way too forward compared to my HD650 and Grados. Just wondering if that specific frequency can be tamed a bit. Otherwise, the slightest compression artifacts seem to result in smeared sound in this region.

 

According to some charts, there is a boost in the 1k-4k range somewhere. Resolving this can make this headphone truly sound like a top-tier phone for most applications.


Edited by talisman42 - 10/22/12 at 9:26am
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post #1882 of 3032
10/22/12 at 9:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by IEMCrazy View Post

 

Those are all fantastic options if you're on a budget.  But it shouldn't be confused with higher end choices such as Chinet napkins.  Comapred to the budget options they just offer a level of clarity, warmth, and open soundstage that value-towels can't match.  rolleyes.gif

 

 

Well, not all of us can afford Chinet napkins.  I think Bounty towels will get you 90% of the performance of the Chinet napkins, and they're one of the best options in their price bracket.  Considering the price difference, the extra 10% from the Chinet napkins just isn't worth, to me (poor price-to-performance ratio).


Edited by chicolom - 10/22/12 at 9:35am
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post #1883 of 3032
10/22/12 at 9:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by talisman42 View Post

 

Is there a picture somewhere describing exactly how this is done? I recall seeing a post with the open cups - even responded to it, but not sure if this is referring to the same mod. Thanks a bunch! As I listen to different tracks, I did not notice that some high-hat and cymbals sounded way too forward compared to my HD650 and Grados. Just wondering if that specific frequency can be tamed a bit. Otherwise, the slightest compression artifacts seem to result in smeared sound in this region.

 

According to some charts, there is a boost in the 1k-4k range somewhere. Resolving this can make this headphone truly sound like a top-tier phone for most applications.

 

I was being sarcastic wink_face.gif

 

But tdock talked about it on the previous page.  Or maybe you could eq them....

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post #1884 of 3032
10/22/12 at 9:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chicolom View Post

 

I was being sarcastic wink_face.gif

 

But tdock talked about it on the previous page.  Or maybe you could eq them....

 

lol! EQ will probably be the easiest route - at least it's somewhat measurable and repeatable so it'll be easier to compare with different solutions. Problem is when I use the E17 as the DAC, I can only adjust the high/low. Using my laptop as a standalone, I do have that option but doesn't seem as effective for this particular issue. The software I'm using is Dolby Theatre V4 for the Lenovo Thinkpad series. Maybe I'll fiddle with Foobar's EQ.

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post #1885 of 3032
10/22/12 at 9:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chicolom View Post

 

 

Well, not all of us can afford Chinet napkins.  I think Bounty towels will get you 90% of the performance of the Chinet napkins, and they're one of the best options in their price bracket.  Considering the price difference, the extra 10% from the Chinet napkins just isn't worth, to me (poor price-to-performance ratio).

 

You guys are too nuts! lol.

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post #1886 of 3032
10/22/12 at 10:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chicolom View Post

 

 

Well, not all of us can afford Chinet napkins.  I think Bounty towels will get you 90% of the performance of the Chinet napkins, and they're one of the best options in their price bracket.  Considering the price difference, the extra 10% from the Chinet napkins just isn't worth, to me (poor price-to-performance ratio).

No question Bounty provides a great VFM ratio.  Chinet napkins are definitely well into diminishing returns, but IMO it's worth spending 500% more to get that last 10% the AKG's can offer.  And sometimes you can stumble into a great deal on the Chinet on the used market for as low as half price...  I think that improves the value proposition and also adds a great aroma of corned beef and bacon to the listening experience.

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post #1887 of 3032
10/22/12 at 12:12pm

this thread is way too amusing right now

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post #1888 of 3032
10/22/12 at 12:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by IEMCrazy View Post

No question Bounty provides a great VFM ratio.  Chinet napkins are definitely well into diminishing returns, but IMO it's worth spending 500% more to get that last 10% the AKG's can offer.  And sometimes you can stumble into a great deal on the Chinet on the used market for as low as half price...  I think that improves the value proposition and also adds a great aroma of corned beef and bacon to the listening experience.

 

I think the most economical way to do this mod is snagging up some extra napkins from McD for free! They might smell like fries though. I prefer bacon myself.

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post #1889 of 3032
10/22/12 at 1:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by talisman42 View Post

 

I think the most economical way to do this mod is snagging up some extra napkins from McD for free! They might smell like fries though. I prefer bacon myself.

 

McD's napkins tend to have excessive grain, and tend to have an "M" shaped frequency response.  If you're into the Bose-sound it's OK, but IMO there's no point in buying AKG's and trying to "fix" them by turning them into Bose.  AKG's should be modded to improve their native sound.  Now if you just refused to budget for quality materials like Chinet, but you wanted to warm up the mids and give it a bit of a heartier sound with a bit more meat on the midbass, I'm Thinking Arby's(TM).

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post #1890 of 3032
10/22/12 at 1:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by IEMCrazy View Post

 

McD's napkins tend to have excessive grain, and tend to have an "M" shaped frequency response. 

 

LMAO!!! Classic!

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