Q701 appreciation thread - Page 177

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpaceInvaders 

Wow they really sound that good with metal and rock? I was kinda worried as these seem to be perfect for me with the clarity and soundstage but my fear was the lack in rock-department. Have you amped them? Do you think it would be a good option for adding bass?

 

Can't wait to get my Q701 and amp which will arrive 2 weeks later[ ;( ]. :D   I'm coming from K501 so I'm not expecting anything spectacular in the improvement-section but still expecting something awesome. I will let you know once I get 'em!

These headphones are gonna work well with any genre. I think its quite misleading to say that headphones don't work well with a particular genre because of some particular trait. It's more so about what YOU want your headphones to sound like. I only say this because the bulk of my music is hip-hop and any headphone without big bass its described around here as "not for hip hop", which is wrong. I want my music to be true to source, so i went with these Q701's and a transparent amp i knew could drive them well. If i'm in the mood for a bass heavy sound, i switch headphones... I'd say the second most music in my collection is Metal/Nu-Metal/Rock, so i agree that these headphones sound great with those genres aswell. 

Sorry to vent, i just feel like alot of opinions can be judgemental based on your music taste, rather then the type of sound you're looking for. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1-MiC 

These headphones are gonna work well with any genre. I think its quite misleading to say that headphones don't work well with a particular genre because of some particular trait. It's more so about what YOU want your headphones to sound like. I only say this because the bulk of my music is hip-hop and any headphone without big bass its described around here as "not for hip hop", which is wrong. I want my music to be true to source, so i went with these Q701's and a transparent amp i knew could drive them well. If i'm in the mood for a bass heavy sound, i switch headphones... I'd say the second most music in my collection is Metal/Nu-Metal/Rock, so i agree that these headphones sound great with those genres aswell. 

Sorry to vent, i just feel like alot of opinions can be judgemental based on your music taste, rather then the type of sound you're looking for. 
 

Agreed. 

I'm at a crossroads right now though. The last few days I've been toying with a modded Fostex T50rp, and they are very nice too. The way I have them tuned they are pretty much the opposite of the Q701. My T50rp is very bassy and has warm, forward mids, with a darker treble. The Q701 in comparison is bass light, with more aggressive treble. I love both right now even with the same genres. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenshinhimura 


What was the cost to recable if you don't mind me asking?

PM'ed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris J 


I'm curious as to why you would think that a tube amp would be better than a solid state amp driving the Q701s?
For example, I have a Matrix M Stage. That amp drives the headphones to a louder volume than I would want to listen to.
Theorically, the E12 should easily drive the Q701s to ear crushing volumes.C

 It's not exactly the gain I'm looking for in a tube amp but the warmth. Don't get me wrong, the Q701's are quite loud especially compared to my laptop/Cowon Z2, but still not just loud enough. The volumes I'm looking for would most likely be found in a desktop amp with more power.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evshrug 

I haven't needed more volume either, usually, but I know exactly what you're thinking of regarding tube warmth. Unfortunately (for your wallet), I probably only have things to say that'll whet your appetite I read up on the Bravo and Indeed variants, then a comment on the Bravo thread shot me over to researching a "super simple 6DJ8 amp," which I think is related to a modification of one of the first hi-fi amps. I thought, "maybe these tubes can add more bass bottom-end," but now that I got one of those amps (made for me by Zigis), I realized more musical, engaging mids, redefining what I think people might mean when they say "tube warmth." And, I am addicted. I've got an Amperex (from Holland), a Sylvania JAN (uh, America I think?), and now I have 4 Voskhod Reflektors on the way from Russia.

Lol. I've been 'virtually' tube rolling in my head, just thinking of the possible combinations I could come up with when I finally manage some time down the road to get a Lyr. I've heard as well that the sound it'll produce, especially with the Q701's, is more unique than anything and that not much other can reproduce quite like it. While it may not be the best sounding in terms of SQ and accurate reproduction, it certainly has it's niche in the market it seems. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evshrug 

I haven't needed more volume either, usually, but I know exactly what you're thinking of regarding tube warmth. Unfortunately (for your wallet), I probably only have things to say that'll whet your appetite I read up on the Bravo and Indeed variants, then a comment on the Bravo thread shot me over to researching a "super simple 6DJ8 amp," which I think is related to a modification of one of the first hi-fi amps. I thought, "maybe these tubes can add more bass bottom-end," but now that I got one of those amps (made for me by Zigis), I realized more musical, engaging mids, redefining what I think people might mean when they say "tube warmth." And, I am addicted. I've got an Amperex (from Holland), a Sylvania JAN (uh, America I think?), and now I have 4 Voskhod Reflektors on the way from Russia.

I completely agree with that: it is not about how loud you can go. I recently purchased the WA7 and am quite amazed how much better Q701s sound with it. Note that I have previously powered them with the NFB-5, which actually has more power. The WA7 sound is more subtle, refined and engaging.

I still prefer these over my new self modded Fostex T50rp. My goal isn't/wasn't to make the T50rp sound the same as the Q701. My goal is/was to make them sound dark and bass heavy and have good isolation. I basically want them to be the opposite of the Q701. They do sound different, but I still wish I could squeeze a little more bass out of the T50rp though. The Fostex sound good, but I guess I just like the Q701 type of sound better. 

This is kinda off topic but coming from Finland I can recommend getting that Nightwish album, possibly the earlier (before 2007) production with Tarja Turunen as lead singer. There is also another great Finnish band called Apocalyptica. They play cellos and its pretty awesome. I think there are some orchestral albums available. I don't have any specific albums to recommend, sorry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evshrug 

I have a Trentmøller track that I love, too!
Hotsauce81 is using an Asus Essence One ($600 MSRP) as a DAC/Amp.
I noticed an improvement from the AD700 to Q701 straight out of my iPod (and LOD + E5, which was all the modest gear I had as of last year), treble was slightly less peaky and the lower end was filled-in, very good! I ought to just publish my notes from listening as a review, songs I'd heard and analyzed so many times were just gripping me emotionally. Where before I often skipped through songs after a few seconds and concentrated on differences between the AD700 vs my older portables, I started out listening with the same intent and dissecting the sound, but after a while I noticed I had unconsciously started bobbing my feet to the music, I was letting each song play in full, and eventually I gave up on writing and just enjoyed listening. Nowadays, I listen to anything with my Q's, spanning a wide selection from rock, alt-rock, trip-hop, reggae, R&B, dance, basically anywhere my ADHD takes me. I have gained a renewed appreciation for orchestral music of course, there is a lot of power to a full orchestra recorded in-venue with quality mic equipment, and a great groove with stuff such as Andrew Bird's curious music. LOVE Arcade Fire. I need to get a Nightwish album sometime.

I have an HE-400 on loan, but there's just some songs I don't like with it. Too colored for use with everything to my ears, but then I'm not everyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpaceInvaders 

This is kinda off topic but coming from Finland I can recommend getting that Nightwish album, possibly the earlier (before 2007) production with Tarja Turunen as lead singer. There is also another great Finnish band called Apocalyptica. They play cellos and its pretty awesome. I think there are some orchestral albums available. I don't have any specific albums to recommend, sorry.

YEAH!

I heard an album of theirs around 2008, I've had a purchase earmarked forever... but other things keep distracting me then I became dirt poor while having more bills than ever before. Since it's bubbled back to the top of my mind though, I'll probably pick up an album with my first paycheck from my new job  ^___^