Just a few impressions...
the low end
really depends on the source and how it's mixed. A few examples (all FLACs played from a Rockbox'd iPod Classic 160GB through a JDS Labs C5 amp on high gain, stock short radioactive green cable):
Rush - Caress of Steel (Remastered version)
and this is true of other Rush albums I've heard, both standard CD remasters and 24-bit/96 KHz FLACs played from a PC equipped to decode them...
the bass just isn't that prominent in the mix. A slight EQ in the 60-120-250 Hz range, with a pre-cut equal to or 0.5 dB lower than the highest gain, definitely brings it forward, but also mellows the high frequencies a touch. You'd think that'd be Geddy's vocals - HA! - but you'd be wrong. I was expecting that, but they tend to mix solos noticeably higher, so Alex's guitars can get close to harsh. That's not good, so the very slight EQing helps (0.5-1 dB @ 60 Hz, 1-2 dB @ 120 Hz, 0.5 @ 250 Hz), with a 2.5 dB pre-cut. The nice thing about Rockbox is that the eight Peak Filters can be adjusted for "Centre Frequency" "Q" (A measure of the width of the frequency band -- high Q means a narrow band) and "Gain" so it's quite customizable. One way to approach it for the Q701 is to adjust the centre frequencies to handle more low end (i.e., replace 250 with 180, replace 500 with 250, replace 1000 with ???), and raise the Q value greater than the default 1. Of course, it takes experimentation.
One great thing about the Q701 is the accuracy of such a tight bass presentation. Listen to
Hemispheres and you'll hear how many notes Geddy plays. I've listened to that album who knows how many times, and this is the first time I've been aware of how intricate his playing is.
Roxy Music - Roxy Music
Absolutely no lack of bass in this recording, and it's very well-represented by the Q701. No EQ needed. Almost makes these cans seem "fun"
Camper Van Beethoven - Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart
Fantastic album by a fantastic band, very well-recorded. There are lots of instruments happening, and the balance between them is excellent. It's very much a rock album, and it sounds awesome on these cans. The bass player (Victor Krummenacher) is great, and the Q701 does his playing justice. The same holds true for Les Pattinson of Echo and the Bunnymen. Very inventive, musical, rolling bass lines, and fun to hear on these cans.
Steely Dan
Can't Buy A Thrill
Another album that benefits from a little EQ.
Countdown To Ecstasy
This one doesn't really need the EQ; "Bodhisattva" attests to that.
One album that was a little tough on the Q701 is Jethro Tull's
Thick As A Brick. The highs came across as harsh, esp. the vocals. It sounds much better on the K550, for example.
With this setup, at least, the rule of thumb is, a little goes a long way.
