yklee118
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 19, 2007
- Posts
- 213
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Quote:
I have the time. Not to worry.
I have both the AKG K701 and the Sennheiser HD650 (with the Cardas Cable upgrade purchased from Katli Audio in California - KATLI AUDIO). Both of these reference headphones have their own distinct sonic characters. The Sennheiser leans more towards a full sound with a bit of veil (this is with the stock cable) and is a bit laid back as in maybe row eight or twelve center. That said, the overall character is many hours of enjoyment without any signs of fatigue. This was number one on the top of the list when purchasing this headphone.
After the burn-in period (HD650 with Cardas upgrade) of about 600-hours with the Little Dot MKI with the LT1364 op-amp upgrade, the sonic quality was pleasant with a slight semblance of certain tube amps that I have encountered. The Soundstage was more up front than when the headphone was new (sixth row center) while the originally recessed upper frequency range was brought out subtitle without being overly harsh. I can listen to music for hours on end with these headphones.
The AKG K701 is another reference headphone with a certain sonic quality that closely resembles the Sennheiser HD280 when new. The first few hours with this headphone I came to a realization that music piped through this phone is much more real than with the HD650, however that changed after I passed the 300-hour mark. Harsh overtones followed by a rather unsettling brittleness in the transition from upper-mid-range to high-frequencies. The Brightness in certain vocal arrangements were just unbearable. However I did not give up when it came to this headphone citing that if AKG believes that they have built a reference class headphone, then I should believe them. (Right
)
After about 1000-hours, the details in the music were much more natural however the harshness was still there especially when set at nearly the same volume level as the Sennheiser HD650. The Bass levels when new were rather low to the point of non-existence. After the long burn-in period, the level was still low, however there was certain level of tightness and control that I began to appreciate. Unfortunately not at the same level of comfort as that of the rather tight fitting Sennheiser HD650. The physical comfort level of the K701 is much better than the Sennheiser up until music begins to play into the K701.
Then after another 100-hours, I figured that the drivers had fully settled down and would not improve unless a significant modification was made to the headphone. I am to this day still using the stock cable because I may want to sell this headphone to someone who may want to have a reference can like this and want to have his or her own personally tweaked out settings. Anyway I decided to create a slight modification to the foam pieces that cover the driver (Search for a forum post http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/akg...others-411268/) and in this I changed nearly the entire sonic character of the K701 with this modification. The brittleness, brightness, and the harshness is virtually non-existent. The upper frequencies, mid-range, and bass have all been improved to a significant degree.
The non-existent bass now sounds and feels good to the point that it has the same weight as a fully settled Sennheiser HD280-professional (I know since I have the headphones for a full A/B comparison). The Treble response and roll-off resemble somewhat and not in full like both the HD280 and HD650. The Mid-range was the biggest improvement. The vocals of Jennifer Warnes, Linda Rhonstat, and Teresa Tsang are much fuller and with a great deal of warmth. A slight treble peak is there, however not really noticeable unless you crank up the volume to point where our ears bleed.
The soundstage of the K701 is further improved by basically pushing back from first row center to third or fourth row center. Not a whole lot back, however it makes for an interesting modification.
So answer your question, I have a very unbiased ear and I do not lean to any one headphone company. If I like the sound, then I purchase that brand and model. So before purchasing any of these models, if possible, try them out and see if they fit your preference. I love the physical comfort of both the HD650 and the K701, however both really deliver a great argument. The Sennheiser HD650 will benefit with a cable upgrade (considered a modification), and the AKG will improve to a more desirable listening experience with a modification to the foam ring pieces that cover their drivers.
Hope this helps. Until then, have a great week.
NOTE to IT people, be careful this coming April Fools, the WORM is coming and may need to be dealt with if possible. Take Care.
| Originally Posted by priest /img/forum/go_quote.gif Still loving these headphones and choosing them on a nightly basis over my D2000 and SR 125. So, since you seem to really like them, and I checked out your gear and noticed that you have a very respectable collection, let me ask: what "higher end" (as opposed to "highest end") headphone do you think I might try? I am wanting to maybe get the K701 or the HD650/600 but am unsure which. Given my affinity for the 280s, I'm leaning toward the Senns, but I can't decide on trying the 650s or the 600s. And I don't have the ability to audition them (unless I get the chance at the upcoming DC meet). Your impressions would be appreciated. Plus, we can keep this 5 year old thread alive. ps, I listen mainly to rock, of all varieties, and plug my headphones into the headphone jack of my integrated amp. If you don't have the chance to answer such a detailed post, I understand. Thanks. |
I have the time. Not to worry.
I have both the AKG K701 and the Sennheiser HD650 (with the Cardas Cable upgrade purchased from Katli Audio in California - KATLI AUDIO). Both of these reference headphones have their own distinct sonic characters. The Sennheiser leans more towards a full sound with a bit of veil (this is with the stock cable) and is a bit laid back as in maybe row eight or twelve center. That said, the overall character is many hours of enjoyment without any signs of fatigue. This was number one on the top of the list when purchasing this headphone.
After the burn-in period (HD650 with Cardas upgrade) of about 600-hours with the Little Dot MKI with the LT1364 op-amp upgrade, the sonic quality was pleasant with a slight semblance of certain tube amps that I have encountered. The Soundstage was more up front than when the headphone was new (sixth row center) while the originally recessed upper frequency range was brought out subtitle without being overly harsh. I can listen to music for hours on end with these headphones.
The AKG K701 is another reference headphone with a certain sonic quality that closely resembles the Sennheiser HD280 when new. The first few hours with this headphone I came to a realization that music piped through this phone is much more real than with the HD650, however that changed after I passed the 300-hour mark. Harsh overtones followed by a rather unsettling brittleness in the transition from upper-mid-range to high-frequencies. The Brightness in certain vocal arrangements were just unbearable. However I did not give up when it came to this headphone citing that if AKG believes that they have built a reference class headphone, then I should believe them. (Right
After about 1000-hours, the details in the music were much more natural however the harshness was still there especially when set at nearly the same volume level as the Sennheiser HD650. The Bass levels when new were rather low to the point of non-existence. After the long burn-in period, the level was still low, however there was certain level of tightness and control that I began to appreciate. Unfortunately not at the same level of comfort as that of the rather tight fitting Sennheiser HD650. The physical comfort level of the K701 is much better than the Sennheiser up until music begins to play into the K701.
Then after another 100-hours, I figured that the drivers had fully settled down and would not improve unless a significant modification was made to the headphone. I am to this day still using the stock cable because I may want to sell this headphone to someone who may want to have a reference can like this and want to have his or her own personally tweaked out settings. Anyway I decided to create a slight modification to the foam pieces that cover the driver (Search for a forum post http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/akg...others-411268/) and in this I changed nearly the entire sonic character of the K701 with this modification. The brittleness, brightness, and the harshness is virtually non-existent. The upper frequencies, mid-range, and bass have all been improved to a significant degree.
The non-existent bass now sounds and feels good to the point that it has the same weight as a fully settled Sennheiser HD280-professional (I know since I have the headphones for a full A/B comparison). The Treble response and roll-off resemble somewhat and not in full like both the HD280 and HD650. The Mid-range was the biggest improvement. The vocals of Jennifer Warnes, Linda Rhonstat, and Teresa Tsang are much fuller and with a great deal of warmth. A slight treble peak is there, however not really noticeable unless you crank up the volume to point where our ears bleed.
The soundstage of the K701 is further improved by basically pushing back from first row center to third or fourth row center. Not a whole lot back, however it makes for an interesting modification.
So answer your question, I have a very unbiased ear and I do not lean to any one headphone company. If I like the sound, then I purchase that brand and model. So before purchasing any of these models, if possible, try them out and see if they fit your preference. I love the physical comfort of both the HD650 and the K701, however both really deliver a great argument. The Sennheiser HD650 will benefit with a cable upgrade (considered a modification), and the AKG will improve to a more desirable listening experience with a modification to the foam ring pieces that cover their drivers.
Hope this helps. Until then, have a great week.
NOTE to IT people, be careful this coming April Fools, the WORM is coming and may need to be dealt with if possible. Take Care.
