[Jibbie]

I thought the K701 sounded alright unamped, but they came alive once I added an Ibasso D4 DAC and a Matrix M Stage amp to the mix.  A much more dynamic and engaging can once amped.  Don't buy the K701 unless you plan to amp them.

 

[Kevin Brown]

Unamped, amped, plenty of power: didn't make any difference to me.  I just didn't like their treble emphasis.

 

[noris83]

They sound ok through my RSA Tomahawk. Substantially better through my headroom amp. Awful unamped.

 

[cky8]

Let's not get too harsh on each other. Different ears, different opinions. Ultimately we just provide our thoughts and the OP has to decide for his own 

 

[TeppoT]

I love them with CA DACMagic - M-Stage. Today will try w/o amping just to compare what does it really do...

 

[Happy Camper]

 
Quote:

I love them with CA DACMagic - M-Stage. Today will try w/o amping just to compare what does it really do...

Why would you do that to yourself? 

 
OP,
For $250-$300 there are few that compete and you have to double your budget to better them by opinion. If you do decide to follow the 701 journey, you will be branded a heathen and your hearing not to be trusted. If you follow the Senns brick road, you will be treated as normal with proper hearing.
 
You have a decision to make that may affect the rest of your life. Good/Evil, Senns/AKG.
 
Oh, don't get them with a soundcard unless you can feed a desktop amp from a line out (not hp out).
 

 

[DjAmTraX]

If you had to pick between Grado RS1i and AKG 701, which would you chose?