Quote: Yes most likely as its closed not open though I have no experience with A700,A900 ATH line just the AD line.

I have the ad700's but have listened to the ad900x, vocals are really awesome with them,bass a bit lacking for some but its there so my vote goes for them.

So thanks for the help guys and I will be a proud owner of the Q701's soon. Looking forward to them! 

Hello guys I was wondering if the headphone amp on the sound blaster z would be enough to drive the q701? I would love to get them but my budget wont let me get a amp if the sound blaster z is not enough. I found the sound blaster z has  3.5mm gold plated headphone jack driven by the 600 Ohm...

Quote: Hmm? I'll take a look at them, thanks.

Quote: Well they are about the same price but Im just scared of getting the q701's and not be able to use them properly and just sit there till I get a amp for them.

I have read that to get full potential of the akg q701 a good headphone amp is recommended. I only have a $250 budget for this upgrade and would not be able to get a headphone amp right away so would my sound blaster z be powerfull enough to drive the akg's or would the HD598's be easier to...