AKG K701 Studio Headphones

This is the only pair of headphones I bought that I was never able to warm up to.  The reason for this is that the mids - especially vocals - take on an unnatural, artificial and plasticky sound.  They never sounded true to life and began to grate on me after short listening periods.  They were OK for instrumental music, but even then, the tonality was off in the mids.
 
What's disappointing is that AKG dropped the K-501 and K-1000, and gave us this.  The K-701/2 is nothing like AKG's previous efforts.  I have the K-1000, K-340 and K-240DF, and used to have the K-501.  All of those got the midrange right.  I was expecting to love the K-701 as well, but like I said, the artificial tonality in the mids completely ruined them for me.
 
Strangely, the K-601 sounds halfway decent the times I've listened to it and I remain hopeful that AKG will introduce a model that gets the mids right.  They used to have some of the best mids of any manufacturer.

I have had this set of cans around two years and it is already failing.  I delicately tried to take the unit apart to repair it (I am very handy with a soldering iron) and I failed to get the unit disassembled.  Fortunately for me, the act of trying to disassemble the unit fixed the problem.  This leads me to believe it was a bad solder joint.  Others have complained about this problem.  For ~$500 I expect the cans to last at least 10 years, like my much cheaper Sennheisers.  Also, the plastic parts of the headband broke within a year although this had no significant effect.
Update: After finally getting them apart, and having to cosmetically damage them to do it, it turns out to be a bad driver.  The solder connections were good.  This is completely unacceptable for a pair of headphones that is only 2 years old.  I will NEVER BUY AKG again!

This is stylish headphone ever made, elegant and comfort. Thousands of reviews are are out there and it could not be wrong but...every time I put them over my ears, I had to tolerate the sound. It is very comfortable to wear. The sound is terrible. There is this echo from everywhere which jammed not only the bass and middle band but also diminishes upper end. The only explanation will be my ears are too small for them.

LISTENED AT MANY MEETS
 
I never did get it about these phones.  I think they sound tinny and boring.  The only time I have ever heard them sound somewhat decent has been out of the big HeadRoom amps.  There's something to that combo.  Otherwise a real snore.

The K701 causes mental conflict. On one hand, I want to rate it one-star for disappointing me so much. I've had two pairs of 701s for some time, and in the process they have survived many other headphones that I grew bored of—notably, a few Sennheiser and Grado models. The problem is that as of 2013, the competition is just too stiff. I'm genuinely interested in any headphone that can do a good job hooked directly to my phone, because in the end it's just frikkin' awesome to have amazing fidelity pumping through the noggin while standing in line at the bank.



Here's the thing about the K701, a few days ago I wore them to a party. The plug was connected to pocket lint—the AKGs were just a fashion accessory. Well, I got four separate compliments, and thats four more compliments than I usually get on my attire, at any party. So, they've got that goin' for 'em. Back at home, on a good amp, the K701s can do their thing much more effectively. But, right next to them on my desk is a pair of Monster Inspire, and a pair of Denon AH-D600. Both sets of cans spank the poor K701s, I hate to say it but they are now relegated to the role of "fashion accessory."


 


I paid a very low price for my K701s, back in 2009. The current price for a used pair of 701 cans is higher than what I paid new. At the current price, I'd be a bit upset if I bought them, not knowing what to expect. If I was specifically looking for hyper-detailed open-air headphones with restrained bass response, then I'd probably buy the K701s again.


 


Update - I just had and "experience" while comparing the K701, the Monster Inspire and the Denon AH-D600. I put on the K701s and cued up some Com Truise. I forgot which headphones I was wearing rather quickly. Then a bass sequence came on, and I was taken aback. I wondered what was wrong. Oops, I forgot I was wearing the K701s, but not in a good sense. Basically, I thought I was listening to the D600s, until the bass came in. Pragmatically speaking, the K701 just got its butt kicked.


Update two - I picked up a pair of Pioneer SE-A1000 for $46. AKG should be ashamed of themselves, the K701 is really overpriced for what it offers.

Audio Quality:
This is a very detailed and fast headphone.  Soundstage is very wide, but unnatural sounding.  Lack of bass makes the overall sound very plasticky and artificial.  My BOSE triports sound better overall.
 
Comfort:
The pads are about as comfortable as the Beyerdynamics', however, the bumps on the underside of the headband dig into your skull.  I couldn't wear them for more than 20 minutes without having to reposition them.
 
Design:
Other than looking like bathroom hardware strapped to your head, there are elastic bands which help adjust the earcups which will inevitably degrade over time.
 
Value:
I've heard better headphones for this price, namely the DT880, D2000, and HD600/650. 
 
Overall:
Largest soundstage I've heard from headphones. Very fast and detailed headphones. However uncomfortable with artificial sound.

I am not a sound expert when it comes to anything hi-fi, but I bought these headphones secondhand 9 months ago just because I wanted a great pair of phones, for once.  I'm also a self(ish) taught bass player and I had gotten through a number of cheaper ear and head phones with my bass played through a Korg Pandora practice unit. My only problem at the time of purchase was the fact that I'd not done enough homework to realise that, first off, they work best with an amp - that's how much I know.  However, as they don't sound half-bad on their own, I kept them. Now nearly a year later I'm pissed that what I think is a straight forward design flaw has lead to a broken pair of expensive cans rendered practically useless.  One of the two thin plastic mechanisms which help to pull the phones tight over the head has broken. I can't believe it. So, beware y'all!! These may look gorgeous, but unless they sit on a shelf, or in a frame, without use, you may end up pissed like me.

I had one in 2008 and subsequently sold it because of comfort issues.


Personally, I didn't like the design/thought it looked cheap (the blue plastic)The ones I had were difficult to drive (not for Musiland 02 US type HP amps or un-amped portable )

Recently had a chance to listen to a re-cabled one from joe007 .He attached some soft pleather to the headband and put an expensive looking custom cable on them (my custom cable was about $35). The headband 'mod' fixed the comfort issue. Maybe added some bass. (I remember my custom cable seems to have calmed down the highs a bit when I had my pair)

The strange tonality and fake sound-stage feel were still there though. Give them a go at meet, when you have other headphones around. Chances are after that you wouldn't want to buy them.

I am new to this forum and to the high-end headphone arena. This is my first ever review and based only on my first afternoon of playing and listening. OK, these are brand new, and maybe they will break in, but will they break in that much? They appear to be beautifully made, almost jewel-like out of the box. If they hold up and retain this apparent quality with long use, I would have to judge them finely made. So far, I have only used them with my Yamaha P150 Electronic Piano, as I have no headphone amp yet. I don't know how fair a test this is--more or less valid than hi-fi music listening? 
 
My comparison 'phones: 

• Sennheiser Precision HD580: Clean, full sound with good ambience, bass, tidy treble and overall neutral balance.  As of this moment, better overall sound vs. AKG 701, but they have been used and broken in for years.
• Grado SR80: In my humble opinion, Grado products are vastly overrated for both sound and construction quality. Mine came with the left and right ears reversed (or at least mislabeled, but you can't wear them as labeled and get the right stereo balance). They were grotesquely uncomfortable until I put another company's ear pads on them. Overall sound is warm but muffled. Not a true high fidelity product.

 
I bought these because of rave reviews in Stereophile (I should know better by now--all these years). I sure hope the 701s gradually fill out and sound fuller, 'cause this is not my favorite kind of sound, as-is: thin and lean. I cannot afford $250 mistakes, if thats how they turn out. I'm hoping for the best! 

Nice so far.

 
First impressions - Upon first opening the box of these (lightly used) cans, the very first thing I noticed how light they were! In all honesty I was freaking out for about an hour, then went to a local used electronics shop where they had the same model a couple weeks back. Apparently they are SUPPOSED TO BE that light, so the relief swept over me. 
 
Sound - I do not have an amp yet, so talking like I know anything would be out of line. Straight lined to a computer the bass is just enough for classical piano. Listening to the album the is in the picture, the experience is amazing. If you close your eyes, you feel like you are sitting in an amphitheater as each composition is being executed. Unfortunately there is fatigue to be dealt with but it isn't so much that it cannot be handled. As others have stated the mids aren't very good, but hopefully that will be fixed with an amp. The word you might have noticed was "executed." A friend told me the K701's suck the life and soul from music. From what I can sense he means, there is a certain coldness to the sound being created. Music isn't as much played as is projected from an instrument
 
Final thoughts - Written reviews are not a strong suit of mine, so hopefully you at least know what I'm trying to say.
 
EDIT - While listening to pre-viking Bathory there is the PERFECT amount of bass! While listening to the Mountain Goats last night I noticed it made John sound even BETTER than normal. I'm still not too hot on these headphones but they are definitely growing on me!
 

The AKG K 701 Studio Reference is one of AKG's, or Akustische und Kino-Geräte's many succesfull headphones. This model in particular, is a full size studio headphone, with an open ended design. These headphones, aside from their physical appeal in design and comfort, have clean and flat sound that is appreciated by most listeners. 
 
The overal tonality of the headphone, besides its noted detail and depth, is flat and balanced. A flat frequency response is great for the average audiophile, but for the more average consumer, a little boring. They are also notoriously difficult to drive, and are very detailed. The sound is slightly warm, compared to the average headphone as well. 
 
Highs:
The highs on the AKG K 701's are very detailed. The highs are very percise and clear without being harsh or grating on the ears. The highs are only augmented by the soundstage.
 
Mids:
The mids on the 701's are slightly off. They sound thin compared to most other headphones of their level, despite the amazing detail that they contain. The thinness may be attributed to the slight bump that is shown on the frequency response chart of the 701's. 
 
Lows:
The bass on the 701's is very tight. It is controled, precise and have deep extention.   The only thing lacking on the bass is it's impact. The bass also has great soundstage, which makes it great for movies.
 
Comfort: 
As expected out of a headphone in the $300 class, the comfort is decent. The replacable earpads are soft and comfortable, and the suspention design of the headband makes them customizable to every head. The headband is leather however, and has been noted to be uncomfortable at first. 
 
Verdict:
At around $350, the AKG K 701 is a decent buy for the money. Its wide soundstage and astounting detail at its price make it a contender for as a great headphone. However, the thinness of the mids brings it down.

Definitely not a fun headphone compared to AT W1000x or Denon D-series.Sounded completely cold and analytical fresh out of the box. Bass was almost non-existant. Burn in using pink noise seemed more effective compared to normal music playback. More instrument seperation after reaching 400 hours pink noise burning. Any hours beyond 600 will not benefit as I did not feel any improvement starting hour 601.
 
 

 
 
First and foremost, this is a review for the newer K 701 with 8 bumps on the headband (see photo below). The serial number is: 84XXX. Reviewers often disregard this statement, but from what I've learned about the K 701, it has gone through a few revisions and those revisions do affect the sound somewhat.
 

 
I ordered my pair from Headphones.com, which is an authorised retailer for AKG products.
 
I did a video review on YouTube if you are interested in a visual/audio review. The content of this written review is much more in-depth on the other hand and it contains information not mentioned in the video review.

 
 
 
 
What's in the Package?
I did an unboxing video on YouTube if you are interested in a complete unboxing.
 
Otherwise, the K 701's package comes with:

1. AKG K 701
2. 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm gold-plated adaptor
3. Plastic/foam headphone display stand
4. Warranty card
5. Information booklet

 
Overall, there's not much in the package, but the headphone stand is a nice addition for those of you who don't own a stand (photos below). It's not significant, but I thought it was neat that the K 701's cardboard box is actually well-presented.
 

 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Design
Of course the usual "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" statement is true, but I really like the overall look and design of the K 701. The brown/grey leather headband combined with the silver, white, and grey colour scheme looks quite attractive and unique to me (see photos below).
 

 

 
The bad:

1. The lack of a removable cable might be a bummer to some since the cable can get damaged over time and it won't be easy to fix.
2. The elastic material used for the suspension headband is also a concern to me since I feel that it can become loose over time.
3. The whole headphone has a kind of plastic feel to it, so I don't expect these to "wow" anyone in terms of raw build quality.
4. There is no adjustable headband, so the auto-adjusting headband is a one-size-fits-al.
5. The earcups can barely swivel so there is little wiggle room for adjustment.
6. The connector at the end of the cable is huge, and much larger with the 3.5 mm adaptor used (see photos below).

 

 

 
The good:

1. It does feel sturdy in my hands despite the all-plastic build quality.
2. Supposedly the headband arcs are indestructible, but I do have to admit that they are very sturdy-feeling.
3. The pads are very large and fairly deep, so they will likely accomodate all ear sizes.
4. The pads are contoured such that they are thicker towards the back of the head and thinner towards the front.
5. The earpads are removable and simple to install
6. The cable is pretty substantially thick and it is long (3 m or 9 ft)

 
Despite all the cons, the K 701 feels pretty sturdy and solid as a whole. They definitely aren't the kind of headphones I would just throw in a backpack, but they feel fine for leaving around in the house. None of the cons are a major deal-breaker for me.
 
 
 
 
Comfort
With the 8-bump headband, I don't find the headband to be a problem on my head. On the other hand, I do find the clamping force to be a bit too much so I placed a tissue box between the K 701's earcups to decrease the clamping force. It took me a while to get that fixed since the indestructible headband arcs are very stiff and non-compliant. Once I got it to work though, I can wear the K 701s for hours on-end without a problem. One thing that bugs me about the earpads is that they are velour, and when your ears/head get hot and sweaty, the velour gladly absorbs it. Consequently the pads have a smell to them just like any other velour pad I've tried. On a whole though, I find velour earpads to be more breathable and thus more comfortable to wear on hot summer days like it has been the past few days.
 
 
 
 
Sound
The K 701 has an interesting sound that isn't for everyone. I did let them break-in for ~200 hours while playing video games (Assassin's Creed III in particular), and probably triple that amount while listening to them over the last few months. At first the treble was really bright and grating to my ears, but after all this time, they seem to have calmed down. Whether it's driver break-in, earpad break-in, cable break-in, or my brain getting used to the sound, something did change.
 

1. The bass is tight with decent, but not great, extension and It lacks punch. Drum pedals lack the gut-hitting thump for example.
2. The midrange is slightly warm and they have a slightly forward presence that makes them engaging. I think the midrange is the strongest aspect of the K 701 despite having a slight metallic tone. By metallic I mean the upper-midrange's timbre sounds off to me. The upper-midrange doesn't quite sound realistic, but it still sound good to me. It's hard for me to describe, honestly, hahaha. Most music genres that feature real instruments, and especially female vocals, will sound pretty good with the K 701. Despite the bass response of the K 701, I actually enjoy listening to some electronic music because the midrange has an engaging quality to it.
3. The treble has good extension but there does seem to be a slight emphasis on the frequency regions corresponding to where snare drums and hi-hat cymbals are, so the K 701 might be fatiguing to some. The K 701 is not sibilant though. Perhaps this area of emphasis is responsible for the slight metallic timbre of the midrange.
4. The soundstage of the K 701 is very wide, but not very deep.
5. Unfortunately because of this fairly linear soundstage, instruments don't quite sound very well-placed in my head even with binaural recordings. Relating to this imaging, the sounds seem to very stereo-like; as in the left and right channels have an emphasis and consequently leave the center imaging a bit lacking.

 
Overall I would say the K 701's sound is very good, but it does have its downfalls. The odd imaging, soundstage, and slight metallic sound are my only real complaints about the K 701, but they are quite tolerable if you're just sitting back and listening to the music. Apart from the metallic sound, the K 701 does has a very clear sound without any veiling and it does has an airy presentation that provides great instrument separation allowing instruments to be clearly identified.
 
I did most of my testing with my main desktop rig:

1. MacBook Pro Retina Display
2. CD-quality EAC-ripped albums and HD tracks
3. Audirvana Plus music player
4. Objective DAC
5. Objective 2

 
I do have an iPhone 4S and despite numerous people claiming you NEED to have an external amplifier, the K 701 actually sounded pretty good straight out of it. The treble seems to get messier and grainy, and the bass does sound a bit wooly, but that is the nature of the iPhone itself since I heard similar results with my V-MODA Crossfade M-100.
 
I also have a JDS Labs C5 and since its sound quality is similar to that of the O2, but with a narrower soundstage, it actually pairs pretty well with the K 701 despite it being a tad bit brighter in comparison to the O2. The center imaging becomes a bit more natural-sounding to me as if a crossfeed feature has been turned on, and switching on the C5's bass boost makes the K 701 a really great-sounding headphone for movie watching. The bass boost also makes the K 701 more suitable for bassier music genres and I really do like the pairing since it sounds a bit more balanced bass-wise compared to having the bass boost off.
 
With the FiiO E12 the bass seems to lose a bit of extension, the upper-midrange becomes even brighter/more aggressive compared to the C5, the treble becomes a bit grainier, and the soundstage seems more closed-in compared to the C5 making the center imaging a bit better at the cost of losing instrument separation (the soundstage becomes deeper than wide, which still sounds unnatural to me). The bass boost does work, but it does bleed into the midrange a bit as well. I wouldn't say the E12 is the best amp for the K 701.
 
 
 
 
Conclusion
For $300 I really do think the K 701 is a great headphone if you prefer to have an open and airy-sounding headphone. Just like other headphones from this era of time (Beyerdynamic DT880 and Sennheiser HD600), there is a bass roll-off. The midrange of the K 701 is its strongest aspect of the sound, despite its slight metallic colouring, because it does have some warmth, it is engaging, all while maintaining a clear, well-defined sound. The treble as a whole is fairly detailed and the emphasis on the hi-hats/snare drum area does seem a bit unnatural to me and might be fatiguing to some. I definitely think the K 701 sounds fantastic with music genres that feature real instruments, and it is acceptable with some electronic and genres that feature synthesised sounds as well.
 
 
 
 
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read or glance over my review. I hope this review helps you in some way or another. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
 
Cheers, and happy listening!

When I first got the K701, I had been using the Ety 4s so the bass was actually better on the 701s. They did sound tinny and shallow. I read that they needed about 400 hours of play to settle into the final character they will provide so I left them on along with a new tube amp for three weeks non stop. If they were going to fail, I wanted them to do it early in the warranty.
 
They did indeed respond both to moderate volume material and a more powerful amp. As I became more knowledgeable of the nuances of the sound, I started tweaking the cables, tubes and power cords.
 
I can say that while other headphones in the $250 range may have looks or a "wow"sound initially, I have always come back to the 701 for most of my listening. At this price range, I don't think you can find a better potential headphone to build a system around.
 
The audio quality of the headphone is based on balance. No one area of the sound is dominant. Some prefer a strong bass presentation and others prefer more highs be dominant. This headphone will earsmack you if the material presents it and your amp can deliver it. Otherwise the sound is distilled and smoothed. For acoustic and vocals, they do an admirable job. I enjoy early era progressive rock and acoustic rock with them. Anything more energetic and I have to change to the RS-1.
 
I am not a bass head but the 701s are bass lite. While the note is presented down to 35-40~, there is little weight unless the material highlights it. So listening to a bass groove will not stand out with the other music unless they are solo. But when listening solo, you can hear the pluck of the string by the finger, the leading edge of the note is solid and decay believable. The highs are a bit prominent. If your ears are young and treble sensitive, these could get fatiguing.
 
In deciding the value of these, keep in mind that you will need quality source material and amp to hear them at their best. Poor gear/material will be exposed. A solid state or hybrid amp is best suited for these because of their balanced presentation. I like tubes better but will cost more to get the same performance. AKG recommends 200 mv max. I'd recommend an amp with at least 500mw.

I thought they sounded good out of the box, but I'll wait some hundred hours for burn in to see for sure. They look expensive but I can't help thinking I will break them because there's so much plastic on them. I would never wear them around anyone, but they're prettier IMO than the Sennheiser HD800 anyhow. They are very uncomfortable and squeeze my head "very" hard. Make sure to shower every time before using them so you can resale them easier. They are the ones you wish you had until you have them, then you'll wish you had tested them on your head before you ordered them. I give overall 4 stars because they can't help that my head is big.  

Honestly, I probably can't say a whole lot of these that hasn't already been said before. Still, I figure it's worth putting my two cents out there, so here goes!
 
The Great:
 
-While the looks are certainly not to everyone's taste, I think they look fantastic. Easily one of the most attention-grabbing pair of headphones I've ever seen--even people who scoff at you when they hear you remark upon the sexiness of this or that pair of headphones can be stopped short in their tracks by the K701.
 
-The sound. It's not perfect--indeed, I do have a couple of moderate-to-severe nagging issues with it. But, on the whole, I find that these cans play extremely well with most of the music I throw at them. I especially find that jazz and chamber music that has been recorded live suits the K701 marvelously--the amount of detail that these headphones present to you is superb, especially considering that they manage to somehow not detract from the music itself. I also really enjoy them with thickly-layered pop albums where the K701's excellent instrument separation can work its magic, albums like Sufjan Stevens's Age of Adz and Talk Talk's The Colour of Spring. And if you're looking for a quasi-religious experience, give these cans William Basinski's Disintegration Loops to chew on. The sound of decay has never been more beautiful.
 
The Good:
 
-The packaging. Sure, you don't get a sturdy and pretty box to store them away with, but un-boxing these is a superior treat--and the cheapie little stand they come with is actually pretty handy.
 
-Boy, I love how easy the velour ear pads are to remove and clean. After hearing horror stories about trying to put Hifiman cans back together without breaking something, or feeling like I'm destroying the DT 1350s when trying to peel the pads off, I'm afraid to try and remove the pads on any cans period... except for the 701s. They come off easy, they go on easy, and they stay secure. Everyone should ape AKG's design here.
 
-Good value for the money, in my opinion. I'm eager to try out phones that are a bit pricier just to see how they compare. (Comparing this with the HD 650 as I type this now.)
 
The Nitpicks:
 
-The bass. Now, I think the bass is suitable for most of what I listen to, and it's present enough and extended enough for you to not miss anything... but those who like their bass to have a visceral presence should really look elsewhere. That said, some amping and equalization can really bring the K701's bass to life, but it's still not going to touch that of other quality full-sized cans.
 
-The sound stage is another possible hiccup with regards to the K701's sound--it may be, of all things, just a little too wide. It can make some music feel a tad artificial or tinny, and genres that depend upon aural blunt force trauma, like lots of metal, really suffer on these. The K701s will spread whatever you're listening to out by a pretty fair amount, and while doing so can yield great results, spreading out anything that's loud and heavy, or immediate and intimate, can really hurt the overall effect.
 
-Some people report that they find the K701s to be very comfortable--while I can tolerate them longer than, say, my DT 1350s, they don't at all approach the weightless sensation of something like the Denon AHD2000s. The bumps along the bottom of the headband which help to give the headphones some of their aesthetic appeal really have a way of drilling into your skull after a long listening period. And while the clamping force is pretty moderate, I find that the pads really push on my glasses.
 
-Speaking of glasses, just moving my head around while listening results in my frames and the velour ear pads squeaking up against one another rather loudly. (Despite the fact that they grip tighter and have similar pads, I don't have this problem on the HD650s.)
 
-While the headphones look fantastic, once you get them in your hands they feel pretty cheap and flimsy, and aesthetic flaws are easy to find, whether they came with the phones or rather you put them there. Which is all too easy to do, given just how white these things are, and how easily the silver can and will attract fingerprints. Also, all of that white can chip very easily. Be careful when putting these things down on a hard surface.
 
-I have concerns about how long the elastic strings which allow the headphones to self-adjust on your head can last, especially on a big head like mine.
 
-No detachable cables, no way to fold these things up, no way to wear them around your neck without looking like a dope. The K701s are big and bulky, and they are going to stay big and bulky.
 
The Bad:
 
-The K701s are hard to drive. They need an amp, and a fairly good one, to be worth listening to. Plugging them into an iPod won't get you much in the way of volume, and will make the K701s sound paper-thin and wispy. Plugging them into the headphone jack on your computer will result in slightly better sound, but still nothing to write home about. In fact, your cheapie headphones plugged into your computer will probably sound better. Don't even consider these without having an amp that can power them, or if you don't have room in your budget for an amp.
 
Conclusion:
 
So, there you have it. I really like these headphones. I'm not great at describing sound, so if you found those portions of my review a bit lacking, you'll find plenty of better listeners and writers describing the sound of these on the forums if you do a quick search. Thanks for reading!

This really is a personal, subjective review, but hopefully you can learn something from it.
 
I really shouldn't have bought these headphones, as it is well publicised that these are analytical, and possibly dry; however the problem is to understand how you will subjectively respond to something dry and analytical (or what to expect musically.)
 
What do these headphones do for music?  They bring out subtle details in the texture of the sound (as opposed to the tonality) as well as highlighting the timing/rhythmic variations with great detail.  
 
Now this may sound good, but what does it do subjectively?  At times it makes music sound "awkward" by exposing small timing flaws which human musicians make. 
 
At the same time the tonality of the music is dealt with in a rather critical/objective fashion, no romance at all, making things sound dry at times compared with other headphones.
 
Thirdly, the detail of these headphones reveals some lovely aspects of the musicianship, how the musicians hands move over the strings etc.  
 
However, it also reveals flaws in the recording/production, such as musicians moving around on their seats, changing pages, people in the audience coughing etc.
 
Ask yourself are these the aspects of your music you want to hear, along with tonal indifference?  I will let you answer that question.
 
I found these headphones to be suited more to classical music, but then people coughing or moving around gets annoying.  well produced rock music also occasionally sounds good.
 
Lastly these are definitely a headphone that is best to find second hand, as their sound is very divisive, a love/hate affair
 
NOTE: I didn't try these with a tube amp - I used a Burson HA 160

Out of contrarian rage, I ended up getting another  pair of 701s just to see why everyone is so intent on bashing these cans.  All my silver-haired classical mastering guys love these cans and go on about their ability to open the soundstage and layer it with subtle and rich detail .  Indeed, Vocal, jazz groups , piano solo, acoustic jazz, Guitar and plucked instruments, and ethnic music sounds exemplary through these cans.  They are noticeably cleaner and better defined when generously amped.
 
The build quality is above average for this pricepoint.  The design feels solid, well balanced and well thought-out. It's a relatively "big" assembly but never gets gets in the way once they're on your head.
The velour earcups are comfortable and fun to wear and the leather band an excellent stabilizer.  It  clamps less noticeably than the Sennies.  The Wires  connecting the headband and cups  give it a distinctive AKG design feel.
 
Sonically, These phones are "airy".  They provide details about the recording space and the high spectrum sonic tail coming from vocals, breathing, diction and vowels.  I hear  instrumental details concerning the string bindings, bowed strings and and tone color of upper partials of the trebles in certain recordings that are unusually revealing.  Instrumental placement and movement is as accurate as a Senn HD600, but perhaps lacks the "speed" and presence in some imaging mixes.
 
They don't work well with maisntream electric Rock n' Roll, metallica, or Pink Floyd. The richness in the middle is missing as is bass depth and speed  The only time I changed my mind about this is when I ran the 701 through a Audio Gd Fun, or C1 SE amp/NFB7.  Even so, I would probably reach for a different headphone if was going to head-bang through Primus' Sailing the Sea of Cheese.
 
This is a beautiful headphone at its current price. 
 
 

Akg K701 was the best headphones that I have own until I listen Sennheiser HD650. K701 impressed me with superb presentation of vocals and mids and a very good soundstage. These headphones have analytical sound -maybe to analytical for some taste- and also they deserve a very good headphones with a lot of power to drive them.