[squiddokiddo]

I am a musician but do not call myself an audiophile. I am however interested in getting the best sounding set-up for the price and this forum seems to know what they are talking about. I have a pair of akg k702s that I have used for years without an amplifier, and while reading posts on this forum I realized that seems to be a no-no. I have a very limited budget (I probably can't spend more than 100$, the k702s were a gift), and I'm wondering if buying an amp that cheap would be beneficial, and if so which amp to get. I'm also looking for a pair of very budget IEMs, I already have a pair of brainwavs deltas with some spare comply tips and I'm wondering if it's worth owning some KZs as well, and if so which model (both for use away from home). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BunnyNamedCraig]

if you're enjoying the headphones without it then ignorance may be bliss. People say you NEED to amp them probably since they would really benefit from it. amping harder to drive headphones usually gives you more instrument separation, wider sound stage, more depth ect. Basically makes everything "more".

 

[squiddokiddo]

if you're enjoying the headphones without it then ignorance may be bliss. People say you NEED to amp them probably since they would really benefit from it. amping harder to drive headphones usually gives you more instrument separation, wider sound stage, more depth ect. Basically makes everything "more".

Do you think a FiiO A3 would be enough? I've seen the brand mentioned here before and that price looks a lot nicer to me than some of the other amplifiers.

 

[nintendoo]

akg k702s can be hard to dirve. What kind of music do you mostly listen?

 

[pbui44]

When on a budget, the Bravo Ocean tube amp is always a great under $100 choice:

https://www.amazon.com/Bravo-Audio-Ocean-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A2QKSVI

akg k702s can be hard to dirve. What kind of music do you mostly listen?

As for what KZ to get:

Larger ears with isolation is the ZS10:

https://www.amazon.com/KZ-Balanced-Armature-Technology-Earphone/dp/B07BWGVKVR

Larger ears in a quieter place is the ZS6 with KZ silver cable:

https://www.amazon.com/KZ-ZS6-Driver-Earphones-Detachable/dp/B075D9R4LW?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3v-IvuPg2wIVDZJ-Ch3hDwnOEAAYASAAEgI9JvD_BwE&hvadid=220040163508&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9027589&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6352445067664489760&hvtargid=kwd-355650146056&keywords=kz+zs6&qid=1529447402&sr=8-2-spons&tag=hydsma-20&ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa&psc=1&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074...g_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ABBR1A27VMNAAY0NDPT7

Smaller ears with isolation is the ZSR:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07922Q95P/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?psc=1

Smaller ears in a quieter place is the ZSA:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D6N23GJ/ref=sspa_mw_detail_6?psc=1

Edit: If you do more critical listening with your K702:

And your music source is a computer, get a Schiit Fulla 2:

http://www.schiit.com/products/fulla-2

And your music source is analog-RCA, get a Schiit Magni 3:

http://www.schiit.com/products/magni-3

 

[squiddokiddo]

I found a used schiit magni, is that a good option for the k702s? or would I be better off with the bravo ocean?

 

[pbui44]

Okay, so if you listen to music to get the rhythm, play instruments with emphasis on bass or tonality, or just want pure enjoyment, then go for the Bravo Ocean. Otherwise, just get the used Schiit Magni or new Magni 3.

 

[squiddokiddo]

Okay, so if you listen to music to get the rhythm, play instruments with emphasis on bass or tonality, or just want pure enjoyment, then go for the Bravo Ocean. Otherwise, just get the used Schiit Magni or new Magni 3.

what do you mean by "play instruments with emphasis on bass or tonality"? what are the strengths of the magni over the ocean?

 

[pbui44]

Since the Magni is solid-state, it will provide a clearer and more accurate sound, as opposed to the “tubey” sound of the Bravo Ocean, which has a “warmer” sound that has more “life”.

 

[squiddokiddo]

Since the Magni is solid-state, it will provide a clearer and more accurate sound, as opposed to the “tubey” sound of the Bravo Ocean, which has a “warmer” sound that has more “life”.

as somebody who makes music, would a more accurate sound be more desireable? My k702s sound very cold in my experience and I'm wondering if the warmer tube sound might suit that better...

 

[pbui44]

Well, we can go back to @nintendoo’s question: what genres do you play and what genres do you listen to for fun?

 

[squiddokiddo]

Well, we can go back to @nintendoo’s question: what genres do you play and what genres do you listen to for fun?

probably the most represented are australian psychadelic rock and shoegaze but only by a small margin, I really listen all over

 

[pbui44]

Okay, so based on your thoughts on your K702 sounding very cold and the genres you shift towards, I would say to get the Bravo Ocean. Then when you get more money (a lot more, considering the Ocean’s value), you can get a Schiit Jotunheim or something like that.

 

[squiddokiddo]

Okay, so based on your thoughts on your K702 sounding very cold and the genres you shift towards, I would say to get the Bravo Ocean. Then when you get more money (a lot more, considering the Ocean’s value), you can get a Schiit Jotunheim or something like that.

ok thanks, I think I may go with the v2 instead of the ocean because apparently the internals are the same, and the price is much lower (so I can spend some extra on tubes)

 

[pbui44]

The Bravo V2 works as well. Just remember not to touch the PCB or internals during cold weather, or get a free used/new ESD wrist strap kit and use that to control the V2.