AKG K 81 DJ VS ATH-ES7

[zekexz]

does anyone have both of these headphones to shed me some light in comparing their quality of bass, extent of isolating outside noises and its durability? (durability- im wearing the AKGDJ's right now and it feels like my head is being squisheed[which i like] and its strength to keep it that way looks like itll last atleast a year).

 

[tomjonesrocks]

I know that some feel it's not nice to say this--but there really are quite a few recently discussed threads on this already available by search comparing these phones.

But my .02 is if you're primary concern is throw-them-around durability--I'd stick with the K81DJ or go to HD25-1s. The isolation is better with the K81DJ than it is with the ES7--BTW. SQ is (arguably) better with the ES7 though--but they also cost more, and--did I mention there are other threads about this?

 

[tomjonesrocks]

duplicate.

 

[3X0]

tomjonesrocks pretty much hit it dead-on.. the ES7 will scratch readily unless you make a special effort to preserve the earcups (by means of a skin, et cetera). Even then I doubt it would be as ultimately durable as the K81DJ.

 

[jjcha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3X0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif tomjonesrocks pretty much hit it dead-on.. the ES7 will scratch readily unless you make a special effort to preserve the earcups (by means of a skin, et cetera). Even then I doubt it would be as ultimately durable as the K81DJ.

This is pretty overstated, in my opinion. I pretty much toss around my ES7, and while there are some signs of wear if you look/focus on them (small scratches here and there) it's not like the mirror finish is that fragile. I mean I wouldn't drag them across gravel or anything, but I've got no problem tossing them between some books in the bookbag.

If you take the position you want them to be pristine and perfect, sure, the mirror finish is less forgiving of imperfections. But things are meant to be used, and a few fine scratches don't ruin the look.

Best,

-Jason

 

[daveDerek]

Jason, aren't your es7s modded and if so what was done to them?
OP, btw, there was a very recent thread about k81djs vs es7s (the search function can be your friend):
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=233412

 

[scottiebabie]

yup i too toss my ES7s around the house and in the haversack and all. the mirror finish is still relatively intact and FWIW even plastic finishes gets scratched. mite not be as obvious as all.

i find the ES7 the best contructed and most durable in comparo with all of the cans i've owned. the thing's basically bulletproof unless you plan on using it as a discus.

interms of SQ i think its a great porty headfons. its greatest strength is its solid well defined (but never muddy IMO) bottom end. my jaws still drop on certain tracks as i still cant believe the bass impact esp. with a crappy ipod. i use the ES7 in conjuction with the ksc75 depending on genre, situation and mood. ES7s for rock, heavy metal, reggae, r&b, rap, pop, etc.. and the koss when the mood strikes esp. when the genre calls for a larger, more open soundstage.

havnt heard the AKG but mosts of the responses seems to suggest its slightly more boomy/muddy.

O and did i forget to say that IMO, ES7's the coolest hippest cans period

. definatly tops in the pride of ownership dept.

 

[jjcha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveDerek /img/forum/go_quote.gif Jason, aren't your es7s modded and if so what was done to them?

Heh, well, I managed to snap the cable to my ES7 by standing up (while wearing them) when I had been sitting on the cable. Between my feet being planted on the cable on the ground and the force of my big fat head going straight up - snap!

Anyway, the mod is a simple recable with a Grado cable (I think it was one lan had laying around - SR-60 one?)

Heh, as for how the "mod" sounds... hard to say. I haven't compared side by side with a stock - sounds good to me though.

Best,

-Jason

 

[Veniogenesis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjcha /img/forum/go_quote.gif Heh, well, I managed to snap the cable to my ES7 by standing up (while wearing them) when I had been sitting on the cable. Between my feet being planted on the cable on the ground and the force of my big fat head going straight up - snap!

That is my worst fear with headphones.

I did it once with my SA5K. Haha, I had to get it recabled afterwards.

 

[3X0]

My ES7 got a minor scratch pretty easily even when babying (I didn't even touch the thing without washing my hands and freeing them of dirt and extraneous particles). The good thing about it though is that the scratches don't stand out too much from the surface, and are actually surprisingly easy to buff out.

I do acknowledge that the build quality is top-notch, but I wouldn't dare throw my pair around!

 

[zekexz]

lol more than 70% of you commented about how the es7's mirror look n the durability of the mirror itself, well i guess ill ask more specific questions. ive read the other threads about these two headphones and from them i see that the ES7's are better in soundquality. so now my only question is whether the isolation from outside noises of the ES7's are better/as good as the K81DJ? and whether the strength of the "clamping" of the headphone of the ES7 is as strong as the K81DJ.

and one more thing, where do i go (or what do i search) to learn a bout moding headphones? not that ill be learning off the ES7's or K81DJ, but ill try it out first on some shafty pair of sony's somewhere in my room.

 

[Asr]

The isolation from the outside world on the K81DJ is better than the ES7's. The ES7 actually has a light grip compared to the pressure of the K81DJ. Neither will leak out music but it's much easier to hear what's going on around you with the ES7.