[swt61]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak Then I guess we'll have to disagree To me combining a electrostatic/dynamic hybrid isn't as revolutionary as a headphone that literally is an earspeaker; one where you can manipulate the listening experience based on how you position the drivers. If the K340 was the first electrostatic headphone then I would be much more impresssed.

I would consider both a classic. They both did something that was untried, and in both cases i believe they pulled it off! But to say the K340 isn't revolutionary is kind of silly. You don't have to completely reinvent something to take it to a new level. I wouldn't consider the K1000's revolutionary, as Philodox pointed out they are basicaly speakers attached to a framework. It's the fact that they sound so damn good that makes them a classic! IMHO i have not heard a headphone that made me say, "OK, the K340's are obsolete". They sound as good or better than most newer "Top Dog" headphones i've heard. That's my oppinion of coarse!
And JunktionFET, I think "famous K340" would be more accurate than "infamous".

 

[Ferbose]

The reason I say K501 is outdated is because it is supassed by K701.
K701 takes the K501 sound signature to a higher level.
K701, however, does not make HD650 outdated because the sound signature is different.
K701 definitely does not make K1000 outdated because K1000 still sounds better by a clear margin.

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferbose The reason I say K501 is outdated is because it is supassed by K701. K701 takes the K501 sound signature to a higher level.

So clearly then, you'd claim the Senn HD580 and HD600 are outdated, because of the HD650? Strange how many folks still use/enjoy the first two, they don't seem to be outdated at all.

Ditto with all the lower Grados, they're all outdated because of the RS-1 and 2?

And the K601. It's brand new, but according to your theory it's outdated too.

What is it about the attitude of K701 owners? Or is it just the FOTM syndrome (I hope so).

 

[mysticaldodo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferbose The reason I say K501 is outdated is because it is supassed by K701. K701 takes the K501 sound signature to a higher level. K701, however, does not make HD650 outdated because the sound signature is different. K701 definitely does not make K1000 outdated because K1000 still sounds better by a clear margin.

What is your definition of 'outdated'?

Perhaps everyone is thinking differently (meaning of 'outdated')

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferbose The reason I say K501 is outdated is because it is supassed by K701. K701 takes the K501 sound signature to a higher level. K701, however, does not make HD650 outdated because the sound signature is different. K701 definitely does not make K1000 outdated because K1000 still sounds better by a clear margin.

Yep!

 

[JunktionFET]

After hearing all the buzz, I'm curious what the K701 sounds like. All the conversations thus far have led me to believe that the K701 is like the K501, but all of the little gripes have been addressed.

 

[BluesDaddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferbose The reason I say K501 is outdated is because it is supassed by K701. K701 takes the K501 sound signature to a higher level. K701, however, does not make HD650 outdated because the sound signature is different. K701 definitely does not make K1000 outdated because K1000 still sounds better by a clear margin.

Well, based on the reviews I've read, the 701 may have a more balanced sound, but at the sacrifice of the mid-range signature and soundstage of the 501. Consequently it would seem that the 701 is *not* the 501 plus, but something different altogether. Of course, I haven't heard them and so cannot speak from first-hand experience.

Gotta admit I love my 501s and, at $129 (or maybe less in the future) are the sonic bargain of the century right now.

 

[sonance]

Personally I'd say no. All the headphones that have appreciated in value after being discontinued - L3000, CD3000, AKG K1000, R10, K340, etc. had something unique about them. The K601 and K701 are still in production and are a step up from the K501.
For example (totally hypothetical) lets say AKG released 2 other hybrids, the K350 and the K360 using better drivers, wiring, housings, etc. and they sounded great - better than the K340, and still had them in production, I don't think the K340 would have as much interest in the used market. This is exactly the situation with the K501. Pure speculation of course.
I don't see people scrambling to buy used K401s either.

 

[vid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonance Personally I'd say no. All the headphones that have appreciated in value after being discontinued - L3000, CD3000, AKG K1000, R10, K340, etc. had something unique about them. The K601 and K701 are still in production and are a step up from the K501.

Don't AKG themselves say the K 501 is a specialized headphone? The K 701 on the other hand seems to be a more "mainstream" version, and so it does not replace the 501 per se.

 

[spike33]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluesDaddy Well, based on the reviews I've read, the 701 may have a more balanced sound, but at the sacrifice of the mid-range signature and soundstage of the 501. Consequently it would seem that the 701 is *not* the 501 plus, but something different altogether. Of course, I haven't heard them and so cannot speak from first-hand experience. Gotta admit I love my 501s and, at $129 (or maybe less in the future) are the sonic bargain of the century right now.

K501 are a great bargain but K701 are a big step up. I didn't want to believe it. I cancelled my K701 to get K501, but after listening to K701, it does not sacrifice anything. It has an even more natural, smoother, and sweeter sounding midrange. Less analytical, more pleasing, yet more detailed. K501 are a heck of a deal though, you can get them as low as $100 used, that's 1/3 of price of K701!

 

[jimmyjames8]

Potential Classic? Nope it's already a classic as most AKG's that have been around for a while. Would definetly buy another pair for $100 new to keep on the shelf.

 

[MDR30]

This five year old thread presents an interesting discussion about which AKG headphone, the K340 or K501, will become a future classic. Favours seemed to have moved from the K340 to the K501 lately.
 
I own both and listen more often to the K501than the K340 which isn't very present presently. The K701 - of course! - pops up in the discussion as well.
 
The FOTM attraction is quite unpredictable...
 
I hereby invite another reader to resurrect this thread in 2016.

 

[MDR30]

The K501 together with my modded Sony MDR-F1 has the best sound stage in my collection. Wonderfully balanced and detailed sound. It's usually criticised for lacking bass, but I find it balanced in that respect. If you listen to acoustic music, voices and non-processed recordings it's very, very hard to better.
 

 

 

[Katun]

Woah. You have the K501 and the F1? I'm incredibly jealous...
 
Which did you say has better soundstage? What did you do to mod the F1?

 

[MDR30]

There are a few threads on modding the F1, masterminded by ljordan, SK138, Moonwalker and FearSC549. I disconnected the impedance compensating network (bypassing two resistors) and altered the damping of the driver. Result is a more neutral frequency response and improved clarity.