[fewtch]

In case somebody hasn't picked up on it yet, the K501 is very light on bass and definitely not for everyone. It's about as light as the Koss Portapro is heavy, if that gives you any idea. Better be prepared to exorcise your basshead demons if you get one.

P.S. people will say it's false that they have "no bass." That's correct, the K501s definitely have bass. It's just rolled off on the low end, and midbass is flat with no humps. Once you get used to the sonic signature it's no big deal, but bassheads will *hate* this headphone. You know who you are... you have been warned.

 

[wang228]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnB180 how do the 501s sound compared to the 240m akgs?

I own both but i've never done a side-by-side comparison. I like both of them. K501 seem to have better extensions (both high and lows). The high on K501 is more pronounced but never sounds piercing. K501 probably plays lower (the low drops more slower in frequency) but never has enough bass volume for a full force orchestra. It's beautiful with music that does not contain low bass notes ( mozart piano sonatas for example) or those that you can forfeit bass for the sake of female voice. Overall character is rather thin and dry, which is not always a bad thing depending on the recording/type of music.

K240M has a rather severe restricted frequency extensions (but it rarely comes off as sounding thin to me as does K501). It never sounds boomy or edgy, with a more swolen mid with a tiny bit of resonace (not sure if resonance is the word-- it sounds like there's slight added reverberation at the upper mid frequency... my K340 has this trait too, but with the frequency shifted up) It is also has a slower transient response. Notes seem to be played more legato. Overall, a pleasing and smooth set of can.

 

[Jahn]

The above is all true, but if someone is coming from the KSC-35 directly to the K501, you can't help but say "where's the bass?" regardless if there is actually an inherent lack of natural bass. It's pretty strikingly different in degree (and quality, hehe - of course K501 bass is more refined, but it's also less in quantity).

 

[monkuboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnB180 do the 501's really give the 701s a run for the money enough to cancel the 701 order? how do the 501s sound compared to the 240m akgs?

So how do the 501's compare to the 701's? I keep reading about the fantastic midrange the 501's have and for $129 it is tempting to cancel my 701 order and go for the 501's since that's less than 1/2 the cost. But what do folks think - is it worth holding out for the 701's? What are the differences?

 

[spike33]

I advise ppl to stick with K701 if you've already ordered it. You'll have higher chance of being satisfied. Even if you order K501, there's chance you won't get the bassy pads, I think it's completely random. When I ordered my previous pair of K501s after reading doobooloo's "OMG THE BASS" thread, it did not have the brown rings.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Well how bass-shy are the 'bassy' K501's? Are they still limited in their production, but not as much...or are the 'bassy' ones actually comparable to say a SR-60 or something of the like (obviously the Koss driver's, think KSC-35/75, are bassier than normal)?

 

[spike33]

Ok, for the old k501s, if you're not looking for the bass, you won't even notice it. With bassy k501s, it is much more present, it's just there but not intrusive. Nowhere near the bass of koss, I don't remember sr60 having that much bass so maybe similar amount.

 

[Azure]

So, the the bass on the bassy K501's doesn't mask the mids at all?

Figured I might as well ask here: Traditional amp recommendation for K501's (To make those "sweet mids" really shine)?

 

[CAMiasm]

ordered a pair yesterday, should be here tuesday. i'm goign to be using a $60 pocket amp 2 V2 because i'm a poor student.

quite excited as this will be my first pair of good headphones.

 

[wang228]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure So, the the bass on the bassy K501's doesn't mask the mids at all? Figured I might as well ask here: Traditional amp recommendation for K501's (To make those "sweet mids" really shine)?

I love my M3 with K501 with a slight bassboost.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Anyone else picked this up?

Not that I care about this stuff, but do they also come in a normal plastic box like the K601?

 

[Azure]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wang228 I love my M3 with K501 with a slight bassboost.

Have you tried the using them with a more forward opamp like the AD8610?

 

[HFat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain Not that I care about this stuff, but do they also come in a normal plastic box like the K601?

Mine came in the standard AKG 100% cardboard box. It's not a fashion statement type of box but rather something that's sturdy and practical enough for daily use.

 

[spike33]

Hours 0-24 were great. Burned in more overnight. Right now at 36 hours, where did the bass go?

Why is it so bright and harsh? Ouch, it is really hard to listen to right now. I think I'll let it burn in more...

 

[Azure]

Bright and harsh? What opamps are you using?