[tdockweiler]

Quote:

I'm seriously considering changing my K701's for a pair of Q701's since they seem to improve upon my biggest complaint about the K701's, namely the lack of warmth! Not only have I read it from several people here, but I also read a review from the swedish magazine "Ljud & Bild" and they also claim that the Q701's are warmer and fuller-sounding than the K701's.
The detachable cable is also a nice plus

 
The downside is however that they're still using that **** headband from hell

One idea is to see if you can demo them and compare them side by side in the store. This is probably not possible. Some stores have a good return policy and will let you return them.
I think everyone here would be interested in knowing if there is a difference for you. Some may not be able to tell them apart, but I think it's quite easy.
 
I only had the K702 though, but did have the K701 about 5 years ago.
 
Too bad there isn't an online link for that magazine review. It'd be nice to read it.
 
 

 

[GamerOne]

Quote:

One idea is to see if you can demo them and compare them side by side in the store. This is probably not possible. Some stores have a good return policy and will let you return them.
I think everyone here would be interested in knowing if there is a difference for you. Some may not be able to tell them apart, but I think it's quite easy.
 
I only had the K702 though, but did have the K701 about 5 years ago.
 
Too bad there isn't an online link for that magazine review. It'd be nice to read it.
 
 

Well, there is actually

 Right here: http://www.bildochljud.se/test/akg-q701 Its in swedish though

 

 

[liamstrain]

For what it's worth - Tyl thinks the 701/702/Q701 are the same phone. Maybe a slight difference in bass response as a result of the Q graphic blocking more of the open back. 
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/akg-quincy-jones-q701-sound-and-measurements
 

 

[tdockweiler]

Quote:

Well, there is actually

 Right here: http://www.bildochljud.se/test/akg-q701 Its in swedish though

 

Here's a translation for anyone that's bored:
 
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=sv&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bildochljud.se%2Ftest%2Fakg-q701

 

[tdockweiler]

Quote:

Here's a translation for anyone that's bored:
 
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=sv&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bildochljud.se%2Ftest%2Fakg-q701

Pretty much identical to my impressions.
Too bad they didn't compare the soundstage between both of them. The K702 has this really goofy soundstage and often makes vocals sounds a bit more distant than they should be. I wonder how you fix this? Whatever AKG did does the trick. The Q701 I have never has this artificially huge soundstage on any recording.
 
I know it depends on the recording to get the vocals right, but sometimes the K701/K702 still didn't always seem as accurate as it could be.

 

[skeeder]

Quote:

I'm seriously considering changing my K701's for a pair of Q701's since they seem to improve upon my biggest complaint about the K701's, namely the lack of warmth! Not only have I read it from several people here, but I also read a review from the swedish magazine "Ljud & Bild" and they also claim that the Q701's are warmer and fuller-sounding than the K701's.
The detachable cable is also a nice plus

 
The downside is however that they're still using that **** headband from hell

Dude is right on...I had the K701s and my they just never fit right...my head hurt after wearing them...probably why I liked the HD600s better...
 
 

 

[nsx280ps]

I think I discovered something that might change the sound on the Q701, right behind the cap with the Q logo on it, there are two foam pads... Which I tried to find pics on google and videos on youtube, these do not appear to be present on the K701s.... So more damping could contribute to the sound differences?
 
The pic shows the two different sides of the foam pads:
 
 

 

 

[FritzS]

Yes, all changes could be hearable ... tuning with different damping is a good way to get a good sounding
 
Today I have an AKG K1000 to entertain ... if I put my hands in the near of the gap  between my auricle and the headphone-driver, I distinguish the difference

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

I think I discovered something that might change the sound on the Q701, right behind the cap with the Q logo on it, there are two foam pads... Which I tried to find pics on google and videos on youtube, these do not appear to be present on the K701s.... So more damping could contribute to the sound differences?
 
The pic shows the two different sides of the foam pads:
 
 

 

Weird,  somewhere on the Q701 thread someone posted a link to the service manuals for K702 and Q701.
The only difference between the two parts lists was something called a Cardan piece.    
When I get some time I'll see if I can link to that link for you.
 
But I agree, damping sure will change the sound!

 

[FritzS]

http://www.akg.com/site/powerslave,id,7,nodeid,7,_language,EN,cat,11.html

 

[nsx280ps]

just checked the service manual, these foam pads dont seem to be on either the K701 or Q701 manuals... Weird.. Not sure why they would not account for that part on the Q701 manual
 
The foam pads basically sit right between part 8 and 9 of the Q701 manual
http://www.akg.com/mediendatenbank2/psfile/datei/34/Q7014ccfcf894bb82.pdf

 

[Chris J]

Check out the cardan piece.

 

[liamstrain]

The cardan piece (No. 15 in the referenced PDF) is part of the driver housing, not the foam disks. 

 

[Chris J]

 
I'm only pointing out that the Cardan piece assembly is different on the K (the K has 1) than on the Q  (the Q has 2).
This could account for the difference in sound....................or maybe not. It's only a theory of mine.

 

[roBernd]

K701 K702 and Q701 are the same phones!
 
but there is one huge difference which changes the sound slightly!
Under the Back-Grill (The one with the Q on it) is a piece of foam only found on the Q701... which basically makes them "semi-open" (hush, don't spread the word )
 
If you want to upgrade from K70X to Q701, just get this part, this or some similar foam, and insert it. DONE!
Triva to close this post. ->Same part can be found on the K601.