gordolindsay
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2004
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Ok, we got all the other kinds of K701 threads out there so it's getting about time people have them broke in and start reviewing for the lusters
Alright, here is my attempt.....
Before we get started, let me give you a little background info on my headphones and the type of sound I like.
My headphone journey went something like this. Last Christmas I wanted some headphones, not knowing jack about headphones. So to make a long story short, I found head-fi and everything went downhill from there
I got a pair of AKG 240’s and really liked the sound, it was better than anything I had heard before. But it didn’t take very long for me to figure out that I hated pleather pads. So back they went and Beyer DT880’s came in. WOW! Crystal clear highs and a gigantic soundstage. Well, after spending a lot of time with them, I realized that they were lacking midrange and bass (in my system, I heard them later at a meet with a different amp and had plenty of bass). So, off those went and in came Senn HD650’s. Again, they accomplish most of what I was looking for, bass, midrange, comfort, and soundstage. They lacked the treble balance I was wanting. So off those went and that brings us to the 701’s.
I will compare the k701’s, hd650’s and dt880’s in this review but please remember the dt880’s and 650’s are being pulled from my memory so it technically isn’t a fair review. But my reasons for getting rid of both of those pairs of phones are still vivid and that’s what I will focus on.
Ok, here are my initial impressions of the k701’s. In the beginning I noticed the treble was kind of scratchy and not very coherent, the bass was present and eased my fears that this headphone would have to go back on account of the lack of bass. The midrange was wonderful like all AKG’s (supposedly…I have owned the k240’s and those had great midrange and other people say other AKG’s have great midrange so…there.)
After about 50 hours, the treble evened out more and became more transparent. The soundstage is massive, I will be sitting here listening to music and something will come out of the background and scare the bejesus out of me.
After about 100 hours, it is becoming more balanced and more even. It is starting to sound like a high-end headphone.
And now, I have ~150 hours on it and I think it is pretty much done changing. So here we go on what I think these headphones are.
Ok, we’ll start at the bottom and work our way up. The bass is there but I wouldn’t be hurt if there was a little more (remember the DT880’s, yeah, it’s time for me to get a new amp). So, right now I say the bass is VERY tuneful and is actually pretty impactful if your music is recorded that way. Who knows, hopefully they will improve in the bass volume department with a different amp. The Senn’s win in this department as far as volume and amount goes, but I think the 701’s are more articulate and are faster at reproducing bass notes along the same lines as the DT880’s. As far as amount of bass between the k701’s and the DT880’s, I think the k701’s are marginally better.
The midrange is outstanding, male and female voices are so intimate and textured. It is really pretty easy to pick out an instrument, say guitar, and being able to tell how it is being played. The strumming, the “twanging”, and just being able to hear fingers going up and down the fret board. The k701’s are very clear and “open” sounding. Separating instruments are very easy to do with these phones. I think the k701’s pull ahead fairly easily in this category.
Detailed, airy, smooth, and articulate are the words that come to mind when I think of the treble. It transitions smoothly from lows to mids to highs. There is no sign of sibilance anywhere and it is easy to listen to for long periods of time without getting fatigued. The highs are very well extended and focused. Obviously much different in this category from the 650’s and fits my listening habits much better. I can really pick out more details with the k701’s than the 650’s. The dt880’s also excelled in this department and although I can’t compare them fairly since it’s been a while, I’d have to say the dt880’s and k701’s are very close in the upper regions.
These headphones are very comfortable also. Actually they were pretty stiff out of the box and I think it will take a while before they get to the point of being broken in (comfort wise now). The headband is the part that hurts the most right now. Don’t get me wrong, I love AKG’s headband suspension system, but it really needs to loosen up a bit. The earpads aren’t quite as soft as the Beyer’s but they are still lovely and can keep them on for long periods of time.
So, there you have it, my first attempt at something resembling a review. Sorry it wasn’t very formal in the sense of including what music I tested or what not but I did write it with them on my head listening to all kinds of music.
Alright….pick away
Alright, here is my attempt.....
Before we get started, let me give you a little background info on my headphones and the type of sound I like.
My headphone journey went something like this. Last Christmas I wanted some headphones, not knowing jack about headphones. So to make a long story short, I found head-fi and everything went downhill from there
I will compare the k701’s, hd650’s and dt880’s in this review but please remember the dt880’s and 650’s are being pulled from my memory so it technically isn’t a fair review. But my reasons for getting rid of both of those pairs of phones are still vivid and that’s what I will focus on.
Ok, here are my initial impressions of the k701’s. In the beginning I noticed the treble was kind of scratchy and not very coherent, the bass was present and eased my fears that this headphone would have to go back on account of the lack of bass. The midrange was wonderful like all AKG’s (supposedly…I have owned the k240’s and those had great midrange and other people say other AKG’s have great midrange so…there.)
After about 50 hours, the treble evened out more and became more transparent. The soundstage is massive, I will be sitting here listening to music and something will come out of the background and scare the bejesus out of me.
After about 100 hours, it is becoming more balanced and more even. It is starting to sound like a high-end headphone.
And now, I have ~150 hours on it and I think it is pretty much done changing. So here we go on what I think these headphones are.
Ok, we’ll start at the bottom and work our way up. The bass is there but I wouldn’t be hurt if there was a little more (remember the DT880’s, yeah, it’s time for me to get a new amp). So, right now I say the bass is VERY tuneful and is actually pretty impactful if your music is recorded that way. Who knows, hopefully they will improve in the bass volume department with a different amp. The Senn’s win in this department as far as volume and amount goes, but I think the 701’s are more articulate and are faster at reproducing bass notes along the same lines as the DT880’s. As far as amount of bass between the k701’s and the DT880’s, I think the k701’s are marginally better.
The midrange is outstanding, male and female voices are so intimate and textured. It is really pretty easy to pick out an instrument, say guitar, and being able to tell how it is being played. The strumming, the “twanging”, and just being able to hear fingers going up and down the fret board. The k701’s are very clear and “open” sounding. Separating instruments are very easy to do with these phones. I think the k701’s pull ahead fairly easily in this category.
Detailed, airy, smooth, and articulate are the words that come to mind when I think of the treble. It transitions smoothly from lows to mids to highs. There is no sign of sibilance anywhere and it is easy to listen to for long periods of time without getting fatigued. The highs are very well extended and focused. Obviously much different in this category from the 650’s and fits my listening habits much better. I can really pick out more details with the k701’s than the 650’s. The dt880’s also excelled in this department and although I can’t compare them fairly since it’s been a while, I’d have to say the dt880’s and k701’s are very close in the upper regions.
These headphones are very comfortable also. Actually they were pretty stiff out of the box and I think it will take a while before they get to the point of being broken in (comfort wise now). The headband is the part that hurts the most right now. Don’t get me wrong, I love AKG’s headband suspension system, but it really needs to loosen up a bit. The earpads aren’t quite as soft as the Beyer’s but they are still lovely and can keep them on for long periods of time.
So, there you have it, my first attempt at something resembling a review. Sorry it wasn’t very formal in the sense of including what music I tested or what not but I did write it with them on my head listening to all kinds of music.
Alright….pick away
