[bhanja_trinanjan]

[size=small]Hello,
Surprise!

6moons audio reviews: AKG K-702

The reviewer feels that with the right amp, the K702 can reach the performance of the much more expensive HD800!

That the HD800 is a ‘supercharged’ K702 has been echoed by some members from time to time…

Strangely, an equally large number of Head-Fiers dismiss the K702 to be way, way inferior to the HD800.

So, keeping the 6 moons review in mind, let’s try to unravel the mystery behind these divided opinions.

Just a case of different ears and tastes… I wonder?!

Or is it a matter of amplifier – headphone synergy; where the K702 and HD800 like different kinds of amplifiers to shine? (Because of varying impedances)
[/size]

 

[MacedonianHero]

I've owned the K701s and very much enjoyed them. The K701/2 are very impressive cans indeed, but (and this is a big but), my listening sessions with the HD800s proved that they were a superior headphone in every way.

Their sound stage was amazingly wider, the bass was deeper, better controlled and more impactful. And talk about clarity and micro detail retrieval...you gotta give it to the HD800s!

Not to take away from the AKG's, but they were not in the same league as the HD800s IMO. I did prefer them to the HD650/600s though.

 

[AmanGeorge]

Having owned both, I think they are similar in terms of their presentation. Both strive for a wide open sound with tight bass, excellent treble extension and detail, and impressive quickness. The K701 is a little drier, has less bass, and can come off a little grainy and slightly tonally off relative to the HD800, but the differences are not so dramatic that I can empathize with the folks who hate the K701 but love the HD800. I still think the K701 is an outstanding headphone, even though I have since let it jump ship from my stable.

 

[midoo1990]

If the hd800 is anything like the k701,then I will not even consider saving money for it!the k701 mids sound thin and sibilant,instruments sound thin also and treble is very energitic and cymbals sound glassy or unnaturaly sparkley and the soundstage has no depth in it although it is very darn wide.the only things I liked about them is the level of detail,the open sound,the deep punchy bass and comfort level.I purchased the hd650 from a headfier as I think that it will suit me better,I love my senn. Ie8 thick full bodied laid back sound,which I think the hd650 will resemble it.there are some real flows in the k701 especially in the treble area...

 

[AmanGeorge]

I think the HD800 mids will sound fuller to you than the K701 due to the fact that the frequency response in the Senns is a little less tipped up... the treble energy will probably still be there though. I agree that K701 soundstage depth isn't great - the HD800 has outstanding depth, though. So who knows - you might like the HD800. I just think that by and large they share a similar sound, almost as if the "approach" to tuning them was the same but the HD800 was much more successful. Neither one of them have much in common with the HD650, which sounds much darker and slower than either the HD800 or the K701.

 

[midoo1990]

That's why I bought the hd650,I am sensitive to treble and I like the dark sennheiser house sound,if the hd800 treble is like the k701 thn it's too hot and fatiguing for me.I can't imagine listening to something like grado 325i,I think my head will explode from the amount of treble

 

[erd]

For ~$250, with the right amp, K702 sounds amazing. I mostly agree with the reviewer that the K702 is not far behind headphones that cost 5-6 times the price like the HD800. Sure it may not be as good, but it's definitely not far behind.

 

[aimlink]

I'm finding the ALO K702's to be fabulous. I agree pretty much with the assessment including that little comment about the K702's needing some volume for it all to come together in spades. Not that it's loud. It's just that you can't listen at low volumes.

 

[AmanGeorge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aimlink /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm finding the ALO K702's to be fabulous. I agree pretty much with the assessment including that little comment about the K702's needing some volume for it all to come together in spades. Not that it's loud. It's just that you can't listen at low volumes.

Oh man, I 150% agree with this and I thought it was awesome that the 6moons review mentioned it too. The headphones sound really distant, boring, and not totally resolved when played at low volumes - they have to be jacked pretty high for the sound to really come together.

 

[aimlink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhanja_trinanjan /img/forum/go_quote.gif [size=small]Hello, Surprise! Strangely, an equally large number of Head-Fiers dismiss the K702 to be way, way inferior to the HD800. [/size]

Be wary of this sort of hyperbole. Other commonly used hyperbole are 'decimate', 'annihilate' etc. This stirs up undue excitement and inordinately high expectations when going up the ladder. The ALO K702's, when properly amp'd (as with any decent can) are really, really great.

 

[Duckman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacedonianHero /img/forum/go_quote.gif Their sound stage was amazingly wider, the bass was deeper, better controlled and more impactful. And talk about clarity and micro detail retrieval...you gotta give it to the HD800s!

One of the surprising claims of that article is that, properly amped, the 702s have more bass quantity vis a vis the 800s (p.2 paragraph 9).

"Where Grado's bass is nicely goosed, Denon's plain over the top and Sennheiser's not quite on par with the remainder of their otherwise stunning flagships, the AKGs are in fact just right. But again, it needs a muscular amp to think so."

 

[tdogzthmn]

Interesting read, I agree with the writer that for the money the K702 is a steal. They are some serious headphones which require an amp with serious power to show its abilities.

 

[Acix]

The better amp you have the better sound you'll get out of the K-701/2, maybe the most sensitive hps to amplification. Best results in my experience with SS amps like the Phomitor / Luxman, I'm sure there is others good amps too, I almost give on tubes for now, just want to check out the Woo 6. The DAC also very important link in the 701/2 bliss.

 

[bhanja_trinanjan]

I have always been happy with the K701's bass. The only complaint I have is that everything sounds a bit smaller than life unless played really loud. This causes me ear fatigue. I am 85% happy with the stock K701. I plan to grab the ALO K702 soon and find out whether everything sounds fuller at lower volumes.

 

[bhanja_trinanjan]

Just asking... do aftermarket cables (Cardas/ALO) add fullness to the slightly lean/distant character of the K702 mids/upper mids?