Ohio Enthusiast
New Head-Fier
Anyone has a recommendation for closed-back headphones that sound similar to the K702?
I've had my K702's for several years (driven by Meizu Hi-Fi DAC and an Audient Evo 4 interface (for monitoring)) and I love them a lot. I especially appreciate the sound stage (which I know I can't replicate with closed-backs) and clarity/brightness (particularly higher notes of piano and violins in concertos).
Sadly local shops don't really have many options to test, so my personal experience is not too broad.
I did try a Sony MDR-Z7M2 which wasn't as clear/bright as the K702 and felt somewhat muddy. Similar experience with my old Audio Technica M50x and with a friend's Sennheiser HD650 (yes, I know these are open-backs). My wife's beyerdynamic DT770 M (not Pro) are significantly worse, super muddy and lacking detail (but we got them specifically for isolation and not for music quality).
I've also been playing around with equalization (mostly based on oratory1990's list) and I think that I really appreciate the 2-3 KHz bump on the K702 - when adding a similar bump in the EQ it help "unmuddy" the other headphones. This "shoutiness" is typically seen as an issue with headphones, and I can't find much appreciation for this sound signature online.
Based on reading reviews and suggestions and frequency response graphs I'm thinking about Shure SRH1540 (but am worried about the mid-bass) and Audio Technica M70x (but worried about them not being enough of an upgrade over the M50x that I already have) and very open to suggestions.
Goal is music listening with some noise isolation (don't need anything crazy (I have ER3SE for that) but need better than open-backed). Genre is classical and the occasional pop/light rock.
I've had my K702's for several years (driven by Meizu Hi-Fi DAC and an Audient Evo 4 interface (for monitoring)) and I love them a lot. I especially appreciate the sound stage (which I know I can't replicate with closed-backs) and clarity/brightness (particularly higher notes of piano and violins in concertos).
Sadly local shops don't really have many options to test, so my personal experience is not too broad.
I did try a Sony MDR-Z7M2 which wasn't as clear/bright as the K702 and felt somewhat muddy. Similar experience with my old Audio Technica M50x and with a friend's Sennheiser HD650 (yes, I know these are open-backs). My wife's beyerdynamic DT770 M (not Pro) are significantly worse, super muddy and lacking detail (but we got them specifically for isolation and not for music quality).
I've also been playing around with equalization (mostly based on oratory1990's list) and I think that I really appreciate the 2-3 KHz bump on the K702 - when adding a similar bump in the EQ it help "unmuddy" the other headphones. This "shoutiness" is typically seen as an issue with headphones, and I can't find much appreciation for this sound signature online.
Based on reading reviews and suggestions and frequency response graphs I'm thinking about Shure SRH1540 (but am worried about the mid-bass) and Audio Technica M70x (but worried about them not being enough of an upgrade over the M50x that I already have) and very open to suggestions.
Goal is music listening with some noise isolation (don't need anything crazy (I have ER3SE for that) but need better than open-backed). Genre is classical and the occasional pop/light rock.