[Linus108]

First off, let me state that I am a noob. So I apologize if there has been a thread on this already (and I'm sure there have been plenty of threads on AKG over the years). I searched and couldn't find any recently. So here it goes:
 
I am new to the headphone game. I've collected headphones over the years, but I'm finally ready to start taking it seriously as  a hobby. I have a mac with over 2tb of FLAC collection, and I want to really HEAR the music. So after much research and looking into it, I decided on the AKG k702. I ordered them on Amazon. What I had read before buying was that they were these lush headphones, that really had a balanced crisp sound. The the quality was pristine. Then a couple hours later...I just couldn't stop thinking about the purchase, so I went online to do some more searching for more comments. I started seeing overtly negative critiques of the cans. Such as: lacks bass, artificial sound, too clean, lower end models being better then the k702.
 
Then i started really searching on this forum, and I noticed this similar pattern of people regretting their purchase, or quickly flipping them to someone else. Now I'm starting to regret the purchase. I was going to go with Grado SR 225i. I was this close to getting them, and now it seems like all I'm seeing is negative thoughts on the AKG and overwhelming praise for the Grado. Now, I know that it comes down to personal preference and what music you listen to. To be honest, I listen to too many genres to name. I love Radiohead, David Bowie, Portishead, Rush Classical Music, Jazz, Folk, Electronic...my taste is just too big to really pinpoint. And my library reflects that.
 
My headphones arrive tomorrow. I'm wondering if I should try them out, or leave them in the box and send them back so that in a week or two (however long it takes to get a refund) I can get the Grados. Or maybe, I'll just wait next month when I get paid, and Just get the Grados sr225. I make enough per month that I could just spring for them then. Sorry if this is a rant, like I said..I'm a total noob. I mean I was using Dr. Dre Beats before I ordered these (lol i know)...hope whatever I get is at least a step up from there. I have a lot to learn, that is for sure.

 

[bhanja_trinanjan]

Does NOT lack bass at all if amped with the Burson HA-160
 
Highly detailed, transparent and has a big soundstage.
 
Weakness lies in its slightly flawed mid-range - treble integration... upper-mid/low treble emphasis with some recordings.
 
It also has a rather tepid and pale midrange, lacking liveliness and lushness.
 
It is a very nice headphone overall... just a bit analytical because of its atypical midrange.

 

[Linus108]

Thanks for that.
 
Do you know how close it sounds to the Sennheiser HD 600? I've seen the comparisons thrown around before. I have used the HD 600 before, altho they weren't properly amped. I guess just for reference sake (since I have heard the HD600).

And thanks for the amp suggestion. I actually have a NuForce Icon uDAC that I've been using. But I doubt that will do it for the AKG...so I really need to invest in a higher end amp it seems.

 

[Nebby]

Give the headphones a listen and make your own determination whether you like them or not. Heck, they're already going to be at your house so why not try them? Do you have a headphone amp to power them with?
 
From what I've heard/seen/read, the K70x series are one of the more polarizing headphones out there, they have a sound signature that people either hate or love. I personally loved the sound of my k702's, especially with classical and jazz.

 

[Linus108]

To be honest, I do not have a proper amp. I'm going to be using my NuForce Icon uDAC hooked up to my mac which has the FLAC library. I don't know how awful that will sound (i hope it's not that bad).
 
As I said, I'm really new to this. Maybe I should have just waited to buy the headphones till I could afford a really nice amp. That way I could test them properly. Live and learn I guess. I have a stereo amplifier that I have hooked up to speakers. I play my CDs and DVD and my Vinyl player thought that.
 
But I still need to get that headphone amp.

 

[classakg]

The persons who complain on lack of bass, probably dont have a good source. A decent amp to drive them. 

 

[revolink24]

It's completely personal preference. I strongly dislike the midrange and soundstage of the K701/702, but others absolutely love them.
 
Remember, if you don't like them at first, no amount of burn in will change that, and you can always return them and try, try again.

 

[momomo6789]

Quote:

The persons who complain on lack of bass, probably dont have a good source. A decent amp to drive them. 

 
they lack bass and are tinny sounding .... is balanced b22 decent enough ?
 

 

[Cankin]

Linus, hear K702, and if it is possible, other headphones by yourself to find the sound you like. If you search the forum, you'll find a lot of negative comments for almost all headphone.

 

[Nebby]

IMHO, you don't need to spend that much to get a decent enough amp. Keep an eye out for the used DIY CKKIII or M3 builds in the FS forum. As long as you don't mind the lack of labels and such, for the price, you get a LOT of amp. The law of diminishing returns is somewhat painful (to the wallet) in the audiophile world.
 
Just keep in mind (as revolink said above) that if you don't like the sound signature of a headphone, move on and try a different one. Many folks fall into the mindset of "tweaking" items upstream (amps, dacs, cables...etc) to "fix" a fundamental character of a headphone. Don't do that.
 
Quote:

To be honest, I do not have a proper amp. I'm going to be using my NuForce Icon uDAC hooked up to my mac which has the FLAC library. I don't know how awful that will sound (i hope it's not that bad).
 
As I said, I'm really new to this. Maybe I should have just waited to buy the headphones till I could afford a really nice amp. That way I could test them properly. Live and learn I guess. I have a stereo amplifier that I have hooked up to speakers. I play my CDs and DVD and my Vinyl player thought that.
 
But I still need to get that headphone amp.

 

[Linus108]

I really appreciate the help guys. Like I said, I have a lot to learn. One thing for sure, I need to get a decent amp. I'll try out the k702 and report back to this thread.
 
Now I'm on the hunt for a good amp.

 

[cravenz]

Quote:

 
Just keep in mind (as revolink said above) that if you don't like the sound signature of a headphone, move on and try a different one. Many folks fall into the mindset of "tweaking" items upstream (amps, dacs, cables...etc) to "fix" a fundamental character of a headphone. Don't do that.
 

x2

 

[loopfreak]

Compared with denon d2000, akg k702 has more defined bass, goes lower and its much tighter but it doesn't have weight its more airy , they are great 'phones !

 

[revolink24]

Quote:

I really appreciate the help guys. Like I said, I have a lot to learn. One thing for sure, I need to get a decent amp. I'll try out the k702 and report back to this thread.
 
Now I'm on the hunt for a good amp.

I think there might be an upcoming Schiit that fits the bill. That said, if you like it out of the nuforce, you'll love it out of a better amp. If you don't, you won't, period. The nuforce is at least good enough to form an educated opinion on its performance.

 

[David58117]

I love my K701s, but just expect them to be much better at certain genres than others.