Astro a40 vs AKG 701 (noob)

[WAxlRose]

So im trying to decide between these two headsets, from what ive read the a40's arent very good with the bass, and music in general, which is what i would be using it for about 50 percent of the time. Now the akg 701 are suppose to be real good for music and all that, but how about games...and they need an amp for sounds too?I'm looking at this:http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K701-Studio-Headphones/dp/B000F7T4BE/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t , and in the frequently bought together section is a fiio E5 amp..the amp is what i would i need to listen to music of my iphone at a good volume level right?Would i need the amp for my pc aswell?SOrry for sounding like a noob, i just dont want to regret my purchase.
 
Thanks!

 

[WAxlRose]

Also, i suspect i would need a another cord to the amp to my music source right?since i doubt the amp comes with one....

 

[chinesekiwi]

What do you intend to use it for? I seriously doubt that either of those two would be suitable for your need (guessing the high possibilities). Also what's your budget and current sound setup?

 

[WAxlRose]

I intend to use it mainly for music from my computer, and sometimes games, along with portable music, and im trying to keep it below 300.
 
Right now i have some logitech 2.1 speakers along with a new sound ht omega striker sound card.

 

[WAxlRose]

Anyone?

 

[dcpoor]

personally I wouldn't bother with the k701 without a decent amount(~$500+) invested in a good amp and dac.

 

[156219]

 
If your going to use it for gaming and music, go with the AD700 and a Astro mix amp...
 
...With the Astro mix amp, You can game and listen to music at the same time.
 
This system will be much,much,much better than the Astro A40 audio system...

 

[WAxlRose]

Well does the mixamp do anything other then allow me to listen to music at the sametime?Or does it improve the sound quality as well,with the astro headset it allow dolby surround sound or whatever term there using, would that be the same for any headset?

 

[156219]

 
 
The Astro mix amp can do the fowling:
 
 
 
Quote:

 

1. Voice and stereo at your fingertips - The MixAmp’s discrete game/voice balance control allows you to tailor to your preference of how much voice you want to hear relative to the game’s sound effects.

 

1. Play on variety of systems - Whether it’s your Xbox 360, PS3, or PC the new and improved MixAmp easily plugs directly into any system.
2. Dedicated voice channel - link multiple MixAmps together for a private, hands-free, full-duplex voice communication channel experience - much higher-quality than VoIP systems, with zero network and system lag.
3. Inject your own soundtrack - Connect your mp3 player through the mixer itself with a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable (sold separately). Free up valuable system resources, and put your music within arm's reach.

1. Voice and stereo at your fingertips - The MixAmp’s discrete game/voice balance control allows you to tailor to your preference of how much voice you want to hear relative to the game’s sound effects.

 

1. Play on variety of systems - Whether it’s your Xbox 360, PS3, or PC the new and improved MixAmp easily plugs directly into any system.
2. Dedicated voice channel - link multiple MixAmps together for a private, hands-free, full-duplex voice communication channel experience - much higher-quality than VoIP systems, with zero network and system lag.
3. Inject your own soundtrack - Connect your mp3 player through the mixer itself with a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable (sold separately). Free up valuable system resources, and put your music within arm's reach.

1. Voice and stereo at your fingertips - The MixAmp’s discrete game/voice balance control allows you to tailor to your preference of how much voice you want to hear relative to the game’s sound effects.

 

1. Play on variety of systems - Whether it’s your Xbox 360, PS3, or PC the new and improved MixAmp easily plugs directly into any system.
2. Dedicated voice channel - link multiple MixAmps together for a private, hands-free, full-duplex voice communication channel experience - much higher-quality than VoIP systems, with zero network and system lag.
3. Inject your own soundtrack - Connect your mp3 player through the mixer itself with a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable (sold separately). Free up valuable system resources, and put your music within arm's reach.

1. Voice and stereo at your fingertips - The MixAmp’s discrete game/voice balance control allows you to tailor to your preference of how much voice you want to hear relative to the game’s sound effects.

 

1. Play on variety of systems - Whether it’s your Xbox 360, PS3, or PC the new and improved MixAmp easily plugs directly into any system.
2. Dedicated voice channel - link multiple MixAmps together for a private, hands-free, full-duplex voice communication channel experience - much higher-quality than VoIP systems, with zero network and system lag.
3. Inject your own soundtrack - Connect your mp3 player through the mixer itself with a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable (sold separately). Free up valuable system resources, and put your music within arm's reach.

1. Voice and stereo at your fingertips - The MixAmp’s discrete game/voice balance control allows you to tailor to your preference of how much voice you want to hear relative to the game’s sound effects.

 

1. Play on variety of systems - Whether it’s your Xbox 360, PS3, or PC the new and improved MixAmp easily plugs directly into any system.
2. Dedicated voice channel - link multiple MixAmps together for a private, hands-free, full-duplex voice communication channel experience - much higher-quality than VoIP systems, with zero network and system lag.
3. Inject your own soundtrack - Connect your mp3 player through the mixer itself with a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable (sold separately). Free up valuable system resources, and put your music within arm's reach.

 

[dxanex]

no offense, but I think this is an incredibly misleading opinion. I have a 130 dollar little dot I+ that drives the k701's amazingly well. In fact, when I let my gf hear some classical with them she commented on how it gave you the illusion of sitting in the middle of a movie theater.
Quote:

personally I wouldn't bother with the k701 without a decent amount(~$500+) invested in a good amp and dac.

 

[Trisk3lion]

I wouldn't recommend AKG 701 considering you want to use your them on the move as well. They are after all open and requires an amp to drive (even though a portable amp will do as dxanex says.
I can't say i know anything about how A40 sounds but they are very convenient for your needs: closed, somewhat portable and detachable mic.
 
If you want one all-around headphone I think a closed one is best because they doesn't leak as much and blocks outside noise which at least I like. Beyerdynamic DT770 is a well received headphone for both music and gaming. Beyerdynamic MMX 300 which is one of the best (or at least most expensive) gaming headphones is based on DT770. They come in a 32 ohm version so driving it from a computer or an Iphone shouldn't be a problem. The negative is that i wouldn't call them portable and they are probably not the best looking headphones out there in my opinion.
It's an alternative at least, look it up.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

I dunno, I think the DT770s are the best looking out of the mid fi Beyers. I'd want a Manufaktur version

As for the K701, the Mixamp powers them surprisingly well when Dolby Headphone is enabled AND you don't have the voice/game knob at anything less than 100% on the game side (meaning no voice chat).

It's a fantastic gaming headphone when paired with the Mixamp's surround sound, but other than that, they leak a LOOOOT, are way too big and power hungry for portable use, and are very picky with amps. The sound is either love it or hate it too.