manbear
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2011
- Posts
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I used to own the Q701. A few thoughts.
You might not have any problems with AKGs (I'm not familiar with your exact amp) but they are hard enough to drive that some soundcards and portable amps won't cut it. On the other hand, the AD900x works with pretty much everything. Worth considering if you want the flexibility of listening to music off your phone or laptop in bed for example.
Both have similar quantities of bass. The AKG might have slightly better extension but it also has less impact. Gunshots, etc have more punch on the AD900X.
Soundstage wise, the Q701 is more distant and wider but also flatter--everything is about the same distance from you. The AD900x has a more 3D sense of depth. The AD900x does have more diffuse imaging but echoey is an exaggeration IMO. The Q701's lack of depth causes its own problems so there are pros and cons either way.
The Q701 is more detailed overall but its not a huge difference, especially for entry level DAC/ amp.
I'd personally go for the AD900x over the Q701. Havent heard the 612 but from what I gather I might like it better than the Q701. Hard to wrong either way.
You might not have any problems with AKGs (I'm not familiar with your exact amp) but they are hard enough to drive that some soundcards and portable amps won't cut it. On the other hand, the AD900x works with pretty much everything. Worth considering if you want the flexibility of listening to music off your phone or laptop in bed for example.
Both have similar quantities of bass. The AKG might have slightly better extension but it also has less impact. Gunshots, etc have more punch on the AD900X.
Soundstage wise, the Q701 is more distant and wider but also flatter--everything is about the same distance from you. The AD900x has a more 3D sense of depth. The AD900x does have more diffuse imaging but echoey is an exaggeration IMO. The Q701's lack of depth causes its own problems so there are pros and cons either way.
The Q701 is more detailed overall but its not a huge difference, especially for entry level DAC/ amp.
I'd personally go for the AD900x over the Q701. Havent heard the 612 but from what I gather I might like it better than the Q701. Hard to wrong either way.