better soundstage and imaging than K-701?

[euclid]

i have been listening to the AKG-701, Sennheiser 650 w/ cardas cable, Sony SA-5000.

im wondering what upstages the K-701 in the general category of air, soundstage, image isolation and placement? i thought the 650 was very good in that respect but the K701 is better. unfortunately its not clear-cut on which sound i prefer when it comes to actual tone.

is the K-701 a freak of nature or are there headphones that sound more open? (besides the k1000) thanks

 

[EdipisReks]

the HP-1000s produce placement and imaging substantially beyond what the K701 can do, in my opinion. they aren't quite as airy and the soundstage is smaller, but i always thought the 701s were a bit artificial sounding in those regards. i haven't spend enough time with the L3000s to say for sure that they do a better job than the 701s, but i think they probably do. i think the RS-1s place better than the 701s, though the separation between sounds isn't any better. the K1000s are better in all soundstage aspects, in my opinion.

 

[003]

I would give the AD2000 a look. The imaging/soundstage is said to be better than both the hd650 and the K701.

 

[kin0kin]

maybe a K801? or 901?

I really love my k701, but i could use more air, then again I dont want any other qualities, particularly the tone, to change. I've looked into some alternatives, most of which either cost alot, have their own personalities, or they just don't cut it for the given price. As a solution, I'm playing around with my source to get more juice out of the k701 until another phone that meets my needs come out.

 

[threEchelon]

I have the 701's and the SA5000's and I believe that the SA5000's pwn the 701's in all the areas you mentioned, excluding tone. I'm only using the headphone out of my X-Fi Platinum, if that makes a difference.

 

[euclid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by threEchelon I have the 701's and the SA5000's and I believe that the SA5000's pwn the 701's in all the areas you mentioned, excluding tone. I'm only using the headphone out of my X-Fi Platinum, if that makes a difference.

wow, im really surprised to hear that. the sa5k have the smallest stage of the three imho, imaging is good.

i understand where EdipisRex is coming from in saying the K701 presentation is alittle artificial. the stereo image on the K701 is amazing though.

i think the hd650 is the clear winner in tone b/c horns and strings are ohh so smooth and believable, the bass is slightly more articulated than the k-701 also.

 

[gdg]

Personaly on a head to head comparison I found the 650s to sound more like headphones. ie closed in and "contained". For my taste there was "more" bass but it certainly wasn't better. It struck me a pumped up and bloated with no where near the transient attack or tight articulation I heard on the 701s but that's just me. (I use my years of playing with acoustic (unamped) upright bass as my reference).