Buying a pair of K701, is it worth it for me?

[p1p3]

I have been thinking of upgrading my headphones for some time now but not really had the proper motivation as I was very happy with my old ones.
That changed this weekend when my friends dog decided he didn't like my AKG K100 phones completely destroyed the cord.
I bough them about 5 years ago for only about 50$ and before that I had only used really poor quality phones. They opened my ears to how good a pair of headphones can sound and I have been using them almost every day since then.
I know they are not by any standards audiophile headphones but still it was a big step for me.
Now I'm thinking of taking the step up to a pair of K701.
And here is my first question: How does the K701 compare to the K100? They are in completely different classes but have anybody used both and can give some comment about the sound similarities/differences?
The next section is probably gonna put me at the same level as murderers and war criminals in some peoples eyes around here. Here is my audio setup:
I mostly use my headphones connected through my computer and at the moment I'm using the internal soundcard based of the AC97 chip. I know, i know. It sucks. And to make thing worse I mostly play mp3 music (minimum 192Kbit/s, but still). Before you all faint, I'm looking at getting an M-audio or similar soundcard but that will probably have to wait another month or two at least.
I also have a Behringer DJ mixer connected and if there is anything more noisy than the AC97 chip its probably a Behringer mixer. Still, I'm fairly happy with the sound of the K100 using this setup.
And here is the question: Will the K701 sound better, worse or about the same as the K100 using this setup?
The other main use of my headphones is playing music from an old Creative MuVo v200. The K100 sounds decent on the MuVo. Will the K701 sound worse or better?
Most (all?) people around here recommend getting a dedicated headphoneamp. I have been looking at the HeadRoom Micro Amp. However if I buy this I will have to get cheaper headphones. Should i get the K701 and maybe upgrade with a headphoneamp at a later time or should I get cheaper phones and an amp right away?
Don't know if it makes any difference but the music I mainly listen to is psytrance, electronic, lounge, lo-fi, and some 70s rock. I also use my phones to watch movies and tvshows.

 

[Blackmore]

My advice to you, try AKG K81DJ first, cos I do not see any reason why would you buy AKG K701 anyway.
They are terrible to drive and needs a lot of power from phone amp. And your music preferences tell me that you also can try GRADO SR60, SR225 or MS1

 

[link]

If you buy 701....you might buy a good AMP....like 332 change west elec
403B tube....Darkvoice in USA is so expensive....
ha ha ,can you tell me how about K100~~~I want to know

 

[spukee]

Do not buy the K701 expecting it to change your world. Unless driven by a powerful amp, the 701 doesn't sound nearly as good as any other headphone.

In fact, I much rather the MS1 + CMOY pair than the K701 unamplified. It just feels lifeless. You can drive it loud - but not satisfying.

Get yourself an MS1 for music, and perhaps another pair for TV/Movies

.

 

[p1p3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackmore /img/forum/go_quote.gif My advice to you, try AKG K81DJ first, cos I do not see any reason why would you buy AKG K701 anyway. They are terrible to drive and needs a lot of power from phone amp. And your music preferences tell me that you also can try GRADO SR60, SR225 or MS1

How are these phones managing bass? While I listen to a lot of bass heavy music I don't like a lot of bass. That was what I liked about the K100. They where, for me at least, fairly linear with a bit extra on the high end.
The MS1 looks interesting. Are there any good reviews you could link?
Also I'm living in Europe. Are there any good webshops somewhere in the EU that has them?

 

[Blackmore]

Here some link
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...&highlight=MS1

O.k. stay away from AKG K81DJ then, cos they are bass heavy one...

If you have a budget like EUR 300, for AKG K701 I mean, than you can buy a MS2i ( see FS forum, right now one is for sale USD 279 )
I had MS PRO and found them more neutral, less punchy and more musical sounding than general Grado's. So I guess that MS2i is maybe one for you. You can try SR225 as well and buy some amp as well. I had SR225+ Firestone Cute Encore combo and they were great together. Also for your MP3 player would be no problem to drive them as well.
MS2i housing made from aluminum so they can be heavy, just guessing up here, cos never tried myself one….
But once again SR225 is more than worth to take a look, but they are punchy and great with ROCK music. Other styles were great to, IMO.

I think you can buy directly from Alessandro Music online shop

http://www.alessandro-products.com/headphones.html

Good luck

Quote:

Originally Posted by p1p3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif How are these phones managing bass? While I listen to a lot of bass heavy music I don't like a lot of bass. That was what I liked about the K100. They where, for me at least, fairly linear with a bit extra on the high end. The MS1 looks interesting. Are there any good reviews you could link? Also I'm living in Europe. Are there any good webshops somewhere in the EU that has them?

 

[finbad]

All good advice above; Do Not spring for the 701s without a serious upgrade to your downstream components in your system. Amp matching makes all the difference with these HPs IME.

I'm inclined to suggest also the Alessandros line for their easy to drive capability while still sounding GREAT, based upon my experience with my RS-2s/P2V2 amp/1G Apple Shuffle use recently while on vacation.

Also, you might look towards the Seens. HD-595 another easy to drive HP which maybe more forgiving of less than stellar downstream components IE. source, nothing wrong at all with 192 material IME....

In answer to your original thinking and question; the source maybe problematic with highly revealing HPs especially when well amplified as with properly amplified K-701s and they only show their awesome potential with a well matched headamp and better than average sources ...

Hope this helps,
Good luck~

 

[p1p3]

I have been looking around some more on the different headphones and SR225, MS2i and K701 are about the same price when you include shipping to Sweden. The MS1 are a lot cheeper but I would still have to order them from the states. The problem with ordering from outside the EU is that there is alot of taxes added (about 35-40%).
I also found http://www.penguinamp.com, how would these drive the different phones?
What is the cheapest easily availably amp required to drive the K701? Would a penguinamp be enough to get good/decent sound from them.

 

[finbad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by p1p3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have been looking around some more on the different headphones and SR225, MS2i and K701 are about the same price when you include shipping to Sweden. The MS1 are a lot cheeper but I would still have to order them from the states. The problem with ordering from outside the EU is that there is alot of taxes added (about 35-40%). I also found http://www.penguinamp.com, how would these drive the different phones? What is the cheapest easily availably amp required to drive the K701? Would a penguinamp be enough to get good/decent sound from them.

I along with others here, fully enjoyed the 701s / Meier Corda Headfive set up as an entry level solution for powering the K-701s. Research those threads with the "search function" for opinons posted...

Should you decide upon the 701s, Jan Meier a Head-Fi sponsor, is selling an updated slightly improved amp based upon the HeadFive, which I still enjoy.

The CORDA ARIETTA

Amp Link:http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/



Also, he may offer you a Arietta/K-701 bundled price, as a Head-Fi member...

Both profesional to deal with, and a nice guy responsive to your e-mail questions you may have with the gear you are interested in matching. Dr. Jan is the man~

Good luck~