Decision time! (Sony MDR-F1 vs. AKG K701)

[StanleyB1]

Now you are talking my language

. I got both the K701 and the MDR-F1, plus the HD650 for good measure. If you need to see a pic, I can put one up tomorrow.
Sound wise the F1 chews the K701 up for breakfast, lunch , and dinner. Soundstage is the best I have ever heard. On some tracks I even ended up turning my head round, in the believe that the sound was coming from inside my living room. The tops are not so artificially bright as the K701, and the bottom is... ahem...firm with a lot more excursion in the bass. My K701 sounds a bit papery on some bass tracks, but the same tracks sound OK on the F1. Both are however not bass heavy like say my Denon D1000. So you won't get a headache from listening to it hours on end.
The F1 is also better at suppressing recording noise, but don't go wearing them outside or ina noisy environment. They were designed to let your ears breath some space. They are also far more comfortable to wear than the K701.

By the way, if you order form Kobuten.com in Japan, you need to get hold of Craig. He does the F1 at $100 less than Amazon and I had them within 4 days delivered from Japan to the UK

.

 

[SleepyOne]

701 does not have that boom boom type sound to cover tecno etc.

As for the good, well, it is detail, natural, 3D(a little recessed), musical and have a very nice deep bass which is good for natural instruments. I found it very comfortable as well. Result seems to be amp dependent.

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StanleyB1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Now you are talking my language . I got both the K701 and the MDR-F1, plus the HD650 for good measure. If you need to see a pic, I can put one up tomorrow. Sound wise the F1 chews the K701 up for breakfast, lunch , and dinner. Soundstage is the best I have ever heard. On some tracks I even ended up turning my head round, in the believe that the sound was coming from inside my living room. The tops are not so artificially bright as the K701, and the bottom is... ahem...firm with a lot more excursion in the bass. My K701 sounds a bit papery on some bass tracks, but the same tracks sound OK on the F1. Both are however not bass heavy like say my Denon D1000. So you won't get a headache from listening to it hours on end. The F1 is also better at suppressing recording noise, but don't go wearing them outside or ina noisy environment. They were designed to let your ears breath some space. They are also far more comfortable to wear than the K701. By the way, if you order form Kobuten.com in Japan, you need to get hold of Craig. He does the F1 at $100 less than Amazon and I had them within 4 days delivered from Japan to the UK .

Mmmm..interesting. The only thing I'm concerned about is the synergy with my Headfive. Also Kobuten.com = 404 :/

 

[chinesekiwi]

I'm this close to pulling the trigger on the F1's after a couple of weeks of reaseaching and revision..push me a bit more!

Found Kobuten

All I need is the snergy question answered.

Also how well does this scale up with an amp compared to unamped?

 

[troymadison]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm this close to pulling the trigger on the F1's after a couple of weeks of reaseaching and revision..push me a bit more! Found Kobuten All I need is the snergy question answered. Also how well does this scale up with an amp compared to unamped?

I have a MDR-F1 I'm selling in the FS forum you can get for $200 shipped, which as far as I can tell is the best price on ebay/amazon. I never seen one go for as low as $100 but I could be wrong. By the way, amplification isn't necessary in my opinion.

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by troymadison /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a MDR-F1 I'm selling in the FS forum you can get for $200 shipped, which as far as I can tell is the best price on ebay/amazon. I never seen one go for as low as $100 but I could be wrong. By the way, amplification isn't necessary in my opinion.

It's not needed due to the low ohmage but does it scale up well with an amp?

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by troymadison /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a MDR-F1 I'm selling in the FS forum you can get for $200 shipped, which as far as I can tell is the best price on ebay/amazon. I never seen one go for as low as $100 but I could be wrong. By the way, amplification isn't necessary in my opinion.

Prefer a new one even though yours = a bargain.

 

[troymadison]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi /img/forum/go_quote.gif Prefer a new one even though yours = a bargain.

try this one:
BRAND NEW Sony MDR-F1 headphones headphone - eBay (item 140273743529 end time Oct-14-08 19:46:14 PDT)

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by troymadison /img/forum/go_quote.gif try this one: BRAND NEW Sony MDR-F1 headphones headphone - eBay (item 140273743529 end time Oct-14-08 19:46:14 PDT)

He's only listed the US as a shipping option = probably a CONUS sale. I'm in New Zealand.

 

[chinesekiwi]

Also any answers to these questions:

Quote:

So in terms of synergy, cold amp + cold headphone = good/bad? cold amp + warm headphone = good/bad?

Quote:

Also how well does this scale up with an amp compared to unamped?

would be good

 

[HiFlight]

I have had my F-1s for several years, and they saw my 701s come and go! The Sonys are, hands down, the most comfortable circumaural headphone I have ever owned. Very 3-dimensional.

It is easily driven by all of my amps.

I recommend it highly. Be advised that it takes many hours of use to deliver the final SQ. Bass continues to improve over a long period of time.

 

[chinesekiwi]

So, how much burn-in do the F1 need?

 

[wae5]

While I own and like both, I wouldn't pick either one because I have other phones I''d rather listen to: DT880, SR325i, K501.

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wae5 /img/forum/go_quote.gif While I own and like both, I wouldn't pick either one because I have other phones I''d rather listen to: DT880, SR325i, K501.

Well, I need my soundstage so the Grado's are out of the equation. I've looked at the DT880 but prefer the D2000 after some reading.

 

[troymadison]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, I need my soundstage so the Grado's are out of the equation. I've looked at the DT880 but prefer the D2000 after some reading.

The K501s have a bigger soundstage than the F1. I actually like the K501 more than the F1 personally.