[lemur]

This forum dig deep into my pockets

I look for cans suitable for both music recording/mixing, and simply enjoying music in. It seems to be a tough challenge to find the perfect qualities in a headphone without having to eq it.
My first good cans I got was the Senn 595, which I really like. I can listen all day in these, although they lack in treble a bit so upper details are not heard that well sometimes. So before selling them I got the DT880, '05, for comparison. Extremely detailed and analytical, but with many recordings I can't stand the sharp highs. I'm NOT a basshead and still want analytical cans, but the DT880 was simply too trebly for me.
I have read some reviews here for the AKG K601, and it seems to be exactly what I'm after. A little bigger soundstage, less trebly and slightly more bass and punch then the 880.
I use different amps, sometimes the EMU 0404 usb2 which is fine for my budget.
Am I on the right track here with the K601?

 

[wavefunction]

DT880 seems to have a bit of a "puckle" around 9-10 kHz, try decreasing 3-4 dB around there and you might be pleasantly surprised! There are some threads about this if you want to read about it in detail.

Edit: For mixing I think a nice pair of monitors (I personally like Genelec) would do you much better than headphones. But if you ever find something of that quality in headphones please tell because I want it!

Unless you intend to mix for people to listen to in headphones - Hm now there's an idea...

 

[karma]

I've not heard the K601, but the K701 is less "trebly" than the DT880 while still maintaining great detail with better bass.

 

[lemur]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavefunction /img/forum/go_quote.gif DT880 seems to have a bit of a "puckle" around 9-10 kHz, try decreasing 3-4 dB around there and you might be pleasantly surprised! There are some threads about this if you want to read about it in detail. Edit: For mixing I think a nice pair of monitors (I personally like Genelec) would do you much better than headphones. But if you ever find something of that quality in headphones please tell because I want it! Unless you intend to mix for people to listen to in headphones - Hm now there's an idea...

Thanks, yes I have tried to eq but it is easier to eq the 595 to sound good than the 880. For mixing I use monitors for sure, but headphones also, for critical listening and setting pan etc. Also when I don't wanna disturb my neighbors. For me monitors and cans complement eachother.
When it comes to just listening to music, I thik it is almost impossible to find a can that will do it all for different genres without using eq. Still there must be a can that comes very close I hope. Any experienced K601 user here?

 

[lemur]

Quote:

Originally Posted by karma /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've not heard the K601, but the K701 is less "trebly" than the DT880 while still maintaining great detail with better bass.

Thanks Karma, yes I have considered the 701 but the HUGE soundstage, higer cost, white color

, and from what I've heard, a less warm sound than the 601, keeps me from going there. Maybe it's great for analytic listening but too cold for me for just listening. I wish I could hear them both!

 

[Shahter]

For me ,this is the source/amp problem . I didn't feel any harshness on 880 not with NAD C542 and not with SB3+Stello (DT990). Both sources is known as "warm".

 

[lemur]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahter /img/forum/go_quote.gif For me ,this is the source/amp problem . I didn't feel any harshness on 880 not with NAD C542 and not with SB3+Stello (DT990). Both sources is known as "warm".

We all hear different but I have tried the 880 in both amps considered warm and some more neutral, but the harsh treble is still there.
I wish I could find the 880 neutral sounding in the upper register, but I guess they are designed to be that way. Too bad the 595 have too much rolled of at the top.

 

[Shahter]

Can you try with different source ?

 

[NoPants]

I own the k601, there is very nice bass impact on them...they have an overall dark signature that I can use to enjoy most contemporary genres. The treble is not too grating on my ears, although I'm not listening to them right at this moment so I'm not 10000% sure. personally I think the velvet pads contribute to a "normal" sized soundstage, but if you're looking for more, you can always switch them out for 501 earpads at the expense of leaking bass? Not sure if this is accurate lingo but just my .02

 

[lemur]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoPants /img/forum/go_quote.gif I own the k601, there is very nice bass impact on them...they have an overall dark signature that I can use to enjoy most contemporary genres. I think the velvet pads contribute to a "normal" sized soundstage, but if you're looking for more, you can always switch them out for 501 earpads at the expense of leaking bass? Not sure if this is accurate lingo but just my .02

Have you tried the 880, 595 or 701?
My guess is that the 601 has more treble than the 595, but less than the other two. Will both K5 & 7 pads fit the 601?

 

[lemur]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahter /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can you try with different source ?

Yes I've tried various sources. Computer, cd-player and portable.
I find the bass to be changing the most with different sources/amps, but not so much the highs.

 

[adanac061]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoPants /img/forum/go_quote.gif I own the k601, there is very nice bass impact on them...they have an overall dark signature that I can use to enjoy most contemporary genres. The treble is not too grating on my ears,

x2

The k601's are darker than the k501 and k701.
Very similar in overall tone to the Grado 325i.

 

[XENOPHOS]

I also found the 880 to treblely for my tastes so I sold them and went for the k701. still awesome sound, bigger soundstage and it treble doesn't hurt my ears when i listen.

 

[Asr]

The K601 rocks!

I wouldn't call them dark tho. "Warm" is more like it.

 

[NoPants]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemur /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you tried the 880, 595 or 701? My guess is that the 601 has more treble than the 595, but less than the other two. Will both K5 & 7 pads fit the 601?

I actually own 501 601 and 701 now, and yea all the pads are interchangeable, I actually bought a pair of 701 pads to put on the 601s because of the better seal in the back, which I felt did something to improve the perception of air in recordings. And switching between the 601 and 701, I find that the treble is "sharper" and gains a more forward presentation as a result in the 701s, in agreement with your guess. Hope that helps