DT990 vs. AKG K-701

[KLJTech]

Quote:

Originally Posted by olblueyez /img/forum/go_quote.gif Since the 701 is one of the worst headphones ever that narrows it down to the 990. Why not get the Beyer 990 at 32 Ohm from Beyerdynamic Headphones and that way you wont need an amp and you can plug them directly into your X-Fi since you dont have a decent source anyway. You can also use them with an iPod or laptop or anything with a headphone jack and no amp will be necessary.

With all due respect why are you so negative towards the AKG 701? I understand that their sound may not be to your liking but to say that they’re “one of the worse headphones ever” is a pretty strong statement. Many a professional reviewer and several websites such as HeadRoom consider the 701’s to be "one" of the better headphones available. Obviously personal taste varies and they may not be your cup of tea but one of the worse headphones ever?

I’m very fortunate in that I get to listen to live acoustic music on a regular basis and even though I don’t plan on selling my Grado’s and time soon the 701’s sound really good to me.

 

[driftingbunnies]

I'm sure it's just a matter of taste. Some people might say that some sushi is disgusting and tastes bad but to me, I feel like it's one of the better foods available.

And to address my hyperbole, yes it was a hyperbole. I was just kidding to an extent. Obviously there are many worse cans compared to the 250 ohm version, but the difference between the 250 and 600 ohms is bigger than most people would expect.

 

[milkweg]

OK, maybe I will sell my 250ohm and get 600ohm but if I find out it wasn't worth the loss in money to me I will hunt you down.

 

[milkweg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLJTech /img/forum/go_quote.gif With all due respect why are you so negative towards the AKG 701?

Here's a tip for you. Olblueyez is the most opinionated person on this forum. I just ignore his clap trap, except when I want to wind him up.

 

[JaZZ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deathwish238 /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is what I find interesting: The red line of the non balanced DT880 is smoother...so...wouldn't that technically be a more accurate sound? Again, the non balanced have less distortion and thus should have a clearer sound as well...

That's either a measuring variance or a production spead or (most likely) both. It could also very well show a broken-in and a fresh pair.

Look at this graph:

In this case it seems to be a simple measuring-tolerance issue.

The deviations give an impression how large the measuring tolerance with one and the same headphone is. They're definitely not caused by single-ended and balanced drive.

 

[driftingbunnies]

If it wasn't worth the loss in money to you, I'll trade you for the 600 ohms and give you half of what you lost since I still have my DT990 pros available.

 

[eightbitpotion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by triode12 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Interesting... what did you recable your 701s with? Did you also change the cable that links the two drivers?

I tried many different gauges and geometries. It's finally completed with a 22G tight twist OFC.... it looks similar to a twisted rope, and I finished it off with white techflex and heatshrink and a Cardas connector. I hopped on a lot of forums and sites, and it seemed like hot crap to shove 18G cable in there..... I did that, and it sounds like bloated undetailed crap with all braids and twists. I origionally used a dual-entry, but I soon realized that it kind of cheapened the feel of the 701s, and made no sound difference to me what so ever when I used the exact same geometry and cable. I DID replace the short jumper cables on the right ear.

I did a double-blind test using another pair of burned in stock k701s with a non-audiophile, swapping the headphones randomly and asking her if they sounded better, worse, or the same..... she nailed it 100% every single time (they were swapped probably 30 times), so I knew it wasn't psychosomatic. I never explained to her WHY I was doing the double-blind, and in the end I asked her what the difference was- she said that the recabled ones (she didn't know they were recabled) sounded "more crisp and open", the stock ones sounded more "claustrophobic" in comparison, and she said the recabled ones had strong bass which she compared to my sennheisers.... she said the stock ones didn't have bass. I find double-blind tests interesting, I'd like to do more. -shrug-

 

[milkweg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by driftingbunnies /img/forum/go_quote.gif If it wasn't worth the loss in money to you, I'll trade you for the 600 ohms and give you half of what you lost since I still have my DT990 pros available.

I'll think about it.