[feifan]

Have both. Use both. The 650 gets much more use.

 

[M3NTAL]

Sold the K701's and Kept the HD650. Due to comfort, convenience and the sound I liked more. The lack of bass impact was a deal breaker for me.

 

[Rise To The Top]

I've had both at one point, and decided to return the K701s. I like the warmth the HD650 supplys. K701 seems to analytical to me. That and I like thumpin bass.

 

[vcoheda]

i have both and intend to sell neither.

 

[riceboy]

I had the HD650, but kept the AKG701. The HD650s were great cans, but I liked the AKG 701s better for the wider soundstage. Either way they are great both great cans.

 

[krmathis]

Of those two I prefer the HD650.
I don't own or fancy any of them though...

 

[Sieg9198]

For those who prefer HD650, what type of music u guys like??

 

[datura647]

I love the sound of my HD650's with rock, reggae, hiphop, electronic, and classical

 

[tbonner1]

Quote:

I found it much easier to get a sound I like out of the HD650s.

X2. The 701's are so detailed they can drive you to drink if you do not have your amp, source and cables set up for synergy.

 

[SysteX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sieg9198 /img/forum/go_quote.gif For those who prefer HD650, what type of music u guys like??

Oh man, it's extremely varied--I'll just give you a sampler:

Rachmaninoff
Dream Theater
Tool
Al Di Meola
Primus
Billy Joel
Eric Clapton
Grateful Dead
Audioslave
Bruckner
The Beatles
Blue Man Group
John Williams
CCR
Daft Punk
Shostakovitch
Shpongle
John McLaughlin
Tommy Emmanuel
Tracy Chapman
Norah Jones

 

[Chris_Himself]

so realistically, if i really like to rock out to grados for the sharp bite with plenty of bass for guitar parts (lamb of god... at the moment), would i go with a K701 or an HD650?

i cant afford either so id get the baby versions of either. HD600 or K601

 

[NiceCans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_Himself /img/forum/go_quote.gif i cant afford either so id get the baby versions of either. HD600 or K601

That in fact is a totally different comparison than HD650/K701 as both HD600 and K601 have a somewhat different presentation than their "bigger-brother" versions.

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_Himself /img/forum/go_quote.gif so realistically, if i really like to rock out to grados for the sharp bite with plenty of bass for guitar parts (lamb of god... at the moment), would i go with a K701 or an HD650? i cant afford either so id get the baby versions of either. HD600 or K601

I wouldn't even bother with the 601.

Considering all that you just said, go with the HD600s. My preference would be for the K501s, but for them to sound their best, they need a really good amp and IMO, the HD600s are less demanding of a good amp than the K501, and are more bass heavy which you said you were after. Given your avowed proclivities, the Senn HD600 will make you a happier camper.

As NiceCans said, the HD600 and K601 are not necessarily younger siblings of the HD650 and K701 respectively. There are certain family resemblances, but IMO there's probably a bigger difference between the K601 and K701 than there is between the HD600 and the HD650. Most will agree that the K701 is a big improvement over the K601, whereas the camp is split regarding which is the better of the two, the HD600 or the HD650.

The K601 is sort of an orphan all the way around being inferior to both the K501 and the K701.

 

[kamenal]

If I may, the HD650 - Bosendorfer, a K701 - Yamaha. Take your pick.

 

[Gradofan2]

I have no idea, which sounds better... but... I can assure you that its the "synergy" of a particular set of phones with a particular DAC and amp that makes all the difference in the SQ - without any question.

As others have noted about the HD650's with the Monarchy M24 with the GL, and I have noted about it with the Monarchy M24 with the modded XCAN v3, or with some sound shapping from the Aphex 204 SP - they sound like a whole different set of phones with these combinations of components. They seem much faster, clearer, more detailed, brighter, etc. - without their infamous veil.

With these components the HD650's are "world class" phones - without them... I'd sell them. Just don't expect the HD650's "to float your boat" without the right combination of components - but with them... I assure you they will. There really is no point in even considering them without the right components - you won't be pleased.

I'm sure most phones sound better with select combinations of components.