[Me x3]

Well I did a bunch research. I was just about to pull the trigger on the 712's...but I did some more reading and found out how difficult they are to drive properly. Man, I really want em but I don't think my Portaphile or fiio e12 will drive em well enough. I don't want to shell out more $$$for a dedicated amp. I love my two portables. Any other suggestions for classical music listening? Man, I literally had the 712's in my shopping cart...

 
Not sure what you've read but FiiO E12 Mont Blanc will drive them in Low Gain!

 

[jessietigres]

Well I did a bunch research. I was just about to pull the trigger on the 712's...but I did some more reading and found out how difficult they are to drive properly. Man, I really want em but I don't think my Portaphile or fiio e12 will drive em well enough. I don't want to shell out more $$$for a dedicated amp. I love my two portables. Any other suggestions for classical music listening? Man, I literally had the 712's in my shopping cart...

E12 can drive most things my e12a can drive q701 to a good volume e12 has almost double the juice so it can handle it

 

[Stillhart]

I agree, E12 should be fine.  @Evshrug used that very combination and I don't recall him ever complaining about it.

 

[buke9]

I listen to a lot of string/concerto stuff like
Hilary Hahn, Julia Fischer, James Ehnes, Leonidas Kavakos, Kopatchinskaja, Jacqeline Du Pre

Lotta Piano concerto and solo stuff:
Martha Argerich, Yuja Wang, Ingrid Fliter, Valentina Lisitsa, Krystian Zimerman, etc

You might want to check out what Malfunkt thought about the HD 700's. http://www.head-fi.org/t/612502/sennheiser-hd-700-impressions-thread/7365

 

[ViolinsNVolta]

Thank you peops for your suggestions/advice. I pulled the trigger on the AKG K712's. I got em delivered for $249 new. I feel that was a great deal for em! Can't wait to hear em

 

[Music freak]

AKG - K701, K702, Q701.
Beyerdynamics - DT 660.

 

[Stillhart]

Thank you peops for your suggestions/advice. I pulled the trigger on the AKG K712's. I got em delivered for $249 new. I feel that was a great deal for em! Can't wait to hear em

Gratz!  Let us know what you think.

 

[ViolinsNVolta]

[/I
. FedEx came to the door and my heart just started pounding...WHAT A RUSH
Been listening to em for a bit. They sound fantastic out of the box. I hear they need some break in...we'll see I guess. I have em plugged into my Fiio X5 & e12. I'm real happy with what I'm hearin...my nipples are hard and I'm a dude! I'll try em with my Portaphile in a bit.

They are huge!!! Good lookin, but huge. My bird likes to hang out on my shoulder next to the earcups with my T90's, but I don't think there is room for him with the K712 on.

HUH sound is just great....clear, not as bright as my T90's, lil more relaxed. Maybe better soundstage. Listening to Krystian Zimerman- Ravel. I'd like to here them with my other stuff- deftones, Mars Volta, Modest Mouse. So far I am very happy.

Edit: thank you stillhart

These are wayyyy better than my X2's

 

[ViolinsNVolta]

Well, I think the AKG K712 might serve you as an overall smoother headphone, retaining a big and layered soundstage.
AKG K702 should serve you as well, it's a tiny bit more open and diffuse than K712. Similar but more forward sounding. Preferences play a big role when it comes to picking one or the other. I use both a lot despite having the Tesla T1 and the Sennheiser HD800 around.

I owe ya a big thanks. Don't think I woulda looked hard at them without your suggestion.

 

[Me x3]

I owe ya a big thanks. Don't think I woulda looked hard at them without your suggestion.

You're welcome mate.
Glad to know you like them. Enjoy!