Horse-Flogging: K601 or K701?

[jonathanjong]

Yes, I know, use the search function. I've read a squillion threads on this, but I've now forgotten it all and it's been a long day...

Anyway, here are my some desiderata:
1. Comfort. I want to be able to wear these for hours. I don't think my head is particularly large (approx. 53 cm circumference, IIRC). In Head-Fi terms, I find HD25 comfy, and ESW9 pretty good.
2. My music is mainly indie and alternative rock (e.g., Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service, TV on the Radio, Eels, Muse, Radiohead, Modest Mouse, Rilo Kiley, U2, The Killers), classical (mostly liturgical music, so I guess that's orchestral or chamber stuff. Are these the words?), and some jazz (Davis, Coltrane, Brubeck, etc.).
3. My source will be a 2Move or better (possibly a P-51 Mustang), connected to an iPod Touch or a MacBook. Apparently this is fine for K701. Meh.

Go. Please and thank you.

Oh yea, I had a brief K701 experience. I was awed.

 

[Mercuttio]

I don't think that either are particularly comfortable. The first few minutes with them on can be deceiving... they at first feel amazing. After a while though, the headband begins to bore into your skull. I personally find Grados far more comfortable because of this single fact.

We have very similar tastes, actually. I'd really recommend you try a Grado, actually. I listen to all of those bands listed and generally pick Grados simply because I find them best with that general genre.

 

[m0ofassa]

Nice selection of music

 

[jonathanjong]

Yea, I think so too.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

It should be noted the K701 has bulges on the headband which a sizable amount of people find uncomfortable. The 601 lacks these.

 

[denydog]

Sorry about your day. Do people actually go out and buy a headphone based on a poll? Sorry, my day was long too

 

[Townyj]

I havent had much to do with the K701 but i can vouch for the 601 and say the mids are great with good bass punch, your music selection will sound great on them! I listen to alot of Metal, Punk, Dance this they werent all that good for.

Oh plus they are insanely light and comfortable.

 

[scytheavatar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif 3. My source will be a 2Move or better (possibly a P-51 Mustang), connected to an iPod Touch or a MacBook. Apparently this is fine for K701. Meh.

Is it fine from your experience with the K701, or from what someone told you? In any case, just don't try driving the K701 with a portable amp. You clearly love the K701, so why bother with the K601? If you want to consider an alternative to the K701, consider the SA5000. Both suit the type of music you listen to and I am sure you will love them.

 

[jonathanjong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by denydog /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sorry about your day. Do people actually go out and buy a headphone based on a poll? Sorry, my day was long too

Here: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f11/re...toilet-413153/

Quote:

Originally Posted by scytheavatar /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is it fine from your experience with the K701, or from what someone told you? In any case, just don't try driving the K701 with a portable amp. You clearly love the K701, so why bother with the K601? If you want to consider an alternative to the K701, consider the SA5000. Both suit the type of music you listen to and I am sure you will love them.

It's fine from what others have said. I loved the K701 when I heard it at a store, and I've not heard the K601. I've also not heard the K701 with anything but classical. So, I was wondering what the majority opinion is on these, given my music preferences (and gear). SA5000 eh?

 

[rds]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've also not heard the K701 with anything but classical. So, I was wondering what the majority opinion is on these, given my music preferences (and gear).

That poor horse

 

[jonathanjong]

bump..

 

[lucky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif 2. My music is mainly indie and alternative rock (e.g., Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service, Rilo Kiley...)...

I preferred all these on my AD700 to K701. I haven't heard the K601, but I did find the AD700 had a fuller sound, to my ears, than did the K701, whose main advantage were a slightly brighter tone and a slightly different-shaped soundstage.

 

[cswann1]

The first time I put my K701's on I said "oh HELL No".

After I used some zip-ties to secure the headband in it's fully extended position they were worlds better. I stored them stretched over my guitar case at night for two weeks to relax the lateral pressure.

These day's I'd say they are as comfortable as my Beyers. I wear them for hours at a time with no discomfort.

I haven't heard the K601's so I didn't vote. Good luck

Also. I believe in break-in for these. Sound was pretty...meh...at first. I think they've opened up considerably over the last 6 weeks.

 

[Aimless1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Townyj /img/forum/go_quote.gif I havent had much to do with the K701 but i can vouch for the 601 and say the mids are great with good bass punch, your music selection will sound great on them! I listen to alot of Metal, Punk, Dance this they werent all that good for. Oh plus they are insanely light and comfortable.

x2

I had the 601s on an extended loan. Listed to the 701s at a meet. For your choice in music I think you will find the K601s more to your liking. Suprisingly good bass and those wonderful AKG mids. Very organic sound. I didn't find them excelling at any one thing, but they did everything well. A wonderful all around head phone. They are sure to please you.

That said, the better the amp the better the listening experience. AKGs are notorious for being current hungry.

 

[Mercuttio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f11/re...toilet-413153/ It's fine from what others have said. I loved the K701 when I heard it at a store, and I've not heard the K601. I've also not heard the K701 with anything but classical. So, I was wondering what the majority opinion is on these, given my music preferences (and gear). SA5000 eh?

You REALLY need to hear the K701 with your genre choices. It's great with classical, but it changes entirely when you shift to something else.

And the SA5k... yeah. It's cool in certain situations, but... you need to listen to that before you invest in it.