[Maytan]

I currently have AD700's. I really like them- but I want to get something better. As I'm inexperienced, I'm not too sure how to go about describing things here.

My best effort is this: I like a detailed, neutral, crisp, clear sound. Something like the cold fresh breeze of an Autumn day.

I've read around a lot and come to the conclusion that one of these three pairs of cans are probably the best place to go from here. My source is currently an Audinst HUD-mx1, and I don't intend on buying anything more for a long while. As I understand, this thing should have enough amperage to power any of these cans. (I think it supports up to 300ohm on default, and up to 800ohm if I open it up and set the jumper to the higher setting. The reviewer at Headfonia said he had no problems driving the 300ohm HD800's on the default setting though.)

So what would you guys say? Is there anything I should know?

 

[Mad Max]

I've never read about MX1 having synergy with K70x.
I would go with AD900.  Then, when you upgrade your rig (a lot), upgrade to K70x.  If you love Audio-Technica, you should then switch to A2000X, AD2000, or W1000X if K70x doesn't quite make you happy.

 

[Maytan]

Thanks for taking the time to post. I appreciate it, and I'm leaning towards the AD900's.

 

[Katun]

Any reason you listed the K702 over the Q701?
 
The DT880 will give you that "pure" sound better than the other two, but it's my least favorite out of the three. It's pretty close between the (Q701) and the AD900, but I'd have to give my vote to the AD900. Perhaps you'd want to try something else since you already own the AD700 though. Regardless, the AD900 will be the least picky about amps and the easiest to drive.

 

[Maytan]

I had read that the K702's offer a more 'detailed' sound than the Q701's. I had also read that the Q701's have a 'fuller' or 'warmer' sound, and thought that the K702's would be more my style. I could be wrong about that though, I have little experience in this side of my hobbies so I'm trying to figure out what I can.

Ultimately though, even if the Q701's are a better choice than the K702's (that's what you're saying, right?), based on your post the AD900's seem like the safest bet for me right now. I don't have a ton of cash to throw around, and the cans I buy will likely be what I use for a long while to come.

 

[Katun]

Many users denoted the Q701 as the "proper" K701/2. Personally, I thought the Q701 was the "proper" DT880.
 
Not sure if you have access to Amazon, but they have great deals on Q701s. Cheapest of the 3 if you go that route.
 
If you really like the AD700, the AD900 would probably be a good choice. Again as above, they're the "proper" AD700.

 

[MalVeauX]

Heya,
 
If you want to really appreciate an upgrade and not just gain a marginally noticeable increase, consider:
 
Hifiman HE-400
Sennheiser HD600
Beyer DT880
AKG Q701
AKG K550
Denon D2000
Denon D5000
 
Very best,

 

[Maytan]

Quote:

Many users denoted the Q701 as the "proper" K701/2. Personally, I thought the Q701 was the "proper" DT880.
 
Not sure if you have access to Amazon, but they have great deals on Q701s. Cheapest of the 3 if you go that route.
 
If you really like the AD700, the AD900 would probably be a good choice. Again as above, they're the "proper" AD700.

That's interesting. I do have access to Amazon. That's where I was probably going to buy from actually.

Still leaning towards those AD900's!
Quote:

Heya,
 
If you want to really appreciate an upgrade and not just gain a marginally noticeable increase, consider:
 
Hifiman HE-400
Sennheiser HD600
Beyer DT880
AKG Q701
AKG K550
Denon D2000
Denon D5000
 
Very best,

Thanks for all the suggestions! Many of those are a bit more expensive than I'd like. I think the Q701's, DT 880's, K550's, and D2000's are all good for me price wise. I guess I'd say $300ish is my price limit.

That said, I think my top three are still the Q701's, DT880's, and AD900's.

 

 

[fabio-fi]

If you like the AT sound i'll stick with the AD900's in your case. 
 
The HD598 is another interesting model with a fun sound sig. 

 

[biggbenn74]

Well, if you really like your AD700's, I'd say go with the Q701. People call it the "AD700 on steroids" But, in reality, the Q's just blow the AD700's away. A far better set of cans IMO.

 

[NamelessPFG]

You like the AD700 and want detailed, clear sound?
 
I think you'd really love a Stax setup, having come from the AD700 myself, but you'll have to set aside $300-400 for a used SR-Lambda setup, and that doesn't include the speaker amp you'd need to drive the usual SRD-7 transformer box bundled with them.

 

[Maytan]

Thanks for all of your posts, fellows. I ultimately have decided on the Q701's, thanks to Katun pointing out Amazon's superb return policy. This way I can always return them if I feel I'd like the AD900's more.