Just got AKG K701's Too bright for me, suggestions?

[brainsalad]

I have HD600's and I have really liked them and I based on the reviews, I bought a pair of K701's. I have listened to them now for about 3-4 hours and they give me listening fatigue so badly, I have a hard time listening to them.

Do they warm up at all?

The HD600's seem much more balanced to me. I have been listening to Soundlab ESL's for 20 years and the HD600 sound like my Soundlabs, the K701's don't.

Suggestions?

I am using a Headroom Micro Dac and Micro Amp.

 

[regal]

AKG271s.

 

[dkjohnso]

If you have and like the HD600, why not stick with them? Do you find them lacking in some way? You could try the HD650, which will have a bit more bass and a bit less airy sound. But it would help if you elaborated on what you are looking for.

 

[jilgiljongiljing]

x2, if you can return them, I would suggest that you do so and give the HD650's a shot

 

[Zorander]

If you already don't quite like the headphone, might as well sell it off and not risk much, in terms of money and mental thinking.

 

[brainsalad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jilgiljongiljing /img/forum/go_quote.gif x2, if you can return them, I would suggest that you do so and give the HD650's a shot

I have had the HD600's for about 3 years and had the bug for something new. It was a toss between the HD650's and the K701's and so I made the jump. I think I will try the return/exchange route.

I just was wondering if they warmed up after some sort of break-in period.

 

[jh4db536]

i bought and sold my 701 in 400 hours from start to finish. I would've kept them if it didnt cost so much to balance. They were a nice companion to my 650.

the 701's are very bright out of the box. past 75 hours they dim a notch or 2. actually i almost started to miss the brightness (also had an Absolute sterile sound that i liked and it went too) once it was gone.

 

[blessingx]

Adding a Zu cable to your Senns (I had better luck with SE than balanced with the Mobius) gets you some of the AKGs pluses brought home. Course assuming you think they have some advantages. And they could then be too bright for you too.

 

[audiomagnate]

I've had the 600/701 combo until today, when I sold my 701s. It was all about which one was getting the "head time." I realized a few days ago that the AKGs were getting almost none, so out the door (literally) they went. BTW, I bought mine new and after over 500 hours of "break in" they sounded pretty much the same so I say return and spend that money somewhere else. If you really like the 600s, don't buy the 650s w/o a serious audition.

 

[brainsalad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiomagnate /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've had the 600/701 combo until today, when I sold my 701s. It was all about which one was getting the "head time." I realized a few days ago that the AKGs were getting almost none, so out the door (literally) they went. BTW, I bought mine new and after over 500 hours of "break in" they sounded pretty much the same so I say return and spend that money somewhere else. If you really like the 600s, don't buy the 650s w/o a serious audition.

Since you're a 600 user, your say don't buy the 650's w/o a serious audition. What has your experience been with the 650's?

 

[audiomagnate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainsalad /img/forum/go_quote.gif Since you're a 600 user, your say don't buy the 650's w/o a serious audition. What has your experience been with the 650's?

Very bloated bass and veiled highs, IMO. I know you have "upgradeitis" but 600s are really hard to beat as far as neutrality, listenability, comfort, extension etc. Maybe dress 'em up with a Beyer 770 snap on leather headband (you have to remove the foamy headbumps first) and a 650 cable. Spend the rest on music and save the industry!

 

[brainsalad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiomagnate /img/forum/go_quote.gif Very bloated bass and veiled highs, IMO. I know you have "upgradeitis" but 600s are really hard to beat as far as neutrality, listenability, comfort, extension etc. Maybe dress 'em up with a Beyer 770 snap on leather headband (you have to remove the foamy headbumps first) and a 650 cable. Spend the rest on music and save the industry!

Thanks ! I am going with your advice and return them. I have been super pleased with the HD600's. I can listen to them for hours and hours without any fatigue, physically or sonically. I will get a new set of ear pads and call it quits. I just checked with CompuPlus and they offer a 30 satisfaction guarantee.

I wish somebody had an audition service where you could rent & audition headphones before you buy them.

 

[audiomagnate]

As long as you're ordering the earpads (from Sennheiser I assume) you might as well get a 650 cable. It's only about 12 dollars and much nicer looking (and maybe better sounding) than the one that comes with 600. It does terminate with a 1/4 inch plug.

 

[brainsalad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiomagnate /img/forum/go_quote.gif As long as you're ordering the earpads (from Sennheiser I assume) you might as well get a 650 cable. It's only about 12 dollars and much nicer looking (and maybe better sounding) than the one that comes with 600. It does terminate with a 1/4 inch plug.

Thanks

 

[barmar46]

Just to reinforce your decision further, I had the 701s w/same HR micro stack and stuck w/them for well over 500 hrs. I love the accuracy, transparency, clarity...there is much to be said for them and to distinguish them from the Senn sound but...they absolutely kill me on the high end. I think you'd have to change amps and go to tubes, likely recable and then likely still be one step away from an audiologist. They are great headphones but some people like us are real sensitive to those highs!