[sithompson]

I've always like the the look of the AKG 701's, both in terms of appearance and the write-ups they have got and it seems to fit the kind of music I like (nearly exclusively female vocal, instrumental, light rock, alternative - Tanya Donelly, Michelle Branch, Nerina Pallot, Leona Ness to name but a few). Amp is a LD 1+ with uprated tubes and LM4562 Op-Amp

So will they be OK and how will they sound compared to my SR80i's and MS1's? I want to get some better Grados when I'm in the States at Christmas (either 225 or 325) and maintain the sound I'm getting from the MS1's. This is getting expensive, but worth it

 

[DanielCox]

The nice thing is if you don't like them you can sell them for a decent price.

 

[leeperry]

if you're bald, they'll dig into your skull so make sure to grow some (thick) hair...but apparently SS is great on these cans, and they also seem to leak like mad...but I'm a SS whore anyway, so if you like it wiiiiiiide this couldn't really be a complete disappointment

and make sure to use a dark source, as these seem to be rather bright in the first place...don't forget to report in when you get them

PS: humm, LM4562 sounds like a major deal breaker...try something darker like OPA2132P/OPA2111KP or so.

 

[Commanderloochy]

I just got my k702, which are identical soundwise, and they sound great. The wide soundstage really adds depth to some songs. Unfortunately they are my first hi-fi headphone so I can't compare them to much, rest assured they make my bose sound like crap.

 

[sithompson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeperry /img/forum/go_quote.gif PS: humm, LM4562 sounds like a major deal breaker...try something darker like OPA2132P/OPA2111KP or so.

I've a load of OPA2132 or OPA2134 kicking around from building amps in the past, so I will try one and see what it sounds like. Thanks for your input!

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sithompson /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've always like the the look of the AKG 701's, both in terms of appearance and the write-ups they have got and it seems to fit the kind of music I like (nearly exclusively female vocal, instrumental, light rock, alternative - Tanya Donelly, Michelle Branch, Nerina Pallot, Leona Ness to name but a few). Amp is a LD 1+ with uprated tubes and LM4562 Op-Amp So will they be OK and how will they sound compared to my SR80i's and MS1's? I want to get some better Grados when I'm in the States at Christmas (either 225 or 325) and maintain the sound I'm getting from the MS1's. This is getting expensive, but worth it

I love the K701s! They are incredible for detail, neutrality, and the best sound stage you can get. The down side is you need a really great amp to drive them properly.

Great purchase, but give them 200 hours of burn in before you make any judgments as they take a long time.

 

[Acix]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sithompson /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've a load of OPA2132 or OPA2134 kicking around from building amps in the past, so I will try one and see what it sounds like. Thanks for your input!

Looks like you are ready for them.

don't forget to report back.

 

[Palpatine]

Those are fine headphones, to say the least. Give us your impressions after 125+ hours or so.

 

[Happy Camper]

You will need to say 10 "Our Fathers", 10 "Hail Marys" and donate $50 to Sennheiser. You will not be credible because you think the 701s sound good.

j/k

Good choice.

 

[AdamWysokinski]

I guess that for your music taste K701 should sound fabulous.
Happy listening,
Adam

 

[niranhopper]

how do they sound with the Black Cube linear?

 

[RatFarm]

Is it just me or do the K701s sound lifeless until cranked up a bit? Anyway, they are phemonenal headphones that bring extrordinary detail to music. Just don't expect them to rock out, bass wise.

 

[AdamWysokinski]

^ Yes, they need a certain level of power to bloom. And once again, the quality of K701 bass is very good, though some people find its quantity not good enough.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamWysokinski /img/forum/go_quote.gif ^ Yes, they need a certain level of power to bloom. And once again, the quality of K701 bass is very good, though some people find its quantity not good enough.

However, they are very EQ'able with zero distortion on the low end. I like to use the "Bass Booster" EQ setting on iTunes and they just sit back.

With this you get both quality and quantity!

 

[sainttoad]

I've got k701s and SR225s. The k701s have much tighter bass than the Grados, less of it, and an enormous sound stage. I'm not the greatest fan of female vocal/light rock, but when I do listen to it, the k701s are what I go for, especially if it's a live recording.

Don't worry about the resale value of the k701s, you won't want to sell them

congratulations on your new cans!