[plus_c]

So, after a year and a half of good service, I will be saying goodbye to my pair of AKG K271s soon. They were a wonderful pair of headphones for me - perfect in every way but two: 1) the Zu Mobius they came with had a 1/4" jack and my equipment only has mini jacks, and 2) they made me feel incredibly closed-in when I wore them for extended periods.

So now, it's time to look for a new pair of headphones. Definitely looking for open this time round, and something that will give me that magical AKG midrange. At the same time though, I'm wondering if I should use this opportunity to try another sound signature. I was considering stepping up to a K701, but would love to hear about other options.

My music tastes are pretty spastic, so I don't know how much that'll tell you. My tastes run to many different genres in many different languages, from classical to U2 to bass-heavy pop music...so a good all-rounder is a must. The rest of my component chain looks like this: iBook G4 --> Corda HA-1 Mk1. (Yeah, I know, a bit minimalistic.)

You guys have never led me wrong before, so I'm trusting you again to point me in the right direction.

 

[bolo_fd]

i think senn hd600's are pretty good all around but i prefer grados for the amp i'm using

 

[The Monkey]

I think you'll like the K701. I loved them at the meet.

 

[Jap]

[size=small]The K501 is available at bargain prices these days. The K601 is about $100 less than the top-of-the-line K701. The K1000 is an alltime legendary phone. How's that for preserving the magical AKG midrange?

[/size]

 

[plus_c]

The K501 is another intriguing option. I feel like for me, it would either be those or the 701s, if I'm going to stay with AKG. I wonder which one of those I'd like better...

 

[Meyvn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plus_c The K501 is another intriguing option. I feel like for me, it would either be those or the 701s, if I'm going to stay with AKG. I wonder which one of those I'd like better...

Soundwise, I think there is honestly no question that the K701 would be better for you. It's got more detail and high end, and it's got significantly more lows; however, that doesn't stop the K501 from being a great set of headphones, especially for the price. However, it's definitely MUCH less of an all-rounder compared to the K701.

 

[skyline889]

Too closed in? K1000 w/an adapter

.

 

[jagorev]

The K501 has magical midrange.

 

[imported_pete_d]

as a current K271s owner, and a true fan of AKG, does the k601 (next potential purchase have the same soundstage and mids as the k501. Seems that the k701 gets a lot of good press, and the k501 gets props for its mids, but the k601 never gets much mention.

 

[imported_pete_d]

as a current K271s owner, and a true fan of AKG, does the k601 (next potential purchase have the same soundstage and mids as the k501. Seems that the k701 gets a lot of good press, and the k501 gets props for its mids, but the k601 never gets much mention.

mods: accidental double post, please ignore/delete

 

[Asr]

What about the K240S? It has much of the same sound as the K271S, but is airier (because it's open).

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete_d as a current K271s owner, and a true fan of AKG, does the k601 (next potential purchase have the same soundstage and mids as the k501. Seems that the k701 gets a lot of good press, and the k501 gets props for its mids, but the k601 never gets much mention.

I wouldn't get the K601 myself; I'd be forever wondering if I might be enjoying the music a lot more with the K701.

 

[imported_pete_d]

The problem is that, at least down here in Australia, the price difference between the k601 and the k701 is significant. The k601 goes for about $450AUS and the k701 goes for $795AUS.

My question is this:

I concede that the k701 is clearly the pick of the AKG bunch (k1k excepted) however, there is a lot of love for the k501 at the moment. Does the k601 share the same characteristics as the k501? Is the k601 an improvement over the k501?