[pataburd]

Anyone, besides me, still happy with their K501?  The more I listen to mine, while other headphones come and go, the more I have learned to appreciate what they do so singularly well: reproduce some of the most cohesive and engaging midrange I've ever heard.  : )

 

[pataburd]

[coming from an echo chamber]
 
ANYONE???

 

[rhythmdevils]

I F'ING LOVE THE K501!   I THINK IT'S HEAPS BETTER THAN THE K701!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rhythmdevils]

too much enthusiasm?  sorry
 
I agree, they have a glorious midrange that really captures the air in the human voice like no other.  If they had bass they'd be the best thing ever and they would have stopped my headphone journey.  I'm talking about the K400/K500 moreso, but same same

 

[pataburd]

Thank you, Rhythm.  Too much enthusiasm?  I think not.  : )
 
Quote:

too much enthusiasm?  sorry
 
I agree, they have a glorious midrange that really captures the air in the human voice like no other.  If they had bass they'd be the best thing ever and they would have stopped my headphone journey.  I'm talking about the K400/K500 moreso, but same same

I run mine with a Martin Logan Dynamo powered sub, lending them some bass umph.

 

[dreamwhisper]

Some of the best inexpensive headphones (selling for $125-175), especially nice with vocal and classical music.
I thought they even sounded nice out of my Yamaha Integrated amp...
 
On the K501 box there's a sticker that recommendeds them for jazz as well as classical music, although I like a little more of a fleshy lower midrange for jazz, especially with piano.
Voices (especially female!) really do sound heavenly though.
 
I agree with rhythmdevils, if they had more bass extension, my audio journey would have just stopped there.
You have to drop a lot of coin to have the best of both worlds. (stax)
Vintage orthos, the HE5LE, and the LCD2 are also worth looking into.

 

[AudioDwebe]

Agreed that they are fantastic headphones.  Properly driven, with mucho power, these things really come to life and present a sound that is very much to my liking (airy with plenty of space around the instruments). 
 
I actually sold mine once, as I've also got the K500's, but the buyer felt there was something wrong with them and asked to return them.  When I got them back, I didn't notice any of the defects he'd mentioned. 
 
So...
 
I set it free and it came back.  Must be true love.

 

[rhythmdevils]

^ it is your destiny

 

[pataburd]

I sold two pair prior to settling down with the K501, and almost sold that one as well.  
 
Comparing the stock K501 to my RAL re-cabled K701 (with the K501 emerging the clear winner) finally opened my ears to the superiority of the K501.
 
With the UP-OCC solid silver re-cable, they have taken on all midrange contenders, up to and including the T1.  : ) 

 

[rhythmdevils]

wow that's interesting.  Do you think the k501 does everything better than the T1, or just the areas that are most important to you?

 

[shane55]

Right, so to follow up on rhythmdevils, in what ways are they superior to the DT880/600... if at all?

 

[kool bubba ice]

Lame that AKG discontinued them.. They were wildly popular.. I should get one.

 

[pataburd]

Quote:

Right, so to follow up on rhythmdevils, in what ways are they superior to the DT880/600... if at all?

The K501 exceed the DT880/600 in midrange integrity and in giving a more credible perception sense of living, breathing vocals.  All the frequency bands work together with amazing cohesiveness, too.  The DT880/600 are thinner in the midrange, and not as cohesive overall, I would say.

 

[dogears]

Just got one recently (using it with the K701's pads) and I'm 'dumping' my K701. I'm loving the midrange.

 

[mrarroyo]

The K501 is one of my favorite cans, had it concurrently with the K701 and sold the K701. As far as bass I had my K510 re-cabled by Alex of APureSound using the V3 cable, I then compared it with an stock K501 and the bass was a bit deeper and with more impact. Not a night/day difference but enough that it was easy to hear. I too believe the K501 surpasses the HD580/600/650 and the DT880 or DT990.