[Navyblue]

1. For those last few pieces that we can buy off the shelves, are they most likely the "bass heavy version"?

2. I seem to come across two different opinions on the sound signature. One is that it has amazing midrange, another being treble heavy and hollow sounding. Is it because of the two different versions in circulation? With the former being the "bass heavy" version and the later being the "bass light version?

3. Is the "bass light" version more detailed? How does both of them compares to K701 in detail and sound signature? Are they more neutral than K701?

4. How different are these two versions? Are they like two different cans or the difference is subtle?

 

[Navyblue]

Knock knock.

 

[ronnielee54]

Who's there?

Sorry, my inner-child could not resist.

 

[pataburd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnielee54 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Who's there? . . .

K501

 

[pataburd]

Those who assert "treble-heavy and hollow-sounding" probably didn't have the K501 amped properly, or suffer from permanent hearing loss in the midrange frequencies, or are inveterate bass "overload" heads, or were being forced at gun point to write such calumnies by Grado, Sennheiser or Beyer fan boys.

Personally, I prefer the K501 to the K701 for their more balanced and better integrated midrange, especially for critical vocals--how many more times must I repeat this????--although, I like the K701 in its own right. Neutrality, harmonic balance, timbral/tonal honesty? The K501 has the edge here, too, IMHO.

Not having owned both the bass-lite and bass-heavy versions of the K501 simultaneously, I cannot comment on this point. But I would point you to comments on the thread-glutted headphones forum.

 

[pataburd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pataburd /img/forum/go_quote.gif K501

Isn't somebody going to ask "K501 who?"

 

[ronnielee54]

K501 who?

 

[pataburd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnielee54 /img/forum/go_quote.gif K501 who?

K501 and K49 lost. : )

 

[Uncle Erik]

To the OP - K-501 opinions vary *heavily* depending on taste, amplification and music. The people who hate the K-501 are those used to Grados and DT770s, often use portable amps and prefer loud, amplified music. The K-501 sucks for that. But if you want to listen to acoustic jazz or classical, have a powerful desktop amp (preferably tubed), you will love the mids, highs and deep bass.

 

[scompton]

I think they're great for rock as well. I listen to all genres of music with them. Actually, I listen to the K400, K401, and K500. I sold my K500 were going for such a crazy amount of money, I felt I should sell them and keep the other similar ones.

 

[pataburd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif To the OP - K-501 opinions vary *heavily* depending on taste, amplification and music. The people who hate the K-501 are those used to Grados and DT770s, often use portable amps and prefer loud, amplified music. The K-501 sucks for that. But if you want to listen to acoustic jazz or classical, have a powerful desktop amp (preferably tubed), you will love the mids, highs and deep bass.

What "Unk" said! . . . and don't forget folk/ballads . . . The K501's current rendering of Gordon Lightfoot's "Sit Down Young Stranger" is certainly tough to improve upon! The natural flow and breadth of Lightfoot's voice are very special.

BTW, I just turned up the volume on my K501 and triggered a rolling brown out hereabouts. : )

Well, I wouldn't tout myself as a "K501 expert," per se, but I sure enjoy listening to mine.

 

[ciphercomplete]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scompton /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think they're great for rock as well...

So I'm not crazy after all.

 

[ciphercomplete]

pataburd, I just fell in love with a picture of the Bada PH-12. I might be selling a bunch of stuff on Ebay soon to fund a new purchase. $520 ain't bad for 16 pounds of headphone amp goodness.

 

[pataburd]

"I fall in love too easily; I fall in love too fast . . ." : )

 

[Schweiz]

Navyblue, from your original post I infer that the K501 can still be purchased new? Do you have a link you can share?

Also, I am interested in a headphone that would be complementary to my Denon D2000. In particular, something that excels at midrange and is not overly bass light. Does the 501 qualify?