[Jbucla2005]

I blew my 650's (which I was using with my MG Head in OTL mode) by accident and bought K701's, which I initially used with my Mg Head in tranny mode. It was ok but when I plugged it into my Luxman LX-33 integrated amp retubed and adjusted by tubesville.com, the difference was like night and day.. there is a lot of power now, if I turned it up to maximum, I would have pain (!) but on my MG Head I used it on max frequently, because it didnt get loud enough. Beyond that though it seems much more controlled with better extension and much more linear response. With the AKG K701's the overall neutrality, clarity, and warmth is really perfect and I have no need to turn it up very loud to hear it well.

But the MG Head in OTL mode with the 650's was still a smooth-sounding combo (it's strength,) and easier to buy (I inherited the Luxman - it is a rare unit) so I still want some 650's to use with my MG Head in the other room.

 

[Davesrose]

I hope this doesn't dissolve to yet another HD650 vs k701 thread

Both headphones are amp dependent and sound best with the right amp.

 

[F107plus5]

...and to the right ears.

 

[rincewind]

I've tried both cans on multiple sources and amps over the years and have been saying this all along.

Both (and any other) cans are dependant on source only so far as: if you feed a good can and a bad can a tipped-up or boomy signal, then they will both have a tendency to take on that overall sig and impart their own sig. If the incoming sig is neutral, from my experience, (IMO) the K701 passes the signal a little less coloured. But as the OP says, the HD650 is a very sweet sound, and I agree. As Davesrose said, it probably comes down to preference WRT 'nice' or 'accurate' some ppl value one more than the other, and some ppl have different definitions of accuracy, which if you think about it, can only be based on what each of us has heard to date!

In a perfect world, everyone would have heard world-class gear of various types (tube/SS, etc) at least once and we'd all have a rough idea where we really stand in the 'Head-Fi grand scheme' of things.

 

[orkney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by F107plus5 /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...and to the right ears.

...with the right music and state of mind and under the right environmental conditions...

 

[ElDanno]

Quote:

Originally Posted by orkney /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...with the right music and state of mind and under the right environmental conditions...

..with the right cable

 

[rincewind]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElDanno /img/forum/go_quote.gif ..with the right cable

... with the wind blowing in the right direction

 

[vo328]

You know what? I bet to specific folks, the K701 will sound better than the HD650 in a specific combination without question. We all have our own sense of what can synergize with a certain headphone amp, and I fully expect some will say that a certain amp will synergize better with the K701 than the HD650. People have to keep in mind that we are all looking for something specific when we listen... an overall "sound" which some combinations are better able to deliver than others. More power to you when you find the combination that works!!

 

[Hi-Finthen]

I'd like for you to consider the new kid on the block, Denons. If you were to want to try something 650 like signature wise which unlike the Sennys is easy to drive to their full potential...

 

[troymadison]

I don't agree with the OP but the k701 is indeed a nice headphone. But neck to neck with the hd650s IMO...

 

[Jbucla2005]

Quote:

Originally Posted by troymadison /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't agree with the OP but the k701 is indeed a nice headphone. But neck to neck with the hd650s IMO...

I don't mean to turn this into a flamewar over which is better... I guess my point is that for me, the K701's are better with the Luxman, than the 650's were with the MG Head, and that brings headphone listening up a notch for me. (and I felt like sharing my joy!)

When I used to use and love my 650's and read up on the newfangled K701's (when they came out) I always wondered about them - but now that curiosity has been satisfied.

 

[amphead]

Both headphones will sound good, with the right amp combination and the right expectations from the listener for the desired signature. If you are expecting an overall bassier signature the K701, will not scratch that itch. If you want extreme clarity and midrange, then the HD650, may not fullfill your expectations in this regard.

 

[greggf]

both are great!!

 

[F107plus5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greggf /img/forum/go_quote.gif both are great!!

And I'll bet they really are! Really!

To me, "both" means one set of each! It seems to me as though just one pair of phones just can't do it all. That to get the entire spectrum of music it takes more specialized sets of cans.

In my particular situation; HD600 and MS2i do the trick. I couldn't imagine living with only one or the other.

 

[Pearlworld]

"To me, "both" means one set of each! It seems to me as though just one pair of phones just can't do it all. That to get the entire spectrum of music it takes more specialized sets of cans." ( i don't know how to quote?)

x2