[Agphoto]

So. I know it's a bit of a vast difference, but I'm looking to upgrade from my HD555s. Naturally I would think the HD580 due to the fact I love the senn sound, and I had a good listen on a friends pair of HD650s. Now the only thing to consider. I don't have an amp YET. But I will be getting one soon.

So what would be the best option with an assortment of iPods as sources and also a Macbook Pro on occasion.

I know it's a bit excessive, but I'd like to have a real nice set of very comfy cans that are higher-end. Because you can't rock out on Grados 24/7

( although I might now that I have 2 pairs )

all opinions welcome

FTR: I'm looking to buy used not new.

 

[troymadison]

HD580s can be very cheap and a better deal for what you get than the k701s. I bought my stock hd580s for $85.

 

[scompton]

I own an HD580 and a K601 and neither run well out of my iPod. I can get sound at full volume, but it's not great sound. It's very muffled. Neither are a good choice without an amp.

 

[kramer5150]

Easy...
Since you already heard your friends 650 and you already like the senn house-sound, go with the 580. It won't sound very good unamped, but since you plan on an amp addition in the future, don't worry about it.

IMHO you still should give the K701 a demo-session though. It does some things that the 580 can't.

 

[robm321]

I'd go with the HD580s since you like that sound. It would be a good compliment to your SR225.

The K701 is very good too but will put you into another level of price.

 

[CareyB]

I just got some 580s and your statement of "a real nice set of comfy cans" is exactly what these are.

If you are considering spending the money on the AKGs then I would get the 580s and a cheap portable amp. I have a Go Vibe 5 that I plug into my ipod and it sounds great.

I haven't heard the K701s but they look great and seem to get great reviews in here.

 

[Clutz]

I've got, and listen to often the HD650, the HD580 and the AKG K701. The k701 and HD580 sound very different. The AKG K701 are much better sounding headphones (in my opinion) than the HD580s, but they're also trickier to amplify. The AKG K701s definitely have a much leaner sound than the HD580s do - the bass is there- and I think it goes deeper, just without as much quantity.

I'd recommend getting the HD580s and an amp as a start since you have neither. The HD580s are a great starter can and are no slouch.

 

[TheMarchingMule]

For me, the K701 just has no weight to any instrument, no matter what amp or source I tried.

 

[Ichinichi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by troymadison /img/forum/go_quote.gif HD580s can be very cheap and a better deal for what you get than the k701s. I bought my stock hd580s for $85.

what, recently? refurbs went for $85 on amazon. good luck finding that pricing now.

 

[troymadison]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ichinichi /img/forum/go_quote.gif what, recently? refurbs went for $85 on amazon. good luck finding that pricing now.

yeah amazon refurb'd (is that a bad thing???)... here is my thread about it:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=241390

 

[Agphoto]

cool, I appreciate the info guys!

I'm gonna be looking into an amp solution real real soon. Only reason I was suggesting the K701 was because I saw a couple on the FS boards, and also because i read it shouldve been fairly easy to drive. I do recall specifically hearing that both NEED to be amped to get the best sound. and I've heard similar statements in regards to my SR225s that are in-transit.

I do enjoy the sound from my HD555s, but I'd like to get something more sophisticated for my mellower music. Hence my interest in the 580s. I don't want to go too overboard yet, and the 650s are out of my range for now.

I guess I'll look towards the 580s then since they pop-up on here. What kind of amp would work well? Would something simple like the total bithead work out ok for a general amp?

 

[bellsprout]

i tink k701's are better than hd650's. neither run well from an ipod, and both need very good amps

 

[bperboy]

So far as the value factor goes, I'd get a pair of HD580s, especially since it seems to be a bit harder than usual to get new ones.

 

[fordgtlover]

As already mentioned in other responses, since you like the Senn sound finding a second hand set of HD580 should net you a set of headphones that you'll like.

It's true that they really do need to be amped, but they do benefit from any level of amplification from a simple and cheap CMoy through to significantly better amps. The better sources and amps allow the HD580 to reveal itself as an even better headphone.

I like both the AKG sound and the Senn sound, the K701 is quite different from the K501 and significantly different from the HD580.

 

[ex0du5]

If you want a sophisticated audiophile sound, I'm pretty sure K701 are supposed to be it. Haven't heard em myself though.

HD580 sets more of an artificial soundstage that suits classical music well, but doesn't fare too good with rock.