K701 vs K702 vs Q701: which one, considering recabling among other things?

[PelPix]

Quote:

I think all the models use aluminum voice coil.  Trying to find more sources for that.  Sweetwater says so for the K701, at least.

I'll check at some point.  I'm not really that sure.

 

[reginalb]

I just wanted to note that, in multiple posts, users here have gotten confirmation right from AKG that the Q701 and the K701 are identical, they just look different. If there was more differentiation, why would they be trying to trick consumers?

 

[NotJeffBuckley]

Quote:

And the raving reviews begin, apparently.

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Sarcasm calibration unable to get a read, are you upset that I'm digging the work you did? It was well done, and worth the effort for sure, far, far more neutral than stock!

 

[PelPix]

Quote:

 
Sarcasm calibration unable to get a read, are you upset that I'm digging the work you did? It was well done, and worth the effort for sure, far, far more neutral than stock!

 
Of course I'm not.  I just like rolling my eyes.

 

[Il Mostro]

I have had both in stock form, but never side to side.  I cannot say that there was audible difference between the two based on this.  What I can state is that cable does make a difference with this headphone.  702's with Stefan Audio Art Equinox is better than the stock cable -- the difference is not subtle.

 

[oporto]

I have tried the K701 burned for about 250 - 300 hours and really enjoyed them. Because they lack bass I decided to get the Q701 and they do have more bass, I can see a small difference in the highs which they sound better, quite sharp sometimes which I like. The problem tho is that I cant compare much with the K701 I tried because of the burn difference and I tried them with an amp, my Q701 have only like 8 hours and I dont have an amp yet. But the bass difference is there for sure.
 
Hope that helps. I am enjoying my Q701 a lot even tho I dont have an amp I think they sound amazing, cant wait to start building my M3
 
Oh, and in the future I plan on making them balanced but dont really know how yet. So information on that is quite useful. : )

 

[Lurkumaural]

I'm using my phone so It's hard to link other pages (i.e. I'm lazy), but...

I think it was castigar who wrote a tutorial for 4-pin mini-XLR on a K702. It would be the same procedure I believe. I haven't removed the outer grill on my Q to verify.

Less of a pain would be to recable as if it were a K701, i.e. wire your cable into the cup without replacing the male connector.

These are easy enough to find by searching. HTH.

 

[Lorspeaker]

 

 
i opened up the pads of the Q701 and the K702, 
the inner foam of each are of different density, the Q701 being denser, rougher.
That of the k702 is softer ( foam on the right of the foto)

 
they are of the same thickness....q701 on top in this foto..k702 beneath.
 
 
 
 

 

[Lorspeaker]

i did a simple audition on my BCL amp which has two outlets...
both Q701 and K702 attached. The Q701 is tuned a notch lower, to my ears.
The difference is liken to changing of earbuds on an iem,
between an olive bud and ..say a foam..
the sonic range just goes down a notch on the Q701.
The shine of the highs of the K702 is duller on the Q701 on a song such as "Pokarekare Ana" by Hayley Westenra. 
 
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when i remove both the inner foamrings in the above fotos, i was half expecting both the Q701 and K702 to sound the same, since there are so many speculations to that.  But the Q701 still sound half a notch lower sonically...
though the difference now is much narrower...but it is still there.
 
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when i switch the cables of the Q701 with the K702, i didnt hear sonic difference...
i guess the cables are the same grade n just colored differently.
 
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caveat :  
1)TO MY EARS...
2) BOTH CANS are fairly new...burn ins..burn outs.. whatever..
3) Just a casual audition. i am no scientist.
4) U are free to BURY ME...
 

 
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which do i prefer....hmmmmm..... i do like the highs of the K702...
the Q701 is a step closer to the hd600...which i already have.
yes...BEAT IT ...BILLIE JEAN.. MJ is great on the Q701.
i should keep both. 

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[Lorspeaker]

 
since i have already taken the foto, u might as well LOOK at it...
they are the same size actually, Q701 on top. 
 
I prefer to listen to the Q701 WITHOUT the foam...
i prefer to listen to the K702 WITH the foam,
u go figure it out.
 

 

 

[roBernd]

what's quite more interesting is the foam right behind the Q on the outer grill.
My K701 lacks this foam compared to the Q701 and I guess this is the main SQ changing issue. (plus the Q block additional holes)

 

[Lurkumaural]

I noticed that.  Currently I am struggling with the urge to buy K701 grills and put them on my Q to see what changes.  I too was thinking that the foam and the solid grill center may perhaps make a difference. 
 
There was a mod posted here regarding the foam covering the ear side of the driver, so if there's a subtle difference in the material I'd be willing to believe it was chosen differently to achieve different tuning, or else was a serendipitous result.
 
But until someone actually does investigate this, I guess we're still speculating.

 

[Lorspeaker]

i guess every little foam diff n placement would affect the sound a certain degree..
the more i listen to the Quincy, the more it grows on me.
Its a safe-buy imho, if u like it a tad sharper, just take out the ringfoam which anyone can do.
(The nagging tot of too lean/ too sharp/ no bass dun cross my mind anymore,
it just disappears onto my head as i work on my laptop.)
 

 
and i like it BLAAAAAAACK !

 

[Lorspeaker]

Listening to the bigband cd, "Ralph Carmichael And Friends Live"...on the stock Q701, full foam On.;
just love the way the trombones, trumpets are being voiced, its non-fatigueing.
Reminds me of olden days when i was in the collegeband...
and all the instruments blaring around me. FUN!