[lumzi23]

  If we're playing the least dangerous choice game (not that I've ever liked this way of choosing), HD600 couldn't possibly offend and it's very good. I've noticed several on FS at your desired price. Between the other two, K70x has better soundstage and DT880 is more comfortable.

 
I dunno about buying from the FS. I never bought anything outside of a proper store and I don't like buying used.
 
I just looked at the HD 600 on Amazon (somehow never really looked at the things till just now). Certainly pretty looking (love the whole blueish marbley/granite thing it's got going).
 
I don't think the FS would even be possible as we don't have Paypal where I live. I think I am stuck with amazon where these phones are just a too expensive.
 

   
HD600 and HD650 are very similar in most ways, HD650 are just slightly more refined and slightly darker sounding than HD600. Many will consider them as musical which means you can enjoy the music without being distracted by the highs(no harshness). They are as detailed as DT880 and Q701 IMO, just in a way that the highs are not exaggerated and not giving you a false sense of detail and you can discover much more bass and mid information much more easily as they are less bright.
 
I have tried many headphones (AKG K712,Q701,K812, Beyer DT880,T1, Senn HD800) and I find HD650s are the most enjoyable and smooth right out of box without EQ, amp ungrade and spend a lot of money smooth out treble harshness. They can sound good even with iPhone. They are not amp or source picky and can scale very high with better amp and source.
 
If you are concerned about listening fatigue then HD600 or HD650 are the most safe one.
 
If you like wide sound stage and brightness and don't care about the bumps on AKGs, then Q701 is very good.
 
If you don't mind narrower sound stage(which is good for certain music) and want a good all rounder, DT880 is the one. BTW DT880 is slightly less bright than Q701 from my impression.
 
DT880 can be so engaging and have no harshness when properly EQed down the treble peak (haven't buy and tried that with Q701, I just hate their headband bumps).
From measurement data, DT880 250ohm and 600ohm doesn't have a big difference but the 600ohm one are indeed more refined and most people refer to the 600Ohm one as more balanced(less treble). If you choose DT880 then choose the 600ohm one because O2 and ODAC can properly driven them and you have better SQ.
 
My personal ranking: 
 
Treble Smoothness:  HD600/650  >  DT880  >  Q701
Treble clarity:            DT880  >  Q701                             (did not include Senns because its hard to justify with less treble presents)  
Wearing comfort:      DT880  >  HD600/650  >  Q701
Sound stage:            Q701   >  HD600/650  >  DT880
Bass quality:             DT880  >  HD600/650  > Q701
Bass quatity:             HD600/650  > DT880  > Q701
Sound Richness and Musicality(make you forget you are wearing headphones):    HD600/650  > DT880  > Q701
 

Thanks for the detailed response. What do you mean by treble smoothness and clarity?
 
I won't be able to get the 600 ohm version of the DT800. Too expensive.

 

[scottzg]

I'm not an authority, just a casual listener with q701s and a couple other nice phones.  I had to tie a shoelace around the bumps to make them wearable.  Not pretty, but now i like how they are to slip on, like any other self-adjusting AKG.  I also really like how it's so easy to identify each musician and follow along with what they're doing.  I too have the o2/odac, and once you use software to emphasize the bass, get rid of a bit of the treble and add crossfeed they sound just like i want them to.  Too much volume  (which is WAY TOO easy to do) or un-EQ'ed and they make my ears tired, and no shoelaces and they make my brain tired.  I always use them though because nothing i have comes anywhere close to letting me follow along with what everyone is doing as well as these do.  A half hour of listening and it doesn't matter how 'clinical' or whatever they are, my brain just can't focus any more and i hear music.
 
I also really enjoyed the hd600 and 650s i've heard, and appreciate how they're less tiring, but i can't bring myself to give up 701 presentation now that i've kinda figured out how to work around its quirks.

 

[Claritas]

  I'm not an authority, just a casual listener with q701s and a couple other nice phones.  I had to tie a shoelace around the bumps to make them wearable.  Not pretty, but now i like how they are to slip on, like any other self-adjusting AKG.  I also really like how it's so easy to identify each musician and follow along with what they're doing.  I too have the o2/odac, and once you use software to emphasize the bass, get rid of a bit of the treble and add crossfeed they sound just like i want them to.  Too much volume  (which is WAY TOO easy to do) or un-EQ'ed and they make my ears tired, and no shoelaces and they make my brain tired.  I always use them though because nothing i have comes anywhere close to letting me follow along with what everyone is doing as well as these do.  A half hour of listening and it doesn't matter how 'clinical' or whatever they are, my brain just can't focus any more and i hear music.
 
I also really enjoyed the hd600 and 650s i've heard, and appreciate how they're less tiring, but i can't bring myself to give up 701 presentation now that i've kinda figured out how to work around its quirks.

 
Interesting. Photos?  I have K702 + O2 myself and would try this (even though the bumps don't bother me). 

 

[lumzi23]

  I'm not an authority, just a casual listener with q701s and a couple other nice phones.  I had to tie a shoelace around the bumps to make them wearable.  Not pretty, but now i like how they are to slip on, like any other self-adjusting AKG.  I also really like how it's so easy to identify each musician and follow along with what they're doing.  I too have the o2/odac, and once you use software to emphasize the bass, get rid of a bit of the treble and add crossfeed they sound just like i want them to.  Too much volume  (which is WAY TOO easy to do) or un-EQ'ed and they make my ears tired, and no shoelaces and they make my brain tired.  I always use them though because nothing i have comes anywhere close to letting me follow along with what everyone is doing as well as these do.  A half hour of listening and it doesn't matter how 'clinical' or whatever they are, my brain just can't focus any more and i hear music.
 
I also really enjoyed the hd600 and 650s i've heard, and appreciate how they're less tiring, but i can't bring myself to give up 701 presentation now that i've kinda figured out how to work around its quirks.

Edit: Hmm, the head band issue is beginning to sound like a hassle. I usually don't have much hair on my head so that could be a real issue.

  I have the Senn HD558, which uses the same 50-Ohm driver as the PC360, so you should like the DT880s audio quality over the PC360.
I would also assume you would like the Q701 sound quality, over the PC360s.
The DT880s should have a little more bass and the Q701 a little better mid range.

Thank you.
 
General: Thanks for all the replies.
 
Edited

 

[JeWorms]

   
Thanks for the detailed response. What do you mean by treble smoothness and clarity?
 
I won't be able to get the 600 ohm version of the DT800. Too expensive.

 
Smoothness means no harsh over exaggerated treble and well controlled resonance on the treble spectrum. Too much treble resonance or exaggerated treble energy will add up causing listening fatigue.
Clarity means well controlled resonance results in better resolved image and thus you can easily heard what musician is playing (e.g. drum cymble choking and some hi-hat technics)
 
Resonance can occur on the whole spectrum and mud the sound. Too much treble resonance is not good and might causing listening fatigue.
 
BTW where do you live? You might be able to get a 600ohm version under $300. I got mine recently under discount for only $250.

 

[lumzi23]

I live in Nigeria. The only reason the store I mentioned even has the Q701's is likely because of the Quincy Jones label. High headphones are not really a thing here (same goes for high end anything).
 
So in terms of treble clarity and smoothness the DT800's surpass the Q701's. Are the Q701's harsh in terms of treble?

 

[JeWorms]

  I live in Nigeria. The only reason the store I mentioned even has the Q701's is likely because of the Quincy Jones label. High headphones are not really a thing here (same goes for high end anything).
 

 
Have you find any international electronic store? 
250ohm is not that bad, but as referring to the measurement, I would choose 600ohm version even its slightly more expensive.
 
BeyerdynamicDT880250ohm
 
BeyerdynamicDT880600ohm
 
You can see the 250ohm one is brighter and bass's distortion is higher.
 
 

  So in terms of treble clarity and smoothness the DT800's surpass the Q701's. Are the Q701's harsh in terms of treble?
 

 
I am comparing 600ohm version with the Q701. Q701 is brighter than DT880 600ohm.
They are both bright and not harsh. Beyer DT880 has narrower treble peak compared to Q701. So I ranked DT880 to be better because they have slightly less exaggerated treble.
But for treble, its not really a problem. They both have well controlled treble resonance compare to other similar priced headphones even higher priced headphones. You can EQ  them to flat and result will be very good.

 

[scottzg]

   
Interesting. Photos?  I have K702 + O2 myself and would try this (even though the bumps don't bother me). 

 

So many people have trouble with the bumps, i dont know how they made it to market.  Here's what i did.

 

[GL1TCH3D]

 

Interesting. Photos?  I have K702 + O2 myself and would try this (even though the bumps don't bother me). 

So many people have trouble with the bumps, i dont know how they made it to market.  Here's what i did.

Looks like a better idea than mine.
I wrapped 3 pieces of kleenex around the headband to give it padding and smooth out the bumps

 

[Claritas]

 
 

So many people have trouble with the bumps, i dont know how they made it to market.  Here's what i did.

 
Thanks. Looks just fine. You can always cut the bumps off if they still bother you.

 

[arteom]

I thought one of the revisions of the 701 had no bumps on headband, K712?

 

[Claritas]

  I thought one of the revisions of the 701 had no bumps on headband, K712?

 
Yes, you're thinking of K702 annie. (K612 and K712 don't have bumps either, but they're not K702 revisions.)

 

[arteom]

   
Yes, you're thinking of K702 annie. (K612 and K712 don't have bumps either, but they're not K702 revisions.)

 
Ah, yeah. I stopped keeping track as they were releasing new models every month. I'd look into one of those.

 

[GirgleMirt]

Originally Posted by JeWorms /img/forum/go_quote.gif
My personal ranking: 
 
Treble Smoothness:  HD600/650  >  DT880  >  Q701
Treble clarity:            DT880  >  Q701                             (did not include Senns because its hard to justify with less treble presents)  
Wearing comfort:      DT880  >  HD600/650  >  Q701
Sound stage:            Q701   >  HD600/650  >  DT880
Bass quality:             DT880  >  HD600/650  > Q701
Bass quatity:             HD600/650  > DT880  > Q701
Sound Richness and Musicality(make you forget you are wearing headphones):    HD600/650  > DT880  > Q701

So in terms of treble clarity and smoothness the DT800's surpass the Q701's. Are the Q701's harsh in terms of treble?

 
Note that it's one man's personal ranking/opinion, not a globally accepted conclusion...   

     Personally, I've read many different opinions, also many prefer the Q701 after the port mod, which is basically reversible; removing a sticker which blocks a port, it adds warmth/bass.
 
From the rank you headphone thread, (search of Q701 and 880: http://www.head-fi.org/newsearch/?search=Q701+880&resultSortingPreference=recency&byuser=&output=posts&sdate=0&newer=1&type=all&containingthread[0]=109756&advanced=1), not that everybody has Q701 over the 880, but:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/109756/rank-the-headphones-that-you-own/3675#post_10207496
http://www.head-fi.org/t/109756/rank-the-headphones-that-you-own/2340#post_8748516
http://www.head-fi.org/t/109756/rank-the-headphones-that-you-own/2265#post_8651995
 
But to be fair, seems almost 50/50 for 880 vs Q701, probably around 3 preferred the 880s (didn't link).  But reading the 'official' Beyer 990 thread, the majority seemed to think that the 990 was superior to the 880 (neutrality often not being one of them though), which would then make 990 > 880 > Q701.   IMHO, the Q701 are definitely better than the 990s, for the simple fact that the 990s are more colored and often it just hurts them, or require an EQ to 'fix' them...  So I'd probably prefer the 880s over the 990s, being that I usually prefer neutral, but that's just personal opinion/taste.  Many had the 880s, bought the 990s and thought the 990s are just plain better headphones.  Some hate the 990...  Some it's their perfect headphones.  So who knows...
 
Ok, all that to say that the Q701 and Beyers 880s are probably similar in performance, rather than being dissimilar or one being much better than the other.  IMHO, one case where you can't really go wrong, two great cans. 

 

 

[zazex]

  If we're playing the least dangerous choice game (not that I've ever liked this way of choosing), HD600 couldn't possibly offend and it's very good. I've noticed several on FS at your desired price. Between the other two, K70x has better soundstage and DT880 is more comfortable.

 
+1
 

  I have the Senn HD558, which uses the same 50-Ohm driver as the PC360, so you should like the DT880s audio quality over the PC360.
I would also assume you would like the Q701 sound quality, over the PC360s.
The DT880s should have a little more bass and the Q701 a little better mid range.

 
+1
 

   
Note that it's one man's personal ranking/opinion, not a globally accepted conclusion...   

     Personally, I've read many different opinions, also many prefer the Q701 after the port mod, which is basically reversible; removing a sticker which blocks a port, it adds warmth/bass.
 
From the rank you headphone thread, (search of Q701 and 880: http://www.head-fi.org/newsearch/?search=Q701+880&resultSortingPreference=recency&byuser=&output=posts&sdate=0&newer=1&type=all&containingthread[0]=109756&advanced=1), not that everybody has Q701 over the 880, but:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/109756/rank-the-headphones-that-you-own/3675#post_10207496
http://www.head-fi.org/t/109756/rank-the-headphones-that-you-own/2340#post_8748516
http://www.head-fi.org/t/109756/rank-the-headphones-that-you-own/2265#post_8651995
 
But to be fair, seems almost 50/50 for 880 vs Q701, probably around 3 preferred the 880s (didn't link).  But reading the 'official' Beyer 990 thread, the majority seemed to think that the 990 was superior to the 880 (neutrality often not being one of them though), which would then make 990 > 880 > Q701.   IMHO, the Q701 are definitely better than the 990s, for the simple fact that the 990s are more colored and often it just hurts them, or require an EQ to 'fix' them...  So I'd probably prefer the 880s over the 990s, being that I usually prefer neutral, but that's just personal opinion/taste.  Many had the 880s, bought the 990s and thought the 990s are just plain better headphones.  Some hate the 990...  Some it's their perfect headphones.  So who knows...
 
Ok, all that to say that the Q701 and Beyers 880s are probably similar in performance, rather than being dissimilar or one being much better than the other.  IMHO, one case where you can't really go wrong, two great cans. 

 

 
+1