Q701 impressions thread
Apr 24, 2020 at 4:24 PM Post #9,572 of 9,602
That is odd, the stock pads in good condition are not stiff.
 
Apr 25, 2020 at 6:39 AM Post #9,575 of 9,602
The AKG 701 is a very impressive headphone and one of the most comfortable studio headphones. The 701s sound is big, open, analytically detailed and superbly balanced.
 
Apr 30, 2020 at 10:40 PM Post #9,576 of 9,602
That is odd, the stock pads in good condition are not stiff.

I've always thought the Q701 pads were a bit stiff. And the headphone has very little clamp so the pads never really compress, at least if you have a small head like mine.

Compared to the HD650, the HD650 pads are softer and the headphone has more clamp and actually compresses the pads when worn.
 
May 1, 2020 at 6:13 AM Post #9,577 of 9,602
I've always thought the Q701 pads were a bit stiff. And the headphone has very little clamp so the pads never really compress, at least if you have a small head like mine.

Compared to the HD650, the HD650 pads are softer and the headphone has more clamp and actually compresses the pads when worn.

Yeah, I've also always found the Q701's pads to be stiff and for me uncomfortable for several hours og usage because of it.

I did actually buy a pair of K712 for better comfort but liked the sound of the Q's more for my usage (mostly watching movies) so eventually I ended up selling the K712 and getting a pair of the Brainwavz xl microsuede gel pads for the Q701's. I'm very happy with both sound and comfort now.
 
May 13, 2020 at 9:14 PM Post #9,578 of 9,602
Wow, I didn't realize how stretched my elastic bands were. After using some rubber bands around the base of where the plastic guide tracks used the be, they broke before I bought my set, the bass sounds more pronounced.
 
Jan 22, 2021 at 11:42 PM Post #9,579 of 9,602
Today I breathe new life into my old Q701 that I haven't used in years. Actually, I never used it much other than gaming. The sound was good but the uncomfortable bumps and constant cracking at every move made me want to pick any of my other headphones over it. Took it apart and used plastic grease on all the joints in the gimble, this greatly reduced the cracking, resoldered the wires to they sit better and not touch, replaced the bumpy headband with a K701 headband and put Brainwavz hybrid on it. It's like a new pair of headphones. Now I regret not having done this earlier, I finally enjoy these.

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Jan 23, 2021 at 1:22 AM Post #9,580 of 9,602
Today I breathe new life into my old Q701 that I haven't used in years. Actually, I never used it much other than gaming. The sound was good but the uncomfortable bumps and constant cracking at every move made me want to pick any of my other headphones over it. Took it apart and used plastic grease on all the joints in the gimble, this greatly reduced the cracking, resoldered the wires to they sit better and not touch, replaced the bumpy headband with a K701 headband and put Brainwavz hybrid on it. It's like a new pair of headphones. Now I regret not having done this earlier, I finally enjoy these.


I don’t often write about it......... but the k701 is my regularly used headphone for movies from my AV receiver. I’ve just never found a better headphone for movies?
 
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Jan 23, 2021 at 2:43 AM Post #9,581 of 9,602
My driver failed again in the left ear cup and both bands broke. I threw them away and it made me sad.

I still have the K7XX for now
 
Jan 24, 2021 at 4:11 AM Post #9,582 of 9,602
Today I breathe new life into my old Q701 that I haven't used in years. Actually, I never used it much other than gaming. The sound was good but the uncomfortable bumps and constant cracking at every move made me want to pick any of my other headphones over it. Took it apart and used plastic grease on all the joints in the gimble, this greatly reduced the cracking, resoldered the wires to they sit better and not touch, replaced the bumpy headband with a K701 headband and put Brainwavz hybrid on it. It's like a new pair of headphones. Now I regret not having done this earlier, I finally enjoy these.

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mans can you do like a tutorial on how to do this?
 
Jan 24, 2021 at 11:03 PM Post #9,583 of 9,602
mans can you do like a tutorial on how to do this?

Basically used this guide https://imgur.com/a/gs0cRAB? , you don't need to remove the driver to access the gimble joints, though it is a lot easier to access if you desolder at least one wire from the headband. Use only plastic safe lube, silicone, PTFE etc. I had some plastic gearing lubricant that I've used. Oil based grease or something like WD-40 will destroy the plastic. The headband is easy to change once you take out the big screw that holds the headband in place. I strongly recommend you have a soldering iron if you start doing this in case you rip one of those wires, also on mine I had to redo a bunch of joints cause one was toughing the gimble and others were just badly done holding the wire at a weird angle.
The biggest change came from the new headband, I couldn't wear them for more than an hour before because of those bumps, now I find it more comfortable than the DT990.
Here is another guide on how to take it apart
 
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Feb 15, 2021 at 5:29 PM Post #9,584 of 9,602
Where do I get OEM replacement pads for my Q701? Mine seem to be flatter than brand new which makes my ears very lightly touch the foam that covers the drivers. I’d like to stick to the original pads because I don’t want to change the sound. I like them as is.

I just looked back through my emails to figure out when I bought these, and it was October 2012. So I’ve had them just over 8 years.
 
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Feb 15, 2021 at 8:52 PM Post #9,585 of 9,602

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