[-shu]

So these seem like the best headphones in their price category, and I'm having a really hard time trying to choose.
 
What I've read so far:
Q701: amazing soundstage, detail, excellent mids&treble, decent bass
D2000: decent soundstage, excellent bass
 
I'll be using them for electronic music (liquid drum and bass mostly, and usually with vocals), gaming (more singleplayer than multiplayer), and movies, in that order. My current headphones are AD700 and I know they're lacking in bass, but I do like the way vocals sound on them as well as the soundstage (and preferably I would like to keep those good qualities). But the D2000's "cinematic" feel is quite tempting with its amazing bass & sub-bass...and that's the dilemma I'm in right now
 
When I get a new computer, probably during early summer, it'll have the Xonar Essence STX sound card, and I'll be getting the headphones with the new rig probably and driving them with the STX, and using Dolby Headphone for gaming and maybe movies.
 
 
 
 
Update:
 
 
I should clarify on what type of music I listen too...
Liquid drum and bass is quite a bit different from house/dubstep/trance, and I would like the whole package, bass mids highs, if you know what I mean. Here are a few examples, you can judge it for yourself what headphones would be suited for them:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q77LWPmAp4k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xd0bM2Oumw&list=UUSXm6c-n6lsjtyjvdD0bFVw&index=5&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykI7glq9LRE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEA2prf_x48&feature=plcp
 
Actually I also love Two Steps From Hell and Audiomachine "epic" orchestral music. As you can see soundstage is also important for me (both for epic orchestral and gaming).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6UdGgeYB3M
 
Thank you all for your replies so far!
 

 

[TMRaven]

I think your choice is pretty easy.

 

[tdockweiler]

I wouldn't suggest the Q701 for any electronic music that requires a lot of bass. I think it's not bad, but I prefer it only for ambient electronic music such as Helios or Boards of Canada.
 
D2000 should do OK. I would actually suggest the K550 over the Q701 for your genres and movies/games. I've found the D2000's bass a bit too much for gaming (offline).
 
I'd even suggest the DT-880 over all those despite the thin mids. I think it stinks for gaming due to it's mids.
 
Be careful because I don't know if the STX can drive the Q701 very well. I'd check into this first. It also has a 32 (?) ohm output I believe which might be bad for some headphones. Notice I said MIGHT!
 
 
 

 

[AxelCloris]

Owning the Q701 and having had the AD700 before, I can tell you that the AKGs are an upgrade to the ATs in every respect sans pricetag. I hated the fit/feel of the wings on the AD700s and the Q701s feel amazing to me. I do prefer the Q sound signature to the AD myself as well, the highs in the AD were a bit too shrill for me. The mids and lows are much fuller/richer on the Qs. There is a significant price difference there as well, but to me I'd say totally worth the upgrade from the ATs. Also, the Qs sound incredible and the positioning is second to none I've heard when used with Dolby Headphone.
 
Now as for the "fun" with gaming? I haven't heard the D2ks yet, but those are my next purchase because I want a good closed set. I recommend joining us over in the gaming thread started by MLE.  http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-updated-4-12-2012-akg-q701-added  We're nice and don't bite too hard!
 
Edit: Forgot to mention the PC gaming thread while I was at it. http://www.head-fi.org/t/593050/the-nameless-guide-to-pc-gaming-audio-with-binaural-headphone-surround-sound

 

[KG Jag]

The sound stage of the D2000 pales in comparison to the Q701.  In the end you may simply have to make some trade-offs in this price range.

 

[bowei006]

Q701's I agree are lacking in electronic or EDM music. They do it very well as they are refrences...but then it brings into the point of what equipment the person that made the track was using (most producers I know use $150 range headphones) and if they used a neutral model or a bassy one or colored one. My experience says the later...as you can't blame them. Even despite the Q701 being a refrence can, with good bass RESPONCE. IT still lacks in how much bass it can produce and how well it does it.
 
I would personally recommend the Ultrasone HFI 580..not nearly as comfortable but are a godsend for EDM music. I listen to EDM on both my 580's and 701's with the Q701 just giving me the whole show really..but in terms of music listening, the HFI 580's will blow the Q701's out of the water for electronica.
 
Never heard the Denon AHD2000's(now discountinued, may be hard to get or pricey.)

 

[GamerOne]

The Essence ST/STX's internal amp can definitely drive the Q701's volume-wise and they sound decent from it, but I do highly recommend a good external amp to drive them properly. I've compared the Essence ST's amp with the M-stage myself and the ST's amp sounds a bit harsh and "dirty" compared to the M-stage. The M-stage sounds cleaner and smoother.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Beyerdynamic DT990s, lots of bass, nice sound stage
Vocals are clear, not strong, but they are clear.
The Asus Xonar STX (& ST) are best with headphones in the 100-Ohm to 600-Ohm range.
The Denon AH-D2000 are only 25-Ohm.
The AKG Q701 are 62-Ohm.

 

[Papander]

Q701 needs something that can output 51mW, 1.8Vrms and 29mA into 62ohms in order to reach 110dBSPL. I did 10second google search on STX and couldn't find its specifications, but pretty sure it can do that as it claims to be able to drive 600ohm headphones too.

 

[-shu]

I should clarify on what type of music I listen too...
Liquid drum and bass is quite a bit different from house/dubstep/trance, and I would like the whole package, bass mids highs, if you know what I mean. Here are a few examples, you can judge it for yourself what headphones would be suited for them:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q77LWPmAp4k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xd0bM2Oumw&list=UUSXm6c-n6lsjtyjvdD0bFVw&index=5&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykI7glq9LRE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEA2prf_x48&feature=plcp
 
Actually I also love Two Steps From Hell and Audiomachine "epic" orchestral music. As you can see soundstage is also important for me (both for epic orchestral and gaming).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6UdGgeYB3M
 
Thank you all for your replies so far!

 

[bowei006]

 
Quote:

I should clarify on what type of music I listen too...
Liquid drum and bass is quite a bit different from house/dubstep/trance, and I would like the whole package, bass mids highs, if you know what I mean. Here are a few examples, you can judge it for yourself what headphones would be suited for them:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q77LWPmAp4k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xd0bM2Oumw&list=UUSXm6c-n6lsjtyjvdD0bFVw&index=5&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykI7glq9LRE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEA2prf_x48&feature=plcp
 
Actually I also love Two Steps From Hell and Audiomachine "epic" orchestral music. As you can see soundstage is also important for me (both for epic orchestral and gaming).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6UdGgeYB3M
 
Thank you all for your replies so far!

 
I checked them out
 
I'll back my descision on the HFI 580's then I have heard the Beyer DT770/80 ohm but can't remember them well enough. They were super comfortable but not as sonically good IMO as the HFI 580's.
 
But those sounded good on the HFI 580's. The HFI 580's are bassy....but also have excellent highs and mids.
 
 
 
PurpleAngel has experience with Beyers so see what he says. 

 

[KG Jag]

The 580 is a bass head can with a "V" shaped EQ.  If that is what you want, they are a good choice.  If not, look elsewhere.

 

[bowei006]

 
Quote:

The 580 is a bass head can with a "V" shaped EQ.  If that is what you want, they are a good choice.  If not, look elsewhere.

 
Not EQ.
 
EDM usually prefers V shaped signature or responces, I don't know many or any EDM people that say they don't like V shaped sound. But like you say, if he likes it then go for it. If you don't know what it is, then go for it.
 
And while the HFI 580 does have a V shaped sound and responce it's quite weird with the HFI 580 due to it's S-Logic Plus technology inside it. The S-Logic puts this unique natural yet artifical soundstage around the sound(don't think airy) and that pulls the vocal's back so it's not direct..but at the same time the vocals are forward and agressive. Vocals don't mean everything in the V shaped responce or sound as it's just that dip seperation, but the vocals and how they sound on the HFI 580 should be noted to seperate it from some other notable V shaped sounding headphones.

 

[-shu]

Thanks for your time and suggestions bowei, I'll consider the Ultrasones as well!
 
WIR3D says the D2000 pairs very badly with the STX: http://www.head-fi.org/t/601693/meow-ah-d2000-hfi-580-pro-900-ath-pro700mk2-bass (few posts down)

 
I suppose that narrows my options. I'm not really sure exactly how the Ultrasones sound, I haven't read much about it. Could you point me in the right direction?

 

[KG Jag]

I'd skip the "V' and go to the more neutral HiFi 780 or Pro 750 and still get the Ultrasone S-Logic.  But different strokes for different folks.