Q701 vs K712: Which is the better value?

[thePhysicist8]

I'm looking to get myself either a Q701 or K712. At $400, the K712 is a bit out of my budget. I might be willing to make the jump, but only if it's worth it. Otherwise, I'll be getting a Q701 for $220 with the K712 ear pads for $60. Which do you think is the better value?

 

[viralcow]

Do you really need to ask? It looks like you want the K712 and you're trying to justify the purchase, even when you know that the K712's are the exact same as the Q's with different pads. Also, the Q701's are at an all-time-low price of $220 right now, so the answer is obvious.
 
I'll give you a pro tip though- just get the one you want. Trust me, there's so much talk about saving money and getting the best value but I've found that simply getting the one you want from the start saves you more money in the long run.

 

[PurpleAngel]

I'm looking to get myself either a Q701 or K712. At $400, the K712 is a bit out of my budget. I might be willing to make the jump, but only if it's worth it. Otherwise, I'll be getting a Q701 for $220 with the K712 ear pads for $60. Which do you think is the better value?

What sources are you going to plug the headphones into?

 

[62ohm]

  Do you really need to ask? It looks like you want the K712 and you're trying to justify the purchase, even when you know that the K712's are the exact same as the Q's with different pads. Also, the Q701's are at an all-time-low price of $220 right now, so the answer is obvious.
 
I'll give you a pro tip though- just get the one you want. Trust me, there's so much talk about saving money and getting the best value but I've found that simply getting the one you want from the start saves you more money in the long run.

 
This. I've auditioned the K712 against a modded Q701, with the exact same amp/dac. While I cannot honestly say the price difference is justifiable, I'd say go with the one your heart desires the most. What's the point of getting the Q701, if you are going to be restless in the future thinking you should have went for K712?
 
My personal opinion though, the K712 is not really worth it compared to modded Q701. But do I want one? Sure I do. The K712 does have much more "X-Factor", it feels and sounds more special than Q701..

 

[thePhysicist8]

@viralcow
Are the pads and headband the only difference? If so, then I'll go with the Q701.

@PurpleAngel
I'll be using them primarily with a Sound Blaster Z and it's onboard amp.

 

[wgb113]

Street price on the 712 is as low as $320 which seems to make your decision easy now that there's only a $40 diff.

I'm considering upgrading to them from my trusty K701.

Bill

 

[zazex]

  Do you really need to ask? It looks like you want the K712 and you're trying to justify the purchase, even when you know that the K712's are the exact same as the Q's with different pads. Also, the Q701's are at an all-time-low price of $220 right now, so the answer is obvious.
 
I'll give you a pro tip though- just get the one you want. Trust me, there's so much talk about saving money and getting the best value but I've found that simply getting the one you want from the start saves you more money in the long run.

 
So very, very true...

 

[zazex]

I'm looking to get myself either a Q701 or K712. At $400, the K712 is a bit out of my budget. I might be willing to make the jump, but only if it's worth it. Otherwise, I'll be getting a Q701 for $220 with the K712 ear pads for $60. Which do you think is the better value?

Well, seriously, I'd say we need to know your definition of "value"
in order to answer that question.

 

[PurpleAngel]

@viralcow
Are the pads and headband the only difference? If so, then I'll go with the Q701.

@PurpleAngel
I'll be using them primarily with a Sound Blaster Z and it's on-board amp.

I would say to get the cheaper Q701, you should be happy enough with it for now.
Maybe next year keep an eye out for a used K712, at a good price.

 

[Kernmac]

Street price on the 712 is as low as $320 which seems to make your decision easy now that there's only a $40 diff.

I'm considering upgrading to them from my trusty K701.

Bill

Upgrading?  If the 712 has the same drivers and housing, just with different pads and headband, what makes it an upgrade?  Because they cost more?
 
And if your K701 has a "trusty" sound that you like, then a changed sound (perceived more bass, less "sparkle", for example) may result in that "upgrade" being a sidegrade mistake.
 
Just throwing it out there.

 

[wgb113]

Appreciate the concern. I believe AKG has said the K712 uses newer drivers than the K701. I like the K701 but the K712's extended bass would be a welcome addition to that sonic signature. As for the more comfortable pads and headband, what's not to like?

Am I thrilled that they're $400? (I was wrong about the $320, it was a used pair from B&H). No, but the improvements over the K701 are enough to justify the increase to me.

Bill

 

[zazex]

Appreciate the concern. I believe AKG has said the K712 uses newer drivers than the K701. I like the K701 but the K712's extended bass would be a welcome addition to that sonic signature. As for the more comfortable pads and headband, what's not to like?

Am I thrilled that they're $400? (I was wrong about the $320, it was a used pair from B&H). No, but the improvements over the K701 are enough to justify the increase to me.

Bill

 
But the sound signature of the K712's is not that of the K701's simply with more bass.
It's a quite different sound signature altogether.

 

[wgb113]

Then I guess one just needs to decide if that difference is better or worse to their ears. Simple really.