[Dafo]

So I just did the mod on my old K701. I report that the Bass IMPACT is much better than before. You can FEEL the bass now, which was one thing that K701 always did poorly. I can't comment on other things since I don't have a modified vs un-modified K701 side by side. The impact is one thing that should be very noticeable to people who are familiar with the headphone.

The k701 is a magnificant headphone with this mod. I never would have thought about using the k701 for movies, but after this mod it is perfect for it, plenty of deep bass rumble when called for, clear voices and perfect soundstage combined with superb long term comfort

 

[Dafo]

Hi there,
I tried to remove silver grids from my K701 in order di mod. I easily removed one of them, but one is locked. Any idea? Then how can go on? Do you have a photos sequence, please? Thanks in advance!

Use an awl for grip in the grille and put it in a hole as close to the edge as possible as mentioned above. Try all around the grille, first try at 12 o'clock, then 3 o'clock, then 6 o'clock... at some point you will apply maximum stress to where the grille is tight... and in the end it will come loose.

 

[Shaffer]

I saw this mod several months while ago, but I was afraid of ruining my headphones. Now I'm more adventurous, I decided to give it a try.

So I just did the mod on my old K701. I report that the Bass IMPACT is much better than before. You can FEEL the bass now, which was one thing that K701 always did poorly. I can't comment on other things since I don't have a modified vs un-modified K701 side by side. The impact is one thing that should be very noticeable to people who are familiar with the headphone.

I did the mod on my K702 last night and agree completely. It's like finding an Easter egg. lol

 

[Arctia]

After a day with this mod, I can see why some people prefer "colored" headphones. The standard K701 is just... too flat, too clean, and no bass impact, which translates to NO FUN for a lot of people. 
 
I can't believe I'm saying this now, but I'm listening to Rock music with K701 and I ENJOY it. The mod definitely boosted certain frequencies that make the bass and drums sound DELICIOUS. This is done without sacrificing K701's famous soundstage.
 
The only cost is imaging. I may not have an un-modified K701 to compare, I still have my HD800. I'm very well aware of the differences between an unmodified K701 and HD800. The unmodified K701 and HD800 are like two gentlemen sipping tea. The modified K701 is the once gentleman ripping off his suit.

 

[Titonine]

Hi Dafo, I tried again and finally the grill is coming out. Thank you!

 

[kuished]

Agree with others above. This simple mod does AMAZING things to the K701. It's so much more fun to listen to, whereas the unmodified K701 sounds lifeless in comparison.

 

[tkteo]

The mod works. Thank you.

 

[Shaffer]

Anyone try this with K712?

 

[deadspider187]

the k712 already has increased bass response compared to the k/q701's so it likely would become too bassy for most people.

 

[Shaffer]

the k712 already has increased bass response compared to the k/q701's so it likely would become too bassy for most people.

That's why I was asking. K7XX too bassy? Be still my heart!

 

[scottzg]

I pulled the bass port stickers and put them back in a couple times over the last few days.  I think i'm leaving them in place, you lose the incredible instrument separation and detail in the bass, and the bassyness can be regained with EQ.  If i had no EQ or was just watching movies i'd leave them off.  Pulling the EQ up 5-7db in the 60hz region does a better job than this mod, i think.

 

[silentmoon]

  After reading your post and the german thread I tried this mod on my k701. 
I have very good experience with adding bassports to Shure srh940 and also with adding an extra variable bassport to the Beyerdynamic dt770pro250ohm.
 
The bass in k701 goes very deep standard and is very clear, dry and articulated, but it lacks body and punch. This mod (removing the circular piece of tape on the back of the driver) adds some body and punch to the bass. Only the bass is affected so you will not loose any of those nice mids and clear highs, you just gain an overall more balanced sound signature.
 
I think the bass in k701 standard is overdamped.
With this mod the driver is able to move more freely without any unnecessary restraints but still sounding very good and detailed.
 
Some might think you loose something with this mod and yes, you do loose something, you loose some of that dry unrealistically light bass, that appears very detailled, but on the other hand you will gain the body in the bass, and body is essential for bassnotes to sound proper. The standard bass only appears detailled, but really it is not, it lacks the weight and body which in fact also is a part of the detail in the bass. The detail in the bass is not only on the sharp "edge" of the bass notes like a whisper, it's also "inside" the notes, in the body of the bass, the ressonance, that powerfull massive sound you can feel in your body at a concert or with speakers. This does not mean the modded bass sounds loose, slow or any less detailed or anything like that. The bass is still very fast, precise and detailed but now it also has the body and weight to back it up, just like it is supposed to have. 
 
Akg must know how the k701 sounds with this bassport opened up. To start with they prepared the driver with this bassport, but they chose to shut it off. I simply disagree with akg in their choices regarding this, I think they went too far in dampening the driver. The bass just sounds better and more realistic when it is not overdamped, in my opinion.
Objectively it is not a matter af "better" or "worse" with this mod. Sure I believe I can make compelling arguments to doing this mod for gaining a better bass response in the k701, but really it all comes down to taste; do you want a bass with more body to it, or do you not want this kind of bass response?
 
So the answer to your question wether this mod actually works is: Yes.

Hello Dafo !

According to your post, you really mean after the modification, only the bass is affected ? I've owned AKG K702 and K701. Could u pls tell me if your modded 701 sounds the same as 702 ? I'm about to mod it right away if it sounds different
 
n 

 

[Dafo]

Hello Dafo !


According to your post, you really mean after the modification, only the bass is affected ? I've owned AKG K702 and K701. Could u pls tell me if your modded 701 sounds the same as 702 ? I'm about to mod it right away if it sounds different

n 

I believe the k701 and k702 sound the same. The only difference is the detachable cable on the k702.
According to these measurements they should be quite identical:

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/akg-k-701-white.php
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/akg-k-702-black.php

http://en.goldenears.net/index.php?mid=GR_Headphones&search_target=title&search_keyword=Akg&page=2&division=-27907&document_srl=4138
http://en.goldenears.net/index.php?mid=GR_Headphones&search_target=title&search_keyword=Akg&page=2&division=-27907&document_srl=8281

With this mod I only hear a substantial change in the bass and no change in the mids and highs. Try modding one side first and then listen to some different music with only one side modded. That should make it quite easy to hear what is changed with the mod.
Hope this helps you.

 

[Ashade]

I believe the k701 and k702 sound the same. The only difference is the detachable cable on the k702.
According to these measurements they should be quite identical:

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/akg-k-701-white.php
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/akg-k-702-black.php

http://en.goldenears.net/index.php?mid=GR_Headphones&search_target=title&search_keyword=Akg&page=2&division=-27907&document_srl=4138
http://en.goldenears.net/index.php?mid=GR_Headphones&search_target=title&search_keyword=Akg&page=2&division=-27907&document_srl=8281

With this mod I only hear a substantial change in the bass and no change in the mids and highs. Try modding one side first and then listen to some different music with only one side modded. That should make it quite easy to hear what is changed with the mod.
Hope this helps you.

There is a very subtle increase in the low mids as well, but I had to A/B a modded and standard version to notice it.

 

[Dafo]

There is a very subtle increase in the low mids as well, but I had to A/B a modded and standard version to notice it.

That is probably why this mod sounds so natural on the k701. That subtle increase in the lower mids makes the transition from lows to mids more harmonic and smooth I guess.