I'll join... I love my original k271s. Closed backers that will give you an accurate presentation, and I feel, in a less fatiguing way than a lot of expensive "monitors".
Odd tidbit, I own a non "i" set of sr325s, and I EQ them a bit on my Mackie, and I noticed the k271s sound smooth with the same settings. They aren't up there with the Grados when it comes to having that special midrange, but I have to say, trying to use them in non-monitor situations, they are a fun headphone.
I am not going to spend much time to talk about the same era k240s. They sound "better" now, but I have never been very happy with them. Note: k240s have full circumference foam pads between ear and driver, the k271s have smaller pads. Put the full pads in the k271s if you have this model, it will even things out a bit. Tonality is the same, just a bit more balanced. These solve the "closed back lack of bass" issue by using the same design as the 240 in the earcups, and the cub volume is tuned, so they function like a ported speaker, somewhat. The full circumference foam pads just seem to work a bit better, probably diffusing things further. All n all, for a studiophone, it is hard to ask for more. Accurate, durable, and if you were to see the freq. response graph, they are real close to some more expensive sets. Lets not forget that AKG Comfort. The wife has called them "nighty night phones" because I have fallen asleep to some nice low volume listening more than once. (not the only phones this has happened with, just these got the nickname. It is not reflective of their tone.)
K501 vs. K701. That's easy. The K501 have a much better integrated midrange than the K701, plus they are more cohesive overall. The K701 have an upper midrange smear, or glare, that spoils what would otherwise be fine-sounding headphones, even keepers.
Note that I have kept the K501 (see signature). And that was after extensive a/b listening between them (stock) and the RAL re-cabled K701 (which had been my "references" for over a year).
The K501 were an acquired taste. In fact, it wasn't until my second or third go-round with these fine headphones that I finally began to appreciate them. (System matching did play a large part, too.) As time goes on, and other headphones come and go, I have yet more reason to appreciate the K501.
Now that the K501 are UPOCC re-cabled, they are definitely keepers--in one humble head-fier's opinion anyway. : )
Enjoy your 701. I just got the k702 off the for sale forum. Also have the 240DF which I love for it's clarity and 'neutrality'. The 702 does a lot of things even better...detail retrieval, bass, treble, huge sound stage....like them a lot in spite of somewhat distant mid range....maybe a little too light and airy for my taste, but otherwise great phones.
Enjoy your 701. I just got the k702 off the for sale forum. Also have the 240DF which I love for it's clarity and 'neutrality'. The 702 does a lot of things even better...detail retrieval, bass, treble, huge sound stage....like them a lot in spite of somewhat distant mid range....maybe a little too light and airy for my taste, but otherwise great phones.
The distant mid range will go away if you turn up the volume I think. The K701/2 needs to be played loud in order to have the sound come together - then they have a very forward and incredibly sparkly midrange. This isn't a headphone built for low-level listening at all.
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