Sennheiser HD 558 Or AKG Q701?

[TooPoorForHiFi]

Hi, I was wondering if you guys can help me choose a good headphone. I am torn between the HD558 & the Q701. Anyone that had experience w/ both headphone could shed some light? 

 

[Me x3]

Hi,
 
AKG Q701 is a superior headphone, but needs extra amplification to give its best. (Fiio E11 for example)
If you don't want to get an amp, Sennheiser HD558 is still a solid pick.  
 
Q701 is brighter (less forgiving of poorly recorded music) and also has bigger soundstage.
 
Best Luck!

 

[manbear]

I've only had the Q701, but I can give some basic comments on it.
 
What it does well: Large, wide soundstage, natural midrange, detail extraction
What it does poorly: Bass impact (though extension is good), too bright for some tastes

Suitable Genres (no order): Acoustic, folk, or indie rock, classical, world, vocal, ambient
Unsuitable Genres (no order): Rap, bass-heavy electronic, metal

It requires an amp, but not necessarily an expensive one. Don't buy it if you don't want to get an amp. I used a JDS Labs Cmoy with it, as well as a Little Dot MK3.