[chicolom]

For pads:
 
Quote:

   
Frank at AKG has them.  Part no. 5021871
 
 
Spare parts
Frank Rodriguez frodrigu@harman.com 
Phone:  +1 818 920-3279
 
 
Be warned that you MIGHT not get the same K712 pads back, as the K712 and K702 Anniversary share the same part no. for pads but are slightly different.

 

[grizzlybeast]

I am super skeptical about these comments of just buying pads to put on  a k701 to get you the same sound of a k712.
 
especially since noone is mentioning any bass modds as well and ways to bring the mids out. but whatever

 

[Shaffer]

I am super skeptical about these comments of just buying pads to put on  a k701 to get you the same sound of a k712.{/quote]

As am I, but the idea of a bigger sonic congruity does make sense, especially with a bass mod.

especially since noone is mentioning any bass modds as well and ways to bring the mids out. but whatever

On the K712?

 

[grizzlybeast]

no I am not talking about a k712 mod.
 
I do see it as worth doing a mod on a k701 but I would just sell the k701 and get the k712.

 

[MrPanda]

I have both the Q701's and the K712's..  They are very similar sounding headphones, but there are some pretty big differences also.  First of all, comfort - the K712's are much more comfortable - not just the pads, but the headband bumps are gone on the K712's.  The Q701's really weren't comfortable for long listens, the K712's are just fine.
The Q701's don't really sound quite the same as the K712's even switching the pads.   Bass is always better with the K712's, and they deal with transients up in the range of cymbals better.  On Mike Oldfield's "Amarok" I can hear the bass cabinet rattling as well as guitar fret noise - those sounds don't appear on the q712's, and I've gone hunting for them.
I've been comparing Steven Wilson's "The Raven that Refused to Sing" 24/96 with both phones and have noticed that the K712's are smoother in the highs.  The soundstage is a little different, less hole in the center than Q701's but otherwise similar.  The K712's are less fatiguing.  I've been running them with an Apogee Duet and also a FiiO E17/E9 combo.  The Duet sounds better to me, although I think both phones would be served better by a better amp... I've been considering the Schiit Lyr.  Any opinions there?

 

[grizzlybeast]

  I have both the Q701's and the K712's..  They are very similar sounding headphones, but there are some pretty big differences also.  First of all, comfort - the K712's are much more comfortable - not just the pads, but the headband bumps are gone on the K712's.  The Q701's really weren't comfortable for long listens, the K712's are just fine.
The Q701's don't really sound quite the same as the K712's even switching the pads.   Bass is always better with the K712's, and they deal with transients up in the range of cymbals better.  On Mike Oldfield's "Amarok" I can hear the bass cabinet rattling as well as guitar fret noise - those sounds don't appear on the q712's, and I've gone hunting for them.
I've been comparing Steven Wilson's "The Raven that Refused to Sing" 24/96 with both phones and have noticed that the K712's are smoother in the highs.  The soundstage is a little different, less hole in the center than Q701's but otherwise similar.  The K712's are less fatiguing.  I've been running them with an Apogee Duet and also a FiiO E17/E9 combo.  The Duet sounds better to me, although I think both phones would be served better by a better amp... I've been considering the Schiit Lyr.  Any opinions there?

So you are saying that the q701 is more detailed.. I wonder if that detail goes away with the bass mod. 
 
I would search out the signature that you are looking for.
 
I don't know if the lyr would be too much for them. 

 

[MrPanda]

The Q701 is a little more revealing way up at the top, but I think it's because it's a little brighter, maybe a little more separated.  But I would definitely say the K712 has more depth "front to back"...   it's also smoother, and I like that better overall.  I think the K712 is a step or two up in sound and about 5 steps up in comfort.  The sensation of having a 'hole in the middle" of the soundstage is gone with the K712.  That aspect of the Q701 always made them seem a little artificial.  The K712's are less "tizzy" but I think a better amp might tame that even more.  The Steven Wilson recording has way more dynamic range than most recordings and kind of shows some of the weaknesses of the electronics I've got. 
On 24/96 classical recordings like Max Richter's "Vivaldi Recomposed" the separation of the strings is all there, but less exaggerated with the K712's than the Q701's.  For solo cello, the K712's get the texture, bite, and low end resonances just right.  Q701 misses that.   I used to get out the Beyer DT-770's for solo cello, lol, but the K712's do a very good job with it.

 

[atoff]

Just had a chance to try out the Ear Force DSS through my PS4 with the K172's.  Wow, what a sound!   I was under the impression that it was going to sound weak, that the DSS wouldn't be able to drive the K712's properly.  This was not the case.. what a massive sound!  Played a bit of Battlefield 4, and now I'll be testing with Assassin's Creed.   
 
After having tested the Q701 thoroughly, I can say without a doubt the K712 wins the battle.  It's super "fun..." so much so that I got rid of the Fidelio X1's that I liked so much for its earth rumbling bass with movies / games.   The K712 just sounds a lot more natural while still having just the right amount of bass.  I've never been a basshead though, I prefer the surround experience, with even my music.  I did love the X1 with its "theatrical" sound, but I found the K712 filling in what the Q701 lacked, so I decided that the X1 just wasn't needed..  
 
I also ordered a Sound Blaster Z, so I can get surround for movies.  Hopefully that doesn't disappoint.   

 

[grizzlybeast]

does anyone know how the 712 bass compares to the k550

 

[roguegeek]

does anyone know how the 712 bass compares to the k550

The bass on the K550 is a fair bit more pronounced, but that also has to do with the fact that they are closed cans as opposed to open like the K712.

 

[grizzlybeast]

The bass on the K550 is a fair bit more pronounced, but that also has to do with the fact that they are closed cans as opposed to open like the K712.

 
I expect more impact on the k550 and punch but I am curious about quantity in the mix. 
 
How does the bass quantity compare to the hd650(ideal balance in bass but not extension)
*fingers crossed*

 

[BillsonChang007]

I expect more impact on the k550 and punch but I am curious about quantity in the mix. 

How does the bass quantity compare to the hd650(ideal balance in bass but not extension)
*fingers crossed*

The HD650 will have more bass than any of the mentioned AKG

 

[grizzlybeast]

I figured. Well I will put it through its paces and see. If not I will get my old fav hd650. I should have it monday

 

[Shaffer]

The HD650 will have more bass than any of the mentioned AKG

So will Beats.

FWIW, I own K550 and a bass-modded K702. The 550 pales in comparison, bass-wise, in terms of quantity and quantity. Frankly, I think the K550 sounds relatively poor: overly bright overall, congested mids, very bright upper mids, over-dampened bass with no upper bass/lower mids to speak of. Did I mention how blazingly bright mine are? They do give the impression of transparency, not unlike AE A5+ active speakers, without actually being transparent. I do not recommend the product.

 

[grizzlybeast]

So will Beats.

FWIW, I own K550 and a bass-modded K702. The 550 pales in comparison, bass-wise, in terms of quantity and quantity. Frankly, I think the K550 sounds relatively poor: overly bright overall, congested mids, very bright upper mids, over-dampened bass with no upper bass/lower mids to speak of. Did I mention how blazingly bright mine are? They do give the impression of transparency, not unlike AE A5+ active speakers, without actually being transparent. I do not recommend the product.

I agree with this to an extent.. but for reference I find the k550 bass quantity tolerable. I don't mind its treble though. 
 
maybe the same mod can be performed on the k712 because from what i gather from this is:
 
bass quantity:
 
1.MODDED K702
1.K545(I have owned and prefer it wayyyy over the k550)
2.K550
3.K712
4.Q701
5.K702
 
HD650 bass quantity is ideal, HE500 bass quantity is tolerable