[bracko]

Quote:

 
 
The K701 and K702 are identical sonically. I don't know where this other information came from. There are changes in the K701/K702 sound signature that have occurred over time. I've owned about 5 pairs from the line now.

 
That's what I was trying to say 

 

[bracko]

Quote:

 
If you really like the K501 sound a lot, you should look into the HE-5. It was incredibly similar to the signature of the K501 overall, but improved in just about every way. 

 
Maybe I am a little boring 

 but I am perfectly happy with my k501

 

[elwappo99]

Quote:

 
That's what I was trying to say 

 
I know, I was agreeing 

 
Just didn't know where the person you quoted was getting their info from. 
 
Quote:

 
Maybe I am a little boring 

 but I am perfectly happy with my k501

 
 
It's a unique headphone. The overall signature balance isn't found very often.

 

[judy1992]

If street price can go as low as 400.00, I'd probally buy it..
 

 

[Blackmore]

Yes, you are boring
 
 
Quote:

 
Maybe I am a little boring 

 but I am perfectly happy with my k501

 

[imagic]

Definitely got my attention. I was just getting back into my K701s after a three-year hiatus, due to the thin bass I had lost interest—the hyper detail drew me back in. I have a pair of HD380s, a pair of CALs, and a pair of Pioneer HDJ-2000s on the same amp/source as the K701s, it's interesting to do quick-swaps of the pairs and see how they do across genres. If the K712 bridges the gap between the K701 and the HDJ-2000 I'll be very, very happy.

 

[bracko]

Yes, you are boring

Hehe

 

[ninexnine]

I have not used headphones a great deal as I have been exceptionally lucky during most of my life to have great speakers available for my listening pleasure along with good room acoustics.  Bozak and JBL's on the home front powered by McIntosh and Crown amps, to Westlake Audio studio monitors powered by two Crown DC-300's,  thats two for powering each speaker in the studio.

However my first pair of headphones on the home front were Koss electrostatics in the late 1960's which used a voltage booster box off the outputs off my McIntosh 2105 transistor power amp.  They were good in their day.

Skipping through the range of headphone in-betweens since, I will jump to the two latest cans prior to my latest AKG purchase.  Some sony's that were expensive, and had some decent sound, but apparently did not impress that much, because I can't even remember the model. Then I had some Sennheiser HD-600's (the 650's were not out at that time).  I guess it was what people call "the Sennheiser veil" was what I found not to my liking.  Those damn speakers, and graphic equalizers and spectrum analyzers, each doing their job will spoil you.

Now I needed some phones due to environmental circumstances, and I needed some not too expensive due to financial restraints.  With such a great range of new brands and new models available, it necessitated narrowing the choices to those brands which i had some previous experience.

I wanted some phones that were relatively flat in freq response, as I don't want to do what you are not suppose to do.  That is tune amps.  Amps are suppose to amplify and make the sound bigger, not change the sound.  The upper end AKG's fit the part.
 
I realized that  I had a great choice of Cosmetics available and would come up with relatively the same performance.  I liked the black and blue finish of the 65th year anniversary, and I liked the distinct colors of the 712 model, but at that time the 712s required waiting to become available.

I purchased the 702 Annie s, and I am very happy with them.  I got the color's I liked,  I got the no bump headband,  I got the comfort to actually use them.  I suggest that the bass with the Annie s is not so restrained, and that other brands in this price range restrain the mids and/or highs to appear to have more bass.  haha!
 
Cheers
 

 

[Acix]

Quote:

Definitely got my attention. I was just getting back into my K701s after a three-year hiatus, due to the thin bass I had lost interest—the hyper detail drew me back in. I have a pair of HD380s, a pair of CALs, and a pair of Pioneer HDJ-2000s on the same amp/source as the K701s, it's interesting to do quick-swaps of the pairs and see how they do across genres. If the K712 bridges the gap between the K701 and the HDJ-2000 I'll be very, very happy.

 
 
Looks like AKG changed the K701 drivers with the 702s drivers during the production time, my guess will be on the 2008 models and up. As some headfiers mentioned here, the Anniversary pads will bring in more bass into the old versions.
 
 
Quote:

If street price can go as low as 400.00, I'd probally buy it..
 

 
You can save some money if you get a used 702/Q701 and just add a new Anniversary pads.

 

[FritzS]

Quote:

Looks like AKG changed the K701 drivers with the 702s drivers during the production time, my guess will be on the 2008 models and up. As some headfiers mentioned here, the Anniversary pads will bring in more bass into the old versions.

 
This information I got - AKG don't change the drivers during production of K702, but K702 get selected drivers from beginning. Later this selected drivers got another spare part # so the support must not call back for which model (K701 or K702) the ordered spare drivers.

 

[RamblinE]

K701 drivers should = K702 drivers though.... Same with the Q701. The only question really is, were they changed on the Annie? Did that carry over to the K712? 
 
Or are the differences in sound down to the pads alone? 

 

[EvilKillaruna]

Quote:

Or are the differences in sound down to the pads alone? 

 
~90% probability

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Pad swapping the Q701 and Anniversary = same sound.

I do agree that SOME K701 were different from at LEAST the Q701, as the K701 I owned was sterile sounding and dry. The pads were definitely not the same as the Q701 pads. They were harder and felt different. That may be why they sounded different. The K701 I owned was the 7 bump version (old).

 

[FritzS]

Quote:

K701 drivers should = K702 drivers though.... Same with the Q701. The only question really is, were they changed on the Annie? Did that carry over to the K712? 
 
Or are the differences in sound down to the pads alone? 

 
Info from the service manuals
 
K701           Capsule DKK45 2400Z0007  (capsule = driver)
Q701           Capsule DKK45 2400Z00080 (older 2400Z00070 but specially selected)
K702           Capsule DKK45 2400Z00080 (older 2400Z00070 but specially selected)
K702 Anniversary  Capsule DKK45  2400Z00080
K712 Pro      Capsule DKK45  (other selected than for K702 - this information I got, service manual are not available today - I think coming soon)
 
Service manuals
K702 and K702-65    http://www.akg.com/K702-827.html?pid=1209
K712    http://www.akg.com/K712+PRO-827.html?pid=1408 (look once in a while in downloads)

 

[imagic]

OK, after doing some reading about the K701 I became intrigued by the notion that an earpad swap could increase bass output. Out of sheer coincidence I was reading a review of the ATH-W5000 that discussed the headband and fit—and how that affected the overall sound quality. Well, next thing you know I'm bending my K701s, now I've got a fair bit of clamping force going on and guess what? The bass is a bit better, more present... presumably owing to the better seal, and perhaps the diaphragm is also a tiny bit closer to my ear as well. There is no question it helped, and I actually prefer a bit more pressure.
 
Based on what I have read, and what I just experienced, I don't think I'll be upgrading my 701s just yet.