Upgrade of AKG K240 MKII for Classical Music

[Saleri]

So I've had the akg k240 MKII for a while and I kind of want to upgrade them. I now want newer better headphones. I currently don't have an amp or dac but I plan to get the SCHITT MAGNI/MODI combination. I want to get headphones that are good for classical music and are good for big symphonies and vocals. I have done some research, but I'm not completely sure.
 
Some of my ideas were
Q701
HD600
AKG K501
 
I currently have $300 saved, but I can save up to a hundred more if necessary(not including money for MAGNI/MODI combination.
 
So any advice?

 

[obobskivich]

AKG K701 (or whatever variant) - good choice (and I'd really rather not have the non-stop argument about the lineup). The Sennheiser aren't a bad choice either, but they're not as spacious or enveloping for large ensemble pieces - I'd go with the AKGs. I don't think you can get the K501 easily anymore (I don't know much about them though).

 

[Saleri]

The problem is I was going to buy some akg k7xx but I heard there isn't really an improvement compared to the akg k240 mkii

 

[howaboutthat]

Quote:

The problem is I was going to buy some akg k7xx but I heard there isn't really an improvement compared to the akg k240 mkii

Cannot comment on the K240, but for the music you listen to, you can hardly do better.  Listening to classical through a Q701 set right now.  

 

[obobskivich]

Cannot comment on the K240, but for the music you listen to, you can hardly do better.  Listening to classical through a Q701 set right now.  

This is unfortunately where I'm coming from too - no idea how they stack up to the 240, but he 701 are really superb for large ensemble pieces.

 

[p a t r i c k]

Quote:

The problem is I was going to buy some akg k7xx but I heard there isn't really an improvement compared to the akg k240 mkii

 
I have a pair of AKG K702s and I have a friend who has a pair of K240 Mk IIs. My experience is that my K702 headphones really are a lot more revealing than the K240 Mk II headphones which I have used in my setup.
 
When you get the external amplifier and DAC then I think you will really get very good sound from the AKG K701/2 headphones and they are ideal for big symphonies, possibly the best headphones of them all for symphonic works. They will perform very well with smaller works as well.

 

[tdockweiler]

K601 to me is the closest thing to the K240 Studio (or MKII) that i've heard. The Q701 sounds better so I'd get that.
You could even upgrade the Q701 with the K702 65th Anniversary pads later too for more bass (they're $73).
 
K601 is getting hard to find for under $200 though.. I don't even know if it's discontinued.
 
K702 doesn't sound that much like the K240 Studio since it doesn't really have a mid-bass hump and isn't as warm. The K702 also has a lot more treble.
 
The K601 has a little less treble than the Q701 and K702.

 

[Saleri]

Huh that's interesting, I just hope I notice an noticeable upgrade.

 

[p a t r i c k]

Quote:

Huh that's interesting, I just hope I notice an noticeable upgrade.

 
I think you will

 

[zazex]

Quote:

The problem is I was going to buy some akg k7xx but I heard there isn't really an improvement compared to the akg k240 mkii

That statement is just bizarre.

 

[Saleri]

Really cause I read some reviews and they said they said the regular akg k240mkii(not the 600 ohms) sounded better than the q701. I just don't Wana spend $300 if I won't hear a good improvement.

 

[zazex]

Quote:

Really cause I read some reviews and they said they said the regular akg k240mkii(not the 600 ohms) sounded better than the q701. I just don't Wana spend $300 if I won't hear a good improvement.

Maybe it sounded better to those reviewers, but I really don't understand that.
 
The K240II are a good value IMO at Amazon's price of about 140, but the
70X are clearly better sounding headphones - especially with an amplifier.

 

[Saleri]

Maybe it sounded better to those reviewers, but I really don't understand that.

The K240II are a good value IMO at Amazon's price of about 140, but the
70X are clearly better sounding headphones - especially with an amplifier.

Beside the larger soundstage what else make's them better?

 

[zazex]

Quote:

Beside the larger soundstage what else make's them better?

 
Well, to tick off certain points of reference:
 
better imaging (spatial location)
width and depth of soundstage
extension and sparkle in the highs
more detail throughout
smoother (less "grain")
 
plus, the synergy of these adding to each other...

 

[Saleri]

And the magni/modi will be enough for the q701?