[FlyingInABlueDream]

I can't pretend to be a real head-fi aficionado. I don't have that kind of loot, but I enjoy several mid-fi cans. I recently purchased a pair of K701 from another member, and I love them. Great soundstage and clarity for the price.

There is one problem however. As a former music major, I have thousands of classical/jazz files that the K701 truly shine in. The other half of my collection is rock/metal/electronic. Sadly, the 701s are very lackluster in these genres. The bass response is poor, and it just doesn't translate well.

I guess my question is what I should do next. I consider my options to be...

1) Sell the K701 for a pair of cans that can cover a broader range of music.
2) Buy a better amp and hope the K701 respond better (I'm using a low range MisterX HPDAC that gets these cans to very respectable levels).
3) Keep the K701 for half my music, and save for another pair that compliments the rest of my music (which could take a while since I'm in a state of being perpetual broke).

Another consideration is that my Senn HD-595 sound great for rock/electronic, but the soundstage isn't there. I would love to get the large, airy AKG sound, but with better response towards bass. Or just use the 595's for certain genres if there really isn't a much better option.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Prog Rock Man]

I would go with upgrading the amp and another set of cans. The K701s suit the wide ranging prog rock genre as I appreciate the detail and they do do bass, when the recording does bass. You do not say a budget, but at £400 the X-CANV8P works very well with AKG. I also have Grado SR80s at about £100 and ultimately they do better from rock due to the extra spped and dynamic. So I would get a pair of Grados as well. Which you go for first will depend on budget.

I would not go for one pair of 'super cans'. Why compromise? A joy of head-fi is the ability to have different headphones for different music, something speaker based setups cannot readily do.

Edit - re read your post and since you have the Senns already I would go for an amp upgrade first to get the best out of the headphones.

 

[cck5]

id say get a pair of grados for rock. the sr80I are great for the price and the 225I shine if you can spend a little more.

 

[FlyingInABlueDream]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cck5 /img/forum/go_quote.gif id say get a pair of grados for rock. the sr80I are great for the price and the 225I shine if you can spend a little more.

I have a pair of SR80's (7 years old now). I like the sound for rock, but I'm just wondering if there might be a more 'complete' pair of cans for the music I like.

 

[nonsupremous]

Totally agree. Maybe not with Grado since I have no personal time with them, although the reviews are good. But I would most certainly keep your headphones for your classical. It is just too difficult to come up with a headphone that will shine on all the genres.

Off subject, I notice your name FlyingInABlueDream....did you happen to pick up Joe Satriani's new Live CD yet? That would be the perfect excuse to pull the trigger on some new Rock oriented cans!! Happy hunting.

 

[nonsupremous]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingInABlueDream /img/forum/go_quote.gif just wondering if there might be a more 'complete' pair of cans for the music I like.

Have you dabbled into the Denon world yet? Really good for rock. Good strong bass with a surprisingly wide soundstage.

 

[Palpatine]

Keep the 701s for half your music and go Grado if you don't mind an open can for rock... else the Denons like others have mentioned.

 

[Prog Rock Man]

With your AKGs, Senns and Grados you should be concentrating on getting an amp.

 

[Deep Funk]

The Sennheiser HD428 might be to your liking, otherwise the HD438. They aren't expensive and based on burning in my HD428 and reading on the HD4x8-series they are worth your consideration.

 

[loopfreak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palpatine /img/forum/go_quote.gif Keep the 701s for half your music and go Grado if you don't mind an open can for rock... else the Denons like others have mentioned.

Yep, that would be my choice too