The Ups and Downs of my K701 - A Precautionary Thread of Valiente

[valiente]

got myself a used k701... 

will now be searching for an amp that will power it...

Nice. Prepare yourself cos you might either love it or hate it. You will hate it if it will sound bright, harsh, no bass, very transistor sound. On the contrary, you will love it if you will be able to appreciate the REALISTIC vocals, instruments, you will be amazed! But this experience only applies if you can provide the demands of this power hungry headphone K701. Feed it with great power from an amp, great source please. This headphone requires only reference level equipments to achieve a reference level of sound! 

Merry Christmas Headphilers!

[valiente]

I said realistic...did I said it? Yeah the voices of the singers are close to reality. Currently listening to my old CDs---Boy Bands---Westlife, N'Snyc, Boyzone, etc. I never heard this singers sounded like real. Yeah, I think what separate reference headphones like K701 from non-reference is simply--reference headphones sounded real. Not only the voices are realistic, the instruments like guitar, drums, cymbals etc. are also realistic.

I'm a happy headphiler.  The voices of the singers are soulful. It's alive with emotions. Yes, some says K701 is a cold headphone, not warm, but the realistic sound will balance it out. If you love the voices of the singers heard close to its reality, I suggest you pick up any reference headphone---you will be paid for its price. There are a lot of reference headphones out there--it's your choice. Now, I know why is K701 costs around $300 just after 2 years of using this headphones.

Currently, I'm amazed really by the voices---the singers' voice could be husky, thin, thick, soft, hard, etc. You will able to describe it by listening to K701. If you are a singer, I think it's a requirement for you to have a K701 or any reference headphone. You will be able to listen to the lyrics well as the singer deliver it from the first to the last note.

Amazing K701.

Another good update:
I inserted the Celine Dion CD. Wow! Smooth-sounding headphone with lots of sparkles. About 10x better from the first day of my K701. Really, after 2 years, this K701 matured already. I can't imagine how many times will it be better if I have already reference amp and reference source. I am just using a cheap Fiio E9 + Philips VCD Player! I can say now that with around $100 for an amp and maybe also around $100  for a source, you can experience "initially" what is meant by a reference sounding headphone.

[valiente]

Kung Hei Fat Choi Headphilers!

I thought K701 is already obsolete. It's not yet cos it's even on the "serious audiophile" package of Headroom as of this time.

Serious Audiophile Package:
"Break out the 'seriously' heavy hitters! Demanding listeners seeking to extract every drop of sonic detail and musical nuance from reference audio sources need look no further than our fully-loaded Ultra Desktop Amp. The Serious Audiophile Package also contains the high-current, uber-clean HeadRoom Desktop Power Supply [DPS] to properly drive power-hungry 'Class-A' components to full acoustic potential. In tandem with AKG K701* headphones, the sound will be impossibly liquid, transparently detailed and just drop-dead gorgeous. Here's audiophilic headphone bliss housed in a neat 6" X 6" stack -- the best way to Get it Right Between the Ears!

Ref:http://www.headphone.com/packages/serious-audiophile-package.php

[edsamac]

Slightly OT, but how exactly can the sound of an already well loved can become "obsolete"? 

Just saying.

[KaliKot]

Slightly OT, but how exactly can the sound of an already well loved can become "obsolete"? 

Just saying.

maybe because of the Q701? or maybe because this particular headphone is so hit or miss depending on the audience

[edsamac]

maybe because of the Q701? or maybe because this particular headphone is so hit or miss depending on the audience

The Q701 is sonically similar to the K701.  The differences are minimal, if not trivial.  Unless you like acid green for cables, then be my guest.  I don't think that's enough to make the K701 "obsolete".  Then again, if it was meant to "replace" it in the line up, I don't think AKG meant for it to be so.  I've heard of people trading in their Q's for a K, and even haggling vendors to sell a 702 (looks at Marvin), simply because there's some stigma with Celebrity endorsed brands, etc... I don't want to get into the nitty gritty of it, but sound wise they are no different.  Or perhaps it's a matter of nostalgia and stubbornness to accept something new... quite like throwing out your favorite lover for a *omitted*

Plus, the latter comment is about preferences.  Many flavours to the palate of sounds that tickle our fancy - I don't think the sound of the K701 will dull or be made "obsolete" by something that just so happens to sound "better" than it.  If ever, I'm sure many people here will agree that there is no perfect sound, and each individual headphone in a collection simply complements the other in times when we want to hear something "differently".

Meh, I'm just mini ranting.  Didn't mean to take it out or anything on you.  I just found the comment on "obsolete" a little weird.

[Dyaems]

not everyone likes the k701. as kalikot said, it is a hit or miss. for some owners, or previous owners of the k701, they find it "obsolete" because there are other cans that are better within its price range, or less than its price range.

as you mentioned earlier, its all about preference. if it is not obsolete for you, it might be possible that it is obsolete for them.

[edsamac]

I still find it a little odd to use the word "obsolete".  Changing preferences, maybe... but not to the point of using the word.  Meh, that's just me.  Of course, I was referring to its sound, and I will never understand how a certain sound can ever become obsolete.  Marketing wise, economy wise, sure... but sound wise, meh.

[ambemur]

Just had a listen with my K701 paired with a Sanza Fuze through a C&C X02...

Wow, wasn't expecting a significant difference from my AMB Mini^3...

Goodbye, Mini^3. 

[Za'afiel]

Just had a listen with my K701 paired with a Sanza Fuze through a C&C X02...

Wow, wasn't expecting a significant difference from my AMB Mini^3...

Goodbye, Mini^3. 

Exactly why I distance myself from an X02. Very poisonous!

[Maniacal71]

I tried the same combination, didn't find the XO2 driving the K701 well enough. I wouldn't let the mini go so soon. The XO2 does drive my YH1 reasonably well but the battery drain was under 3 hours starting from full charge.

[ambemur]

The song I used for a first listen with my sanza fuze > x02 > 701 was Nanci Griffiths acoustic version of "Where the time goes."

It was around 12AM and really quiet. When the first sounds came through, especially after the "one, two, three...," I exclaimed a loud "Sh@@yy@@t." 

It was then that I glared at my Mini^3 and told it, "Why couldn't you have done that?" 

[valiente]

K701 plugged into Fiio E9 at low gain.

Based on the Headfonia's tip: Keep your amps at low gain, http://www.headfonia.com/headfonia-tips-keep-your-amps-at-low-gain/ I tested it with K701 on my Fiio E9. Below are my observations:
(1) The instruments is played well, hindi nagmamadali. Pianos are pianos being played, guitar are guitars being played, and others.
(2) Vocals are also played well. The singer is really singing. Unlike before, as if nagmamadali - the singer is rushing with the lyrics.
(3) The music will enveloped you - sort of a surround sound. The music will be around you not in front of you. Also as if there are lots of air in the headphones, vocals and instruments are airy.
(4) The instruments played will either go slow, loud, soft, fast, and others. Unlike before, as if the instruments are just played with only one volume. This is also true with the vocals.

Overall, I am happy with the tip provided by Headfonia, it made my K701 better. Try it with your K701 and hear the difference. 

P.S. Yeah K701 is really thin sounding when unamped properly. I think by the low gain amp, it sounded thicker and "syrupy" than before. I really heard the difference. A thicker-sounding K701 is a joy to listen.:-)