225 replies to this topic

[LuzArt]

Amazing that 200mW is enough for 701's. Just as everyone's hearing is different, it makes one wonder how maybe we all judge "can drive those cans" differently too...

[LogicprObe]

maybe you could sell afew here logicprobe

I didn't buy them to sell...............way back at the start of the internet.
If I ever get around to sorting them all out, I might put a few up.
That might entail finishing my workshop under the house!
Every other room I've built gets claimed by the women around here!

[MultiplexMan]

OK - one pair of AKG K701 locked in.

I will be driving across to Victoria (Rutherglen, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula) and then over to SA (ADL, Whyalla) early next month and can drop off headphones for SNA members - within reason.

Sydney siders - no problems I'm based in Hornsby.

[LogicprObe]

They might not get here in time.
Mine took about 2 weeks and I think someone posted they were out of stock and going to back order in Germany.

[MultiplexMan]

In stock but price for one delivered is AUD263.49 as of this morning.

Exchange rate must have changed...

[MultiplexMan]

OK - I'm finalising my order on Friday evening. I reckon best to keep it for Sydney siders if you want to split shipping. Last order did take 2 weeks to arrive.

[Cyber_Murphy]

Have been Following this with interest..

I'm not really into Headphone listening,, but as of late I've been finding myself with the need to have a Headphone setup...

So,, these AkG 701's are quite a good headphone are they?? And is $263.49 AU a really good price compared to what they're usually worth??

Thanks in advance!
CM

[MultiplexMan]

@Cyber_Murphy - Yes, Yes.

I picked up a G&W AT-F100 amplifier this morning thanks to a fellow SNA member.

Two headphone sockets makes A/B listening between the HD650 and the K701 very easy.

There is more than enough drive from this amp! It has a very different sound to the Gennari. I need more listening time to determine if I like one more than the other.

[Cyber_Murphy]

@Cyber_Murphy - Yes, Yes.

Hmmm... Fair enough multiplex man. Might need to get myself a set then

Ta
CM

[markm1111]

Hmmm... Fair enough multiplex man. Might need to get myself a set then

Ta
CM

You will need a reasonable headamp to go with them CM, otherwise they will sound very ordinary. If there are none floating around here at the moment, try Head-fi

[yardley]

what are the 701s worth in australia?

[jrisles]

Ok so these cans are not the darling they once were .. but they are still a fantastic headphone. And i agree that these do not lack bass. In fact they are very truthful when it comes to bass. I think the reason so many people believe they lack bass is for a host of reasons. One of these reasons is because bass is so "bloated" in most of our portable systems these days that when you actually hear "truthful" bass you don't recognise it. The other reason is that people do not drive these correctly. You do need a decent amp to drive these headphones.

I own two pairs of these (from previous purchases). One singled ended and the other balanced. I have been listening to these since i have received my DNA Headphone amp as these are the only headphones i own that have the 3pin XLR Balanced leads compatible for the DNA amp and they are sensational. Bass is just fantastic. Not too mention the mid range for which they are renowned.

[LogicprObe]

I've heard plenty of speaker systems with bloated bass too.................and I don't like it.
I also hate it when I go to a concert and the dipstick sound engineer (a disgrace to his profession) decides to max out the subs just because he can..........ruining the experience for all concerned..........except for the constipated.

[vinilink]

Would ME preamp be good enough to drive this headphone? I don't have any experience on headphone side

[MultiplexMan]

Would ME preamp be good enough to drive this headphone? I don't have any experience on headphone side

I have been advised that a ME preamp would be perfect for this headphone...

[vinilink]

I have been advised that a ME preamp would be perfect for this headphone...

Would have been fantastic if I am still in Sydney as my house in Turramurra and you in Hornsby to order this together with you, save money on shipping. Looks like I have to order using my Singapore as I can't wait till June. Selling this one in Shanghai for around A$500 when I checked it today.
Btw, is K701 comes in rca socket or xlr?

[MultiplexMan]

@vinilink - K701 come supplied with 1/4" jack plug.

[vinilink]

@vinilink - K701 come supplied with 1/4" jack plug.

Thanks for the info!

[LogicprObe]

@vinilink - K701 come supplied with 1/4" jack plug.

.....and a 6.3mm adapter.

[MultiplexMan]

Folks - I'm finalising my order at 17:00 EST. So if you want to split shipping costs let me know.

[Cyber_Murphy]

Just orderd a pair

$264.09 AUD delivered..

Will be a long 2 week wait,, but at least have time to learn about Headphones, and how to drive them properly..

I'd like to build a Phone amp myself.. So if there are any really good (high-end) DIY kits available that would do the 701's justice,, please chime in..

Ta
CM

[LuzArt]

Ok so these cans are not the darling they once were .. but they are still a fantastic headphone. And i agree that these do not lack bass. In fact they are very truthful when it comes to bass. I think the reason so many people believe they lack bass is for a host of reasons. One of these reasons is because bass is so "bloated" in most of our portable systems these days that when you actually hear "truthful" bass you don't recognise it. The other reason is that people do not drive these correctly. You do need a decent amp to drive these headphones.

I own two pairs of these (from previous purchases). One singled ended and the other balanced. I have been listening to these since i have received my DNA Headphone amp as these are the only headphones i own that have the 3pin XLR Balanced leads compatible for the DNA amp and they are sensational. Bass is just fantastic. Not too mention the mid range for which they are renowned.

jrisles - you make a very good point, so many folks have become accustomed through their lifetime with a lot of bass. The 701's deliver accurate bass, but I'm still finding not as much >80hz as other cans. Not an issue however, the detail offered by the 701's is such an attraction that I'm satisfied.

[vinilink]

One last question. Headphone base, dose it come with the headphone as a set?

Edited by vinilink, 24 February 2012 - 10:12 AM.

[goooobags]

I'd like to build a Phone amp myself.. So if there are any really good (high-end) DIY kits available that would do the 701's justice,, please chime in..

Check out the thread on headphone amp kits in the headphone section

Guy

[Chickenism]

Ok so these cans are not the darling they once were .. but they are still a fantastic headphone. And i agree that these do not lack bass. In fact they are very truthful when it comes to bass. I think the reason so many people believe they lack bass is for a host of reasons. One of these reasons is because bass is so "bloated" in most of our portable systems these days that when you actually hear "truthful" bass you don't recognise it. The other reason is that people do not drive these correctly. You do need a decent amp to drive these headphones.

I own two pairs of these (from previous purchases). One singled ended and the other balanced.

Agreed on all points

Question - how does one end up with a balanced lead on 701's? Obviously it would involve taking them to bits and soldering in a balanced cable to both earpieces but something tells me doing so isn't as straightforward as it might appear.

[Cyber_Murphy]

Check out the thread on headphone amp kits in the headphone section

Thanks Guy, I didn't even know sna had a headphone section
It shows how much of a noob i am in this area :-)

I'll go over there now and browse..

Cheers,
CM



..okay, I've just realise that this thread is in the "headphone discussion".. I rely too much on the "New Posts" button..

Edited by Cyber_Murphy, 24 February 2012 - 10:51 AM.
brain failure

[MultiplexMan]

One last question. Headphone base, dose it come with the headphone as a set?

Yes - you get a cute stand/base to hold your K701 headphones.

[LogicprObe]

Yes - you get a cute stand/base to hold your K701 headphones.

And an adapter.

[jrisles]

Agreed on all points

Question - how does one end up with a balanced lead on 701's? Obviously it would involve taking them to bits and soldering in a balanced cable to both earpieces but something tells me doing so isn't as straightforward as it might appear.

I purchased my balanced set 2nd hand. But yes they need to be rewired. I think the balanced pair i own were rewired by a group called Moon Audio. I have the Silver Dragon cable on my balanced set.

Thanks Guy, I didn't even know sna had a headphone section
It shows how much of a noob i am in this area :-)

I'll go over there now and browse..

Cheers,
CM



..okay, I've just realise that this thread is in the "headphone discussion".. I rely too much on the "New Posts" button..

LMFAO - well it was funny?? :-)

Edited by jrisles, 24 February 2012 - 11:50 PM.

[bruce108]

People acquiring 701s will have heard the goss about break-in - they need it, they don't, it's a myth, it takes a few hours, it takes the rest of your life. Here's an interesting par from an interesting, balanced, discussion of the whole topic.

AKG and Sennheiser corporate headquarters in Europe seem to sending mixed messages. AKG's overseas corporate support sternly repeats (in standard, cut-and-paste feedback) that they "can neither confirm nor deny" the existence of headphone break-in." However, they counter that changes in sound may be the result of ear pad break-in. (Strangely, this is like substituting one kind of mechanical break-in for another.) Conversely, AKG U.S. support advises that their K701 headphones should get 300 hours of break-in. Sennheiser's official line is that premium headphones like the HD600 or HD650 sound great out of the box. Outside headquarters, however, they admit that several hours of break-in loosens the drivers and make the sound more fluid.

Edited by bruce108, 26 February 2012 - 09:31 PM.

[triode12]

FWIW - My pair sounded great right out of the box.

[yardley]

glad your happy with them triode

[MultiplexMan]

Same here. I've put just under 100 hours on them and have not noticed any appreciable change in signature. I've had a signal going through the headphones almost continuously since I received them.

I have heard more of a difference with change in amplification. I am really liking the valve head amp. I am looking forward to tube rolling. I'm sure I can tighten up the bass and improve on the detail of the stock (unbranded & unmarked) valve in the Gennari.

[vinilink]

MM, since my ME pre has rca only, how can I connect 701 to it or do i need to buy a an adaptor?

[MultiplexMan]

@vinilink - you need an adaptor. I'm sure Zaphod Beeblebrox could arrange one for you. I'm very keen to audition a ME24/25 as a headphone amp.

http://www.stereo.ne...a-headphone-amp

[LogicprObe]

You only need a Twin RCA male to single stereo 6.5mm female plug.

Like this...... https://www.storedj....ucts/HOS-YPR257 or this https://www.storedj....ucts/HOS-CFR210

[triode12]

Same here. I've put just under 100 hours on them and have not noticed any appreciable change in signature. I've had a signal going through the headphones almost continuously since I received them.

I have heard more of a difference with change in amplification. I am really liking the valve head amp. I am looking forward to tube rolling. I'm sure I can tighten up the bass and improve on the detail of the stock (unbranded & unmarked) valve in the Gennari.

MM, try them with a hybrid amp instead (like the Millet MiniMax) - I use a Millett Portable Hybrid amp myself. You get the strengths of both types of amplification.

Edited by triode12, 27 February 2012 - 06:50 AM.

[Whatmore]

I love mine straight out of the box but I am not driving them properly. Using the headphone socket on my parasound halo preamp I need to turn it to almost full volume to get a decent level.

Now to find a decent amp. Someone suggested govibe as being good value. Any thoughts?

[triode12]

I love mine straight out of the box but I am not driving them properly. Using the headphone socket on my parasound halo preamp I need to turn it to almost full volume to get a decent level.

Now to find a decent amp. Someone suggested govibe as being good value. Any thoughts?

The GoVibe Porta Tube looks promising but at $700USD, it is too expensive for what it is.
If you don't need the portability, I'd look at getting a Millett Minimax for half the cost.

[bruce108]

+1 for the MiniMax. There are several for sale on HeadFi ATM - around $200 of their funny little dollars. That's if you don't want to join the DIY group that's a-forming.

I don't doubt that there are better, since everybody seems to agree that the 701s scale up, but for amps with good press like the Burson or the WooAudio 6 you pay substantially more.

[LogicprObe]

I love mine straight out of the box but I am not driving them properly. Using the headphone socket on my parasound halo preamp I need to turn it to almost full volume to get a decent level.

Now to find a decent amp. Someone suggested govibe as being good value. Any thoughts?

MM is organising a group buy for the Millet.

[brumby]

I'm driving a pair of 702s with a Schitt Lyr. Stock tubes, no tube rolling indulged in yet. I reckon they do the job very well indeed.

[danter]

Whatmore - the 701's are very flat, very even across the spectrum. A touch lean on bass and sub bass. I love them, awesome clarity and extraordinary value for the money. Two caveats though - a good amp with ample grunt is needed, they're hard to drive and need that power to get the best from them. Also they need a long break in time, a good few hundred hours for them to open up but they will reward your effort.

Decent amplification is a must with these. Almost sold mine in favour of 650s until a decent head amp came to the rescue (Talisman). With all others before it, the 701s never had a chance to shine with the easier load 650s appearing to my ears the better option.

[LuzArt]

Brumby - im running the Lyr with 701's too but with Philips miniwatts from the 60's. You gotta go vintage, way better than any modern 6DJ8 tubes.

[MultiplexMan]

@LuzArt - I've taken your advice and purchased a selection of NOS valves.

Several SNA members have given me a couple NOS valves to audition too!

I most likely won't get a chance to fit and listen to them all until after my field trip

Something to look forward to for March!