I've been listening to my
Grado Prestige Series SR325is Headphones
for most of the year and have no complaints, other than the initial comfort factor. But I really wanted another mid-to-high end set to keep from moving the Grados from one room to another (I know, lazy, huh?). I almost went with the
Sennheiser HD 650 Headphones
, but I've already got a smaller pair of
Sennheiser HD 238 Open Aire Stereo Headphones Optimized for iPod/iPhone/MP3/and Music Players
and wanted to try the K701s because of the excellent reviews.
On first listen, I wasn't impressed. The music didn't seem to have any depth to it, like it was all coming to you on a flat plane, if that makes any sense at all. I knew these headphones need some break-in time, so I kept listening. Mainly I plugged them into my home theater and played some Dead Space 2 on the PS3. Slowly but surely, they turned around, and now they're my go-to headphones (I still love you Grado, but you're going into a drawer for a little while).
The detail and clarity is spectacular; the bass is just right (I don't find it at all lacking as some others have noted); comfort level is fantastic. My only complaint: I really liked the thick cord on the Grados and wish the cord on the AKGs felt as sturdy. That's more of a comparison than a complaint, though.
As far as amplification goes, I don't know how these sound without it. I've only used them on a newer Pioneer 1120-K (late 2010) receiver and, in my bedroom, a Peachtree Audio Decco2, which is both a headphone amplifier and DAC in one (and a wonderful piece of equipment, I might add). I stream audio from MOG (supposedly 320 kpps, the highest rate available to my knowledge) to either an
Apple TV MC572LL/A (NEWEST VERSION)
or
Apple Airport Express MB321LL/A [NEWEST VERSION
] and then into, respectively, the Pioneer receiver or the Decco2. Both have DACs, so I feel like I'm getting a good source going into a good output, and that truly makes these headphones shine.
A quick word on DACs: I purchased a small portable DAC earlier this year and returned it. I could tell no difference in the sound. But the DAC in the Decco2 really fills the music out and makes it sound so rich and detailed. If you're going to invest good money into headphones, please consider the source going into them. I suspect if you simply plugged these headphones into your iPod with no amplification or conversion to analog, you might wonder why you spent so much money. But with the right equipment, you'll fall in love with your music all over again.
And one last thing! If you're playing video games using a home theater system, i.e. you have a console hooked up to a receiver and surround sound speakers, these headphones are truly fantastic for gaming. I've mainly been playing Dead Space 2, and the detail and directional effects are amazing. I can't imagine any of the Ear Force or Astro headphones besting these AKGs.
UPDATE JULY 2012: I've been back and forth between these cans and my Grados for the past few months, with most of my listening through Grado. But I m sitting here now listening to Scissor Sister's new album on my AKGs, and I often forget how great these sound, so detailed and full and lush. They're more impressive now than when I first purchased them. Highly recommended. If I had to chose between the AKG and the Grado 325, I'd probably still go with Grado, just because the build is so sturdy and they're Made in America. But there is nothing wrong with the AKG at all. Excellent stuff all around!
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This Item  AKG K 701 Ultra Reference Class Stereo Headphone Level 1 |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -64% $167.99 List: $469.00 | $244.95 | $149.00 | -27% $109.00 List: $149.00 | -31% $99.99 New Price: $144.50 | $144.50 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sound quality | ||||||
| Comfort | ||||||
| Quality of material | ||||||
| Bass quality | ||||||
| Noise cancellation | ||||||
| Sold By | ClickJapan com | Quality Over Quantity Distribution | Audio Advisor, Inc. | HIFIMAN | Buying Done Right | Montre Le Trajet Inc. |
| connectivity tech | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired |
| headphones form factor | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | — | Over Ear | Over Ear |
| connector type | — | 3 5mm Jack | 6.35mm Jack, 3.5mm Jack | 6.35mm Jack | — | XLR |
| headphones jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
| cable feature | Tangle Free | Without Cable | Detachable | Detachable | Retractable | Detachable |
| material | Leather | — | Wood | — | — | Plastic |
Reviews with images
The greatest headphones of all time
There’s a good reason they’re still making them, they probably sold over a million of these. The bright sound profile is incredible on top of the wide soundstage, any jazz and orchestra pieces sounds incredible. I teared up when the violin kicks on, just insane. Now remove the sticker covering the bass port inside the ear cups. You now have very nice and balanced headphones that have great responses all around and huge soundstage.
Top reviews from other countries
Juan Pablo Munoz Mendoza
Excelentes. Relación costo/beneficio de las mejores en el mercado
Reviewed in Mexico on March 7, 2022
Juan Pablo Munoz Mendoza
Reviewed in Mexico on March 7, 2022
Construcción: Materiales baratos. Plástico por todos lados. En pocas palabras se ven baratos. Se sienten un tanto frágiles de las copas. La banda está ok. Al usarlos se escucha un poco el rose de los pads. Sin embargo, pese a todo, se ven bien a secas.
Empaque: Excelente y trae una base (barata de plástico). Dan el gatazo.
Comodidad: Más que excelente. Largas sesiones de escucha sin problema. La presión sobre la mandíbula es ligera, agradable. Son muy ligeros.
Sonido: Uff... La pregunta del millón. Sin ser para todos puedo comentar que, si quieren comenzar a escuchar música de forma más detallada y clavándose en la calidad de los codecs, ESTOS SON. De mi propia colección mi top de abiertos son los Zeus HD, Emotiva GR1, Sundara y estos... No son bass head, detallan todas las frecuencias de manera excelente, un soundstage más que bueno y una claridad soberbia. No son silbantes para mi gusto. Son una delicia para mis oídos.
No puedo más que recomendarlos desde la subjetividad. Hasta ahora no hay género con que los haya usado que no me gusten pero Jazz es mi favorito en estos.
Images in this review
tim weatherill
A genuine treat for the ears and a tonic to the soul.
Reviewed in Canada on April 20, 2016Amazon Customer
Takes time to adjust to the superior clarity and transparency but worth it on good recordings
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2015