Help with earphones - at iStore now

[flow00]

Here's a thread about it on another board:

I realize the k701s are in a higher price bracket but I often see the HD600/650 in a high price system and thought some might like a comparison:

I've got the HD600 on loan to decide if HD580s are a good choice (they're such a good deal right now).
Been listening to both for a bit here's my impressions:

HD600:
Very agreeable sound. Non-offensive with full bass and a lower-midrange emphasis. Deep bass is authoritive, nearing DT880 in terms of scale(I felt deep-bass was one of the gretest strengths of the DT880). PRat seems just slightly slow for my liking, speed metal seems to lag ever so-slightly. The sound is very cohesive and despite the lack of high-frequency emphasis, it seems to provide a good sense of detail. The HD600s seems to strike a good balance between critical analysis and the ability to allow enjoyment of average recordings.

AKG K701:
Presentation is much airier. Bass response is more shallow and has a soft attack, yet it retains a good sense of PRaT. Seems to emphasize upper mids and excels with female vocals. Treble seems extended, lacking a definite upper limit but is certainly revealing of poor recordings. Upper bass can be snappy but occasionally sounds plasticky. Sounds less restrained than HD600 with an effortless sound, particularly in the midrange.

Overall I prefer the 701 for my tastes but I look forward to adding a sennheiser to my collection.

My rig is M-Audio 7.1 -> Musical Fidelity X-DAC -> Millet Mybrid /w DBs -> Headphones
__________________

[flow00]

I've been in the market for some new cans, and I'm looking to spend ~275. 

Right now I can't decide between the Sennheiser HD600s, and the AKG K701s.  Which would you guys recommend? 

i own a pair of these... PX350, to be exact.... i'm rough on them and they haven't let me down yet.
noise canceling and volume control on the cord...

but what do i know?
i didn't even buy them, they were a valentine's present....
come to think of it, the first one i've gotten since 7th grade....

So you don't respect your Valentine's Day gift?  :-P

[alcoholandcoffeebeans]

I've been in the market for some new cans, and I'm looking to spend ~275. 

Right now I can't decide between the Sennheiser HD600s, and the AKG K701s.  Which would you guys recommend? 

i own a pair of these... PX350, to be exact.... i'm rough on them and they haven't let me down yet.
noise canceling and volume control on the cord...

but what do i know?
i didn't even buy them, they were a valentine's present....
come to think of it, the first one i've gotten since 7th grade....

So you don't respect your Valentine's Day gift?  :-P

hey now!
i didn't say that at all.
i LOVE it. when i got them in the mail... i actually cried... yeah yeah yeah, i'm a girl.  :roll:

i was just acknowledging the fact that i haven't gotten valentine's gifts

[flow00]

I've been in the market for some new cans, and I'm looking to spend ~275. 

Right now I can't decide between the Sennheiser HD600s, and the AKG K701s.  Which would you guys recommend? 

i own a pair of these... PX350, to be exact.... i'm rough on them and they haven't let me down yet.
noise canceling and volume control on the cord...

but what do i know?
i didn't even buy them, they were a valentine's present....
come to think of it, the first one i've gotten since 7th grade....

So you don't respect your Valentine's Day gift?  :-P

hey now!
i didn't say that at all.
i LOVE it. when i got them in the mail... i actually cried... yeah yeah yeah, i'm a girl.  :roll:

i was just acknowledging the fact that i haven't gotten valentine's gifts

And that you are rough on them.  :-o

[ytowndan]

Here's a thread about it on another board:

I realize the k701s are in a higher price bracket but I often see the HD600/650 in a high price system and thought some might like a comparison:

I've got the HD600 on loan to decide if HD580s are a good choice (they're such a good deal right now).
Been listening to both for a bit here's my impressions:

HD600:
Very agreeable sound. Non-offensive with full bass and a lower-midrange emphasis. Deep bass is authoritive, nearing DT880 in terms of scale(I felt deep-bass was one of the gretest strengths of the DT880). PRat seems just slightly slow for my liking, speed metal seems to lag ever so-slightly. The sound is very cohesive and despite the lack of high-frequency emphasis, it seems to provide a good sense of detail. The HD600s seems to strike a good balance between critical analysis and the ability to allow enjoyment of average recordings.

AKG K701:
Presentation is much airier. Bass response is more shallow and has a soft attack, yet it retains a good sense of PRaT. Seems to emphasize upper mids and excels with female vocals. Treble seems extended, lacking a definite upper limit but is certainly revealing of poor recordings. Upper bass can be snappy but occasionally sounds plasticky. Sounds less restrained than HD600 with an effortless sound, particularly in the midrange.

Overall I prefer the 701 for my tastes but I look forward to adding a sennheiser to my collection.

My rig is M-Audio 7.1 -> Musical Fidelity X-DAC -> Millet Mybrid /w DBs -> Headphones
__________________

That was very helpful.  Thanks, man!

[postjack]

I've been in the market for some new cans, and I'm looking to spend ~275.  

Right now I can't decide between the Sennheiser HD600s, and the AKG K701s.  Which would you guys recommend?  

You could bid on these Grado GS1000 Statement Series: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Grado-GS-1000-Statement-Series-Headphones-GS1000_W0QQitemZ120446399825QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0b2a3551&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1240%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

The GS1K is a weird phone.  piercing highs, sucked out midrange, but wonderful bass and a massive soundstage.  extremely comfortable, and the pads smell fantastic.  no way are they worth anywhere near their MSRP.  I do like the new PS1000.  it suffers from similar sins but at least they bring the midrange back.

ytown: flow's impressions are solid. personally I prefer the HD600 (the K701 doesn't fit on my large head). I'm a sucker for a Sennheiser. what headphone amp will you be using?

flow: you on head-fi?

[alcoholandcoffeebeans]

I've been in the market for some new cans, and I'm looking to spend ~275. 

Right now I can't decide between the Sennheiser HD600s, and the AKG K701s.  Which would you guys recommend? 

i own a pair of these... PX350, to be exact.... i'm rough on them and they haven't let me down yet.
noise canceling and volume control on the cord...

but what do i know?
i didn't even buy them, they were a valentine's present....
come to think of it, the first one i've gotten since 7th grade....

So you don't respect your Valentine's Day gift?  :-P

hey now!
i didn't say that at all.
i LOVE it. when i got them in the mail... i actually cried... yeah yeah yeah, i'm a girl.  :roll:

i was just acknowledging the fact that i haven't gotten valentine's gifts

And that you are rough on them.  :-o

by rough i mean i drop everything.  EVERYTHING. mandi=clumsy

[ytowndan]

I've been in the market for some new cans, and I'm looking to spend ~275. 

Right now I can't decide between the Sennheiser HD600s, and the AKG K701s.  Which would you guys recommend? 

Oh, and by the way, those just happen to be the two that I've been looking at.  I'm open to any other suggestions that fit that general price range.  It doesn't have to be either of those two brands/models.

[flow00]

I'm not on head-fi.

[postjack]

I'm not on head-fi.

cool.  I prefer www.head-case.org.  smaller community, more like a group of friends.

[flow00]

I'm not on head-fi.

cool.  I prefer www.head-case.org.  smaller community, more like a group of friends.

Thanks. I'll check it out for sure.

[whatapiper]

You read my mind with this post, thanks for the advice mattstick, i'm headed to the apple store tommorow

any comparison on the vibe, vibe II and the vibe duo by v-moda?

[whatapiper]

went ahead and got the vibe duo and they do not disappoint! thanks for the advice! :rawk:


next in line...headphones, any suggestions?

[mattstick]

People are going to mention all sorts of different headphones, but you'll regret it if you don't buy Sony MDR-7509s.

[postjack]

next in line...headphones, any suggestions?

highly a matter of personal taste, and its nigh impossible to find a headphone with zero flaws, in my opinion.  and personally, I'm not a fan of non-R10 Sonys, though I can't say I've ever heard the 7509.

I'd browse around www.headphone.com.  they are retailers but damn good folks, with solid and unbiased reviews.  of course their inventory doesn't represent the entire headphone world, and their prices can be a bit high, but its a great site to do some research on.