They are the same in sound, and so are the Quincy Jones signature versions. Buy which ever one is cheapest or which ever one you like the color of. The 701's come with a stand, the 702's have a detachable cable. Other than that the only difference is color. I've heard them all. Happy listening!
No you can't cover them. They'll sound very bad. Open headphones are designed to be open. Try a different headphone if you want closed back. I suggest checking out PSB's phones. Very good sound for a closed back.
Yes. They have the same exact drivers and sound. The difference is that the 701's are white, come with a stand and have a fixed cord, and the 702's have a removable cord, no stand, and aren't white.
Amp-wise, I auditioned these with an Objective2 at a meet-up recently (either DIY or about $150 from JDSLabs) and had spectacular results. I A/B'd them with several more-expensive solid-state amps (including that particular Burson, if I recall) and , for what it's worth, found minimal, if any difference. They drove them clearly to volumes well beyond safe listening levels with a dead-silent background. Needless to say, I bought one immediately and love it. It's a solid option at a low cost.
@122A7 Thanks! I assume you are asking if it bleeds sound into the room. Yes, it's an open back headphone so you can hear things going on around you and they can hear what you're listening to. I would say that it is more open than most as well.
@Bamwich..because the Burson is *WAY* better than the headphone out on an A/V reciever. It doesn't matter how much power or how expensive an A/V reciever is, the headphone out is still an afterthought. Headphones aren't powered by the amplifier section in a reciever (which in itself is usually pretty poor by Hifi standards), they're usually powered by a tiny little chip near the headphone output. The Burson is a dedicated unit with all components from power supply to output, designed for SQ.
@Filo011 Well I assume you are referring to the tape noise? Unfortunately my current reviews of HiFi equipment are not in themselves "Hi-Fi" lol. I don't have an off camera or shotgun mike yet and the built in one on the camera actually captures it's own noise of the tape recording. I spend most of my money on the stereo equipment itself.
I have a pair of K701 and till now, I have not found a better album to listen to than Diana Krall: The Girl in The Other Room. IT IS INSANELY GOOD!!! The soundstage is SO GREAT!!
@hamsterman81 The short answer is yes, you will get sound, but no it's not ideal for what they can really sound like. A reciever's headphone output stage has nothing to do with the receivers power. It's just a tiny chip usually. It'll get you by in the mean time though.
@AngryLS1 Depends on the amp I would say. I would never say the bass will be terrible unless you are only using an ipod headphone out of something. The Bellari HA540 is a bass canon.
@dkamm65 Yeah, no compression. MP3's are always compressed. MP3's are for space savings, flac is for quality. Itunes and ipods won't play flac though, so you'll need a flac software/hardware player unfortunately.
No, it's an open back headphone, that's how they are. If you try to close the backs it'll sound horrible. The benefit is a really open soundstage, the drawback is that they're open back and other people can hear them.
@cabish222 I think you're going to like them. I would still want an amp that could do more than 200mw though. Extra power in reserve gives you less amplifier distortion and is almost always a good thing. Good luck!
I definately would reccomend it. Unfortunately I don't have enough experience with modile amps to recommend a good one yet, but I'd just pick something with the features you need. Anything is better than the headphone out. HeadFi probably has some good reccomendations. There's a thread of mobile rigs that's pretty interesting.
@ScreaminGreenMachine Oops! My last response to your question was incorrect. I thought this question was for a different headphone, sorry. These are not too clear. They are still musical and very nice to listen too, even laid back compared to some other headphones. The midrange is sublime.
Any open headphones allow sound both in and out, but these aren't the most open I've heard, so it's not too bad outside the headphones. If someone is trying to sleep next to you, then no, these are open phones, they won't work. They're not as open as the Grado's though.
@moondogg93 Bass lean from an Audiophiles opinion usually means a basshead will definately not like them. It's not big and thumpy, but it's definately there. I don't remember if I've heard the Triports off hand but I've heard some Bose. If you amp it with a strong amp, I think you'd be satisfied, if not, check out the Grado's. Sound leakage shouldn't change with different earpads. Sound doesn't leak around the earpads. I'd keep the velour one's for comfort.
@mike82y Sure, why not. They are very detailed. Only thing is the headband may "hot spot" on you after awhile. You'll need to shift them on your head regularly.
Thanks! Unfortunately I have no experience with that soundcard and I don't know of any dac/amp combos near that price point so I wouldn't be of much help. You could get a half decent amp around that price and just use the dac built into the PC and probably be set up well. The 702's definately benefit from good power. Good luck!
@Flipstaxx08 I'd get an amp otherwise the bass hits aren't going to be as resolved as you might want with these. They are still just a tad lean in the bass compared to some others, so you'll want to keep that in mind when mixing. I only mean a TAD though. I still like the bass very much because it's very well defined. The Bellari amp has great bass response with these.
It depends on your budget, but I really like the sound of the Grados. The SR-325is are great if you can swing it. All of them are good though and reasonably efficient so they'll work on ipods. The AKG's need a great amp.
The Q701 has a bit more body down low (about the same as a standard bass boost to my ears), which is a bit more neutral-sounding to me. The midrange is a touch warmer and doesn't seem to have that somewhat plasticky sound I found with the K702, and the high end seems ever so slightly smoother. Overall I consider them to a bit more balanced and better-sounding overall than the K702 (which are still excellent headphones).
Without an amp I'd I wouldn't suggest the K702's. I haven't heard the K267's but being closed they will give you more bass and less sound leakage. It all depends on what you really want and how you want to use them.
@apdoff If you are planning on getting an amp at some point than I'd say yes. If not, than I'd look at something like the Grados instead. The 702's will play out of an ipod, just not with much volume or drive.
Thanks for this review, and the review of the AD700s. I was about to pull the trigger on the latter, partly based on price, and as a temporary piece of gear. I also had these 702s on my list, and I think I will give them a try. I will be driving them with a restored Fisher 500C receiver, so would appreciate any thoughts if that might be a bad combination.
What's up Clint, how are you :)! I wanted to add an open back headphone in my headphone collection. I will use it with a Nuforce uDac2 on a mac laptop and sometimes with an iPod. Which one out there would you recommend since there are plenty in the market today? Thanks!
If you want to hear them breathe and don't want to break the bank, get either the K702's or the Grado SR-325is. If you want to spend more, I'd check out the Grado PS-500 or RS-1i's first. HD-800's are of course fabulous too and if you have an equally fabulous amp to go with them and have that kind of money to invest, then by all means go for it.
Thanks for the review! I am trying to figure out which headphones I should get, the K701 or the K702 ? I heard saying there is no difference in sound at all, but charging extra 100€ for a detachable cable/headband does not seem normal for me from a company like AKG. Have you tried both or do you know other differences between these two models?
Hi Clint, Have these headphones held up well for the 7 years you've had them? I'd hate to invest 200 clams to find that one of the channels stops working. One more question: Was this model made in Austria? The new ones are made in China.Thanks in advance for your reply!
Thanks for this great review. I'm seriously considering these headphones, although i'd only be using them with the fiio E7/E9 combo which I think are superb for a budget DAC combo. You have to laugh at those people that bemoan the use of an Ipod but clearly don't know what they're talking about.
@danionutciprian I used to own that DAC and I liked it a lot. You definately still need an amp with this DAC. The built in headphone out on the 25.3 isn't any better than most headphone outs. I would only use it for a very efficient headphone like Grados. Thanks for watching!
Thanks ... I will check out the Grados as well. On a totally unrelated note, today while perusing a used vinyl/cd shop, I found a pair of Time Windows 1A in really nice shape, $200 for the pair. Oh my.
One thing I'm worried about with purchasing these is the fact they might almost be to clear and every bit of the song will stand out. They would be great for mixing because you can deal with all the imperfections. What are your opinions on them being to clear?
First off, nice review. I am thinking about ordering these. I'm on a budget and was planning to pair these with the ASUS Xonar Essence ST soundcard (I'm always on my computer) My question is if you think I could get better performance from an external dac/amp around the ~$200 price point and if you had any suggestions. Thanks in advanced.
These are power hungry, they really need a dedicated head amp. The AD700's would work off a receiver, but I didn't like thier lack of bass myself. Others may have a different experience. Grado's are great for receiver power though. You might want to check them out.
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it and I'll take your piece of advise into account! I'd like to ask you something else, if you don't mind. I'd like to know if you would recommend the Q701. It is said that sounds warmer than this one, and with a bit more of bass. Any idea? Thanks!
If you think earbuds are loud from the outside, then these won't work for you. They're worse. You need a closed back headphone to block sound, and an active noise cancelling phone to cancel noise. These are open, the opposite of that. Sony MDR-7506, Denon AHD-2000 and up, Audio Techinica ATH-M50, are closed back cans that'll perform really well. To keep noise out, you need something like an active PSB M4U 2, more money but with active noise cancelling.
@Photo314159 I got them and I have mixed feeling about them. The build quality is far from impressive, and they lack the bass. What do you think about the Sennheiser hd-598?
Holy damn, and i thought i was an audiophile just because i bought some monster earphones. You got to explain to me what all that gear is, what it does, and where to get it. My music is big to me, and i think i just discovered a whole bunch of stuff that i never even know about. Do you have a video explaining what all that stuff on your shelf to your left is?
@risk710 Well, being in the business my system is constantly changing. But my best personal setup was Parasound JC-2 preamp, Parasound JC-1 monoblocks, Marantz Reference CD player, Totem Acoustics Hawks, Tara Labs Air cables, some Walker Audio tweaks ect. Custom power cords made myself. Fun stuff.
@ckscream Not really, no. You'll want a good headphone amp with them. You'll get sound and you'll have to turn your ipod up almost all the way, but it won't be anywhere near their capability.
I could not understand the name of that out put device you use for a cleaner result with your iPod... i assume it works well with the iphone right? Thank you for your review
Thanks for the review. I'm interested in these headphones, but I can't try them before buying. I'm from Spain, and a friend will bring me them from SF (they are much cheaper). I had the chance to try the AKG K267 (tiesto) and the Senn 650. I prefer the sound of the AKG, but I don't know which one to choose between K267 and K702. K267 seems to have better bass, but K702 has a wider frequency range and seem MUCH more robust. An amp will come within next year. Any piece of advise? Thank you! :)
@122A7 i'd like to know about the leakage on the k702's too.. Im just looking to upgrade from my K271's and theyr'e very low on soundleak. I'ts important to keep it low as i sometimes use headphones to monitor studiosessions recording acoustic instruments with microphones. so compared to K271, do K702 leak more or less?
@dkamm65 It should, as I always tell people, audio is cumulative, not "the chain is as strong as it's weakest link". Every improvement in the chain can improve the end result. MP3's can be at all different compressions though too, they don't all sound the same. For the same reason instructors tell learning guitarists to always tune up before playing, get used to hearing hi-fi as good as you can and then you'll more easily know when it isn't. :)
@mozartman2000 I just played the headphones with a variety of music on repeat for varrying intervals. I tend to pick musics that has a bit of punch to get the drivers moving like Rascal Flats, not DJ Magic Mike and the Bass Explosion, lol. I'll put them on for a coule of hours, then let them rest for awhile and let the voice coils cool, then back on for 8-10 hours at a time until they've got 100 hours or so on them, I play them at different volumes too, but never louder than I would listen.
Well that's great, I'm glad I could get another person turned on to audio! I don't really have the space here to describe everything and what it does, but keep watching and I'll have more content about other pieces of equipment up on a regular basis.
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment! I really love your videos, they are really to the point. One last question. I listen to house music, trance, and electronic. Which headphones do you think are the best for this genre of music? Thanks for your time
I just bought the AKG 701 and really like the headphone. One thing that i noticed is that it also has an outside little speakers on both sides that let the sound to be heard even when is plugged into a headphone jack, is there anyway that, that can be muted in case you dont want to disturbe others while listening? this is the only drawback on this headphone that i am not happy about.
Hey I am interested in these but am concerned with the bass. Now I'm NOT a bass head at all! But there needs to be something there for some thickness. I'm thinking of getting rid of my GRADO SR225i because it's too thin, and I've also tried the K271mkii.... do you have any opinions of low end performance in comparison to one of those? Thanks
Oh ok, well could you recommend a pair for me for my application or what im trying to do because checking them out in my area is slim to non. What I do is listen to opera singers. I like to hear them breath and feel what they are singing without the trebles giving a fake sound. which do you think I need, Sennheiser HD-800, Grado PS-1000, or AKG K702. I know the HD800 and Grado are much more expensive but do you think I really need them if I want to feel like in in the audience of older clips.
hey, nice review but im still not sure what to do. There is no where local for me to go and listen to anything nice so i cannot try them out. I like to listen to lots of genres, from old school CCR all the way to some bass filled bassnectar remixes and back to Bach. Im worried that these cans will not supply the bass im after. I have an amp and am usually driving from my cell phone or laptop through the amp. How terrible is the bass response actually gonna be? Thanks! J
marino4691 It's not so much that the sound won't be great if running off an iPod, it's just that it won't be very loud. I often run my K601's (which are even higher impedance than these) off my mobile phone when I'm feeling too lazy to get up and plug them in to my amplifier. It doesn't lose much at all in the way of accuracy or detail, I just find that I need to crank the volume up to about 85%-90% on my phone in order to drive them loud enough to really enjoy. If you are planning on using them in public (on the train, etc) then I strongly recommend against running them off an iPod or similar. Being an open back design they have ZERO isolation so everybody will hear what you're listening too (almost as loudly as you can) and you will hear everything going on around you. For reference, I can pretty have a conversation with somebody at 'whispering' level while wearing my K601's and hear them perfectly clearly. With all the background noise you'd get when out and about, you'd really struggle to hear the headphones at all off an unamplified portable source. If you're using them in a quiet room, then by all means you will be able to drive them loud enough using an iPod assuming your definition of loud is fairly modest...and even then just barely. But yes, even off a mobile phone I notice no major loss in low end extension or midrange and treble detail / linearity. There is SLIGHTLY more detail when running off the amp, but you'd need a pretty experienced ear to pick it.
Hey, I'm looking for a set of good phones to use for PC gaming and general listening without breaking the bank, but I'm staying away from the typical gaming sets (Turtle Beach and such) due to durability concerns. What would a good pair to use be that would be under $150? I figure there is only so much you can do searching on your own before you ask someone who actually knows this stuff.
@Photo314159 I mean would it matter if i played flac instead of mp3 on my laptop with $30 headphones? I haven't heard a difference personally, but some people swear by flac, even without high quality audio equipment.
@MrTechMan800 Cord, color and number. Some people think the earpads are thicker on the 702's, but I have not found that to be true. The 701's also come with a little stand I think, the 702's do not. I preferred the color and removable cord myself. Thanks for watching!
On this subject, is it really bad to cover them and avoid leakages? For instance, if I'd like to have this HP in the office, no amp, normal volume, and I cover them to avoid molesting people, would it be bad for the HP (vibrations, etc...)?
@Photo314159 Ahh gotcha. Thank you! That right there really just narrowed my choices down to the Senn 598's or 600's. Looking more for a warm softer sounding HP.
You were just on it, lol. It's Photo314159. You just click on the name of the video owner and it takes you to thier channel. :) I have a playlist all about headphone reviews.
is it important to have a really good headphone amp for the K 702's? I know that I really want to get great headphones to clear up my mixes and get the truest sound; however, at this moment, I only really have the money for a good pair of headphones and maybe a cheap amp. Would it be pointless running a cheap amp through these? If so, I might just get the K240's
hello good sir. I've got these as a gift about a year back... but I want to unleash their full potential. I currently use an M-audio mobilepre usb and have them hooked up to it. Do you think this is sufficient or should I get a dedicated headphone amp? Thanks
@hendrixandfloyd2 They'll play, but I'd plan on not using that as a permanent setup. More power really is needed. If it's only the ipod you plan on using, I'd look at a more efficient headphone.
My bose quiet-comfort 15 headphones died on me. My warranty has expired so I have decided to get new headphones. I heard great things about the AKG K702 headphones! I would be using a laptop as a power source. Is it worth getting these headphones if my laptop will be the source? I do not need noise canceling. I just want the best sound quality possible with my laptop as the power source. Any suggestions?
what amp is best? i have dr dre beats studio at the moment and looking for a better headphone. i am thinking of buying these, but i hear you need an amp, links please? also what in your opinion is better for sound (mainly bass) the 701 or 702 this is for ipod touch1g use also how is sound leakage?
Thx a lot for such a nice review. Helped me a lot to make the choice. Got K701's now, amazing headphones. Just what i was expecting.
They are the same in sound, and so are the Quincy Jones signature versions. Buy which ever one is cheapest or which ever one you like the color of. The 701's come with a stand, the 702's have a detachable cable. Other than that the only difference is color. I've heard them all. Happy listening!
No you can't cover them. They'll sound very bad. Open headphones are designed to be open. Try a different headphone if you want closed back. I suggest checking out PSB's phones. Very good sound for a closed back.
I appreciate the review, it is very unbiased and honest. Congrats you deserve more subscribers.
Yes. They have the same exact drivers and sound. The difference is that the 701's are white, come with a stand and have a fixed cord, and the 702's have a removable cord, no stand, and aren't white.
Amp-wise, I auditioned these with an Objective2 at a meet-up recently (either DIY or about $150 from JDSLabs) and had spectacular results.
I A/B'd them with several more-expensive solid-state amps (including that particular Burson, if I recall) and , for what it's worth, found minimal, if any difference. They drove them clearly to volumes well beyond safe listening levels with a dead-silent background. Needless to say, I bought one immediately and love it. It's a solid option at a low cost.
@122A7 Thanks! I assume you are asking if it bleeds sound into the room. Yes, it's an open back headphone so you can hear things going on around you and they can hear what you're listening to. I would say that it is more open than most as well.
@Bamwich..because the Burson is *WAY* better than the headphone out on an A/V reciever. It doesn't matter how much power or how expensive an A/V reciever is, the headphone out is still an afterthought. Headphones aren't powered by the amplifier section in a reciever (which in itself is usually pretty poor by Hifi standards), they're usually powered by a tiny little chip near the headphone output. The Burson is a dedicated unit with all components from power supply to output, designed for SQ.
Great review thanks! Just tested these in store yesterday and will probably be buying especially after this video.
No, I think these would be ok with a cheaper amp too, just as long as they're amped. It's a world of difference from a normal headphone out.
Finally someone smart enough to actually show what they look like on someone's head.
@Filo011 Well I assume you are referring to the tape noise? Unfortunately my current reviews of HiFi equipment are not in themselves "Hi-Fi" lol. I don't have an off camera or shotgun mike yet and the built in one on the camera actually captures it's own noise of the tape recording. I spend most of my money on the stereo equipment itself.
I have a pair of K701 and till now, I have not found a better album to listen to than Diana Krall: The Girl in The Other Room. IT IS INSANELY GOOD!!! The soundstage is SO GREAT!!
@hamsterman81 The short answer is yes, you will get sound, but no it's not ideal for what they can really sound like. A reciever's headphone output stage has nothing to do with the receivers power. It's just a tiny chip usually. It'll get you by in the mean time though.
@AngryLS1 Depends on the amp I would say. I would never say the bass will be terrible unless you are only using an ipod headphone out of something. The Bellari HA540 is a bass canon.
@dkamm65 Yeah, no compression. MP3's are always compressed. MP3's are for space savings, flac is for quality. Itunes and ipods won't play flac though, so you'll need a flac software/hardware player unfortunately.
No, it's an open back headphone, that's how they are. If you try to close the backs it'll sound horrible. The benefit is a really open soundstage, the drawback is that they're open back and other people can hear them.
@cabish222 I think you're going to like them. I would still want an amp that could do more than 200mw though. Extra power in reserve gives you less amplifier distortion and is almost always a good thing. Good luck!
@GROSSATV Audiowise they are the same. They just have different colors and 702's get a detachable cable and the 701's get a little stand for them.
I definately would reccomend it. Unfortunately I don't have enough experience with modile amps to recommend a good one yet, but I'd just pick something with the features you need. Anything is better than the headphone out. HeadFi probably has some good reccomendations. There's a thread of mobile rigs that's pretty interesting.
@ScreaminGreenMachine Oops! My last response to your question was incorrect. I thought this question was for a different headphone, sorry. These are not too clear. They are still musical and very nice to listen too, even laid back compared to some other headphones. The midrange is sublime.
Any open headphones allow sound both in and out, but these aren't the most open I've heard, so it's not too bad outside the headphones. If someone is trying to sleep next to you, then no, these are open phones, they won't work. They're not as open as the Grado's though.
@moondogg93 Bass lean from an Audiophiles opinion usually means a basshead will definately not like them. It's not big and thumpy, but it's definately there. I don't remember if I've heard the Triports off hand but I've heard some Bose. If you amp it with a strong amp, I think you'd be satisfied, if not, check out the Grado's. Sound leakage shouldn't change with different earpads. Sound doesn't leak around the earpads. I'd keep the velour one's for comfort.
@mike82y Sure, why not. They are very detailed. Only thing is the headband may "hot spot" on you after awhile. You'll need to shift them on your head regularly.
Thanks! Unfortunately I have no experience with that soundcard and I don't know of any dac/amp combos near that price point so I wouldn't be of much help. You could get a half decent amp around that price and just use the dac built into the PC and probably be set up well. The 702's definately benefit from good power. Good luck!
I just place an order of the K702 after watching your video. Nice review~
@MyLifeAsMrWiks Your welcome and thanks for watching/subscribing! Enjoy them!
@Flipstaxx08 I'd get an amp otherwise the bass hits aren't going to be as resolved as you might want with these. They are still just a tad lean in the bass compared to some others, so you'll want to keep that in mind when mixing. I only mean a TAD though. I still like the bass very much because it's very well defined. The Bellari amp has great bass response with these.
It depends on your budget, but I really like the sound of the Grados. The SR-325is are great if you can swing it. All of them are good though and reasonably efficient so they'll work on ipods. The AKG's need a great amp.
The Q701 has a bit more body down low (about the same as a standard bass boost to my ears), which is a bit more neutral-sounding to me. The midrange is a touch warmer and doesn't seem to have that somewhat plasticky sound I found with the K702, and the high end seems ever so slightly smoother. Overall I consider them to a bit more balanced and better-sounding overall than the K702 (which are still excellent headphones).
Without an amp I'd I wouldn't suggest the K702's. I haven't heard the K267's but being closed they will give you more bass and less sound leakage. It all depends on what you really want and how you want to use them.
@funktronix I'd also add a good amp. These really don't sound right until amped. Happy listening!
OK. Well, I guess I've done enough research now. Pretty sure I'll be buying these any day now. Thank you for the quick response.
@apdoff If you are planning on getting an amp at some point than I'd say yes. If not, than I'd look at something like the Grados instead. The 702's will play out of an ipod, just not with much volume or drive.
Thanks for this review, and the review of the AD700s. I was about to pull the trigger on the latter, partly based on price, and as a temporary piece of gear. I also had these 702s on my list, and I think I will give them a try. I will be driving them with a restored Fisher 500C receiver, so would appreciate any thoughts if that might be a bad combination.
I have AKG 701s, pretty much agree with you about the sound quality, my bryston pre-amp drives them pretty well. Thanks
What's up Clint, how are you :)! I wanted to add an open back headphone in my headphone collection. I will use it with a Nuforce uDac2 on a mac laptop and sometimes with an iPod. Which one out there would you recommend since there are plenty in the market today? Thanks!
If you want to hear them breathe and don't want to break the bank, get either the K702's or the Grado SR-325is. If you want to spend more, I'd check out the Grado PS-500 or RS-1i's first. HD-800's are of course fabulous too and if you have an equally fabulous amp to go with them and have that kind of money to invest, then by all means go for it.
Thanks for the review! I am trying to figure out which headphones I should get, the K701 or the K702 ? I heard saying there is no difference in sound at all, but charging extra 100€ for a detachable cable/headband does not seem normal for me from a company like AKG. Have you tried both or do you know other differences between these two models?
Hi Clint, Have these headphones held up well for the 7 years you've had them? I'd hate to invest 200 clams to find that one of the channels stops working. One more question: Was this model made in Austria? The new ones are made in China.Thanks in advance for your reply!
Thanks for this great review. I'm seriously considering these headphones, although i'd only be using them with the fiio E7/E9 combo which I think are superb for a budget DAC combo.
You have to laugh at those people that bemoan the use of an Ipod but clearly don't know what they're talking about.
@danionutciprian I used to own that DAC and I liked it a lot. You definately still need an amp with this DAC. The built in headphone out on the 25.3 isn't any better than most headphone outs. I would only use it for a very efficient headphone like Grados. Thanks for watching!
Thanks ... I will check out the Grados as well.
On a totally unrelated note, today while perusing a used vinyl/cd shop, I found a pair of Time Windows 1A in really nice shape, $200 for the pair. Oh my.
One thing I'm worried about with purchasing these is the fact they might almost be to clear and every bit of the song will stand out. They would be great for mixing because you can deal with all the imperfections. What are your opinions on them being to clear?
I know this isn't related to the video, but you seem really knowledgeable when it comes to audio. Is there ever a point to use flac instead of mp3?
First off, nice review. I am thinking about ordering these. I'm on a budget and was planning to pair these with the ASUS Xonar Essence ST soundcard (I'm always on my computer) My question is if you think I could get better performance from an external dac/amp around the ~$200 price point and if you had any suggestions. Thanks in advanced.
Hey photo, is the white part on the side of the headphone where the speakers are located? Like the white grills.
These are power hungry, they really need a dedicated head amp. The AD700's would work off a receiver, but I didn't like thier lack of bass myself. Others may have a different experience. Grado's are great for receiver power though. You might want to check them out.
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it and I'll take your piece of advise into account!
I'd like to ask you something else, if you don't mind. I'd like to know if you would recommend the Q701. It is said that sounds warmer than this one, and with a bit more of bass.
Any idea?
Thanks!
If you think earbuds are loud from the outside, then these won't work for you. They're worse. You need a closed back headphone to block sound, and an active noise cancelling phone to cancel noise. These are open, the opposite of that. Sony MDR-7506, Denon AHD-2000 and up, Audio Techinica ATH-M50, are closed back cans that'll perform really well. To keep noise out, you need something like an active PSB M4U 2, more money but with active noise cancelling.
It will help sure. To get the most out of them I'd get something better if you can. Any amp is better than no amp though.
@creamylord Cool tip. Some aftermarket company should make a velour cover for the headband.
@Photo314159 I got them and I have mixed feeling about them. The build quality is far from impressive, and they lack the bass. What do you think about the Sennheiser hd-598?
@SubL0ck Thanks for watching! Glad I could help. Enjoy them!
@BOS7827 LOD or Line Output Dongle or Device. They're all over ebay. I would assume it would work with the iphone but I don't know for sure.
excellent review! i just ordered mine. just one thing does it leak alot?
Holy damn, and i thought i was an audiophile just because i bought some monster earphones. You got to explain to me what all that gear is, what it does, and where to get it. My music is big to me, and i think i just discovered a whole bunch of stuff that i never even know about. Do you have a video explaining what all that stuff on your shelf to your left is?
@risk710 Well, being in the business my system is constantly changing. But my best personal setup was Parasound JC-2 preamp, Parasound JC-1 monoblocks, Marantz Reference CD player, Totem Acoustics Hawks, Tara Labs Air cables, some Walker Audio tweaks ect. Custom power cords made myself. Fun stuff.
@ckscream Not really, no. You'll want a good headphone amp with them. You'll get sound and you'll have to turn your ipod up almost all the way, but it won't be anywhere near their capability.
I could not understand the name of that out put device you use for a cleaner result with your iPod... i assume it works well with the iphone right?
Thank you for your review
Thanks for the review. I'm interested in these headphones, but I can't try them before buying. I'm from Spain, and a friend will bring me them from SF (they are much cheaper).
I had the chance to try the AKG K267 (tiesto) and the Senn 650. I prefer the sound of the AKG, but I don't know which one to choose between K267 and K702.
K267 seems to have better bass, but K702 has a wider frequency range and seem MUCH more robust. An amp will come within next year.
Any piece of advise? Thank you! :)
@122A7
i'd like to know about the leakage on the k702's too..
Im just looking to upgrade from my K271's and theyr'e very low on soundleak.
I'ts important to keep it low as i sometimes use headphones to monitor studiosessions recording acoustic instruments with microphones.
so compared to K271, do K702 leak more or less?
@dkamm65 It should, as I always tell people, audio is cumulative, not "the chain is as strong as it's weakest link". Every improvement in the chain can improve the end result. MP3's can be at all different compressions though too, they don't all sound the same. For the same reason instructors tell learning guitarists to always tune up before playing, get used to hearing hi-fi as good as you can and then you'll more easily know when it isn't. :)
so immediately the audio on this video is bad .... doesn't bode well does it ? .... noise gate maybe
I am also looking for these and i strongly recommend the k702/q701 as they have an exchangeable cable. Other than that they are all identical
@mozartman2000 I just played the headphones with a variety of music on repeat for varrying intervals. I tend to pick musics that has a bit of punch to get the drivers moving like Rascal Flats, not DJ Magic Mike and the Bass Explosion, lol. I'll put them on for a coule of hours, then let them rest for awhile and let the voice coils cool, then back on for 8-10 hours at a time until they've got 100 hours or so on them, I play them at different volumes too, but never louder than I would listen.
Yeah, I heard them at a show. They sounded exactly the same to me as these but they look cool.
Well that's great, I'm glad I could get another person turned on to audio! I don't really have the space here to describe everything and what it does, but keep watching and I'll have more content about other pieces of equipment up on a regular basis.
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment! I really love your videos, they are really to the point. One last question. I listen to house music, trance, and electronic. Which headphones do you think are the best for this genre of music? Thanks for your time
I just bought the AKG 701 and really like the headphone. One thing that i noticed is that it also has an outside little speakers on both sides that let the sound to be heard even when is plugged into a headphone jack, is there anyway that, that can be muted in case you dont want to disturbe others while listening? this is the only drawback on this headphone that i am not happy about.
Hey I am interested in these but am concerned with the bass. Now I'm NOT a bass head at all! But there needs to be something there for some thickness.
I'm thinking of getting rid of my GRADO SR225i because it's too thin, and I've also tried the K271mkii.... do you have any opinions of low end performance in comparison to one of those? Thanks
@hikinguphigh From CD's usually, or there's a few sites that allow you to download even higher rez files like HDtracks.com ect.
Oh ok, well could you recommend a pair for me for my application or what im trying to do because checking them out in my area is slim to non. What I do is listen to opera singers. I like to hear them breath and feel what they are singing without the trebles giving a fake sound. which do you think I need, Sennheiser HD-800, Grado PS-1000, or AKG K702. I know the HD800 and Grado are much more expensive but do you think I really need them if I want to feel like in in the audience of older clips.
hey, nice review but im still not sure what to do. There is no where local for me to go and listen to anything nice so i cannot try them out. I like to listen to lots of genres, from old school CCR all the way to some bass filled bassnectar remixes and back to Bach. Im worried that these cans will not supply the bass im after. I have an amp and am usually driving from my cell phone or laptop through the amp. How terrible is the bass response actually gonna be? Thanks! J
I wrapped my K702 Headband with a facecloth lol. Super comfy now though, can Leave them on over 8 hours no problem.
I heard it and I couldn't tell any difference actually. It sounded just like these so I'd only get it if you want to pay more for it.
marino4691 It's not so much that the sound won't be great if running off an iPod, it's just that it won't be very loud.
I often run my K601's (which are even higher impedance than these) off my mobile phone when I'm feeling too lazy to get up and plug them in to my amplifier. It doesn't lose much at all in the way of accuracy or detail, I just find that I need to crank the volume up to about 85%-90% on my phone in order to drive them loud enough to really enjoy.
If you are planning on using them in public (on the train, etc) then I strongly recommend against running them off an iPod or similar. Being an open back design they have ZERO isolation so everybody will hear what you're listening too (almost as loudly as you can) and you will hear everything going on around you. For reference, I can pretty have a conversation with somebody at 'whispering' level while wearing my K601's and hear them perfectly clearly. With all the background noise you'd get when out and about, you'd really struggle to hear the headphones at all off an unamplified portable source.
If you're using them in a quiet room, then by all means you will be able to drive them loud enough using an iPod assuming your definition of loud is fairly modest...and even then just barely.
But yes, even off a mobile phone I notice no major loss in low end extension or midrange and treble detail / linearity. There is SLIGHTLY more detail when running off the amp, but you'd need a pretty experienced ear to pick it.
Hey, I'm looking for a set of good phones to use for PC gaming and general listening without breaking the bank, but I'm staying away from the typical gaming sets (Turtle Beach and such) due to durability concerns. What would a good pair to use be that would be under $150? I figure there is only so much you can do searching on your own before you ask someone who actually knows this stuff.
would you say you have larger than normal ears height wise? if so were these still comfortable and didn't put pressure on the tops of your ears?
@Photo314159 I mean would it matter if i played flac instead of mp3 on my laptop with $30 headphones? I haven't heard a difference personally, but some people swear by flac, even without high quality audio equipment.
@MrTechMan800 Cord, color and number. Some people think the earpads are thicker on the 702's, but I have not found that to be true. The 701's also come with a little stand I think, the 702's do not. I preferred the color and removable cord myself. Thanks for watching!
Thank you, enjoy them!
Thank you very much, really!
Now I must decide between Q701 and K702. The difference is just 20$ (more for the K).
Have a nice day! :)
For gaming and music should I get these or the 700s? I really like having a strong base, but I do a lot of gaming as well, where I need detail.
On this subject, is it really bad to cover them and avoid leakages? For instance, if I'd like to have this HP in the office, no amp, normal volume, and I cover them to avoid molesting people, would it be bad for the HP (vibrations, etc...)?
@Photo314159 Ahh gotcha. Thank you! That right there really just narrowed my choices down to the Senn 598's or 600's. Looking more for a warm softer sounding HP.
You'll want an amp with these. They won't really open up off a laptop. I'd look into Grado's if you want them to sound great off a laptop.
You were just on it, lol. It's Photo314159. You just click on the name of the video owner and it takes you to thier channel. :) I have a playlist all about headphone reviews.
is it important to have a really good headphone amp for the K 702's? I know that I really want to get great headphones to clear up my mixes and get the truest sound; however, at this moment, I only really have the money for a good pair of headphones and maybe a cheap amp. Would it be pointless running a cheap amp through these? If so, I might just get the K240's
can you explain the process of burn-in? what type of music / test signals? did you have to leave it on 24/7 for days/weeks?
with open design headphone,I can walk down the street without everyone hear my music?
hello good sir. I've got these as a gift about a year back... but I want to unleash their full potential. I currently use an M-audio mobilepre usb and have them hooked up to it. Do you think this is sufficient or should I get a dedicated headphone amp? Thanks
Can I ask What kind of speakers and equipment you have for your room stereo system?
@hendrixandfloyd2 They'll play, but I'd plan on not using that as a permanent setup. More power really is needed. If it's only the ipod you plan on using, I'd look at a more efficient headphone.
your reviews are very helpful! thanks ;)
My bose quiet-comfort 15 headphones died on me. My warranty has expired so I have decided to get new headphones. I heard great things about the AKG K702 headphones! I would be using a laptop as a power source. Is it worth getting these headphones if my laptop will be the source? I do not need noise canceling. I just want the best sound quality possible with my laptop as the power source. Any suggestions?
@fkthsh Yes, I agree. I think everyone need two pairs. One for analytical listening and one for pleasure. I like the Senn's too.
what amp is best? i have dr dre beats studio at the moment and looking for a better headphone. i am thinking of buying these, but i hear you need an amp, links please?
also what in your opinion is better for sound (mainly bass) the 701 or 702
this is for ipod touch1g use
also how is sound leakage?
great review my friend! Thank you very much!
@rxrhapsody They'll play, but just not very loud or very deep on an i-pod. THanks!