Just got a pair of AKG K701 headphones yesterday afternoon. Hooked them and left music playing at a moderate level since then. I'll give them the same treatment for a few more days allowing them to fully "blossom". Already have the Grado SR80 (not enough bass and a lot of highs), Bose QuietComfort 2 (too much bass, low middle and average highs). These AKG K701 should lay in between both give me a flatter response.
The AKG K701s are monster in size compared even to the Bose Quiet Comfort. You would scare somebody if you wore them outside your own home.
I am anxious to give them a good listen in a couple of days.
Cool! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts...
Any chance we can get a picture of you listening? ;)
I have owned a pair of K-701's for a couple of years now, and I LOVE 'em. My break-in was at LEAST 100 hours.
I finally got off my duff and got a portable headphone amp for them (the headamp AE-2), and I now understand why most people recomment the use of an amp with these fantastic 'phones.
While I was never disappointed without the amp, the K-701's truly come alive with a bit of 'oomph' behind them.
My needs limited me to a battery-powered amp, but most people highly recommend tube headphone amps with the K-701's.
I look forward to hearing your impressions, and CONGRATS!
Warmly,
Michael
It looks like I have at least a couple weeks to go then on the break-in. I can only run them with any decent volume at night so I am getting about 7 hours an evening on them.
I second the opinion of using an amp w/these phones.
Here are the links to pics of the size difference between the AKG K701 and the Grado SR80
http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=300
http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=301
http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=302
These AKG K701 were exactly what I was looking for. They sound just great. Can definitely tell the difference between a good recording and a not so good recording. I have had them burning in for about a week now and they do sound better than when I first got them. I find the using the headphone jack on my Arcam A90 gives me the power I need to listen to these comfortably. Soundstage is just awesome. As for comfort, I fell asleep a few time with them on listening to them at a pretty decent level. I haven't done that since my early audio days in the 70's with my Koss Pro 4AA.
The more I listen to them, the more I want to use them.