AKG K 701 Ultra Reference Class Stereo Headphone Level 1

Bought them for the sound quality, online without a chance to listen or compare. I used to have a set of AKG 101 30 years ago and remembered them for incredible definition mid and high rangen, but spongy bass. These headphones are way better than those earlier ones which were already great for the money. Incredibly clear mids, highs and dynamic response. Many people will look for more bass but it is very clean and also well defined. I bought a headphone amp without which you don't get the full quality of the headphones because of their high impedance. With these headphones you really start looking for your best recorded music to enjoy it (and you discover what's not been well recorded). They wear well for a long time (usually my ear suffer with headphones, but not these). I take care not to throw them around or put things on them. They have a 3 meter cable which is nice and long. Gold connector, nice. They adjust in size easily, at least for me, just put them on without ratcheting around.

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!

I upgraded from my Audio-Technica ATH-M30 (cost about 60$ to 80$) to a pair of AKG K701 headphones ($550 at launch, about 200$ to 250$ now) and so far, I'm not disappointed. A word of caution however: They are known for a potential (but mostly fixable) defect (more about that at the end of this review). Overall sound quality: The K701's offer a well balanced and clear sound, with a very flat frequency response and a wide soundstage. The high frequencies are clear and the mids are well present. The basses are what you would expect from proper monitoring headphones: They are not "boosted" or colored at all. For some people, it might be an issue, especially if they are bass lovers. I would recommend to check out the bass mod on the Internet, it's just a matter of removing a piece of felt that is covering the bass port in each ear cups. This mod is reversible and makes the basses more "punchy", sort of like making the attack quicker on a ADSR envelope. My M30's sound kinda muffled when compared to the K701's, but they have more bass than the K701's. Build quality: Made of plastic, with some metalic parts (mostly the decorative parts). I would not recommend these headphones if you plan to travel or go outdoor with them. The plastic is quite thin and glossy. My M30's are build tougher than the K701's in comparison. Comfort: Clearly, the best headphones I ever had in term of comfort. They are super light and the ear pads are soft but not too soft, so they keep their shape and no plastic rests near your ears. I should mention too: These headphones use an elastic mechanism that automatically adjust the headband to the proper setting. I was not sure about this system at first, but it works very well ! In comparison, my M30's would hurt my ears after an hour or so of use because the ear pads were too soft and thin. Now, the potential issue you might face with these headphones. AKG K701's are known for disconnected wire(s) in the ear cups. There are many reports about this issue over the Internet and a video on how to fix it. Basically, some solders are weak and tend to break, so you might lose the sound on one or both sides. Sometimes, wire might still make a contact when the ear cup is in a certain position and you will get sound, but you will lose it when moving the ear cup. This issue is usually fixable by taking apart the headphones and soldering the wire correctly. It's easy to do if you know how to follow instructions. Just be careful to not damage the little decorative grids, you should always turn counter-clockwise to remove them ! It doesn't seem to be an recent issue, since you can find reports dating as far as 2011. Recent K701's are made in China, the AKG logo on the headband is now simply "AKG" (no more "three hearts" logo) and the box is different from the original I think (it as a full-size window at the front instead of no window). Overall, very satisfied by these headphones even with the (fixed) wire issue.

By far the most comfortable headphones I have ever had. The self adjusting aspect is very good. They sound great and the micro fiber ear pads are wonderful. I am using them mostly for my ham radio station where they do everything I need them to do. The plug is a bit backwards in that the line has a 1/4" plug and the adapter takes that to 1/8" which is backwards from what I'm used to but it works fine. At this price they are a real bargain .

Love the sound, love the comfort. I also like how they don’t artificially pump up the bass. I typically use them to listen to small group jazz - quartets, piano trios. They provide a detailed sound and I can wear them for hours without discomfort. I would have like to see a cord that can be detached and replaced, but I’ve had no issues.

Se cercate una cuffia di qualità ad un prezzo ottimo non potete non prendere in considerazione questa cuffia della AKG. Io l'ho acquistata a febbraio e dopo diverse ore di ascolto sono assolutamente soddisfatto del mio acquisto. La cuffia si presenta in una elegante confezione, una volta aperta la scatola troviamo all'interno: la cuffia, una base dove appoggiarla ed un jack adattatore. La cuffia è rifinita bene con materiali di qualità, si tratta di una cuffia aperta con padiglioni circumaurali pertanto non sarete isolati dai rumori esterni (nè chi vi sta attorno sarà isolato da voi). La cuffia è comoda, i padiglioni in soffice velluto grigio circondano completamente le vostre orecchie ed anche dopo molti minuti indossarla non è un problema. Il cavo è lungo a sufficienza per trovare una posizione comoda accanto al vs. impianto Hi-Fi, fuoriesce da un solo padiglione e questo è decisamente comodo per evitare l'aggrovigliarsi del filo, manca però la possibilità di sganciare il cavo direttamente dalla cuffia. Per l'ascolto l'ho abbinata al mio vecchio impianto Hi-Fi che tante soddisfazioni mi ha dato e continua a darmi: amplificatore integrato Sansui AUX-501, piatto Thorens TD320 con testina Stanton 681EEE-MKII-S, lettore cd Rotel RCD965BX. Personalmente non ho avuto problemi di amplificazione, pertanto mi verrebbe da dire che se avete un buon ampli anche se non dedicato all'uso della cuffia non dovreste avere problemi. Come suona? Premetto che per poter dare un giudizio corretto bisognerebbe poterla comparare con altri prodotti di fascia alta, ma non avendo questa possibilità dovrete accontentarvi di un giudizio parziale. A mio avviso la cuffia suona in maniera neutra, nessuna enfasi particolare, a volte sembra un pò avara di bassi, ma con altre incisioni vi accorgerete che non manca nulla, nè la timbrica nè il punch. Se vi concentrate durante l'ascolto potete percepire i minimi dettagli del brano in esecuzione e la scena sonora non è mai piatta. Io l'ho trovata estremamente piacevole nella riproduzione delle voci degli interpreti, soprattutto se femminili, e di alcuni strumenti (pianoforte, fiati), ma anche con l'elettronica ed il pop classico non delude. Per darvi un'idea più precisa ho ascoltato Michael Jackson (Thriller), Amy Winehouse (back to black), Tracy Chapman (diversi brani), Adele (21), Pink (The truth about love), Depeche Mode (alcuni singoli), The Police (Reggatta De Blanc), Edoardo Bennato (Sono solo canzonette), David Bowie (The next Day), ed il risultato dell'ascolto è stato sempre piacevolissimo. In definitiva io la consiglio senza problemi, purchè tutta la Vs. catena di ascolto sia valida e le tracce siano di ottima qualità, ovviamente se potete provatela prima dell'acquisto perchè nell'alta fedeltà la percezione ed i gusti di ognuno sono quantomai diversi, se non potete farlo non abbiate timore nell'acquistarla è comunque un prodotto di qualità.

Reference headphones are not the most friendly for general listening, but absolutely necessary in the recording studio. If you want headphones to listen on the bus or train these are not for you. If you want sharp transparent perception of your mix, you need these. I use them to supplement with reference monitors to fine tune the stereo balance and find high spots in the EQ. Being open back they do not provide any real isolation from background noise, but this is not a problem in a studio or private litening room. Importantly they are some of the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn.

Tras 5 días de uso (unas 4 horas diarias) puedo decir que estoy encantado con ellos. Antes de la compra leí muchas opiniones. Las hay a montones. Tanto poniendo los auriculares por las nubes como criticando aspectos negativos. No soy un experto y puedo decir barbaridades, pero mi experiencia ha sido muy positiva hasta ahora. Los he probado conectados directamente a la tarjeta de sonido del PC, a un Sony Xperia Z Ultra, a un amplificador de auriculares Matrix M-stage HPA2 USB conectado al PC por USB y usando el DAC del Matrix y conectados a la salida de auriculares de una cadena de música Kenwood del 97. Y los he comparado con unos in-ear de Sony y unos Sennheiser HD 218. Aquí no hay color. Simplemente la comparación sobra. Están muy por encima. Y finalmente, la música que he escuchado es principalmente clásica. Orquestal o cámara. Buscaba algo que fuese muy bien con esta música y lo he encontrado. También he escuchado jazz, pop, rock... y no veo que suenen nada mal. El objetivo final de esta opinión es comentar que, en mi opinión/experiencia: 1. Suenan muy muy bien. La escena, el detalle, el timbre de los instrumentos e incluso los bajos. 2. No los he encontrado tan necesitados de amplificador dedicado como comentan. 3. La escucha a través del PC horrible. 4. A través del amplificador Matrix muchísimo mejor. Pero pierden escena, se vuelve más pequeña y extraña. Y suenan mucho menos naturales. Si no hubiese encontrado algo mejor, probablemente pensaría que esta opción era muy buena. 5. A través de la cadena de música, correctos, nítidos, buenos graves. Muy disfrutables. Más naturales que con el Matrix. 6. Con el Sony Xperia Z Ultra la sorpresa ha sido mayúscula. Los mueve. Cerca de la amplificación máxima del móvil, eso sí, pero sin llegar al máximo. Pero sobre todo, suenan mejor que a través del Matrix! Los detalles se aprecian mejor. La escena es buena. No lo entiendo bien, pero es así. También suenan los bajos. Supongo que para muchos poco, pero yo los veo en su sitio. El ClearAudio+ de Sony me gusta. Levanta los medios y separa mucho los instrumentos, diría yo. En definitiva, los estoy disfrutando con el móvil. Cosa que no esperaba!! Como contras: 1. Tumbado con la cabeza en una almohada molestan. Llegan más atrás que mi cabeza y presiona hacia delante. La solución, una camiseta doblada en la nuca. Un rollo, pero entonces dejan de presionar y es muy cómodo. 2. No son tan cómodos como me hubiese gustado. Cómodos, pero no como si no llevases nada. 3. Para uso con el móvil el cable es aparatoso. No es su uso natural, supongo, pero como es lo que mejor me funciona... 4. Me quedo con la duda de cuanto mejorarían con un amplificador "de los buenos". Desde luego no he encontrado que el Matrix les vaya, pese a que es una combinación muy recomendada.

I discovered AKG headphones (hereafter 'cans') essentially at random. I saw a display with a set of very nice cans on display. they were expensive, but I'm picky about music, so I figured "why not give these a listen? I had been of the school that had as accepted wisdom that Sennheiser was really the pair for anyone who had any sort of reasonable budget, and in fact I had a pair getting old back at home hooked into my MIDI system. As a younger guy I'd tried all the big names of the '70s, and onward. I never considered myself an expert, but I certainly felt I could give a friend reasonable advice. I did a little comparison and was so startled by the lovely sound and true comfort of the set of K271s I was auditioning, I walked out with them right then and there. The other ones I passed along to a friend who owned no reasonable cans - just earbuds. THEN, I was passing the same shop, this time with some intent (as any audiophile will understand), and saw another pair of AKG cans on sale: these were K712s. These remain my gold standard cans - I have heard you can spend huge funds a get yourself an actual head-orchestra, but for those of us who do need to be reasonable, I can say nothing other than if you have not had the pleasure of the K271, save up and treat yourself. You'll be one seriously happy camper! (I hope they still make these!) Finally, to the K701s, which are resting VERY comfortably on my head as I write this. They arrived by post yesterday - a package was sitting nicely by my door. Firstly, if you want cans that punch your head with bass response (distortion, in my view), forget it. These are, how to put it? Very Gentlemanly or Lady-like? My first impression was of a gentle, cool and open appearance, judging by the colour alone. The earpieces are made of that superbly comfortable suede or suede-like material, and gently surround my entire ear. The openness of the cans is immediately, and pleasingly apparent. And how do they sound to me? The K701s cover all bases, and in my view, well. The high end is clean and clear as glass. No pinching, or brittleness at all. The midranges all sit well in place (I listen a lot to orchestral music, and this is an important consideration). When I listen to Bowie this is also important when it comes to his singing and saxophone work, as well as his often complex arrangements. I also had fun listening to some YES and Zeppelin, and the K701s came through really, really well. The bass response is probably the most interesting and surprising of all. At first I felt this was the weakness of these cans. However, I am a very big fan of the 'flat response', and although I have no graph to look at, audibly these cans perform at the bottom end with a clean, warm, commanding and altogether satisfying way. No, they are most certainly NOT the most impressive in this regard: the K712s are superior in every respect. NOW the big ask. Should you buy these? If you are listening to almost any other headphone that comes to mind, and can't stretch sensibly t the K712s, I can STRONGLY recommend the K701s without hesitation. Your ears may take a day or two to get accustomed to the glorious clear vistas these cans offer. They do a very fine job of staging an orchestra of a rock mix, and that matters. Most important of all for any pair of these devices: they are incredibly comfortable, and comfort cannot be emphasised enough for anyone who intends to listen for hours, if not all day, to something attached directly to your head! I have given these K712s 5 stars because they deserve them. I just can't whine my way around to removing a star because they are not my beloved K271s. Nope, 5 stars it is: brilliant and comfortable design, extreme comfort when worn, wonderful, wonderful sweet clarity of sound reproduction - have I sold them to you yet? Enjoy the K701s in good health!

Misschien omschrijven sommigen deze als "neutraal" maar ik hoor toch echt te weinig laag om er echt plezier te kunnen van hebben. Ja, hij is gedetailleerd, mooi gebouwd, prima draagcomfort. Maar mijn andere koptelefoons (Philips X2HR, Sony MDR-1AM2, Sennheiser HD599) klinken toch aangenamer. Zelfs mijn ondertussen ter ziele gegane AKG-242 klonk warmer. Spijtig.