Chris53
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Post by Chris53 on Sept 14, 2014 10:42:49 GMT
I am thinking of adding the AKG K550 to my arsenal of headphones. I already have the K601s which while nicely detailed can sound a bit screechy on lesser recordings. I see a few comments on here comparing the K701s to the K550s, but I wonder how the K550's might sound on some of these lesser recordings. I am currently using an X-Can V2 to drive them.
Has anyone compared the K550's to the K601s?
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jc
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Post by jc on Sept 15, 2014 22:17:26 GMT
Not seen the direct comparison done myself. However, there are comparative reviews between the K501, K601 & K701 out there. Add to that the reviews of the K550 vs the K701 and you should be able to draw some sort of rough conclusion?
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Post by mrpharmacist on Sept 20, 2014 12:55:38 GMT
Superfi have had the 550 around £100 quid for a year or so. For all the reviews plus (what hi-fi) and slightly minus ( innerfidelity) it seems like a go. I was about to get them then thought I'd wait for the aluminium Senn HD-25s to come down
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Chris53
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Post by Chris53 on Sept 28, 2014 20:10:47 GMT
I've seen a good offer on the K702's and have decided to go with those after all. Am I mad? Yes of course.
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rowuk
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Post by rowuk on Sept 29, 2014 15:34:33 GMT
I've seen a good offer on the K702's and have decided to go with those after all. Am I mad? Yes of course. There is no decision more gratifying than the one that was made without comprimise. You aren't crazy, you are investing in your future. I think it is in the way of the music if we have that nagging thought that we did not buy what we knew was better. I have had the 701s for 10 years or so and every time I listen to them, I simply enjoy - because NOTHING is missing.
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jc
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Post by jc on Sept 29, 2014 17:26:13 GMT
I have had the 701s for 10 years or so and every time I listen to them, I simply enjoy - because NOTHING is missing. I've not had my 701s that long, maybe 4 years but have to agree. They are still my favourite cans, especially when on my favourite amp. Just music all the way....
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Chris53
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Post by Chris53 on Sept 29, 2014 18:12:04 GMT
After reading both of your replies I am itching to get my hands on them. I like the idea of "Nothing is missing". They should arrive on Wednesday I think.
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rowuk
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Post by rowuk on Sept 30, 2014 15:00:32 GMT
When I first got them, there was something missing - BASS. I knew about the break-in time (100 hours+) and let them run on moderately loud noise for a week. What I did do however was compress the earpads a bit (a couple of millimeters) and then the balance and tone were stunning and still are today. I really like to listen to headphones this way.
I have always wondered why high end headphones do not have adjustable earpads. No ones ear geometry are the same and even small tweaks in the positioning of a headphone in relation to the ear can change the sound from acceptable to incredible!
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jc
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Post by jc on Sept 30, 2014 17:34:13 GMT
Again confirmed! It was Robin who originally told me about the pads trick. If you feel the need after run in, it does make a difference.
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alex30
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Post by alex30 on Oct 2, 2014 9:53:02 GMT
I've seen a good offer on the K702's and have decided to go with those after all. Am I mad? Yes of course. Hi Chris53, Mad ? NO, NO, NO and NO again ! The 701's are a wonderfully detailed and precise headphone with no discernible frequency bias. They do not colour the music but rather let it speak for itself. I am sure that you will come to appreciate them. When I first got mine I did feel that they were a bit thin but that was due to coming from a really coloured set of Senns. Once my auditory perception had shifted (much more significant than any burn in effect , in my opinion) then I was able to truly appreciate the qualities of these phones and now they are my first choice 90% of the time. If I want something a bit more bass supplemented then I reach for the Denon AHD 2000 , which I prefer to the muddier Senn 650.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2014 10:54:19 GMT
Several members who constructed the Class A HA project reported that the K701s sounded even better with this HA when driven from a 120 ohm source impedance and it's + and -20V supply rails.
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Chris53
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Post by Chris53 on Oct 2, 2014 18:16:32 GMT
Thanks guys, My first impressions of them after using them for the first time yesterday are very favourable. I'm used to the AKG sound because I already have the K601's. These have a similar sound signature but even though they only have a few hours on them, they sound better than the K601's. They seem to have a bass response that actually goes lower than the K601s. The bass is very clean and articulate. The top end sounds cleaner and the whole sound is more detailed and somehow more 'integrated', for want of a better word, than the K601's. Here comes that old cliche.... I am hearing things in some recordings I have not noticed before because the sound is less "smeared" than the K601's. That's not to say that the K601's should be described as headphones that smear the sound... They are better than any of my other phones for detail, including the HD600's the muddy HD650's and the nice but not as clear Beyer DT880pro's.
At the moment I'm running them with my (Mike modded) X-CAN v2 and it's very nice indeed.
(/ insert photo of happy bunny)
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rowuk
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Post by rowuk on Oct 4, 2014 22:46:04 GMT
push on various points of the cans to change the angle and distance to your eardrum. I found a far "superior" geometry than the standard pads allowed. By compressing the pads in the front, i improved the bass dramatically (for my head).
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Chris53
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Post by Chris53 on Oct 6, 2014 16:23:20 GMT
I find that when I compress the pads they just spring back. Having said that, the bass seems pretty good to my ears and overall they knock the K601's out of the ring. I wish I hadn't listened to people on here who said there was little point in having the K701/2 as the K601 was more musical. It just ain't so (for me, anyway).
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jc
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Post by jc on Oct 6, 2014 17:45:59 GMT
You have discovered that everyone is different I'm sure those who spoke from actual experience of the models were sincere in their opinions. Those who spoke from a graph alone or even less would have somewhat doubtful opinions to say the least. What was meant by "pressing the pads", was to find if pressing the earcups at some point (of the clock/compass, however you wish to picture it) would change the sound balance in a positive way. Thus finding the sweet spot at which one could permanently compress that region of the pad to keep said change. As the 'phones are still very new I wouldn't worry about that for a while. You seem well pleased with them so keep on enjoying the music they are conveying so well. Result
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Chris53
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Post by Chris53 on Oct 6, 2014 19:58:36 GMT
I forget who it was that spoke about the K601 being their preferred model. Maybe it's someone who is no longer posting. I could take the trouble to do a search but I'm not that bothered. I remember reading their posts and I know they were definitely sincere. Certainly, other things that they said at the time led me to believe that we would have a similar opinion. I was a little surprised to find that the things I don't like about the K601's are either subdued or just not there in the K702s. I expected them to be similar, maybe even slightly more irritating with poor recordings, but with other advantages like more detail. I've enjoyed the K601's except with some recordings. The K702's make those recordings much better to listen to. On a good recording they are very good indeed. I'll keep in mind what you say about pressing the pads but for now I am happy with things as they are
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