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Post by rbrook on May 15, 2009 1:49:46 GMT
Hi Guys, I'm interested in getting a new set of cans and i was wondering if anyone could let me know from there own experence if there is much of a difference between the K501's and the 701's? I'm currently using: PC (FLAC) > El Cheapo DAC (PCM1793) with improved PSU > AK SCHA > AKG K501 I'm currently VERY happy with the setup but like every one wondering if it could be even better Cheers Richard
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Will
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Post by Will on May 15, 2009 7:39:41 GMT
I think mrarroyo has/had both these 'phones, so hopefully he can give you a pretty clear answer.
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on May 15, 2009 9:52:19 GMT
Worth trying the AKG's with different pads as well. I currently use the K501's with K601 pads but also have the K701 pads in my collection. Another option is a cable upgrade. I use the StefanAudio Equinox with the K501's. But as Will says mrarroyo owns them both so he will give you a definitive answer.
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 15, 2009 13:30:53 GMT
IMO the K-701 is a K-501 with a touch more bass.... not really much in it apart from the K-701 being slightly "fuller" in the bass department.
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Post by rbrook on May 16, 2009 1:17:03 GMT
Thanks for the reply's, What difference does a pad change make? the original pads are still very comfortable. I'm a bit unsure about a re cable when the price of the cable is almost as much as i paid for the headphones in the first place. there cant be that much of an improvement can there?
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robertkd
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Post by robertkd on May 16, 2009 2:45:48 GMT
Thanks for the reply's, What difference does a pad change make? the original pads are still very comfortable. I'm a bit unsure about a re cable when the price of the cable is almost as much as i paid for the headphones in the first place. there cant be that much of an improvement can there? a couple of possibilities Different pads may have different shape and densities of material which could influence the alignment and geometry of the transducers to ear and of course different folks having different head/ear combinations this can have an effect. Try gently angling and repositioning the ear cups it can make the tonal characteristics change slightly. Cable well there is a lot of debate out there and from a theoretical stance given that some headphone amplifiers have series resistance in series with the output and also that cable has resistance and capacitance it certainly is possible that the high frequency response can suffer, by how much would depend on a number of variables. now I am not saying go and spend a fortune on replacement cable and definitely don't believe everything you read especially the promotional blurbs as most if not all sell these upgrades using emotional and highly subjective metaphors Robert
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Post by rbrook on May 16, 2009 6:39:55 GMT
If the cable does make a difference then should i be worried about what i use in the amp between the amp output and the headphone socket? at the moment its just a bit of .75 3core shielded data cable.
The K501 do sound really nice though. But then again i haven't heard many hi end cans either.
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robertkd
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Post by robertkd on May 16, 2009 7:12:38 GMT
If the cable does make a difference then should i be worried about what i use in the amp between the amp output and the headphone socket? at the moment its just a bit of .75 3core shielded data cable. The K501 do sound really nice though. But then again i haven't heard many hi end cans either. well I was dicking around and for what ever reason the cable I used was this 3.3mm 2 stuff, anyway I changed the headphone socket and used some thinner cable, guess what I rewired it real quickly, it had lost separation and some detail in the top end TBH likely more to do with the single return and the light hook-up cable didn't pass master. You'll see this in the happy snaps of my current amps So how is the PCM1793?? Robert
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on May 16, 2009 8:12:57 GMT
If you change the pads to the K701 pads you would not believe you are listening to the same headphones, where did the bass come from? I prefer the stock pads in comparison myself but at the moment my faves are the K601 pads.
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Post by rbrook on May 16, 2009 11:54:36 GMT
The DAC is going good, it has a new home with a better power supply i still need to get around to ordering a few capacitors to replace some you have mentioned (the usual cant get that value up here problem. I'm getting the back panel cut so i can install the optical inlet and selector switch so when that is done i'll take a few snaps and post them up. also need to neaten up the LED resistors (playing with values to get the brightness i require).
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robertkd
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Post by robertkd on May 16, 2009 11:58:15 GMT
The DAC is going good, it has a new home with a better power supply i still need to get around to ordering a few capacitors to replace some you have mentioned (the usual cant get that value up here problem. I'm getting the back panel cut so i can install the optical inlet and selector switch so when that is done i'll take a few snaps and post them up. also need to neaten up the LED resistors (playing with values to get the brightness i require). mmm yes those blue bastards are freking bright aren't they which caps are you wanting to replace ? Robert
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Post by rbrook on May 16, 2009 17:48:19 GMT
The Little 1uF MKT's It seems that Jaycar don't sell that size only smaller values or 1.5uF in a larger size casing, Due to that my JLH's have to use 1uF bipolar electrolytics instead of those nice little square caps.
I'd love to borrow a pair of K701's to do some comparing but id be hard pressed to find a shop up here that sells them let alone a burnt in set. My best choice is to buy them online, so thats where i really value the opinion of anyone willing to give it here. If they are so close then i might wait a bit longer, maybe try some new pads or a re cable first.
Thank you for your comparison.
Thanks for the comparison.
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 16, 2009 22:09:28 GMT
The Little 1uF MKT's It seems that Jaycar don't sell that size only smaller values or 1.5uF in a larger size casing, Due to that my JLH's have to use 1uF bipolar electrolytics instead of those nice little square caps. I'd love to borrow a pair of K701's to do some comparing but id be hard pressed to find a shop up here that sells them let alone a burnt in set. My best choice is to buy them online, so thats where i really value the opinion of anyone willing to give it here. If they are so close then i might wait a bit longer, maybe try some new pads or a re cable first. Thank you for your comparison. Thanks for the comparison. I'll sell you mine....
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2009 22:52:49 GMT
rbrook
If you care to PM me your full mailing details, I can pop 4 x 1.5uF 63V polyester caps with 5mm lead spacing in an envelope for you.
Alex
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Mar 31, 2010 1:29:28 GMT
I have found a nice review about K500/K501: www.headfonia.com/?p=2555www.headfonia.com/akg-k500-k501/The author of the review also compares different pads (for example K701/K601 pads with K500/501). => edit: they have changed their website... I have fixed the broken link => edit: no the old links seem to work again... I have placed both here... hope at least one does the job
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Post by Seamus on Apr 4, 2010 20:12:32 GMT
I'd just like to thank elysion for the link posted above which helped make my mind up to bid on a pair of 501's on ebay which I won last night Hopefully a good orchestral / jazz / acoustic 'phone when I get them.
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Apr 4, 2010 23:08:15 GMT
Good luck, they are great headphones.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2010 0:28:37 GMT
Good luck, they are great headphones. IIRC Miguel rates them very highly too, maybe even his favorite?
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Post by Seamus on Apr 12, 2010 20:57:13 GMT
I've been listening to these K501's a few days now and Wow these really are great headphones Always a bit wary of buying used 'phones on ebay but these are in excellent condition. They are just incredibly natural sounding, brass and massed strings are so realistic ( close your eyes and you can really visualise the orchestra in front of you ). The bass is not skull shaking but natural ( that word again ) and integrated, perhaps better with acoustic bass than electric. I'd like to try some of those K601 pads with these, is there anywhere in the UK selling them or is Thomann.de still the best place to get them?
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Apr 13, 2010 8:29:44 GMT
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elysion
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Post by elysion on May 18, 2010 20:06:32 GMT
Has anyone tried the Neco Mosfet V.2 amp with the K501 (or K500/K400)?
I have the Neco Mosfet V.2 and got great results together with my K702.
The Mosfet is easily capable of driving the K701/K702 and has a lot of power. K501 is even more difficult to drive, I guess the Mosfet amp would also do a good job with them.
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Aug 6, 2010 22:13:09 GMT
I've seen a nice auction with mint (!) K501's.
How much money would you spend for them?
(I don't need another headphone... but it's not fair: why do I find such great 'phones when I don't want to spend money...)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2010 22:23:30 GMT
I believe mrarroyo is your man. He has both and if I remember correctly, on balance he prefers the 501. The last pair I saw go second hand were not immaculate and went for nearly £100.
I've also got my beady eye on another 'phone I don't need and shouldn't spend on BUT since I've been using h'phones a lot more (3/4 years) I've really wanted this model!
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Aug 6, 2010 23:39:37 GMT
Hi guys, there is no doubt in my mind that the K501 walks all over the K701! Actually I am exaggerating a bit (but not much). The midrange on the K501 is probably the best of the dynamic headphones I have listened. I have owned mine for about 4 years and about 2 years ago I had them re-cabled by Alex of APureSound with his V3 silver plated copper 22.5 gage cable.
There was an unit in Head Fi last week and the asking price was $125 thought of picking it up ...
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Aug 7, 2010 0:04:31 GMT
I must be crazy... I'm bidding on the K501's... At the moment they are at 95CHF (approx. 57.5£), I could "buy now" for 165CHF (approx. 100£). No risk, no fun... It would be great to get them. I could test them with my Neco's and the PreSonus HP4. I think they should be capable to drive them.
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