[budbrew]

It's way beyond the OP's budget, but I've found the Blue Circle SBH headamp to be spectacular with the 701s.

[Scottdazzle]

I use the TADAC as a combination DAC and headphone amp for my AKG-701's.  IMO, a great combination.

[saisunil]

If you have not included the Audio Technica ATH M50 in your comparisons I urge you to do so. Bring some big bass CDs you are familiar with!

They win on four
1. No question, the bass is better and the highs are as good, I think (I didn't have 701s for direct comparison).
2. Sealed back can be handy in a noisy environment and to keep the noise in, in a quiet one.
3. They fold neatly and slip into a carrying bag, just like a microphone bag - soft padded vinyl.
4. They list at $199, sell for $149

Hi Russell,

I ended up ordering the ATH M50. Let's see how they sound.

Cheers

[saisunil]

ATH M50s are here. Ordered from Red Dog Online for a bit lower than $150 including shipping and 7 day return policy if I do not like it.

It is burning in - and I am already liking it.
It has a very different tone and presentation.
It is my first closed can.
I can't even say it is colored - it is just so different - I need to live with it for a bit.

The bass is just amazing. WoW!

It does not yet have the soundstage and openness that 701s have and I wonder if one can ever expect that from a closed headphone!

701s sound more like AKG1000 and AKG1000 are the closest cans to listening to speakers for me.

What differenciate hi-fi from mid-fi for me is the creation of 3-D space - I wonder if ATH M50 can pull that trick. I'll let it burn for a few days.

For $150 ATH M50 are a no brainer!

Highly recommend.

Thanks Russell!

[cryoparts]

Nice writeup!

You should try and hear a set of Denon AHD-2000's or AHD-5000's.  talk about bass.     And, they are nice and open sounding as well.  Maybe not quite as open as an open back phone, just different. 

$150 is a good deal for the AT's, enjoy!     And, since they are closed you can wear them in public without everyone around you enjoying your music as well.

Disclaimer--I offer Denon and AT cans for sale.

Lee

ATH M50s are here. Ordered from Red Dog Online for a bit lower than $150 including shipping and 7 day return policy if I do not like it.

It is burning in - and I am already liking it.
It has a very different tone and presentation.
It is my first closed can.
I can't even say it is colored - it is just so different - I need to live with it for a bit.

The bass is just amazing. WoW!

It does not yet have the soundstage and openness that 701s have and I wonder if one can ever expect that from a closed headphone!

701s sound more like AKG1000 and AKG1000 are the closed thing to listening to speakers for me.

What differenciate hi-fi from mid-fi for me is the creation of 3-D space - I wonder if ATH M50 can pull that trick. I'll let it burn for a few days.

For $150 ATH M50 are a no brainer!

Highly recommend.

Thanks Russell!

[PurplePanties]

Another vote here for the 701 and DV 336 amp

[djbnh]

one other thing about the K701:

They need at least 200 hours of breakin in. The 1st 50 hrs they sound truly horrible.

BTW the street price of new in box K701's is about 240.00 - 260.00 with shipping.

Try Abes of Maine but there are even cheaper places.

With that in mind, a used price of 200.00 is keeping the value pretty well, IMO

I bought a used pair and found that they were not even close to broken in when purchased. Some hours with the IsoTek System Enhancer CD and things were righted, to the delight of my ears and wallet.

A decent headphone amp will help the AKGs work their magic - highly recommended.

YMMV.

[TaiPan]

I used to use a REGA EAR with my AKG701 and it was pretty good.  I now use a Cayin HA-2 head amp for the AKG's and it's a revelation.  Sounds just gorgeous.  The AKG's are excellent headphones, but slightly dry, so the tubes from the Cayin helped flesh out the sound a lot. 

Agree with Mcrespo71 wholeheartedly - nothing really more to add to his comments, so I won't  .  I have this combo as well and absolutely love it.  Come to think of it, I will have a go at commenting  . . . this pairing exhibits terrific bass, deep and quick; it seems that the Cayin has an iron grip on the drivers.  Lastly, and the soundstage is rather impressive for cans and is noticibly larger vis a via all other parings I've come across (and own).

As has been suggested, check out HeadFi, and do an appropriate search - a wealth of good info.  Highly recommended.

Cheers,
Garry