[RawB8figure]

well i Think I will go with the AKG 701. what amp should I look at. I dont want to spend to much. around 100-200$.

[ecramer]

The Mini³ Amp http://www.rockhopperaudio.com/ or look for a used gilmore lite both are nice

[Russell Dawkins]

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!

I have bought and enjoyed the 501s, which are very close to the 701s, I understand.
They are one of my favorite headphones and certainly the most comfortable circumaural 'phone I've worn.
BUT, the other day I went to listen to a pair of these ATs at the local music store and, although almost all the music on demo (from iTunes) was unfamiliar I was nevertheless blown away by the quality of the bass. Massive synth bass and massive bass of all kinds (which were what the guys at the store apparently favored - French techno-trance or dance) without a trace of bloat, boom, mud, thud or one-note-ness - by far the best bass I've ever heard from headphones and just about the best I've heard, period.

They lose on two counts compared to the 701s
1. they have a coiled cord which I don't like as much as straight
2. they are enclosed, so your ears don't breathe and the top strap is less comfortable.

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

This is what prompted me to go listen, these are 6 of the top engineers in the United States, and very strong endorsements:
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/happenings/8348746d4fb8725b/index.html

[ecramer]

The AKG 701 quickly came and went over ad Head-fi the headphone forum not a lot of love , you can pick up a used pair often and  reasonably priced. I own a set of the akg 501's good cans but not great. i like the Beyerdynamic DT770  closed cans lot of bass and great top end. and the Beyerdynamic DT880 open cans more balanced very good cans. Beyerdynamic DT990 semi-open best of both dt770 dt880 very very good super to wear. Now if your looking to ROCK & ROLL go grado nothing touches them for that but they are not the most comfortable to wear.

[Russell Dawkins]

ecramer - don't say nothing touches the Grados until you have heard the ATH M50s!

I am an early Grado adopter (1993/$1200), so know their sound.

[tomjtx]

well i Think I will go with the AKG 701. what amp should I look at. I dont want to spend to much. around 100-200$.

Actually, a lot of people at head-fi have the 701, it is a fantastic headphone that is one of the best around IF you have a good amp and source. The 701 is not easy to drive.

The DarkVoice amps are a good match for the 701 . You might want to try their new Figaro amp. I think it around 200.00

I have the DV 337 which is their top amp at around 700.00. It is a dual mono, 2 transformer, 2 power cords 2 volume controls.

As a headphone system it sounds as good as my watt/puppies/ Rowland combo, both sourced from Transporter.

The Zero DAC/AMP  is also getting raves at headfi and is only around 150.00 and is a SS amp.

[RawB8figure]

i will look into the AT M50 cans.
What should i look at in  a headphone amp and headphone to make sure I get enough power to power them.I heard the bass on the 701 is greatly improved over the 501.

[ecramer]

I was basically commenting how quickly the prices dropped in the used market on head-fi. which typical seem to keep the prices of used equipment price closer to thre original price than is the norm with audio equipment. The darkVoice amps are  very good

well i Think I will go with the AKG 701. what amp should I look at. I dont want to spend to much. around 100-200$.

Actually, a lot of people at head-fi have the 701, it is a fantastic headphone that is one of the best around IF you have a good amp and source. The 701 is not easy to drive.

The DarkVoice amps are a good match for the 701 . You might want to try their new Figaro amp. I think it around 200.00

I have the DV 337 which is their top amp at around 700.00. It is a dual mono, 2 transformer, 2 power cords 2 volume controls.

As a headphone system it sounds as good as my watt/puppies/ Rowland combo, both sourced from Transporter.

The Zero DAC/AMP  is also getting raves at headfi and is only around 150.00 and is a SS amp.

[ecramer]

ecramer - don't say nothing touches the Grados until you have heard the ATH M50s!

I am an early Grado adopter (1993/$1200), so know their sound.

I wouldn't be judging ford or chevy by something they built in 93 even there top of the line

[Russell Dawkins]

The point I'm making about being an early adopter is that I'm not biased against them - I like them, and of course I've heard the newer ones, but I liked them enough back then to spring 12 large on a pair, at a time when that was considered more than a little nuts.

In my opinion, the Grado sound has remained consistent, they've gotten cheaper, if not more comfortable.
Until I heard the ATs I never heard a phone that had more muscle in the upper bass and mids. Until.

The reason I sold my Grados for a pair of Etymotic ER4Ss was the bass. It sounded like B&W 805s to me - fun, pleasant, but a little one-note, too much personality. The AT bass is something else. Not only is it massive, when required, but it seems to be without any particular sound of its own. Like an excellent pair of speakers in the kind of room we wish we had!

[tomjtx]

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

[RawB8figure]

i think i will go with the 701 and am very interested in the darkvoice figaro

[RawB8figure]

anyone have dimensions of the figaro

[RawB8figure]

another thing why are there two different types of boxs for the 701 on ebay

http://flecom.fragmachines.com/head-fi/K701/DPP_0003_filtered.jpg

and

http://www.ugotadeal.com/images/AKG/K701-BOX-NEW.jpg


are one of these a fake?????

[RawB8figure]

Well I decided to save a  little money and go with the

ATH-M50

now how do i find the right amp for them...  what in the specs should i be looking at...

[Bemopti123]

another thing why are there two different types of boxs for the 701 on ebay

http://flecom.fragmachines.com/head-fi/K701/DPP_0003_filtered.jpg

and

http://www.ugotadeal.com/images/AKG/K701-BOX-NEW.jpg


are one of these a fake?????

I got number two and the headphones do seem to be 100% legit.  Box designs can change on the fly, I would not be sweating too much about both.  Make sure that the seller is no fly by night type.

[RawB8figure]

now that I have looked into headphones, there are so many to pick from.

So far I like the
sennheiser 555,595
AKG 701
Audio technica M50
Beyerdynamic 880

[ecramer]

If you have some time go over to and join the forum at Head-fi a, a great bunch of people and you can read reviews on cans and amps and what has synergy and what don't in in peoples opinion. Just watch your self its  as bad as two Chanel stereo lol next thing you know you have a dozen headphones 3 or 4 amps a couple hundred dollars in interconnects.

now that I have looked into headphones, there are so many to pick from.

So far I like the
sennheiser 555,595
AKG 701
Audio technica M50
Beyerdynamic 880

[mcrespo71]

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.  The REGA was good for a cheap amp, though.

[saisunil]

I went through my head-fi journey and ended up writing this review.

http://stereomojo.com/FiveHeadphoneShootout/5HeadphoneShootout.htm

Recabled 701s are my favorites.
As someone said that 701s require serious burnin.
If you can just leave them playing music for about a month - they will sound like totally different headphones. In other words they need anywhere from 300 to 500 hours to fully open.

Almost all headphones, if not all headphones, can benefit from recabling.
I'd suggest that you live with whatever headphones you buy for 3 months or so - if you really like them - you can send them for recabling when your budget allows.

For me Recabled AKG 701 are overall winners unless you want big bass.
For my tastes, 701s are most suitable for Jazz, Classical, Vocals and Acoustic. Grados (except for GS1000) have an edge for rock - they have bite and punch at the expense of soundstage.

701s don't shine at low listening volumes and benefit from good amplification.
For your budget - you may want to buy used at head-fi.org

I have yet to try ATs - may be one day I will.

Good Luck