System upgrade (part 1)

Ash If any of my customers are able to compare K701 and HD540II over an extended period of listening time, I'd be interested to read your impressions. Pretty sure K701 has the larger size drivers of the two (larger stereo image then probably) but this doesn't necessarily mean that they'll sound better overall. [/QUOTE wrote: Oh that'll be me then . Having had the K701s and now the HD540II it's fair to say, for me, the K701 does have a lovely air to it's presentation but it does feel bass light. I'm not a bass freak by any stretch of the imagination but this made the sound quite thin, if y

Oh that'll be me then . Having had the K701s and now the HD540II it's fair to say, for me, the K701 does have a lovely air to it's presentation but it does feel bass light. I'm not a bass freak by any stretch of the imagination but this made the sound quite thin, if you like shed loads of detail then they may well be the ones for you but it lacks the fullness I'm getting from the Senns. It's almost like getting the best of both worlds. As for the soundstage, I don't remember the AKGs giving a bigger one than the Senns, might be my bad memory but the Senns seems to project a very nice image indeed.
Hope this helps


Edited by mitch65 - 27 Feb 2015 at 3:57pm

Everytime I read about the HD540II's virtues I am tempted a little more!

All of the best sounding headphones that I've ever bought were second-hand in good/great condition. Some just needed a little TLC to look very close to new. I bought most second-hand because I didn't have a choice! Most of my favourites are discontinued, from a golden era that has passed by... 

Edited by Ash - 27 Feb 2015 at 6:54pm

Just been A-B'ing between my K701s and DT880s... The DT880s are sooo comfortable but they sound like something is playing the music (i.e. listening to headphones, not clean). Plus I have to strain to hear the highs unless the recording is very bright.

In contrast the K701s sparkle beautifully and are so transparent they disappear. The sparkle sounds right/true to life, not clipped or muted, and even though they make my ears hot I forget the music is coming from them! I agree about the lack of lows, it makes them sound like they struggle which is the complete opposite of the highs.

So! Does anything exist that sounds like a "full figured" K701? And please, only current models. I already know the HD250 is the holy grail of headphones but as I've got as much chance of getting them as I do of marrying Grace Kelly, please stop rubbing salt in the wound!

Edited by miT - 28 Feb 2015 at 7:41pm