Home Headphone Comparisons AKG Q701 vs. K701 | CLEAR WINNER!

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If you’d like to see the final shootout of all K600/700 AKG models, go here: AKG K612 vs. K712 vs. K702 vs. K701 vs. Q701 In there I give my all impressions and rankings in one place!

Updates:

  • 1/22/21. Article/link cleanup.

Hi friend and Welcome!

The AKG Q701 vs. K701 comes up a lot when evaluating headphones, specifically those made for mixing and reference applications. Today I will dissect each, outline the differences, and hopefully help you decide which suits your needs better!

So grab a snack, sit back and relax because…

You’ve come to the right place!!

What I will bring you in this review

of each headphone

  1. Specifications
  2. Summary
  3. Pros
  4. Cons
  5. Amp/DAC requirements
  6. Who this headphone benefits?
  7. Consensus/Conclusion
  8. Similarities and Differences
  9. Final Word

Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!

AKG Q701

Specifications

  • price: Check Amazon! | Check eBay!
  • type: Open back
  • fit: Circumaural (Over-ear)
  • impedance: 62 Ohm. What is Headphone Impedance?
  • frequency response: 10hz – 39.8khz
  • material: Plastic, velour
  • headband: Self-adjusting
  • color: Choice of White, Black, & Neon Green

Summary

The Quincy Jones model 701 is the 2nd newest model in this series, right behind the 701-anniversary edition. It has more bass than the 701 and is overall a better, livelier headphone in general. It has a detachable 10 or 20-foot straight mini XLR cable, and sports those super comfy velour ear cups. What is XLR? The self-adjusting headband is still convenient as ever, and the ear-cups are about as big as two tires. Lol. They do a fantastic job with melons of all sizes and really keep the drivers away from touching your ears. They are also wide and round enough to fit just about any ear, Ross Perot included. 😀 Do understand that these are open back, and will leak sound.

The same stuff applies here. They are quite neutral, flat, and true to the source. Be aware that they aren’t really made for on the go, as they are big and bulky with a long cable. However, you can purchase an aftermarket 3-foot chord. Just be aware that people may be annoyed when you blast Big Willie Style on the bus. Lol. 1997 anyone?

Pros

  • Great 3-d Sound-stage It’s huge. Some say it’s a bit unnatural, but overall it makes for one heck of a great listening experience. The Soundstage gives off a nice width and depth.
  • Very flat, although not quite exactly neutral. They do have some color to them, which a lot of people will be excited about. They also have more bass impact than the 701’s.
  • Flat bass, but extends very deep. The bass is very accurate, rather than bloated, like Thanksgiving at your Grandmas. 😛
  • All the frequencies are there and represented well. “Well Brian, that’s a very nutritious lunch. All the food groups are represented. Did your mom marry Mr. Rogers?” “No, Mr. Johnson.”
  • Very nice mid-range presence, much like the 701’s. There is a spike around 2khz, but like the 701’s it adds a certain energy to the tracks, especially vocals. The mids are there, and they are a bit in your face.. but they never sound harsh or grating to your ears.
  • The treble is very revealing. You really get a lot of lush detail. They sound really sharp, but they may take a little while to get used to. The headphones are just that honest.
  • Exciting. The Q701’s have a quality that will get you pumped up about the sound more so than say the Beyerdynamic DT880 or Sennheiser HD600. They are a little more colored if you will.
  • Very lively, but still honest .. and not harsh. What more could you ask for?

Cons

  • Still bass “light” to some.
  • Sound-stage still may be too wide to some, but this is nitpicking.
  • Treble range may sound a bit harsh at first.

Video Review

Credit to my boy @Metal571. Check him out on Twitter!

Amp/DAC requirements

Even at a modest 62 Ohm impedance, they will be a bit difficult to drive. An amp definitely improves them, but you may still be able to get away with simple plug-and-play. Some good amp recommendations:

Who these headphones benefit?

Great for FPS gaming and music in general. They have such a lively flavor and sound to them, even being marketed as neutral. They are very flat and neutral, but not 100%. This actually makes them a lot more versatile and prevents the sound from being too boring like the K701. Any genre of music will suffice with these puppies, but…

Bass-heads: Avoid. While the Q701 does have more bass than the K701, it’s still lean. Expect an honest, textured, and detailed signature. Don’t expect to be blown away.

Consensus/Conclusion

The Q701’s are not quite 100% neutral, but close to it. They have an extra bit of bass emphasis, and the Soundstage is markedly improved from their 701 predecessors. This is a headphone that you will have a lot of fun with, as it’s less cold and analytical overall. Mind you, it’s still a clinical can meant for mixing and reference, but there’s also great potential for pure enjoyment. You will hear such great detail and clarity in the treble range, and the mid-range has a slight bump that brings out vocals and instruments with startling realism!

Onto…

AKG K701

Specifications

  • price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check eBay!
  • type: open back
  • color: grey & maroon
  • fit: Circumaural
  • frequency response: 10 to 39800 Hz
  • impedance: 62 Ohms
  • material: leather headband, plastic, velour padding

Summary

These babies accomplish what they were set out to do, providing you with a flat, close to neutral reference sound conducive to mixing in the studio. The bass is somewhat lacking, but the mid-range is really its strong suit. The Soundstage on them is exceptionally wide, but some say so wide that they may start to sound a bit unnatural. They are very even sounding across the spectrum, with no frequencies overpowering each other. They will require a good amp and are really power-hungry. They aren’t really plug-and-play type headphones, even at a modest 62 Ohm impedance. They also won’t sound too good playing back low-quality audio, being that they are so honest.

The sound is pleasant from your mobile devices, albeit a bit on the weak side. One thing to note is that there are two different models of the K701: The Austrian-made, and now the Chinese made. A lot of people are saying that the overall quality has suffered, but some including Metal571 on you-tube said he didn’t see much difference. Still some things to keep in mind:

The early 2008 Austrian model (as seen in Metal571’s review)

  • The cable terminates into a 1/4″ adapter rather than the standard 3.5mm
  • Has a 7 bump headband. The later models had 8 bumps. The newer models don’t have any bumps, which I found interesting.

Pros

  • Very comfortable (ear pads are circumaural and are made of velour). You may forget you’re wearing them. The ear cups are also very large and fit all sizes of the ear.
  • Voices sound true to life. The treble range is rendered beautifully.
  • The headband is made of leather, and self-adjust to the size of any melon, big or small.
  • Very even sounding across the spectrum
  • Particularly great mid-range. There is a 5db bump at 2khz (just a spike if you will), but it gives the 701’s a certain energy that makes the music sound really enjoyable to an otherwise very flat headphone.
  • Good body, airiness, and clarity.
  • Does a good job of handling sibilant sound. What does sibilant mean?
  • Solid construction.
  • Great for mixing down tracks.
  • Extremely wide sound stage. Gives a very nice 3-d image. Sound can be heard all around you, which can be very exciting and enjoyable! What is Soundstage?
  • Great for gaming, as you can hear sound all around you, and can therefore make quicker snap decisions.
  • Comes with a headphone stand.

Cons

  • The bass is very light and lean. Lacks impact. The quality and extension is there, but there just isn’t a lot of it.
  • Slight pressure from the headband after many hours of wear.
  • The sound may have a “tinny” quality until they are burned in for a certain amount of hours (upwards of 100). There is a spike in the treble range which can be off-putting to some. Others say this makes it sound more detailed, extended, and quite gorgeous.
  • Somewhat bulky.
  • The sound may be a bit cold, dry, and TOO analytical for some.

Comparison Video

Credit to my boy @Metal571. Check him out on Twitter!

Amp/DAC requirements

Even at low impedance, these will need to be driven by some sort of amp. The Woo Audio A5 will do the trick and is highly recommended. In general, Woo Audio amps are said to pair very well with the 701. The Vioelectric V200 is also said to be a killer pairing. If you are looking for a more affordable solution:

  • Fiio E10K (can be paired with the E17 or used as stand-alone)
  • JDS Labs o2 (a very highly regarded amp for a variety of headphones)

Who these headphones benefit?

If you’re looking for a wide, expansive Soundstage, these will do very well. They are also pretty darn good for mixing and will give you a flat, even response. The mid-range on these is particularly good as well, as they render acoustic instrumentation with startling realism. They are also great for FPS gaming as they have that 3-d sound-stage.

Consensus/Conclusion

The K701 excels in flat, even sound conducive to mixing, but some may find that they will have to overcompensate due to lack of bass impact. Has a wide Soundstage, great mid-range, as well as good clarity and instrument separation. The Austrian model does lack comfort as far as the bumpy quality of the headband. The newer Chinese models don’t have any bumps on them. They also may be a bit awkward-sounding, since they will expose tiny human flaws in musicianship that other headphones gloss over. In a nutshell, they are about as cold and clinical sounding as it gets.

Similarities & Differences

Similarities

  • The mid-range on both are very similar, if not identical.
  • Both headphones are very analytical, but the Q701 sounds less cold than the K701.
  • Both models are mostly made of plastic. They feel solid and are light.

Differences

  • The Q701’s headband has a lot more tension than the K701’s.
  • The Q701 has an 8 bump headband while the K701 (Austrian model) has 7 bumps. The newer Chinese models sold on Amazon don’t have any bumps, however.
  • The bass on the K701 is about 4db quieter than the Q701. There is just overall more bass on the Q701.
  • The Q701 has a detachable cable while the K701 does not.
  • The Q701 has bumps on the headband, while the newer model K701 does not.
  • The Q701’s have different colors and branding. They come in Black, Green, or  White, with a neon green chord. They also have Quincy Jones inscribed on the top of the headband. The K701’s by contrast are grey and maroon, and have the standard AKG branding on the headband.
  • The K701’s Soundstage is said to be unnaturally large. Music sounds distant at times when it really shouldn’t. The Q701’s by contrast are more realistic, and so much more enjoyable. It is still large, but not abnormally so.

Final Word

Interested in learning about all of my final impressions of the 600/700 series?

 


Well, friend, that’s about it for today! I hope you’ve gained some newfound insight on the AKG Q701 vs. K701, and have a better idea of the similarities and differences between them.

Which of the 600/700 line appeals most to YOU? Let me know!

If you have any other questions, need me to clear something up, or just want to reach out, don’t hesitate. Leave a comment below or contact me! I very much look forward to speaking with you.

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!

Be sure to also check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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16 comments

Synthax July 10, 2016 - 4:27 pm

how long to burn in?

Reply
Stu July 11, 2016 - 10:55 pm

which headphone are you referring to?

Reply
Synthax July 20, 2016 - 5:38 am

Q701 🙂

Reply
Stu July 21, 2016 - 9:51 pm

Hmm.. I would say around 24 hours you will hear a significant difference in the sound.. and after about 175-200 hours the changes will become more subtle. The biggest difference you will hear will be in the treble range. At first it may sound a bit harsh/shrill. Ultimately the burn in period will max out at around 250 hours. Of course none of these numbers are absolutely guaranteed or set in stone, but they will give you some idea of what to expect.

Cheers friend!

Reply
Eddie April 24, 2021 - 6:28 pm

burn-in is a myth.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black April 24, 2021 - 6:48 pm

Hey Eddie! There’s actually some truth to it. Tyll did a test a few years back of a brand new Q701 and measured it twice; once before burn-in/brand new vs. one after burn-in. Both measurements were markedly different. His conclusion was that a lot of it is in our heads but some of it is real and perceivable. I also discuss it more here: https://youtu.be/gUFAnTgH2jk Thanks for stopping by!

Reply
José October 31, 2017 - 10:15 am

Hi!
Please help me find an amp for the AKG Q701 which I could connect to my audio interface E-MU USB 0404. I like the FiiO stuff, but I can not connect the E10K to my E-MU. Also the price range would be great to be around the price of the FiiO E10K.
Thank you in advance!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black November 1, 2017 - 2:34 pm

Hey!

You’re not going to want to connect an interface to an amp. Just use the amp separately via USB.

Reply
Sands Coronel December 4, 2017 - 12:58 pm

What would be a reasonable length of time to “burn in” headphones before actually using them to enjoy your music? As you mentioned that by 175-200 hrs the differences will be subtler, I mean the length of burn in time where the sound might be already the true characteristic of the headphones. Thanks!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 4, 2017 - 8:08 pm

Hmm.. maybe 20-25 hours, but it really varies depending on the headphone. I do think there is some truth to burn in, but for the most part it comes down to our ears and brain, and how we become accustomed to frequencies over time. For instance, After listening with my Sony MDR V6 for awhile, (more balanced, less bass, great mid-range) switching over to the V-Moda M100 sounded kinda bad at first. Too much bass, recessed mids, etc. I know that the bass is not overblown, but my brain wasn’t used to it because I hadn’t listened with them in quite a while. After a few minutes, my ears got accustomed to the signature and they became awesome again. 😛 I guess the takeaway is that I think psychology plays a huge role in how we perceive sound.

Reply
Simo January 20, 2018 - 11:40 am

I have used K701 more or less daily now for 10 years. I actually have separate ones at home and work. I do like them, but there is a minus. The headband bumps have modified my skull where they contact my head, I have “holes” in my skull where the bumps contact it. Not nice.

Currently looking for new headphones but I guess I am going to skip AKG just because of this fact and switch to Sennheiser HD-lineup for example, it doesn’t have bumps like that.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black January 20, 2018 - 4:48 pm

Hey Simo!

Wow that’s crazy. I’m really sorry to hear about that. Has it had any effect on your overall health? I know that the more recent Chinese models did away with the bumps, but the original Austrian made ones had a bit better build quality. What do you think? A couple of headphones for you to look into would definitely be the Sennheiser HD600, and the HIFIMAN HE400i. Both sit in a similar price range to your K701, and provide excellent sound quality.

-Stu

Reply
Michael April 4, 2018 - 5:25 pm

I also use the K701’s a lot. I hate the bumps too and I actually find the phones a little big for my head so I fixed both problems attaching some soft cloth on the band to cover up the bumps. They are a wonderful open sounding headphone that are fantastic for editing. Every little detail can be heard. Though I use them for mixing as well I now prefer the new auratone mixphones for mixing because though the soundstage is much smaller the music has way more impact and yet still feels flat detailed and honest. But I still love my K701s and will never get rid of them. In fact adding a bit of bass on my headphone amp does wonders to the listening enjoyment on them and makes them truly fun to listen to music but is a little sketchy in terms of using them for mixing.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black April 4, 2018 - 7:26 pm

Thanks for that insight Michael!

Did you find the Soundstage on the K701 unnaturally large? Would help folks to have some more insight on this matter, as the Q701 improved upon the issue while also adding more bass.

Reply
Mark April 7, 2018 - 9:37 pm

The bumps on the Q701 are horrible unless you wear a hat or have thick hair. After an hour or two it leaves dents in the top of my head. What in Allah’s name were they thinking? It is probably best to duct tape a piece of cardboard to the bottom.

The sound is great, though, especially with a Fiio amp. Even the super cheap E6 does a great job.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black April 8, 2018 - 1:11 pm

Yeah I’ve heard many horror stories about those awful bumps, lol. Mostly on the K701/K702. You can always try the newer model K701 without the bumps. It is a Chinese made headphone but still very good. People tend to scoff at them but in my experience they do make some very good products (Microphones especially). I’m not sure if they have a bump-less (lol) version of the Q701.

Reply

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