AKG K702 versus Beyerdynamic T1

[admin_exported]

Hi, I own both and the AKG does seem to do certain things better than the Beyer .. like bass pitch and control, dynamics and timing.

I expected the T1 to outclass the AKG in every way, but I am surprised with how capable these AKGs are!

However, neither seems to have the midrange beauty of my humble Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 which is just awesome with small acoustic groups... (solo violin... small chamber works etc)

Any comments?

 

[idc]

The Wharfdales must have an amazing midrange to out do the AKGs. What headphone amp do you use?

 

[shafesk]

Can't help but be skeptical about what you said, I have owned my fair share of speakers and havent heard mid range as nice as on the akgs. Perhaps its the rest of your kit that is colouring the sound of the Akgs

 

[Anonymous]

shafesk:Can't help but be skeptical about what you said, I have owned my fair share of speakers and havent heard mid range as nice as on the akgs. Perhaps its the rest of your kit that is colouring the sound of the Akgs

HeadRoom Ultra Micro and Burson HA-160... Source is a Cambridge Audio 640C V2

The AKG does have a nice midrange, especially with female vocals, but I notice a couple of issues:

Solo violin is presented on the AKG with an emphasis on string sound and less on body resonance. The Wharfedale just has more 'wood' to the violin.

Rapidly bowed passages have a certain metallic glare on the AKG, albeit with rolled off treble.

It seems as if a part of the upper midrange/lower treble is pushed on the AKG, giving it a slightly screechy quality.

Pianos have a nice ringier presence on the Wharfedale and B-flat clarinets sound a bit fuller.

Soundstage, resolution, timing, bass everything is better on the AKG except for that upper midrange anomaly which I just described.

The Stereophile also praised the Diamond 9.1 midrange a LOT... It does have some weaknesses like relative lack of resolution, speed and openness... and a slight thickness in the upper bass.

But the Wharfedale has a better octave to octave integration and a seamless transition to the tweeter...

The Beyer T1... well all I can say is that it is overpriced.

Another speaker I heard recently and liked was the Monitor Audio Gold GS10

 

[shafesk]

Well I listen to a lot of Apocalyptica which is a group of violinists. I partnered my Akgs with a Musical Fidelity X-can and with that I can honestly say it is as flat and true a presentation I've heard. I have tried to use it with other amplification and the first thing I noticed was how treble changes. This headphone is what I believe neutrality sounds like, I cannot say any part of the frequency range stands out and I think this the reason it has such a cult following. It is exceptionally revealing so it ultimately may be one of the partnering equipment or the recording song you are listening to.

 

[idc]

The AKG K702 and T1 frequency responses

They are pretty flat and treble roll off is usual on headphones due to the proximity of the driver to the ear. It is more so on the T1s than the K702s.