What amp do you need to properly drive AKG Q701?

[eon_tal]

I could use some advice on pairing good hi-fi headphones with amplifiers.

Basically, I am looking to get a new set of headphones since my old Grado SR60s are giving up the ghost. My budget is 200£ and for that, I could get a pair of AKG Q701 headphones. I have read some good things about them but one of the things brought out in every single review is that they are hard to drive.

I do not have a dedicated headphone amp nor can I afford one at this point. I am running my current setup through Marantz PM5004 amplifier. Could someone with more experience tell me whether it is enough to do AKG Q701 justice? Would the Marantz get them anywhere near their full potential? My second option are Grado SR225i phones which should be easier on the amp but I would like to broaden my horizon, so to speak, with the AKGs.

As for the music I listen to, it is contemporary jazz, classical and rock in roughly this order. I like to have detail and stoundstage and preferably a bit of fun from the phones. Been pretty happy with SR60s through the years but have not had much to compare them to.

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[Ryanr1987]

Judging by your taste I think you'd find the Q/K 701 too sterile and non musical sounding. They are detailed, quite open sounding but completely lack any sort of excitiment. I find them more of a peice of equipment rather then something to actually enjoy!

The Sony MDR MA900 sounds more like something you'd enjoy they are immersive, musical with a nice warm tone. I am a soundstage nut and they also have the widest stage of any phone i've owned! very good headphone and it's cheaper but disconintied so you'd have to be quick.

 

[eon_tal]

Thank you for the reply!

I have done some price hunting and it seems that I could squeeze in AKG K701 (basically the same set of cans from what I can understand) and EHP-O2 headphone amp.

The latter is reputed to have a bit of warmth in its sound. Could this combo yield a more desirable setup than couplin the Q701 with my existing Marantz amp? Could the EHP-O2 improve on the clinical aspects of AKG sound?

Thanks!

 

[jacobmorrison]

I wouldn't class the Q701s as clinical, but they are particularly neutral and open. Reviews on other sites all seem to agree that these cans do not place any tonal emphasis anywhere, they have an unusually linear response, so I would have thought they would be ideal for your musical tastes as you're obviously not a basshead! Personal taste will always come into this, there's no right or wrong. Some might feel the Q701 is clinical but usually because they would prefer something a bit warmer, or less neutral, depending on your point of view. Plenty of people like Cyrus amps for example, but there are those that call them tinny and brash! Try to hear the Q701s before you buy, or get them from someone that might let you exchange them if you're not happy, but give yourself a few weeks to get your ears around them as they do need some running in. I think they're an exciting listen, so did Quincy Jones and he should know what he's talking about.

They do perform better with a dedicated amp but it's not because they lack sensitivity. I found that my Fidelity Audio HPA100 extended the bass response a bit and took a slight edge off the treble. They also widened the stereo image, not surprising given the amp's twin mono construction. The extra juice from the HPA just fills them out slightly. It adds up to a combination of subtle differences but sometimes that's all it takes to turn you from neutral to enthusiastic.

 

[josh05]

AKG K7XX do require more power than most budget amplifiers will provide. The EHP-O2 is designed to be one of the most neutral, transparent and powerful budget amplifers out there, it will be able to power AKG K7XX fine. For your taste in music i think it would be a great combination (the AKG's huge soundstage is great for classical) The only thing i didn't like about my Q701 when i had them was, they have a somewhat artificial tonality (even compared to Grado SR80 which is much cheaper but looses too the AKG's in a lot of other areas); i think that's the reason people seem too think they are 'clinical' sounding.

I havent heard them but i think the Sennheiser HD600, from what I've read from some of the reviewers i trust very much say that the HD600 has great tonality but soundstage, detail and imaging might not be quite as good. Also the 300ohm impediance of the Senns would suit your marantz's headphone amp better i think (most built in headphone amps in receiver's/amps are 300ohm). The Senns may be worth a look/listen

 

[eggontoast]

Could someone with more experience tell me whether it is enough to do AKG Q701 justice? Would the Marantz get them anywhere near their full potential? My second option are Grado SR225i phones which should be easier on the amp but I would like to broaden my horizon, so to speak, with the AKGs.

If your budget is tight I would spend all your money on the best cans you can get and what will work with your current gear. Grado's (32ohm) and the AKG's (62ohms) are not going to give their best when driven from your Marantz. I hear the line 'difficult to drive headphones' a lot, the Marantz has more than enough power to drive any headphones, the compromised comes due to the output impedance of the headphone socket. The Marantz's headphone output is probably (although I haven't checked) run off the main power amp via some resistors, this increases the output impedance which rolls the treble off, this is much more noticeable on lower impedance cans.

As for the music I listen to, it is contemporary jazz, classical and rock in roughly this order. I like to have detail and stoundstage and preferably a bit of fun from the phones. Been pretty happy with SR60s through the years but have not had much to compare them to. Any help would be much appreciated!

I would second the recommendation for the Sennheiser HD-600, if you shop around you should be able to find them in budget. These headphones are also 300ohms so will work better from your integrated amplifier. The HD600's are a neutral sounding can which offer a great sense of clarity and insight, they are definitely not for the bass heads out there though.

.... They also widened the stereo image, not surprising given the amp's twin mono construction. .....

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

[eon_tal]

Thanks everyone for the great input! :cheers:

I have decided to stretch my budget a bit and give a try to both Q701 and HD600 with the O2 amp to see which one sounds better to my tastes and return the other.

 

[eggontoast]

Good idea, be sure to check back in and let us know what you decide on.