AKG K-701

The AKG K-701 headphones are a notable addition to the world of high-fidelity audio, offering a compelling mix of design, comfort, and sound quality. As an avid audiophile, I've had the opportunity to explore a wide range of headphones, and the K-701s certainly have their merits.

Comfort:
AKG has prioritized comfort with the K-701. The self-adjusting headband ensures a comfortable fit on various head shapes, and the plush velour ear cushions offer a soft and breathable experience. Extended listening sessions are a breeze with these headphones, as they minimize discomfort or fatigue.

Sound Quality:
The AKG K-701 headphones excel in delivering a spacious and detailed soundstage. Their open-back design contributes significantly to the sense of immersion, making you feel like you're right in the midst of a live performance. The headphones exhibit excellent detail retrieval, with every musical nuance and instrument rendered with clarity. The midrange reproduction is particularly noteworthy, showcasing vocals and acoustic instruments with warmth and precision. While the bass might not satisfy those seeking a pronounced low-end punch, it is tight and well-controlled, resulting in a balanced and natural sound signature. These headphones are particularly well-suited for genres like classical, jazz, and acoustic music.

Amplification:
It's essential to mention that the AKG K-701s have a relatively high impedance, and they truly shine when paired with a dedicated headphone amplifier. With proper amplification, these headphones reveal intricate musical details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Isolation:
One limitation of the K-701s is their open-back design, which means they provide little to no isolation from external noise. Consequently, they are most enjoyable in quiet listening environments, which can be a drawback for those looking to use them in noisier settings.

In summary, the AKG K-701 headphones are a testament to AKG's commitment to delivering high-quality audio experiences. They provide an immersive listening experience with their expansive soundstage and precise midrange performance. While their suitability in noisy environments is limited and their bass response might not satisfy everyone, these headphones offer a compelling option for discerning audiophiles who value clarity and detail in their music.

I've had this pair for years now and absolutely fell in love with the design in the first place. It was said to be very comfortable and I wasn't disappointed, even though the bumpy headband could cause some pressure at times if not properly adjusted.

The soud definition was asounding, and the frequency response great, even if it sometimes felt like the lows could benefit from a small bump.

My major concern was the lengthy, undetachable cord, which I replaced with a detachable custom one at some point.

It lasted me 7 years before one of the drivers failed, but for the money, I'm happy and I WILL buy the same model again.

The original asking price is more than 200€ so I am flabbergasted by the lack of a detachable cable. If this thing ever breaks the headphones are gonna be rubbish or need an expensive repair. On top of that the box this thing comes in is way more bulky and sturdy and it probably needs to be while there is no pouch included to store the headphones in. The headphones are comfortable to wear but not perfectly comfortable.

The sound of these boys is great though and since I got them for just 90€ I'm very happy with my purchase.

I just think a top class product like this should include some features ensuring it'll last a lifetime and be comfortable to wear for anyone.

I was trying to decide between these and a few other models, around the same price range. I am mostly happy for these but with some concerns. The packaging is fantastic. My main reservation about these is that they are so light that they feel they could crack if they fell off the desk. The adapter from big pin to little pin makes it bulky, so I mostly just use these only with the DAW while mixing.
Honestly, had I tested these properly when they arrived I would have sent them back and opted for one of the other options. I received a pair of Røde headphones that I use more often than these. That the AKG are open back means I use the AKG for longer mixing or listening sessions.

Those headphones have been very useful to me. I'm a semi-professional sound editor and sound mixer. It is such a pleasure to be able to enjoy the quality throughout the whole sound spectrum. The balance of this tool is very impressive. I've been using it for 5 years now and I am still pleased with it.
The only downside is that the heads becomes a little uncomfortable on the top and that the jack to minijack adapter tends to not be perfect. I feel they could have added the possibility to separate the cable and the headset.
On the other hand I've seen how easy it is to replace it in case. So, good point AKG !
This is of course a studio typed headset. You won't be able to use it as a field headset or just to listen to music while walking.
I highly recommend this awesome tool for your (home) studio. Again, balance is perfect. And it is a real pleasure to have open headphones. It's nice for you because you hears what's going on around you, but sound isolation is not their aim so people around you will have to opportunity to enjoy what you're listening to. It isn't a issue to me. It depends what you're looking for.