Audio Technica ATH-AD700 or AKG K601?

2010-07-23 21:48:25

Hello all, I've been looking at some good cans lately. I've had the opportunity to hear a pair of K601s and they sounded really awesome. I can buy a pair for 150 EURs over eBay. Problem is, I've seen the AD700 for 90EURs, and everybody's also raving about how good it is for the money (the AD900 starts at 190EUR). I can't find a pair of AD700s to listen to (I live in Oldenburg, Germany) so I was wondering how different are the two, and which one is better?

I listen to classical, drum and bass, jazz, some jpop, trance, and metal.

Audio Technica ATH-AD700 or AKG K601?

Reply #1 – 2010-07-25 12:44:10

I didn't hear how AD700 sound, but from what I've read on them, and from personal experience with K601, I'd say neither are very suitable for d'n'b style music. You may find the bass response underwhelming. Otherwise both are decent phones. AD700 have much lower impedance (although slightly lower rated sensitivity), so they probably will sound louder from the same source.

Other phones worth to take a look at in the same price category:
Ultrasone HFI-580 (closed back) - while Ultrasone's advertisement is full of scientifically-looking BS, their phones are actually not bad. The bass is exceptional in this model. As for the wearing comfort, however, they leave a lot to wish for.
Sennheiser HD555/595 (open back) - nice all-purpose phones, neutral sound. The mid-range (around 3 kHz) may appear slightly over-prominent.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40 (closed back) - didn't hear them personally, but they often get positive reviews.