If I put my notes here, I might be able to find them again later!
Which is better, Sennheiser HD600 or AKG K702?
The HD600s.
Ok, so why don’t you like the K702s?
I didn’t say I didn’t like them. Just that I think the HD600s are better.
It’s pretty simple really:
The K702s have a strident, hard upper-midrange "bump" that I find disagreeable. Yes, it makes tracks sound more “live”, but it’s also fatiguing and a bit clinical, and - as many others before have noted - makes the sound overall somewhat thin. In direct comparison the HD600s seem full the point of boominess, but I'm willing to accept that midbass plumpness for the Sennheiser's warmer, luxurious midrange. In imaging, the K702s trend to a wide, distant, airy soundstage while the HD600s run towards a closed in, intimate presentation. In that sense the K702 are more like listening to speakers, and I can certainly see people being attracted to that.
These are both top-shelf headphones at the top of their game, I don't mean to imply that the AKGs are bad. The two headphones do however sound very very different, so if you like one it's unlikely you'll be satisfied with the other.
(I used both headphones with both the Sapphire and Gustard H10 amps, with essentially similar result. The Gustard narrowed the difference between the two headphones, while the Sapphire accentuated it. If I was playing matchmaker I'd probably use the K702s with a transformer coupled tube amp, or perhaps as single-ended MOSFET design. Something which would add some extra warmth and smoothness.)
Ok, so why don’t you like the K702s?
I didn’t say I didn’t like them. Just that I think the HD600s are better.
It’s pretty simple really:
The K702s have a strident, hard upper-midrange "bump" that I find disagreeable. Yes, it makes tracks sound more “live”, but it’s also fatiguing and a bit clinical, and - as many others before have noted - makes the sound overall somewhat thin. In direct comparison the HD600s seem full the point of boominess, but I'm willing to accept that midbass plumpness for the Sennheiser's warmer, luxurious midrange. In imaging, the K702s trend to a wide, distant, airy soundstage while the HD600s run towards a closed in, intimate presentation. In that sense the K702 are more like listening to speakers, and I can certainly see people being attracted to that.
These are both top-shelf headphones at the top of their game, I don't mean to imply that the AKGs are bad. The two headphones do however sound very very different, so if you like one it's unlikely you'll be satisfied with the other.
(I used both headphones with both the Sapphire and Gustard H10 amps, with essentially similar result. The Gustard narrowed the difference between the two headphones, while the Sapphire accentuated it. If I was playing matchmaker I'd probably use the K702s with a transformer coupled tube amp, or perhaps as single-ended MOSFET design. Something which would add some extra warmth and smoothness.)
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thanks for sharing.
interestingly, my conclusions actually coincides with yours, but probably for different reasons
. i describe my headphones sound preference as "airy, natural and real". HD600 fits this sound to me better than any headphones i've heard (but i haven't listened to any of the planar designs nor any electrostatics yet). the AKG sounds too "live" or too "forward" or "in your face" to me; sounding "more like listening to speakers" is a good way to describe it.
my musical tastes are pretty wide: i listen to jazz, fusion, big band, classic rock, folk, classical, electronic, latin/brazilian and audiobooks. i used to have the older (original?) version of Beyer DT990 and they really worked well for me for many years. i heard the HD600 at a CES show and decided immediately they would be next when my Beyers died. that time came and i went shopping. i listened to several models including the HD600, HD650, AKG701/702 and others. several people who's opinions i value about such things said "get the AKG's; you'll be happier". But from my tests, i wasn't. unfortunately, all this effort was made moot - during this process, i got married and my wife bought me the Sennheiser HD598 as a surprise for Christmas. After building a stronger amp (HD598 are low impedance), i find i prefer the HD598 over the AKG but they don't quite sound as good as the HD600 (or even my old Beyers if i trust my memory
).
I'm hoping Sennheiser keeps making the HD600 because I will eventually get a pair. I'm one of those that even prefers the HD600 over the HD650. I have my hearing tested/measured periodically since I'm older (56) and for years have had a dip in both ears from about 1KHz to 5KHz. Plus, the "old age" roll-off starts kicking in about 15KHz now. I suspect my hearing significantly contributes to my sound preferences compared to my friends. I must admit I am often amused by some of the threads I read on DIYAudio and other groups that suggest some of the similarly elder members have high-end hearing comparable to bats; I'd really like to see their hearing measurement results
mlloyd1Posted 26th February 2015 at 08:19 PM by mlloyd1
