AKG Q701 Audiophile Headphones Discussions | Drop

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AKG Q701 Audiophile Headphones

Audiophile

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AKG Q701 Audiophile Headphones

Spatzi

Jun 29, 2014

What's all the talk about these needing an amp? I run mine off a sansa clip and it sounds fine. Plenty of volume.

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Stillhart

191

Jun 30, 2014

SpatziThe amp isn't for volume (though you'll need it for volume if using with a Mixamp). It's one of those things that you won't believe until you hear it (I speak from experience). If you think it sounds good now, you'll be amazed at how good it sounds with an amp.

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Spatzi

Jun 30, 2014

StillhartWhat kind of portable amp is best for these phones? I was looking at c&c bh2 but there is no way for me to try it out first.

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Psychetron

Jun 30, 2014

SpatziAn amp is required to maximize these to their full potential, like Stillhart said. But to be fair, the clip has a very good output stage for being what it is.

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WillBot

Jun 30, 2014

PsychetronAmps are only for adding volume--that's what they do, amplify the sound. They will not, and will never increase the quality of the sound delivered to the headphones. DACs on the other hand can and typically do increase sound quality (because of the worse sound card they work around) when they're used correctly. You do not need an amp for the Q701s to sound their best, but they are very revealing headphones and like a quality DAC to accompany them. They like a little more power, so amps are recommended, but most players in general will play them.

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Macron

Jun 30, 2014

WillBotSo can I plug it in the computer and it will work and sound fine until I save enough money for a dac/amp combo?

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WillBot

Jun 30, 2014

MacronExactly. You might notice some graininess and not as much resolution in audio compared to a decent amp/DAC (this is on a very small scale), but you'll be fine as long as you can get them to a volume you like.

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Helikaon

Jun 30, 2014

WillBotWith all do respect this is not true for all headphones and certainly not for the Q701's. While the impedance on the Q701 are a mere 62ohm this belies their driver sensitivity. And an amp can most certainly effect the sound - just hook up a set of headphones to a solid state and a tube amp. If you cannot hear a difference your hearing needs to be checked I'm sad to say.
Yes these headphones you could run off of just your laptop, pc and a music player but you will be missing out on a much better sound experience. And this has been proven scientifically as well as subjectively on a multitude of forum posts on diyaudio and head-fi where increases clarity, better mids and highs along with tighter bass (Q701 specific) have been reported.
The proof is in the pudding as they say - I learned my lesson by hooking up a set of HE-400's to a dedicated amp after having been using them from a PC. Night and day difference.

RigJuiceTurbo

Jun 30, 2014

Helikaonmmmmmm, pudding

Helikaon

Jun 30, 2014

RigJuiceTurboYou...I like you. Pudding is indeed delicious.

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WillBot

Jun 30, 2014

HelikaonHigher impedance headphones have higher resistance. If you cannot overcome that resistance, both the volume and the sound will be difference. Just like with speakers, if you can't provide enough power, for instance there will be a decrease of bass because bass needs more power to produce. But, Q701s have 62ohm--which isn't much at all--and they are sensitive headphones (at 105db) meaning they don't need much power to achieve a set volume. Every device that can drive headphones (MP3/Ipod/motherboard) has a built-in DAC and amplifier. The quality of those are in question, and what soundcards and external DAC/amps do is go around those. Most motherboards and audio players don't have the best DACs, so do look into getting a better one because Q701s benefit from better audio signals, but they don't need an amplifier. Most DACs with audio output have decent amplifiers. Tube amps change the sound--typically adding a warmer, sometimes darker presentation (more mids and bass) acting like EQs--and also distort sound, which can sound better to some. If anyone is interested, I've seen Massdrop sell the Audioengine D1 (my amp/DAC), and the Audioengine D3 for great prices so watch out for them. If you'd like to try a tube amp, I've seen the Aune T1 also on good drops. All are external DACs to avoid any difficulty and have more than enough power.

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Psychetron

Jun 30, 2014

WillBotI never said anything about quality. An amp would be required in relation to what you have. If you have a decent sound card, receiver or even some audio players it's fine. But plain motherboard out (unless it's a newer one with something specifically for HPs) or an underpowered media player, it will likely not be ideal. That is what I meant by potential, my K701 when played out of a smartphone lacked bass impact and obviously volume levels were very low.

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Psychetron

Jun 30, 2014

HelikaonExactly. My K701 as I recall were a dog to drive for being as low an impedance as they were. Possible because of the type of drivers/diaphragm it uses.

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Psychetron

Jun 30, 2014

MacronAside from recommendations here, I would check the forums on head-fi for more ideas, possible the 'Computer audio' sub as well.

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autoteleology

447

Jun 30, 2014

WillBotThis is totally wrong. The amp you use has a pretty large impact on the sound of a headphone.

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koolpep

929

Jun 30, 2014

WillBotSorry dude, but that is not the entire truth. If you are listening to a not properly amplified signal via your headphones, it might sound very bad, once amplified it might sound great. It's not just volume, it's the ability to provide the power across the frequency range to the drivers that they need to produce the proper sound. If If the amplifier can't provide the power in low frequencies then the sound is degraded hence, an amplifier can very well affect the sound quality. Amplifiers (also the ones in your PC/Mac) do change the sound. If there is one thing that should be neutral it's a DAC as it just creates an analog signal from the digital source. It theoretically should always be the same. However, as you mentioned, this is not the case neither.
I have a few solid state amps, Schiit Asgard, nuforce icon HDP, Audioengine D3, JDS labs C5D, etc. and (used as amps only) do change the sound. Depending on which headphone I use some are affected more than others. ...
Cheers, K

NightSnowVampire

Jun 30, 2014

koolpepI remember that DAC acts as a external sound card, while good amplifier can adjust the volume and some improvement. I assume that if you don't have a great DAC or sound card, a good amp will not make much difference. This is just my assumption though, correct me if I am wrong.

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Silverstrike

154

Jul 1, 2014

HelikaonDelicious indeed.. Night and Day.. No difference there.

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Silverstrike

154

Jul 1, 2014

NightSnowVampireI thought DAC are to directly convert your Digital audio (mp3 files) into the cleanest possible Analog signal. And thats it. You are right that an AMP can't do much even if the audio is flac when the sound card really sucks and adds its own noise to the output.

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autoteleology

447

Jul 10, 2014

SilverstrikeA DAC makes your signal clean and refined. An amp makes your headphones perform properly by giving them clean power at the strength they need. You need BOTH or everything sounds like crap. Audio ALWAYS comes down to the weakest link in the chain.

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