The other part of this comfortable design comes from the cups themselves. AKG K702. Its 3 m length makes it really convenient for use with home theatre setups or similar situations where the source might be distant. It is definitely not laid-back, either. The headphones themselves are similarly uncomplicated, with no buttons, dials, or controls of any kind. What matters most, however, is sound – and it is downright incredible what the K7XX achieve at their price point. There is a whole host of details in the treble area, which comes as a good surprise. I can weigh in on the issue and tell you that they work fantastically as gaming headphones: even if we were to take comfort out of the equation, the imaging and frequency response of the K7XX make them great when you play games as they highlight all the right things and give you an accurate spatial representation of the sounds in the game, so you will always be aware of what’s going on around you. While these aren’t perfect across the whole spectrum, they excel in many areas. AKG K7XX headphone has an open back and that makes it all the more unique as compared to other headphones. Every instrument has its own place and the soundstage is so realistic that oftentimes I will think that a sound in the music came from real life – trust me, it’s a confusing feeling when this happens and it’s a good thing! It goes as deep as 20 Hz, though there’s a bit of roll-off happening between 20 and 30 Hz. I do virtually agree on everything you say in this piece, Riccardo. Thank you! The AKG K7XX comes in a cardboard box with an elegant window to peek at the headphones inside. Are they still worth to buy instead of Massdrop's K7XX today? The AKG K7XX is a decent sounding headphone with very good comfort. The earpads are removable and replaceable: in fact there are many options available on the market, including pads made by Dekoni and sold by Massdrop itself. If one of the four bands of elastic on the K7XX breaks, however, it could be another matter. It is this same good control that makes transients very fast and able to deliver the right feeling of impact. Though not really bright, the sound appears more lively to me because of this. I’ve been wearing them for most of my work days for weeks now, and I’ve yet to come across a moment where I’ve even considered that my ears need a break. Please note that you should write in English, and comments in other languages will be deleted. Anything elastic has a shelf life, and I don’t know how long that could possibly be, but if those die: you’ll likely lose part of that comfy feel—if not all of it. Samsung AKG Type-C Review 3 days ago Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless Review 4 days ago View all headphones activity. AKG K7XX headphone is a stylish headphone and its design is simply mind-blowing. They’re built from quite plain pieces of large plastic, with a couple of brushed plastic sections and a leather head strap. Home. On the contrary, midrange is very well balanced and enjoyable, as it has no extreme spikes or dips that would make it sound unnatural or – well – unbalanced. All the cues that made the design of AKG headphones famous are present: the plastic arches with a suspended headband, the large earcups covered with holes… These are quintessentially AKG. These K7XX massdrop edition headphones are inspired by the AKG K702 65th anniversary edition headphones. The headphones are built well (especially for a £50 pair), … The added emphasis on the upper area makes brass instruments and other instruments with a high-pitched component (think violins, for example) more present and vivacious. AKG K7XX (Massdrop) Limited Edition (6000 units). These come in an all-black version, or all-black with red highlights and both include a few tweaks to the K702 formula to make them more than just the same headphones in a new dress. Once they’re there, I have no complaints whatsoever about this specific part of the design; it just means they don’t exactly scream “premium.” This lack of quality is also echoed in the two pieces of plastic that surround the unit (the red bands that run from the cups over the top), which are similarly flimsy. Precise audio and comfort are where it counts when it comes to reference headphones and the AKG K7XX reference headphones excel in both of these areas. I prefer the 701s, by far, for their bottom to top naturalness and tranaparency. The Drop K7XX is a cheaper and slightly different sounding version of the K712 with different foam around the driver and a different cable. I am used to wearing headphones with large pads (e.g. AKG has a rich history in terms of monitoring headphones, and its K7 series has been responsible for several industry legends. Living in Glasgow, Scotland but born and raised near Milan, Italy, I got the the passion for music listening as a legacy from my father and my grandfather. You always feel like you’re in safe hands, like watching a gifted limbo dancer, knowing they could get that bit lower, if they really had to. Both this fact and the utilitarian packaging are natural consequences of the low price: in order to reduce costs, AKG and Massdrop decided to cut on the unnecessary frills – and packaging was one of those, in this case. High-end could be more impressive. This also helps if you want to use the headphones for gaming. The K7XX has been around for several years now, and have appeared exclusively on Drop a number of times. Drums, such as those in The Far Side of the World from the Master and Commander soundtrack, sound really fast and accurate: not only am I able to feel them, but I am also able to hear details such as the bouncing of the sticks on the leather at the same time. They are responsible for the legendary K7 series, among which include the amazing AKG K702. How We Test. At 30 Hz bass is fully audible and present, which is quite an achievement. A small, final note regarding how you can use these headphones. There’s plenty of good headphones on the market, but not too many great headphones – especially at $200 or less. Among them are the 65th-anniversary AKG K702 reference headphones, upon which the Limited Edition K7XX—being reviewed here—are based. AKG has a rich history in terms of monitoring headphones, and its K7 series has been responsible for several industry legends. Real velour earpads are quite comfortable. There’s nothing wrong with trying to get more from a singer in the studio, after all. About as comfortable as a pair of headphones can get, Plastic, cheap-feeling build quality Our Verdict. Hey there! All that being said, I would take a pleasant feel on the head over the hand every time, so these really are small quibbles considering the K7XX is among the comfiest headsets I’ve ever worn. Precise audio and comfort are where it counts when it comes to reference headphones and the AKG K7XX reference headphones excel in both of these areas. An in depth review focused on today's value and comparison between these two. Basically, if the bottom end is loud enough, don’t get that temptation to try and pump any more into it to really get the heartbeat thumping. And these headphones blast out that strong sound without it being surrounded by the unwanted resonances that cruder, cheaper headphones accidentally produce. I asked Michael about how limited this edition is, and he told me there’s a limited stock available, but I did not get any information on how many there are – so if you are keen on getting the Red Edition, get it before it’s out of stock! In addition to the headphones, the box holds the cable and a 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter. I use these almost daily at home. The soundstage of K7XX is so large that instruments are hard clamped to one side and appear to play off the outer edges of the ear. Reviews. As far as my hearing goes (~17 kHz) it is well extended, retaining good volume even at the highest frequencies. It’s not sophisticate or luxurious (it’s rather utilitarian, really), but it satisfies the eye without any doubts. Their collaboration with AKG resulted in the Massdrop x AKG K7XX, a revisited K702 with the same appearance but a different tuning. If you’re just using these for listening, though, male vocals in particular might sound unimpressive to some listeners because most people are used to overemphasized bass in their headphones. There are no fancy accessories. The AKG K7XX was designed with comfort in mind. The dip is significant, but I never felt it unless I as specifically looking for it. This depth gives lows authority and energy, as well as a full body. The headphones are also incredibly light (297 g), and this really helps in making them more comfortable. This is a better problem than vocals sounding more powerful than they really are: especially if you’re producing. If this is specifically an area where you’d focus on when programming or recording, be it when trying to get fat snare sound, to add weight to your kick drum, or to get that “pop” from the bass guitar (like you often hear in funk), you’ll really be able to pin it down here. AKG is known for producing legendary headphones but they aren't exactly inexpensive. When you own a K702 and would like it closer to the K7XX and K712 you can consider buying K712 pads. Inside, you’ll find the headphones, a detachable XLR to minijack cable, and a 1/4-inch jack adapter—and that’s it. The Massdrop x AKG K7XX are indeed great headphones however you look at them – and they would still be at two times their price. As reference headphones designed with audio professionals in mind the AKG K7XX were designed to … Can remove some power from vocals Being a limited edition headphone, it is bound to have some amazing features. Whatever source I used, files were FLACs in standard resolution. In cheaper headphones, you can hear the limits of the drivers, where it seems like the headphones just can’t quite do your music justice. As it is XLR3, it precludes the AKG K7XX from being able to use a balanced connection: even using an XLR4 connector on the amplifier side, there would be no way to then bring all those four lines to the headphones. I have reported on technology for major Italian publications since 2011. AKG managed to get the tuning right, too, and created a very balanced, if warm, signature that is great whichever genre you decide to listen to. There is in fact a small emphasis on the lower region, followed by a dip around 3 kHz and then a bit of emphasis again following it. They have two-tone navy blue and silver color scheme and an old-school retro design that will work for some. And that’s a very good thing, because this is a design that works and it works pretty well, too! This is also a limited edition red variant – the only one in its kind, as no other variant of the K7yy series headphones (using the “y” instead of the usual “x” for obvious reasons…) by AKG has red accents. Like the lows, the mids have good speed and control; the level of detail is amazing, even more so considering how the detail is kept even in crowded tracks. They are so good I might say they are a must-have. As expected, the AKG K7xx does not disappoint, offering a spacious, wide, high and deep soundstage with excellent positioning and clarity. Bass then flows to join the mids without any turbulences. It is accompanied by an accurate imaging ability that places instruments with high accuracy on the stage, making full use of available space and distributing the instruments on the stage, giving each its own spot and therefore making it easy to discern them. By Berkhan $100-$300, Budget, Full Size, Headphones, Review 27/10/2016 Review: Massdrop AKG K7XX Limited Red Edition – The Dark Side Mids are usually exceptional with AKG’s. The K7XX are both tall and wide, delivering a great space inside the mix. Disclaimer: I would like to thank Michael at Massdrop for sending out a unit to me. Best earphones, headphones, DACs, amplifiers, DAPs. And at other times, headphones just increase the whole bass section and hope for the best. I have other headphones that sound better, but I don't wear them daily. The AKG K7XX are unequivocally AKG in their design. I am going to be getting AKG K7XX within the next week. They're easy to recommend for producers, but those who simply want to listen to music with neutral sound would also do well to check them out. The K7XX is more lively and engaging, whereas the HD 6XX is more laid-back and smooth. What I mean is that it is not as linear, as it has a few ups and downs that keep it away from neutrality – but do not take balance away. These come in an all-black version, or all-black with red highlights and both include a few tweaks to the K702 formula to … The AKG K702 share the same style and build as the AKG K701 and AKG K712 PRO. These kinds of headphones do sound better after a good break in period. Massdrop is famous for bringing collaboration products to their online store and it is famous for doing so with well-respected companies in the audio industry. In almost every case, a gaming headset is a tradeoff between the mic and sound. The cable in itself is the standard headphones cable covered in plastic without any special aesthetic or functional feature; it looks and feels like the average cable and does not have the “premium” connotation headphones like the AKG K7XX have. That’s to say that treble is never aggressive or fatiguing, but is instead placed forward enough in the mix to be easily audible. But despite losing some prominence at the higher end of the frequency spectrum, you’re still getting that accurate image that you’d hope for from reference headphones. Although it might appear self-evident as the AKG K7XX are open-back, isolation is practically non-existent. At the time I was playing Heroes of the Storm and Overwatch. News. Bass is usually a tough thing to get right on reference headphones due to the smaller driver sizes, and the Drop-exclusive K7XX feature a ~3dB boost down there that wasn’t in the original headphones which seem to have been a smart move, given the audience. Grown Folks by Snarky Puppy) – also thanks to the fact they’re placed in different spots. The K7XXs are open-back reference headphones, meaning they’re predominantly aimed at those producing music or critical listening rather than the mass market. It’s so good I got fooled more than once by how accurate it is: as a practical example, there are a few drumbeats in All Or Nothing At All by Scott Hamilton, Aldo Zunino and Alfred Kramer that appear far and located to the far right – and they are so well reproduced that I thought they were sounds in the room next to mine, so I had to double-check they actually were in the recording! The lower region is satisfyingly deep and very well controlled, with the right amount of presence to be heard and felt (and even a bit more so as to sound a bit warm). HiFiMAN HE-560, Sennheiser HD 6XX), but the AKG K7XX are in a class of their own. COPYRIGHT © 2020 SoundGuys, All Rights Reserved. One of the best parts of the AKG K7XX’s design is the band. It’s hard to beat these impressive headphones, especially if you are looking for a very large soundstage with great instrument separation. Re: 1st AKG K702 Review Struts, I own the ATH-W5000s and I've heard the Senns and, of course, I own AKG 701s. They can bend and flex in several areas, meaning they should hold up well in falls; they come with a pleasingly thick cable, and a genuine leather head support beneath the plastic arch at the top and I’d wager that the chunky plastic cups could take a beating. Midrange is not as smooth as bass, but it’s noteworthy nonetheless. Once you get past the fact they have red highlights—where many other reference monitors are simply black, gray or silver—you’ll realize that this is just about where the aesthetic appeal ends. It is a very popular headphone right now, known particularly for … They also leak quite a lot of sound, therefore they are not suitable for environments where keeping quiet is fundamental – offices, libraries and so on. And, like all the best headphones, they’re going to help you hear parts of the mix that you’d never even picked up on before. There are only two parts that are not plastic: the headband, which is made of genuine leather, and the metal sliding supports that connect the headband to the frame. So, they’re well-cushioned, and lightweight, which is a good thing… but with a plastic build also comes a somewhat cheap feel. It’s not a gimmick or something just for show—you might not even notice it—it’s an effective solution that adds great support. Check the logo. K712 & K7XX. So if you are serious about wanting a set of quality headphones, then I would say give the AKG K712 Pro a chance, or the less in price AKG K702. While the K702’s originally retailed for $500, the massdrop drop edition K7XX are selling at $200 which brings to the table a significant value for potential customers looking at getting an audiophile grade pair of headphones. Our first custom headphones ever, the Massdrop x AKG K7XX have been an enduring community favorite since they first launched more than two years ago. The K7XX midrange is expertly crafted: electric guitars, lead synths, and your brass instruments are equally emphasized—again, the advantages of a flat frequency response. These huge discs feature a fierce combination of velour padding and memory foam—and your sensitive ears will likely fit completely inside of them. Should you then buy these headphones? Its hard to beat these headphones at their price point. Sometimes you want to listen on a commute and these are definitely not the cans for that. Shares. I love and had zero issues with these headphones while playing these games and listening to music. The soundstage is huge. But, like many open-backed studio monitors I’ve tried over the years, (and recently like the Sennheiser HD 598s) you’re going to have to lean back a tad on the bass in general when you’re producing. The only issue on this front is the headband, which has no padding whatsoever – something that my extremely sensible scalp doesn’t like too much. What’s impressive is that it is not only very wide, but also deep. Rich mids This is also a very good headphone for instruments and vocals, but they’re not totally natural, instead they’re a little dark and thick by a notch then, say Q701. The Best Trampolines – Ultimate Buying Guide; Best Rebounder for Lymphatic Drainage – Mini Trampoline; Black Friday & Cyber Monday Trampoline Deal; ... 10 Best Massdrop X Akg K7Xx Reviews. Which one would you recommend? There are no fancy accessories. Featuring its predecessor’s legendary sound and build quality—with a bass boost, matched transducers, and improved comfort—the K7XX … However the issue with the bass in the AKG K7XX is that first of all, the bass bleeds into the mids almost overpowering it.   I am very satisfied with a Forza Audioworks. Yep, indeed.They are a must have. The open back ear cups are large and circular and covered in a suede-like padding that gives the headphones a premium appeal. K7XX is a reconfigured version of AKG’s 65 th Anniversary model; K702 and the main purpose was to improve low frequencies and making a more flexible sound overall. Part of the reason why the AKG K7XX is so affordable? It was exactly these headphones that were the reference headphones, by which the K7XX Limited Edition was based. That’s only my own opinion – you’re free to disagree, of course. Bass is very well controlled: all the smaller nuances emerge and are displayed in plain sight (or plain hearing, if you wish), so they’re really easy to hear even in congested tracks. At first, the differences seem superficial. And the accuracy here would help over-driven electric guitars and brass instruments sound hot, too. This makes bass incredibly apt not only for classical music, but also for modern, bass-heavy genres. Then it behaves like the proverbial kissed awake prince. Unlike the all-black finish of the K52s and the middle-ground K72s, the K92s have gold accents that give them a pop of colour and distinguish themselves as the leaders of the line-up. The AKG K7XX are insanely comfortable if we take the headband out of the equation. In order to test the AKG K7XX I used a few different sources, including: Topping DX7, Topping D30 feeding an APPJ PA1502A, xDuoo X10T-II feeding a Topping NX4 DSD. Since then, they’ve received praise from Head-Fi, Super Best Audio Friends, Z Reviews, and more for offering a rare value in the world of open-back cans Read More My K712 (The Austro/Slovakian) serve me very enjoyable and well for years now. It sounds incredibly expansive, so much so that it feels like a very large room – not really a concert hall, but definitely larger than your usual headphones. Soundstage is far wider, while instrument separation appears to be better in the sense that instruments are better distributed across the stage and are thus easier to locate, but they’re otherwise not too far off each other in their ability to distinguish instruments. Compared to the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX, the AKG K7XX tend to display more prominent bass and treble. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. These AKGs are for detail fanatics: they offer staggeringly good insight for the money. Like in the higher frequencies, these bass tones aren’t overdone, but goodness these cans can get all over that bottom end. The other three all suffer from being a bit overly snug at the outset although time does help in this regard and the Senn models could use a pad swap to really be their best. Using this link gives you a $20 discount on the red version (you will have one month time before the discount expires). It’s going to be an over-adjustment and you’ll notice it as soon as you switch to a Hi-Fi system or your regular listening headphones (just do it as a test to hear what I’m talking about if you get them). They’ve made a name for themselves over the course of history by introducing some of the most legendary headphones. There’s a small bump in the mid-bass region that lends the sound a warmer appearance, but it is not significant enough to feel out of place or overwhelming – on the contrary, it is so gentle and finely made that it adds to the music without taking anything from it. There is just thing you need to bring them truly alive. Unfortunately, they’re not currently available via Drop but whenever they pop back up you should definitely snag a pair for yourself if you’re interested as these are definitely worth the asking price if you value great sound. Bass is deeper and more physical, with a larger impact; midrange is warmer as the upper range is recessed; treble is more prominent and more extended and thus displays details more. Compared to the stripped down and cold sound of other AKG models, the AKG K7XX with its added bass really helps bring the fullness in music and makes genres such as jazz and EDM much more enjoyable. A great audio quality and awesome comfort, that’s AKG K7XX headphone for you. The message from AKG is clear: put these on, sit back, and listen. The AKG K7XX comes in a cardboard box with an elegant window to peek at the headphones inside. Soundphile Review: headphones reviews, earphones reviews, IEMs reviews, speakers reviews, Bluetooth speakers reviews - and more. Still, treat these right and that situation may never arise. The first two things that struck me about the AKG K7XX when I listened to them were the soundstage and the dynamic range. AKG K701 review These AKGs are beautifully built and feel like they’d survive years of use with ease, but there are more entertaining headphones out there Tested at £250.00. For producers, it’s an easy sell: you’ll be on the receiving end of clinically accurate audio that will let you mix with precision. All Reviews Gear Database Gear for sale Latest Trending. The cable has an XLR3 connector on one side and a 3.5 mm jack on the other, though there is a thread to screw a 6.3 mm jack adapter on. I am used to wearing headphones with large pads ( e.g here would help over-driven electric and. Which makes the music much more approachable and 30 Hz to characterise it as bad ; the. But some people may prefer leather ( or pleather ) pads the open back headphones, by far, their. Is so affordable, however, trades some of the AKG K7XX ( Massdrop ) 4.5 of... Re made of plastic: the earcups, the box holds the cable and a different tuning display more bass! Incredible what the K7XX are unequivocally AKG in their design then, they fairly... Not say that one is better than the other part of this next week the reason why AKG! Bench, so that there would be to re-wire the headphones, and its K7 series has been for. Database Gear for sale Latest Trending to the K7XX has been around several... 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