AKG or not???

one man clappin

Hi folks
Looking to purchase a new set of over the ear headphones. I will be listening to both mp3 on the go and vinyl at home with them. Looking for advise please on what people would recommend?
I was looking at the AKG K550MkII, AKG Q701 and also the website Massdrop have a pair of AKG K7XX

Has anybody purchased from Massdrop before? My concern is they do not ship until the end of July so a long time to wait for a pair of headphones.
Any other recommendations I would greatly appreciate.
TIA.

Grahamer666

I'd recommend a pair of Audio Technica M50X. Good solid performance and not too expensive. Lots of positive reviews to look up on them. Amazon and the likes.

docentore

ATH M50x are good but AKG K5 series will eat them easily. Much more balanced sound with huge amount of details.
Just piece of advice, because you've said you are going to use them on the move. Both will benefit from using headphone amplifier, specially the AKG

one man clappin

thanks for the replies.
What amp would you recommend please?

docentore

what source are you going to use? Phone?
TBH better to get nice and cheap dedicated player like FiiO X1 o X3II (depending on budget).
Both have quite good amp circuits

one man clappin

Portable ipod touch is the way I will be going. I have a marathon pm6004 amp for home use

Grahamer666

Carrying an amp around in your pocket would be a pain I reckon. At least with the Audio Technicas you wouldn't need one.

docentore

I've never said you need amp, I said both headphones will benefit from having an amp. I know from experience.
I've had chance to listen to both.

But true, M50x are easier to drive.

Best thing is to take your touch to some shop, MusicMaker on Echecquer st has M50x in stock, they might let you test them.

Bottom line both are fantastic headphones, both will sound good with your Touch, if you add portable amp (even FiiO A3 or Topping) you will get more oomph

Grahamer666

Had a set of the Audio Technica's myself. Do yourself a favour though. Get a set of Sennheiser HD 600 or 650's. I have the 650's and they blow all other headphones i've ever had out of the water. Only thing is they are open back and wouldn't recommend for using out and about unless you like pissing people off with your music.:pac:

docentore

Grahamer666 wrote: »

Had a set of the Audio Technica's myself. Do yourself a favour though. Get a set of Sennheiser HD 600 or 650's. I have the 650's and they blow all other headphones i've ever had out of the water. Only thing is they are open back and wouldn't recommend for using out and about unless you like pissing people off with your music.:pac:

yeah, kind of have them on the list. I've became father recently and my priorities changed a bit

What do you use with them? Any nice amp?
I've bought one of the cheap-ish Chinese valve amplifiers (Little Bear P8 to be precise) and I have to say wow - ok, it is not the cleanest (cleaner than most of my sources still) but the soundstage is like SOUNDSTAGE.

Grahamer666

docentore wrote: »

yeah, kind of have them on the list. I've became father recently and my priorities changed a bit

What do you use with them? Any nice amp?
I've bought one of the cheap-ish Chinese valve amplifiers (Little Bear P8 to be precise) and I have to say wow - ok, it is not the cleanest (cleaner than most of my sources still) but the soundstage is like SOUNDSTAGE.

They are expensive but a good investment. Made in Ireland too. I have Marantz separates and a Pro-Ject turntable so that Marantz amp is more than enough. When listening to Spotify on the tablet i use one of these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01C2OAANI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Loads of power to drive them.