K701

Released 2005

The K701 are AKG's open-back reference headphones for home listening, the first headphones with flat-wire voice coils, with a fixed cable and a white finish.

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Battery: –
With case: –
Best codec: Wired
Weight: 235 g

Over-ear

What reviewers say

RTINGS found the K701 comfortable, breathable and surprisingly light, with great sound for critical listening, though the cable isn't detachable and the open design isolates poorly. Audio Science Review measured a complex response with resonances in both Austrian- and Chinese-made samples, and recommends it only with EQ.

From rtings.com and audiosciencereview.com

Specifications

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Sound

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Back: Open
Impedance: 62 ohms
Bluetooth codecs: None (wired)
Drivers: Dynamic, with flat-wire voice coils and Varimotion two-layer diaphragms; neodymium magnets; 10 – 39,800 Hz; 105 dB SPL/V at 1 kHz; maximum input power 200 mW

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim): No battery (wired)

Design

Weight: 235 g
Headphone cable: Yes
Fit and ear tips: Circumaural, open-back; padded genuine-leather headband; 3D-foam ear pads; individually tested and numbered
Works with: Fixed 3 m OFC cable with a gold-plated 3.5 mm plug and a screw-on 6.3 mm adapter (AKG's spec page; Stereophile lists a 6.3 mm plug)
Colours: White

Pros and cons

Pros

Light at 235 g without the cable
62-ohm impedance; 10 Hz to 39.8 kHz
Padded genuine-leather headband and replaceable 3D-foam ear pads

Cons

Cable is fixed, so it can't be swapped if damaged
Open back leaks sound and lets outside noise in
Sensitivity of 105 dB SPL/V is modest, so a headphone amplifier helps

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Noise cancelling	Battery	With case	Best codec	Weight	Released
SennheiserHD 280 PRO	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	285 g	2003
SennheiserHD 650	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	260 g	2003
AKGK702	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	235 g	2008

Sources

Photo: jp.akg.com

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