Equalizing those headphones!

Q: Is it a good idea to use an equalizer to change the way headphones sound?

A: While you can make some tweaks to a headphone's sound profile with EQ, some fundamental characteristics are impossible to alter.

For example, no amount of EQ can make a Grado SR60e sound like a bass monster, similarly no amount of EQ can make a Sony XB500 sound like a Grado.

Neutral headphones are somewhat like tofu -- they can take on a little of the flavor of the amp that drives them, or the DAC that feeds their signal, or EQ in the audio chain, either by using software or hardware. They still taste like tofu, mind you, but flavored.

While you can buy a relatively neutral pair of headphones like the Sennheiser HD600 and tweak the sound with an equalizer, I'm one of those folks who think that if you want a warm fun sound, it's better to get a Philips Fidelio X1 instead of using EQ to tweak a HD600 to make it sound warmer.

And if you want a bright-sounding pair of headphones, check out the Grado SR60e before throwing down money on a HD600 and trying to boost the treble with an equalizer (and you will save a ton of $!)

And while you can use EQ to dial in some of the frequency response you want, you cannot use EQ to dial in your desired level of smoothness, or soundstage, or detail. Plus the more you flog that equalizer, the more the sound gets away from what the artist and recording engineers originally envisaged. That's the main reason why I am so meh to the idea of equalizers.

But to be fair, it's easy to say "I am anti-EQ" if you own a bunch of headphones and can easily pick and choose a pair with the profile you want. But what if you can only afford (or desire) one pair of headphones?

Well in that case, if you are sure you know what kind of sound profile you dig, then the choice is easy (e.g. you want a smooth + forgiving? Then go with the Sennheiser HD650!). But what if you don't know what you want?

Then walk into a B&M store and audition some headphones. But what if you can't?

Then get a relatively neutral pair of headphones like the HD600 or the Beyerdynamic DT880 and experiment with EQ.

Because they are like, you know, tofu.

Some thoughts about the Beyerdynamic A20 amp

The Beyerdynamic A20 is a straightforward headphone amp with RCA in, and 2 1/4 inch Neutrik headphone jacks out. It has a very clean Teutonic design reminiscent of the Beyerdynamic A1, features quality components (with a very smooth Alps pot) and has RCA out that is hot (when the input is active) even when the device is turned off.

It puts out 170 mW at 250 ohms and 100 mW at 600 ohm, so not a slouch powering higher impedance headphones. It is worth noting though that the rated output impedance is a whopping 100 ohms.

Looks wise, it is very pretty, and reminds me a lot of the Burson Soloist (in terms of the quality of construction and the solidly manufactured aluminum enclosure.)

What does it sound like?

Sound wise, it is transparent and neutral. A great pairing with Beyer headphones (after all Beyer designed the amp), but it does struggle with power hungry planars. I did not have the opportunity to hear the A20 with IEMs but from what I have read the pairing is hit-or-miss.

What's the competition?

The Burson Soloist SL has a brighter, more forceful sound overall, and also has gain selection. Keep in mind that the Soloist SL puts out 2W at 16 ohms, so it is much more suited for higher end orthos. In the head-to-head between the two the Soloist SL wins, unless you are looking for a transparent amp.

The Schiit Asgard 2 isn't in the same league, and at its usual $250 price point, is clearly the more value-rich selection from a price-performance perspective.

The most favorable matchup for the A20 is the Violectric V90. Both have pre outs, dual headphone jacks, and similar sound profiles. The V90 does have a price disadvantage, though, compared to the A20 on sale.

The best way to think of the A20 is probably to consider it to be a sophisticated version of the Objective O2 amp. Is it worth the money over the O2? It depends if you have the discretionary income to throw on an amp that isn't feature rich. In sum, if you are assembling a neutral setup you need to take a look at the A20, especially if it is on sale. But from a purely price-performance perspective, you may want to take an equally close look at the O2.

Some thoughts about the 600 ohm version of the Beyerdynamic DT880

Who needs a Beyerdynamic DT880?

If you are looking to build a neutral rig for critical listening, the usual price-performance king is the Sennheiser HD600. Of course, you could also go with a T90 or a Stax, but then you would be paying more for the privilege. The 600 ohm DT 880 hovers around the same price range as a HD600, and can often be found for cheaper.

Why do I call this "endgame for some"?

If you are looking to build a really transparent, neutral setup, of course you can spend thousands of dollars, but you don't have to. The transparent setup that makes the most sense from the price-performance perspective is ODAC > O2 > HD600.  The 600 ohm DT880 offers a viable alternative, especially since Beyerdynamic retail prices tend to fluctuate much more wildly than Sennheiser, therfore if you time your purchase right you can get a critical listening setup for less, which is not too shabby.

And what you get will be very close to something that is 3 or 4 x the price. There's a reason the 600 ohm 880 gets compared so often to electrostatic s especially Stax, in reviews.

Who needs 600 ohm headphones?

Well, not folks who want to run their headphones using their phone, that's for sure. High impedance headphones make the most sense for folks who can power them appropriately. Now you don't need the power output of a nuclear reactor to run 600 ohm DT880s at top efficiency, but you don't want to pair them with something with anemic output either. With high impedance headphones you don't have to worry about damping factor that much either, no matter what you plug them into.

How bright are they? How fatiguing is the treble?

Brightness and easy fatigability are the two most common criticisms leveled against Beyerdynamic headphones. All Beyers sound a little bright. The most neutral of their product range is probably the 600 ohm DT880, followed by the T90. What you are getting with the 880 is a relatively neutral pair of headphones that veers modestly towards brightness. Unlike the DT990, the treble is not super forward at all. And it is not bright like the Grado SR60 is, so it is not really hugely fatiguing.

How does the soundstage of the DT880 compare to the AKG K701?

Of the two, the K701 has wider soundstage. Technically Beyer calls the 880 "semi closed". IMO that's, well, neither here nor there - either a headphone is open or it is not. The 880 is open. Maybe not as much as the 990, but its soundstage behaves like those of open headphones.

How does the Beyerdynamic DT770 compare to the 880?

I keep hearing about how DT770 bass is huge compared to 880. To some degree, this is true. But not so much for the 600 ohm versions as for the rest. Having heard both, I will tell you that the comparisons by many are not accurate.

Why do I say this? Here is a graph comparing the 600 ohm 770 (in blue) with the 880 (red) and 990 (green). You will see that the 880 and 990 follow a very similar FR, except for the 100-700 Hz bump that the 990 has, as well as the high frequency peak. This is what gives the 600Hz 990 the "V" prominent sound that is characteristic.

Now look at the 770 bass, particularly the sub-bass, in comparison to the 880. Yes, it is weaker. The closed cups increases resonance and boominess, but the 600 Hz 770 is not as bassy as its lower impedance siblings.

Now check out this graph of the 32 ohm 770 (in blue) vs the 32 ohm 880 (in red). This is the "bass heavy" 770 that folks talk about all the time.

And finally, here is the graph of the 600 ohm 770 vs the 32 ohm 770. You can see that they have very different lower end profiles.

What do they sound like?

Lots of reviews out there, so I won't get into minute details. In sum, if I had to describe 880s in one word I would call them "clean". They are not warm at all, and not colored. They work great for critical listening, and can bring out flaws of inferior recordings just like HD600s can.

I ripped my headphones!

Q: I accidentally ripped the fabric around the driver in my Beyerdynamic DT770 headphones! Will this affect sound?

A: Best case scenario, the tear reduces the treble reflex, so treble will increase. Most likely on the Beyerdynamic DT770 770 it will make treble harsh and the sound fatiguing.

Worst case scenario, over time the vibrations from the torn fabric that will be frustrating. In that case, the headphones may become unlistenable.

What is a "sound signature"?

Q: What do you mean when you say "headphones have specific sound signatures"?

A: Different headphones have different signatures. For example the Beyer DT880 or Senn HD600 are more "neutral" sound profile, i.e. they are free from coloration,

Coloration refers to deviations from neutrality, for example the Philips Fidelio X1 is very colored. Coloration also often adds a "fun" element to listening.

Some headphones are intrinsically dark -- the term signifies a warm + rich sound profile. Technically, dark headphones have a frequency response which is skewed clockwise across the entire range, so that as the frequency increases, the output diminishes. A good example of this would be the HD650.

Other headphones are very bright, their frequency response is skewed counter-clockwise across the entire range, so that as the frequency increases, the output increases. A good example of this would be the Grado SR60i or e (or pretty much any Grado).

What you need to know about the Sennheiser HD600

If you are in the market for a relatively neutral pair of headphones, then yes the Sennheiser HD600 is a great choice. It excels for critical listening and some genres like classical. Keep in mind that you need an amp to get the most out of it.

If you don't want to play the upgrade game all the way to summit-fi for whatever reason, then the HD600 could conceivably be endgame for you, if you know what you are getting yourself into.

If you listen to a lot of bass-heavy music like EDM or hip hop, you may find the 600 to be surprisingly bass-light. The 600 isn't known for its sub bass, I can assure you. For the price, something like the VModa M100 may be a better bet for you.

If you are a detail whore, you may want to hold out for something like a Sennheiser HD800, a Beyerdynamic T90, or, at this price point, a Beyerdynamic DT880.

If you want a very bright listening experience, you may find the 600 treble to be disappointing. Instead, consider a Grado and some gauze pads (to apply to your ears when they start bleeding, ba dum tish!)

If you are looking for isolation or don't want folks around you to hear the fact that you secretly listen to Barry Manilow while proudly wearing that My Chemical Romance t-shirt, then don't get the HD600, it leaks sound like a sieve, and is as open as it gets.

if you want to listen to music off your phone, don't get the HD600. It has a 300 ohm impedcance and just won't sound as good as it would through, say an OTL amp. Sure, you will get sound through your iPhone, but the bass sounds just too flabby and meh.

And finally, if you are looking for a warm and smooth sound, consider the 600s younger sibling, the HD650.

What you need to know about the Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium (600 ohm version)

The build

The DT990 Premium features impeccable build quality, and superb comfort, especially for extended listening sessions. They look and feel like high-end headphones.


The sound


These are open headphones, and leak sound significantly. All Beyers have a V-shaped frequency response curve. In general, the DT990 has the most V-shaped curve when compared to the DT770 and 880, with prominent bass and a somewhat bright treble.

The 600 ohm version of the 990 Premium follows the same general rules, but its bass is a little less prominent, most likely because of the reduced clamping force. The low end is controlled, and if you amp them appropriately, nice and tight.

Mids are neutral, vocals are well represented without tonal distortions or coloration.

It has the same 9000 Hz spike as the Pro version, and so if you are not a fan of tinkly treble then most likely the 990 premium will disappoint.


FAQs


Q: Does the Dt990 600 ohm premium need an amp?

A: Yes, it will benefit from an amp. You don't need a monster like the Schiit Lyr to power it, though. The most noticeable difference with a good amp will be tighter bass. Some mobile devices like phones and tablets will struggle to run the 600 ohm DT990


Q: Whats the difference between Pro and premium DT 990 versions?

A: Materials (more metal in the Premium version, more plastic in the Pro), and clamping force (less in the Premium).


Beyerdynamic DT880 vs DT990 Premium versions: The 880 is a lot more neutral. The DT880 does not have the sparkly highs that are so forward on the 990s. DT 880 bass is more linear when compared to the rest of the frequency profile.


AKG Q701 vs Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium: If you are a fan of the Beyer sound profile with its V shaped emphasis on the bass as well as the highs, you may find that the bass and treble are both going to be lacking somewhat with the Q701.


HiFiman HE400 vs DT990 Premium: The 990 premium has better build quality. HE400s have a flatter frequency curve. You'll notice the mids coming forward compared to the 990. A lot. HE400 bass is tighter and more controlled than the DT990. The bass isn't as prominent as the DT990, but "punchier". HE400 treble is harsher and more sibilant than the 990. Cymbals and hi hats go into "attack mode". The HE400s are heavier and a lot less comfortable than the 990s.


Sennheiser HD598 vs DT990 Premium: 990s have much better build quality. The 598s are much warmer and smoother. Mids are more pronounced with the 698s.

Modding the Audio Technica ATH-M50 with new pads

These Audio Technica ATH-M50s are extremely popular headphones, but one issue with them is their uncomfortable plastic-covered pads, that cause may folks to itch and sweat.

The good news is that the issue can easily by solved by swapping the stock ATH-M50 pads with Beyerdynamic DT250 velour pads.

This mod is easy and straightforward and should not take you more than a few minutes. You don't need any special tools like a screwdriver, soldering iron, etc. Just slip the stock pads off, and pull the new ones on. The DT250 pads fit tightly, without any looseness. You can rest assured these pads won't come off accidentally. You can still fold the M50s the same way as before.

Tip #1: If you invert the lip of the pads before placing them on the earcups, and slowly roll the pads down circumferentially, you will have them on much quicker (and with less cussing) than if you try to force them in place.

Tip #2: Also, use a thin plastic tool (I used a credit card) to tuck the edge of the pad into the groove on the earcup. You'll know what I mean when you see it.

Sound differences: There is definitely an audible drop in bass prominence with the velour pads. Rolloff is a little sooner, too. Bass attenuation is a little more prominent in the lower end of the bass frequencies, but the relative differences between lower and higher bass drop is really not that noticeable unless you are listening to genres like DnB, and even then only when you know the song well. Another interesting effect is that the infamous 70-80Hz bass dip (dude to the stock M50 pad) goes away.

But there is a silver lining. The 9000 Hz spike is also attenuated a little with the pad swap, so the treble sounds a little less tizzy than with the stock pad.

A couple of other listening notes: IMO the mids and highs are a little more smeared with the velour pads, which adversely affects detail as well as clarity, luckily only modestly. And there's a mild reduction in "boominess" of the sound compared to stock.

The biggest difference is the comfort, which increases by leaps and bounds. The internal volume of the pads is about the same, so the diameter of the opening is relatively unchanged. The old pads would get warm and cause me to itch after a while, but the velours are perfectly cool, breathable and significantly more comfortable for extended listening sessions.

So is it worth it? As you can see, I have put my money where my mouth is (or my velour where my ear is, to be more precise). I aint going back to stock anytime soon.

While the DT250 pads are more comfortable, unfortunately they do not reduce the (significant) clamping force of the M50s. I have read about folks bending their M50 headband to make them fit less tightly, but I would not recommend using force since the headband is prone to crack. An easier way is to use a pillow -- place the M50 over the pillow making sure that the size of the pillow is a little bigger than your head. Let it marinade for a day or two. You'll notice some reduction in clamp force. Try repeating the pillow stretch if the first time does not work for you.

[Review] AKG Q701: Would You Like To Join The Q Continuum?

Would You Like To Join The Q Continuum?

Picture of my "Stormtrooper" Q701

But First, a Preface: And Now, The Larch.


The scene: AKG HQ. A bunch of AKG executives are sitting around a table deciding on a strategy to counter the whipping Beats is giving them in the marketplace.

"We have got to come up with a viable model that can take on Beats. What can we market?"

"Well our headphones are stylish."

"Ummm...most people think AKG makes headphones for people with neckbeards and black turtlenecks who listen to Dave Brubeck!"

"OK let's color them white and green, like those gaming headophones, so that nobody can see that our basic design hasn't changed since 1880."

"How about marketing our headphones as "heavy on the bass"? That seems to be working for Beats."

"Ummm...our headphones have less bass than Mel Gibson has acting offers!"

"OK. Maybe what we need is a celebrity endorser. Can we get LeBron?"

"Ummm...he signed with Beats."

"I know, how about Dave Brubeck?"

"Ummm...he's dead, Jim. How about Quincy Jones?"

"Oh wow, the Q. He may be almost 90, but he is a living legend. Who hasn't heard of him?"

The answer: almost anyone under 30. If you are in the said demographic, at this point of time please review this video to familiarize yourself with the Q Experience before proceeding to read this review.


And thus the Q701 was born: the bastard child of the union of the K701 and Quincy Jones and radioactive green slimy ooze from Mars.


OK now on to the review

First, a disclaimer. I like the Q701, and it is my go-to headphones for gaming.


What the Q701 is


The Q701 is an open model with lots of detail, some (but not substantial) bass presence, and veers towards brightness. It has a huge soundstage for headphones, and so has the fortunate side effect of being particularly good for gaming, because

[1] the soundstage, obviously
[2] it is comfortable especially around the ears (see below about headband) and
[3] it does not have too much bass which kills gaming for me -- modern games have so many explosions that i get a headache gaming with bass-heavy headphones -- but it is not so bass-shy that I can't listen to music when gaming. Like Goldilocks, I don't wan't too much or too little bass when gaming, and IMO the Q701 is just right.


What the Q701 isn't


It's not a great choice for EDM, because of its profile. If you are looking for isolation, move on. It isn't as warm as many other headphones. The headband has bumps that can be painful for some. If you are looking for a new Q701 made in Austria, good luck finding one. While it works fine without an amp, to squeeze maximum performance you will need to consider amping it. It does not pair well with some amps. Also, if you are thinking that the Q701 with its huge soundstage will give you a speaker-like experience, dream on. It won't. No headphones can. And finally, this headphone is not for portable use.


The Look


The Q701 comes in three flavors. I'm going to call the black version "vanilla, except for the weirdly coordinated green cable", the white "Look ma, I'm a Stormtrooper!" and the green "I'll take these to a LAN party so that I can fit in with all those fools with Razers". Of the three, my favorite is white, because I can wear it and say "Let me see your identification......We don't need to see his identification......These aren't the droids we're looking for......Move along......move along."

Even though the Q701 looks large, hefty and substantial, when you hold it, it feels weirdly delicate. That's partly because of the headband design -- the two curved metal rods frame the headband, and have considerable flex. AKG claims the Q701 arches are unbreakable, but I would not want to test that assertion.

The universal self-adjusting stretch headband is attached to the frame by a flimsy-looking plastic clip mechanism, and tensioned by two rubber bands on each side, which looks (and feels) more delicate than industrial.The earcups are huge, and mostly plastic. The large velour earcups are circular in shape, deeply recessed for ears, but do not feature memory foam. The Q701 cable connects at the left earcup with a sturdy mini XLR connector.

And yes, the inside of the universal headband has eight (count 'em. eight) bumps, which are either a good thing or AKG's attempt to waterboard its customers, depending on your viewpoint.

In summary, from a distance, the Q701 looks rugged, but up close it feels somewhat frail. The materials themselves are of good quality, but it almost feels like the Q701 has brittle bones and you have to baby it to prevent something from snapping. Think of the Q701 as being akin to a boxer with osteoporosis, and you will understand what I mean.


The Feel


This is a very light (235 gm) pair of headphones. The fit and finish is excellent. The velour is plush, the plastic is shiny, the green stitching on the headband is an interesting touch. The cable is long but of good quality, the connectors are top notch. The mini XLR connection is solid and tight. The plug and contacts are gold plated.

AKG claims their patented "Varimotion" diaphgrams (which feature a multi-layer construction technique) are their best yet. The voice coils are wound with flat wires.

Let me address up front what many folks consider to be the Achilles heel of the Q701 -- the headband bumps. Regarding comfort: I find the Q701 comfortable and don't have an issue with the bumps, but some folks just hate the Q701 headband bumps digging into their skulls. People go as far as to chop the bumps off with a blade and wrap with something like a Beyerdynamic replacement pad around the amputated headband to get comfortable. I think that the only way you will know if you have a sensitive scalp is to try the Q701 and see what happens.

Also, I keep reading questions online where folks are concerned where the Q701 is made. AKG shifted production of the Q701 from Austria to China a couple of years ago. If it does not say "Made in Austria" right on the headphones it is made in China. I don't think there is any difference, although I have seen people work themselves up into a frenzy about this very topic. There are pictures of Q701 showing "smooth" plastic in the made in Austria model vs "blemished" plastic made in China. My personal opinion is that QC is QC no matter which country products are made in. If AKG values their reputation, hopefully they picked a factory in China with quality standards that meet or exceed what they had in in their facilities in Austria.

The Q701 comes with two cables -- one long, the other that stretches from here to, well, China. Maybe if they bundled the headphone with a 1.5m and 3m cable I would use both, but the 6m cable is ridiculously long and pretty much unusable. Ah well, maybe I can knit a sweater with it.


The Sound


First, the biggest criticism leveled against the Q701: that it has a "plasticky" sound. I would not characterize the main characteristic of the Q701 sound as "plasticky", although I appreciate where folks are coming from with this criticism, having heard the K701 also.

Some folks complain that tHE Q701 is fatiguing, but certainly I don't have an issue with extended sessions.

The Q701 has a clean, neutral-to-modestly bright profile. Bass is present, but by no means prominent. Vocals are crisp and natural; mids are smooth. The treble is a little artificial-sounding, and somewhat brittle. Clarity is outstanding. Detail is truly excellent. Soundstage is very wide. Frequency response is relatively flat.

Maximum input power is rated at 200mW. Sensitivity is 105 dB SPLV. With its impedance of 62 ohms, you can power the Q701 in theory off your phone or tablet or motherboard, but this is one headphone that likes to be amped.

If I had to decribe Q701 sound in a single word, I would pick "spacious". It really is.


In conclusion


I'm going to call my white Q701 "The Stormtrooper In Drag" because it looks like a stormtrooper, but doesn't sound like one. It is a great midfi audiophile headphone choice for folks who want a more neutral-to-bright tone without dominant bass, and for folks who prize detail uber alles. It's also a great choice for folks who listen to a lot of live performances, because of the vast soundstage it projects. But where the Q701 really shines is as a pair of gaming headphones, which I am sure neither AKG or Quincy Jones foresaw when they released this model.

In case you are wondering where the "Stormtrooper In Drag" reference comes from, it is from a Gary Numan song.


Some head to head comparisons: the Cliff Notes version


Q701 vs ATHM50: The Q701 has much less bass than the M50, and more visible mids. Highs are not as artificial as the M50. Soundstage is obviously better than the closed M50. By a mile.

Q701 vs Beyerdynamic DT990: If you are a fan of the Beyer sound profile with its V shaped emphasis on the bass as well as the highs, you may find that the bass and treble are both going to be lacking somewhat with the Q701.

Q701 vs Sennheiser HD598 with respect to music: The 598 is a little warmer, and has a little more emphasized bass, despite its 100 Hz impedance spike. The real difference is in the treble: HD598 has much smoother treble, without the slightly artificial tone that the Q701 brings to the table.

Q701 vs Sennheiser HD598 with respect to gaming: With respect to gaming, particularly FPS gaming, while situational positioning is an advantage, it is not the biggest factor associated with playing FPS games well. What I mean is that if you suck at FPS games in general, improved soundstage is not going to make you into a superstar all of a sudden. For example, if you cannot support your buddies appropriately, or you have no clue what "cover" means, the Q701 will not make you either more popular with your buddies or suddenly render you invincible. What positional advantage does do in FPS gaming is give you a small advantage in using an extra sense to determine where people (or objects) are. To be honest you cannot go wrong with either the HD598 or the Q701. If you are an average gamer, either will give you a good positional sense. If you are an uber competitive gamer, then maybe the Q701 will give you an extra few % of positional advantage, and if you believe that you really need that small extra boost to get to your desired level of gaming, then yes Q701 is a better choice.

Q701 vs Philips Fidelio X1: They are very different headphones. Both are open, and the similarities pretty much stop there. The X1 is much more colored, has more (and IMO better) bass, is very warm in comparison to the Q701, but has less detail. If you like warmth and colored "fun" sound the X1 clearly wins.

Q701 vs K701: The two share the same basic design but having heard both side by side, they sound different. Specifically, K701 has less bass and sounds more, well, plasticky than the Q701. I'm not a fan of K701 sound.

Q701 vs Beyerdynamic DT880 versus Sennheiser HD650 3-way shootout: The HD650 sits on one end of midline neutrality with its dark nature, the DT880 sits closer to the middle, and the Q701 is just on the bright side of the 880 furthest from the 650. Personally I think that when it comes to detail the Q701 trumps the 650 by a nose.

Q701 vs HD600: AKG claims that the Q701 is the "the most accurate and responsive reference headphones we‘ve ever produced". If you are looking for a neutral pair of headphones, the HD600 might even be at endgame-level for you, so it makes sense to bypass the 701 and just jump on the HD600. The Q701 is more comfortable than the HD600 (less clamp, lighter) unless you have issues with the headband bumps. The 701 also has a more spacious soundstage and a little more detail than the 600, which is worth considering.


The Mods


2 mods you may want to look at before you decide to buy: [1] the Q701 bass mod, and [2] the headband mod (to fix the bumps issue)

With respect to the bass mod, the two common methods are to remove the small reflex adhesive tape dots on the drivers, and using a reflector/attenuator (like microfiber) to try and make the Q701 a "semi open" headphone. But adding a microfiber layer behind the driver reduces the soundstage, which is probably why you bought the Q701 in the first place. Also, the little round bandaid reflectors are actually there for a reason -- without them the Q701 bass becomes too smeared. Since the design is so open, the reflex really improves low end resonance characteristics. Sure if you peel them off you get a little more bass, but the overall sound worsens. So the bottom line is: don't do the 701 bass mod, it does not improve sound quality. If you want tons of bass, you shouldn't buy an AKG. Also don't try to close off the open Q701 with microfiber/ electrical tape, etc. You kill the soundstage, which IMO is the Q701's biggest feature.

With respect to the headband mod, keep in mind that mutilating the headband kills resale value. Some folks have made custom universal headbands or transplanted the K701 headbands (which are expensive!). Wrapping Beyerdynamic replacement headband around the Q701 headband works, but you will have to cut the stock headband to size to allow the Beyer clips to fasten. You could also fill the valleys in the headband with adhesive foam tape.

Which flavor headphones to pick?

Q: I'm looking at Beyerdynamic DT770 headphones, but they come in three flavors -- 32 ohm, 80 ohms and 250 ohms. Which one do I buy?

A: 32 ohm versions are easiest to drive, no amp needed.

80 ohm DT770s will be driven by many mp3 players and phones, but some devices with weak outputs may struggle, and if you amp a 80ohm DT770 Pro you will see modest sound improvement (tighter bass, for example, but this also is related to damping factor and the output impedance of the device powering the headphones).

The 250 ohm DT770 will definitely require amping. Some Beyerdynamic models have 600 ohms of impedance, and those certainly will need an amp as well to shine.

If the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation were headphones

If the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation were headphones:

• Picard is obviously a Sennheiser HD600, because he is neutral
• Guinan is a Beyerdynamic T90, because she is great for critical listening
• Geordi is a Sennheiser HD800, because he is overengineered
• Deanna Troi is a Grado, because she is too bright and gets on your nerves after a while
• Tasha Yar is a Sennheiser Amperior because she, like the Amperior, was discontinued abruptly
• the Tamarian aliens from the episode "Darmok" are Ultrasones because noone can undertand what they are saying
• Q is obviously a AKG Q701, obviously

HiFiMan HE-400 versus the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro

Q: Is the HiFiMan HE-400 a big step over the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro?

A: It depends on how well you amp the HE400s. They are different from the DT990s in 4 ways:

1) HE400s have a flatter frequency curve. You'll notice the mids coming forward compared to the 990. A lot.

2) The bass is tighter and more controlled than the DT990. The bass isn't as prominent as the DT990, but "punchier".

3) The treble is harsher and more sibilant than the 990. Cymbals and hi hats go into "attack mode".

4) The HE400s are heavier and a lot less comfortable than the 990s. Over time you will get used to their weight, though.