AKG K701 Vs Sennheiser HD650
Sometimes the classic headphones like AKG K701 Vs Sennheiser HD650 are what you need to improve the listening experience. These headphones prove that their age is not a drawback because even almost two decades later, they are still some of the best options in the price range. Many love their hi-fi quality, and you may as well, so let’s look at what they offer here.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What to Consider in a Headphone
- What are AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650
- How are the Design of AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650
- How are the Specs of AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650
- How are the Comforts of AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650
- How are the Sound Characters of AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650
- How are the Isolation of AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650
- AKG K701 Vs Sennheiser HD650
Buying a Headphone
Many factors can affect your listening experience, both on the audio source and the equipment it goes through before arriving at your ears. For example, the audio quality matters because there is no way to improve an extremely compressed sound file. They will sound harsh and hollow, and some instruments may lose their presence. Your headphone also matters because each model is tuned differently and produces a different sound profile. The driver and the design of your headphone also affect the listening experience.
Budget is the number one factor to consider because you can get the most advanced, newest technology available if you can spend the amount. Unfortunately, most of us have to limit our spending, so start with how much you want to spend; good headphones are not cheap, but they don’t need to be expensive either. Next is the application or where you will listen to them. If you only wear headphones at home, an audiophile, open-back style like AKG K712 Vs DT 1990 Pro can be a great choice.
But, if you are a commuter or will use it in an environment where other noises are present, then a closed-back style such as Audio Technica M50X is the ideal option. If you are interested in hi-fi reference headphones, make sure to prepare the necessary equipment. The most important device you will need is a headphone amp because your new cans will most likely benefit from it. Expensive headphones tend to have high impedance, which means more power to drive the cans.
| AKG K701 | Sennheiser HD650 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 4.45 x 7.83 x 8.35 inches | 12.4 x 10 x 4.33 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 8.2 ounces | 9.1 ounces |
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About AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650
If you are willing to spend a good amount on headphones, it is wise to get something that you can enjoy for a long time. Good headphones have to sound pleasant and comfortable to use. We assume that you will listen to them at home and prefer a more natural or accurate sound reproduction if you are here. If noise sealing is not an issue, then an open-back style is a great choice. Open-back headphones are like a hybrid between headphones and speakers.
They are ideal for users who only use them at home or places where other sources or noises are not a concern. Almost all major headphones companies have an open-back style in their collection for those with the preference. AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 are some of the oldest players in the market that are still worth noticing even today, 20 years after the launch. These headphones started in the early 2000s, and while many new models and technologies are coming up, they still have a firm place among enthusiasts.
None of us will stick to a product if they are not good enough, and these headphones are more than good. If you are looking for relatively flat headphones, the AKG K701 or Sennheiser HD650 will be ideal. They are not incredibly accurate because we can still hear the characters, but they are equally pleasant. If we have to choose one, then the HD650 is a better sounding headphone because the bass and treble are more controlled but lively.
Depending on your device, we most likely benefit from a headphone amp because AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 are higher in impedance than typical headphones for smartphones. Comfort-wise they are identical, and we have no issue wearing the headphones for hours as long as it is not in a noisy environment.
AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 Design
Before checking what these headphones can offer, let’s look at the units first. As an open-back type, the AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 don’t look like the generic type. Aesthetics are subjective, but we prefer how K701 looks on most people. While the headphones are old, the design still looks good. K701 is made of metal and plastic, but it has several moving parts on the adjustable headband, making it a bit concerning for longevity. The cable is also non-removable, and there is no accessory.
We are not fans of how the HD650 looks on the head, but the ear cups are oval instead of round, which may be better for some people. The build quality is about as good as the K701, but it has fewer moving parts, which is more reassuring. It doesn’t feel expensive like some popular models from other brands, but it should work. Thankfully the HD650’s cable is detachable, so you can buy a new one when it wears out.
AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 Specs
The overall specs of AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 are very similar, and for headphones, the most crucial point is their impedance. The K701 has a lower impedance of 62 Ohms, while HD650’s impedance is 250 Ohms. Due to the high impedance, you will need a headphone amp to provide adequate output to the headphones. The frequency range of K701 is 10 to 39,800Hz or 10 to 41,000Hz for HD650. The maximum SPL of this Sennheiser’s headphone is 103dB, while the AKG is 105dB.
AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 Comfort
Headphones are wearable, and they need to be comfortable for the best listening experience. Comfort is subjective, so that it can be a bit tricky depending on your head size and general preference. We find the K701 more comfortable because we are used to headphones with round ear cups. This headphone also doesn’t have a tight force like HD650, so wearing it for hours is less taxing. The weight is very much the same, and they don’t feel heavy, at least for a moderate listening session.
We love the suede ear cups padding on AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650. Many headphones have a synthetic leather cover which is not as comfy and breathable. The softcover on these headphones feels much better, and the foam is pretty thick to reduce clamp force. We find the K701 to cover the ears better because it has bigger, round ear cups.
AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 Features
One of the common drawbacks of aging systems is the lack of standard features. If you are coming from typical consumer-level headphones, especially ANC models, the lack of features in AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 makes them look too simple for everyday use. The cable of K701 is not detachable, so we can’t even change it. The cables on both headphones have no in-line microphone for calling purposes. There are no built-in buttons for playback, making them dependent on the primary device.
AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 Sound Characters
Now for the main part, which is the sound character. Both AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 are excellent for their quality, and you can listen to vocals, instruments, or spoken words. The characters are not identical because the HD650 is the overall more balanced headphone. The balance means that it doesn’t overpower a certain frequency making the audio sound pleasant without a noticeable boost on a particular frequency. The K701 will sound slightly brighter and inconsistent in the treble area than HD650.
Both headphones’ bass sounds very good, but they are not the boomy type. The bass production is controlled and has a decent impact. We like HD650 better because of the bass guitar and kick drums which usually on mid-bass sound amazing with plenty of thumps yet not overly aggressive. The mid-range on AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 are fantastic, but they slightly boost vocals and instruments to make them sound more forward.
The most noticeable difference will be in the treble area because K701 is brighter yet inconsistent in this area. The low treble is boosted, making vocals overly bright and instruments becoming too sharp for our liking. The HD650 has a recessed high-treble which slightly reduces its brightness and makes the listening experience more comfortable, especially with fewer sibilance than the K701.
AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 Isolation
Lastly is for the noise isolation and leakage. Noise isolation and leakage is the weakest part of open-back headphones, including AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650. They don’t isolate anything, and your music will leak. Both headphones are about the same, so we don’t expect them to be useful outdoors. But, we find the isolation just a bit better for K701 because it has substantial ear cups that can cover the ears better. The difference is insignificant, and your AirPods will work much better to mute the outside noise.
AKG K701 Vs Sennheiser HD650
The AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 are good headphones. They have been around for decades and are still some of the crowd’s picks in the price range. The main difference is sound character because HD650 is the more accurate and more pleasing sounding headphone. We prefer its treble area as it is not overly bright to make vocal-heavy songs more enjoyable. The bass area is also more impactful than K701, but the mid-range is similar. We also like the HD650’s detachable cable for longevity.
Conclusion
We may have different preferences, and it is wise to go with your favorite model. We recommend Sennheiser HD650 because it is an overall more accurate and pleasant sounding headphone with better bass and treble. It also has decent comfort and a detachable cable.
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