AKG K7XX - Massdrop
- Thread starter rids57
- Start date
Fixed the K7XX!
Not heard back from Massdrop still, so got fed up and decided to pop the covers off and have a look.
As you can see, the red cable solder has come off, it's a weak application of solder too, so with daily use the cup moving on the hinge has loosened the cable off the solder. Wouldn't have happened if they were made in Austria I bet?
Anyway, soldered it back on:
I think I will whip the red cable off both ends later and solder a thicker, longer cable on instead. I want to do the other earcup as no doubt the same will be the case in time with that.
For such expensive headphones (RRP), you expect far more from this kind of cost cutting.
Not heard back from Massdrop still, so got fed up and decided to pop the covers off and have a look.
As you can see, the red cable solder has come off, it's a weak application of solder too, so with daily use the cup moving on the hinge has loosened the cable off the solder. Wouldn't have happened if they were made in Austria I bet?
Anyway, soldered it back on:
I think I will whip the red cable off both ends later and solder a thicker, longer cable on instead. I want to do the other earcup as no doubt the same will be the case in time with that.
For such expensive headphones (RRP), you expect far more from this kind of cost cutting.
Hey, what do you take me for? 
The solder on the stock strand of cable was too small to work with, and re-stripping the cable to reveal more copper resulted in not enough slack, so replaced that entire cable:
Guess what difference this made to sound quality?
The solder on the stock strand of cable was too small to work with, and re-stripping the cable to reveal more copper resulted in not enough slack, so replaced that entire cable:
Guess what difference this made to sound quality?
Free oxygen?
Where do I sign!
I've been reading the HiFiman thread on headfi and the consensus from folks is that I should just stick to the K7XX until I'm ready to up the game considerably. It doesn't seem like the HE400 series is going to wow me, impress me sure, but not the wow factor I'd be expecting for an extra £200.
So this ultimately means end game headphones would be the next step... Will be a lot of saving lol.
Where do I sign!
I've been reading the HiFiman thread on headfi and the consensus from folks is that I should just stick to the K7XX until I'm ready to up the game considerably. It doesn't seem like the HE400 series is going to wow me, impress me sure, but not the wow factor I'd be expecting for an extra £200.
So this ultimately means end game headphones would be the next step... Will be a lot of saving lol.
Update!
Massdrop finally got back to my RMA/Support request.
They said they will accept the RMA and I should fill out the form and send it back to them along with the headphones.
They also said as they don't sell the first edition any more, they will send me the limited edition, which has an upgraded driver.
Bit of a challenge since I've now fixed mine lol. I've said I have fixed them now having waited days for a reply and not hearing anything, so if they are fine with this and will still replace them, then fine... Otherwise I will just keep mine.
Massdrop finally got back to my RMA/Support request.
They said they will accept the RMA and I should fill out the form and send it back to them along with the headphones.
They also said as they don't sell the first edition any more, they will send me the limited edition, which has an upgraded driver.
Bit of a challenge since I've now fixed mine lol. I've said I have fixed them now having waited days for a reply and not hearing anything, so if they are fine with this and will still replace them, then fine... Otherwise I will just keep mine.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 21 Jun 2006
- Posts
- 38,367
are these a considerable improvement over the q701 or should I just stick with them?
Purely personal;preference. Some people prefer a sound that's got more emphasis on the highs (Q701) but others don't like it and consider it "harsh" - But this also comes down to the amp / DAC you power them with.
My NAD is typical NAD sounding, warm and smooth and balances out any harshness in a headphone, so the Q701 worked really well, more so once bass port mod was done.
The K7XX has a more refined soundstage and detail. Some say it's because of the Annie pads they use, but I had those pads on the Q701 and didn't like the soundstage (restricted it more), whereas on the K7XX it's perfect. The foam inserts are different grade too, the air pockets seem finer and the texture is a little different - So I bet this has some affect on it too.
Massdrop said there is a driver upgrade from the first edition to limited edition K7XX/ I bought mine as the first edition, even though they are branded limited edition. So I don't know exactly what is what.
If the cost difference to upgrade is small, or within budget, then sure, you gain better detail, refined soundstage, way better comfort in the headband, and better earpads that cost quite a bit on their own as it is.
My NAD is typical NAD sounding, warm and smooth and balances out any harshness in a headphone, so the Q701 worked really well, more so once bass port mod was done.
The K7XX has a more refined soundstage and detail. Some say it's because of the Annie pads they use, but I had those pads on the Q701 and didn't like the soundstage (restricted it more), whereas on the K7XX it's perfect. The foam inserts are different grade too, the air pockets seem finer and the texture is a little different - So I bet this has some affect on it too.
Massdrop said there is a driver upgrade from the first edition to limited edition K7XX/ I bought mine as the first edition, even though they are branded limited edition. So I don't know exactly what is what.
If the cost difference to upgrade is small, or within budget, then sure, you gain better detail, refined soundstage, way better comfort in the headband, and better earpads that cost quite a bit on their own as it is.
Same drivers but production variation will come into account. The Annie pads + different foam behind the cap make them a bit warmer.
The darker sound will give the idea of more depth but when it comes to soundstage and imaging the Q701 is more spacious and detailed.
Someone run these through various content without the foam donuts that sit between earpad and driver please, tell me what difference you notice?
I'm hearing a difference, but want to make sure others hear similar.
My K7XX are bass port modded btw.
I'm hearing a difference, but want to make sure others hear similar.
My K7XX are bass port modded btw.
This is the point i reached. I've gone full circle and after christmas will be the owner of a pair of HD 650's, At least I've read a lot and checked it all out. but it seams like the 650's will do everything i need and scale up with hardware which is handy as I'm pretty sure i will be doing a bottlehead crack
Dragging this quote up from the ashes! Just looked this up on the rainforest and wondering if it's a better buy than the cheaper Fiio D03K, or the "HiFimeDIY U2 Asynchronous USB DAC with Sabre ES9023 chip" which has also got good reviews.
Listening to Common's "Be" on these from my Soundblaster G5 was pretty awesome. I think the bass mod is well worth doing because these sounded great.
And then I listened to Eric Clapton's "Layla" unplugged and Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" and I was amazed. Eye-opening doesn't describe it, being able to hear the clarity and separation of the instruments was something else.
I liked the Fidelio X2's and would probably have kept them had they been lighter but after a few songs, I love how light and comfortable these headphones are and the sound quality is superb.
Now to wait for my Vali to arrive!
And then I listened to Eric Clapton's "Layla" unplugged and Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" and I was amazed. Eye-opening doesn't describe it, being able to hear the clarity and separation of the instruments was something else.
I liked the Fidelio X2's and would probably have kept them had they been lighter but after a few songs, I love how light and comfortable these headphones are and the sound quality is superb.
Now to wait for my Vali to arrive!