K702 disappointment

Born_2_Kill_83 · 1 Nov 2016 at 17:15

So I rushed them out the box and booted up my favorite songs and just no, instantly I wasn't impressed as my old HD555 (modded) they just sounded lacking, ok I thought maybe it'll be better in BF1 and yes thing was clearer I could hear my boots moving through the grass much louder, it's there in the HD555's but you have to listen for it, with the 702 it's much louder, maybe to loud for such a small detail, everything is clearer but the bass is horrible, everything just rumbles in no particular order in the distance.
I'll say now I no nothing about audio apart from what my ears prefer to hear, maybe I'm doing it wrong? Maybe it's my SB-Z? Maybe I need to get used to them but first impressions are poor.

Should I have just gone for the HD598/9 or got more money out and gone HD650. Surely they'll be like my HD555's but better? But the HD650's arent for gaming, but but but.

james_2k · 1 Nov 2016 at 17:23

i use my 650s for gaming, witcher 3 only so far, but its great!

Rroff · 1 Nov 2016 at 17:26

Depends what you are looking for in the audio - typically for competitive gaming I like something that separates out the sounds and is fairly responsive which the AKG tend to do but if you want a more immersive soundscape and/or more detail then they might not be the best choice.

I like my 600s for single player, etc. gaming but I find them too slow and lacking in artificial separation for online games.

Marsman · 1 Nov 2016 at 17:27

SB Z, likely isn't helping. I've seen a few people say it just doesn't have the oomph for AKG's insensitive headphones. Getting something that will power them better though, will almost certainly improve the sound, but there is no guarantee they'll be for you.

Giving them time is another factor. The Senn's and AKG's are completely different sounding, so you have to allow time to get used to the new sound. Again, no guarantee you'll like them completely after using them for a longer period of time; after all, we all hear differently, and we all have different preferences.

Don't know much about the 559, but if you were to return them and get the 650, you'd still have to get a better DAC/amp anyway. SB Z is OK, but not really good enough for these higher quality headphones.

james_2k · 1 Nov 2016 at 17:29

oh, well if you're talking competitive, then ill never be bothered about that. some mw2 but thats it, however to me, they were fine with that!

But im in no way in that scene so dont take my advice on that one.

Tephnos · 1 Nov 2016 at 18:04

K702s are much brighter than Sennheiser headphones. If you like the Senn sound you'll hate the increased trebles of Beyer/AKG.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 1 Nov 2016 at 18:21

Thanks for the reply's guys, I've just turned "Surround" off in the SB-Z control panel which has given them a much fuller sound ingame, will this kill my surround sound within the headphones though which I need in games like BF1? It seems like it's still there but like I said I know nothing.

Evian · 1 Nov 2016 at 19:21

The K712 is meant to have more bass than the K702 etc.

james_2k · 1 Nov 2016 at 19:33

its only simulated surround anyway, but it sounds like you turned that off.

Ryanr1987 · 1 Nov 2016 at 19:44

The K702 has low bass distortion and is a resolving headphone so what you are probably hearing exist in the game recording. I've always found the 702 superior to the 500 series for gaming. The K702 bass level is on the low side due to the lack of distortion so it should sound tight. Better headphones will expose a poorly recorded game and small faults.

I'm sure I've got my 702's laying around somewhere I'll dig em out and give them a whirl.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 2 Nov 2016 at 11:02

Well I've returned the K702's, just wasn't happy with the sound, they clamped onto my head quite painfully after a while and the build quality was quite poor.

Not sure what to try next, don't really want to use a external amp, guessing I'll need to upgrade my soundcard.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 2 Nov 2016 at 11:03

james_2k said:
its only simulated surround anyway, but it sounds like you turned that off.

Do I need simulated surround to get surround in my stereo headphones?

pooley · 2 Nov 2016 at 12:10

PapaLazaru · 2 Nov 2016 at 12:17

Born_2_Kill_83 said:
Do I need simulated surround to get surround in my stereo headphones?

BF1 does it well within the software, just set it to headphones in the game.

Marsman · 2 Nov 2016 at 12:17

Depends on the headphones and the game. Some headphones perform well without anything like Dolby Headphone, and there are probably quite a few games that have some built in surround effect for headphones.

Could try HD599, although for £200, they'd better be very good. That's close to HD600/650 money.

Holy crap! I've just noticed that the 598 aren't just being replaced by the 599, they've replaced the 5xx series and introduced three others as well. So that's 559 569 579 and 599 :eek:

How much difference can there be to need 4 headphones within that series?

Born_2_Kill_83 · 2 Nov 2016 at 12:20

pooley said:
yup

PapaLazaru said:
BF1 does it well within the software, just set it to headphones in the game.

Thanks

Marsman said:
Depends on the headphones and the game. Some headphones perform well without anything like Dolby Headphone, and there are probably quite a few games that have some built in surround effect for headphones.

Could try HD599, although for £200, they'd better be very good. That's close to HD600/650 money.

Holy crap! I've just noticed that the 598 aren't just being replaced by the 599, they've replaced the 5xx series and introduced three others as well. So that's 559 569 579 and 599

How much difference can there be to need 4 headphones within that series?

Yeah theres not a lot of difference money wise between the HD599 and HD650's, betting my SB-Z will power the HD599's though whereas I will need to upgrade for the HD650's

Ryanr1987 · 2 Nov 2016 at 13:10

I've not heard the 599 but a lot of things are pointing to them being identical to the HD598 with the changes being cosmetic but I can't confirm that. The SQ difference between the 598 and 650 is pretty big. At least with the HD650 there's not really an upgrade path apart from getting better Dacs and Amps so does work out cheaper in the long run in terms of high end audio.

There is going to be a price drop on the Audioquest Nighthawk soon I hear they are going to be going for around £300 as they've introduced an updated version. They are worth a look as you won't need to upgrade your gear although they do scale well. They are pretty good headphones with a unique sound and with some velour pads from Brainwavz end up having a good tuning for gaming or if you leave the stock pads you get a liquid, impactful sound.

There's also the cheaper Grado models, I hate them but they have an airy, aggressive easy to drive sound and do well for a lot of games although the soundstage isn't AKG level. You could just take one for the team and buy the 599 from amazon, give them a go; post your impressions and if you don't like em send em back.

rids57 · 2 Nov 2016 at 19:36

I found the K702 to be a bit gutless with the SB Z, I just don't think the amp is strong enough and they sounded fuller and more rounded with the more powerful Xonar STX

delta0 · 4 Nov 2016 at 20:35

I have the AKG 702 and they work very well with my Recon3D card. They are perfect for gaming. The sound stage is huge and you can pick out individual sounds with high accuracy. If you are looking for heavy bass then look elsewhere. I find bass can be overwhelming and damage the clarity of sound in many headphones.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 4 Nov 2016 at 20:59

I agree they were very good indeed for positioning, but I like a little more involvement in my gaming, the K702 had nothing else to offer for sound.