AKG Q 701 Review | 93 Data compared

The Stereophile review of the AKG Quincy Jones Q701 highlights these open-back headphones as an exceptionally coherent and highly resolving option, praised for a remarkably wide soundstage and precise, three-dimensional imaging. Featuring a lightweight 235-gram design with comfortable, large velour earpads, the Q701 delivers a highly integrated midrange and tight, well-extended, yet un-emphasized bass. Conversely, the review notes the treble can feel slightly "too fast" and emphatic, causing the midrange to sound somewhat lean by comparison. These headphones are not suited for bass lovers due to the lack of lower-frequency impact, nor are they suitable for public use, as the fully open-back design offers zero isolation and significant sound leakage.

The AKG Q701 are specialized open-back headphones designed for neutral, critical listening, featuring excellent, well-balanced sound reproduction and a spacious soundstage. Their large, breathable ear cups and lightweight design provide high comfort for long sessions, while the updated, durable, detachable cable system improves upon older models. However, the open-back design results in terrible noise isolation and significant sound leakage, rendering them unsuitable for noisy environments. Their bulky, non-folding frame limits portability, and the unstable fit is not ideal for physical activity.

The AKG Q701 open-back headphones deliver a massive, balanced, and analytically detailed soundstage that excels across all musical genres. Based on the classic K701 design and endorsed by Quincy Jones, these distinctive oversized headphones feature a premium build with a real-leather headband and light 235g weight. Their highly praised "3D form" velour earpads provide an exceptionally comfortable, snug, and airy fit that allows for hours of fatigue-free home listening. Despite maintaining their five-star performance status at a newly reduced price, the headphones do have a few notable drawbacks. They lack a bit of "pep" and energy compared to some modern rivals, meaning they rarely "let their hair down" on more energetic tracks. Additionally, they are physically massive and leak a significant amount of sound through their outer circular grilles, making them poorly suited for portable use or quiet public spaces. However, they come generously equipped for indoor versatility, packing both 3-meter and 6-meter detachable cables alongside a 6.3mm adapter. If you need more details, let me know

The AKG Q 701 Quincy Jones Signature Line headphones offer an impressive, open-ear reference design that delivers exceptionally accurate audio and a wide, three-dimensional soundscape. Priced at $199, they feature an abstract yet functional design utilizing a lightweight 8.25-ounce frame with metal arches, leather headbands, and luxurious velour-padded earcups that remain highly comfortable even during multi-hour listening sessions. Driven by flat-wire voice-coil technology and a patented two-layer diaphragm, they provide excellent instrumental clarity and crisp highs, making them an affordable favorite for audiophiles. The package also includes both a 9.8-foot and a 19.6-foot lime green audio cable alongside a 6.3mm adapter. Despite these stellar audio traits, the headphones suffer from weak bass response and lower volume output compared to rivals like the Sennheiser HD 598. Their open-back structure also results in significant sound leakage, which makes them unsuitable for public or outdoor use. Furthermore, the manufacturer fails to include a dedicated storage case to manage the extra cables. In summary, the primary pros include an interesting abstract design, comfortable fit, wide soundscape, highly accurate audio, and excellent affordability. The distinct...

The AKG Q701 open-backed, over-ear headphones deliver stellar audio quality, ranking among the best tested by the reviewer. Endorsed by Quincy Jones, this re-branded classic maintains a mostly flat and even frequency response that allows pro studio workers to level tracks easily and casual listeners to use an equalizer with minimal errors. They feature exceptionally low total harmonic distortion (under 0.5%) and safe limits that restrict distortion unless pushed past a loud 99.12dB. Physically, the headphones offer a comfortable, self-adjusting leather band suitable for various head sizes and showcase a stylish, durable design with removable cables in 10- and 20-foot lengths. Pros and Cons Pros: Exceptional, top-tier audio quality with a highly customizable flat frequency response. Highly comfortable leather, self-adjusting headband that prevents fatigue and heat buildup. Solid, improved physical durability featuring a replaceable cord design. Virtually imperceptible sound distortion under normal listening volumes. Cons: Minor left and right channel tracking errors, though unlikely to be noticed by human ears. Delicate open-backed internals that require users to keep them indoors away from moisture. Requires a significant amount of power ("juice")...

The AKG Q701 is an analytical, open-back reference headphone designed primarily for critical studio mixing or focused listening in a quiet room. It excels in detail variety, sound separation, and natural vocal delivery, offering a spacious 3D soundstage with precise instrumental imaging. However, its frequency response favors a neutral to bright tuning; the bass is dry and well-textured but lacks deep sub-bass or a punchy slam, while the upper-mids and treble can occasionally sound sharp, obtrusive, or analytical rather than relaxing. From a design and handling perspective, the headphones offer high-quality build materials and a convenient, removable mini-XLR cable system. On the downside, the original headband features hard "nubs" that quickly cause physical discomfort during long listening sessions, and the firm velour earpads lack plushness. Additionally, due to its open-back design, it suffers from a total lack of isolation, making it leak sound heavily and rendering it unsuitable for noisy environments or multi-musician recording tracking.

Head-Fi reviews indicate the AKG Q701 open-back headphones provide exceptional, neutral sound with a wide, airy soundstage and precise imaging suitable for critical listening and gaming. Strengths include smooth, detailed mids, sparkly highs, comfortable velour pads, and a detachable mini-XLR cable, though they require a long burn-in to reduce treble harshness. Conversely, the Q701s are criticized for an uncomfortable headband with rigid, bumpy, and sometimes painful, padding, alongside a lack of sub-bass punch that may feel thin for EDM or hip-hop. Additionally, the open design causes significant sound leakage, making them unsuitable for public environments.

The AKG Q 701 open-back premium reference headphones deliver superb sound quality highlighted by a rare, crystal-clear clarity in the mid and high frequencies. Endorsed by legendary producer Quincy Jones, these headphones excel at reproducing high-quality, high-bit-rate, or lossless audio, making them a fantastic option for classical or acoustic music. Users will find them highly comfortable for hours of continuous wear thanks to a smooth-sliding metal and leather headband that easily accommodates larger heads, alongside large, wearable earcups. Additionally, the headphones come with a practical detachable cable and include a spare cable in the box to offset eventual wear and tear. However, the headphones fall short when it comes to deep, bass-heavy music, offering a slightly underwhelming bass performance that lacks the skull-rumbling depth found in competitors like the Sennheiser HD 650. Because of this punchy but limited low-end response, they are not recommended for fans of pounding dance tracks or individuals who primarily listen to low-bit-rate MP3s on portable devices. Furthermore, their open-back plastic mesh design allows sound to leak out significantly, making them poorly suited for shared office...

The AKG K701 and Q701 are open-back classic headphones that offer a highly competitive price-to-performance ratio, delivering great dynamics, exceptional vocal clarity, and a very wide, airy soundstage. The reviewer notes that despite internet speculation regarding a warmer tuning on the Q701, the sonic differences between the two models are entirely minute and practically indistinguishable. The major physical upgrade for the Q701 is its practical design, which introduces a detachable cable and multiple color choices. A standout pro of these headphones is their stunning, delicate rendering of bowed acoustic instruments and classical string ensembles. Furthermore, they are highly praised for being non-fatiguing to listen to during long sessions, especially when compared to sharper-sounding rivals like the Beyerdynamic T1. On the downside, a massive con is their demanding amplification requirement; they sound thin, cold, and anemic on subpar matching amplifiers like the Schiit Asgard 2. To truly unlock their full dynamic potential and deep bass capabilities, users must pair them with heavy-duty amplification. Even when amped optimally with high-end tools like the Questyle CMA800R, the bass response remains strictly polite and...

The AKG Q701 headphones deliver an exceptionally accurate, neutral audio experience with a massive, realistic soundstage suitable for critical listening. Featuring comfortable plush velour ear pads, these open-back headphones are well-suited for long, private sessions. However, the high price point makes them compete fiercely with strong rivals. Their open-back design causes significant sound leakage, making them impractical for public use, while the flat bass response may not suit casual listeners seeking a punchier sound.

The AKG Q701 open-back headphones, developed in collaboration with music producer Quincy Jones, deliver an exceptionally natural, accurate tonal balance and a "simply gorgeous" sound profile. Engineered with flat-wire voice coils and two-layer diaphragms, these headphones provide effortless deep bass, intricate detailing, clear imaging, and a massive dynamic range that handles complex musical textures with ease. Furthermore, they perform remarkably close to TechRadar's top-tier Sennheiser favorites but at roughly half the cost, making them an impressive high-value alternative for audio enthusiasts. On the downside, the reviewer notes a very minor trace of hardness in the upper-bass frequencies. Additionally, while the build quality is sturdy and includes a leather-covered, self-adjusting headband, the headband can feel a bit hard on the head during extended listening sessions. Despite these minor comfort and sonic gripes, the headphones remain highly praised for their immunity to cable mechanical noise, a generous variety of available color schemes (including an eye-catching lime green option), and their overall ability to deliver a lifelike soundstage without artificially boosting tape hiss or vocal sibilance.