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AKG

AKG K 701 Ultra Reference Class Stereo Headphone Level 1

Based on 1,624 reviews
Condition: New
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$268.88
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Availability: 12 left in stock
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Arrives Friday, Oct 30
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At a glance

Condition
New
Model
K701
Weight
8.2 oz
Color
White
Ear Placement
Over Ear
Impedance
62 ohm
Built-In Media
Cable
Warranty
2 Year Limited Warranty
Works with
A wide range of devices with 3.5 mm or 6.3 mm ports

Features 4

  • Revolutionary flat-wire voice
  • Extremely accurate and detailed sound with excellent transient response
  • Built to last with premium components and unbreakable metal arches without compromising on comfort
  • Revolutionary flat-wire voice coil provides higher sensitivity with improved impulse and treble response

Description

AKG is the first manufacturer in the world to use revolutionary flat-wire technology in headphones, namely, the K 701. The result is a truly dramatic sound that places every musician at their correct location with pinpoint accuracy. This kind of agility, spaciousness, brilliant highs, and velvety, punchy bass is simply miraculous. Revolutionary flat-wire voice coil technology for extremely accurate sound and transient response Patented Varimotion diaphragm for sparkling highs and accurate bass response Two-layer diaphragm for wide dynamic range and superior clarity High-performance neodymium magnet system for minimum distortion True bi-wiring High- performance, 99.99% oxygen-free cable Professional 1/4 jack plug Comfortable, specially shaped 3D-Form ear pads for perfect fit Padded, genuine leather headband Complete with stylish storage cradle Individually tested and numbered Warning: Cancer and Reproductive Harm-

Specs 40

Brand AKG
Color White
Ear Placement Over Ear
Form Factor Over Ear
Impedance 62 ohm
Brand Name AKG
Model Number K701
Model Name K701

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Top Amazon Reviews


Finally, a worthy contender
I've been listening to my Grado Prestige Series SR325is Headphones for most of the year and have no complaints, other than the initial comfort factor. But I really wanted another mid-to-high end set to keep from moving the Grados from one room to another (I know, lazy, huh?). I almost went with the Sennheiser HD 650 Headphones, but I've already got a smaller pair of Sennheiser HD 238 Open Aire Stereo Headphones Optimized for iPod/iPhone/MP3/and Music Players and wanted to try the K701s because of the excellent reviews. On first listen, I wasn't impressed. The music didn't seem to have any depth to it, like it was all coming to you on a flat plane, if that makes any sense at all. I knew these headphones need some break-in time, so I kept listening. Mainly I plugged them into my home theater and played some Dead Space 2 on the PS3. Slowly but surely, they turned around, and now they're my go-to headphones (I still love you Grado, but you're going into a drawer for a little while). The detail and clarity is spectacular; the bass is just right (I don't find it at all lacking as some others have noted); comfort level is fantastic. My only complaint: I really liked the thick cord on the Grados and wish the cord on the AKGs felt as sturdy. That's more of a comparison than a complaint, though. As far as amplification goes, I don't know how these sound without it. I've only used them on a newer Pioneer 1120-K (late 2010) receiver and, in my bedroom, a Peachtree Audio Decco2, which is both a headphone amplifier and DAC in one (and a wonderful piece of equipment, I might add). I stream audio from MOG (supposedly 320 kpps, the highest rate available to my knowledge) to either an Apple TV MC572LL/A (NEWEST VERSION) or Apple Airport Express MB321LL/A [NEWEST VERSION] and then into, respectively, the Pioneer receiver or the Decco2. Both have DACs, so I feel like I'm getting a good source going into a good output, and that truly makes these headphones shine. A quick word on DACs: I purchased a small portable DAC earlier this year and returned it. I could tell no difference in the sound. But the DAC in the Decco2 really fills the music out and makes it sound so rich and detailed. If you're going to invest good money into headphones, please consider the source going into them. I suspect if you simply plugged these headphones into your iPod with no amplification or conversion to analog, you might wonder why you spent so much money. But with the right equipment, you'll fall in love with your music all over again. And one last thing! If you're playing video games using a home theater system, i.e. you have a console hooked up to a receiver and surround sound speakers, these headphones are truly fantastic for gaming. I've mainly been playing Dead Space 2, and the detail and directional effects are amazing. I can't imagine any of the Ear Force or Astro headphones besting these AKGs. UPDATE JULY 2012: I've been back and forth between these cans and my Grados for the past few months, with most of my listening through Grado. But I m sitting here now listening to Scissor Sister's new album on my AKGs, and I often forget how great these sound, so detailed and full and lush. They're more impressive now than when I first purchased them. Highly recommended. If I had to chose between the AKG and the Grado 325, I'd probably still go with Grado, just because the build is so sturdy and they're Made in America. But there is nothing wrong with the AKG at all. Excellent stuff all around! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2012 by sdc30161

Very clearly defined sound, comfortable to wear, require an amplifier
Bought them for the sound quality, online without a chance to listen or compare. I used to have a set of AKG 101 30 years ago and remembered them for incredible definition mid and high rangen, but spongy bass. These headphones are way better than those earlier ones which were already great for the money. Incredibly clear mids, highs and dynamic response. Many people will look for more bass but it is very clean and also well defined. I bought a headphone amp without which you don't get the full quality of the headphones because of their high impedance. With these headphones you really start looking for your best recorded music to enjoy it (and you discover what's not been well recorded). They wear well for a long time (usually my ear suffer with headphones, but not these). I take care not to throw them around or put things on them. They have a 3 meter cable which is nice and long. Gold connector, nice. They adjust in size easily, at least for me, just put them on without ratcheting around. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2026 by Belle Joe

At 60% off, these are the best value to sound headphones I've EVER USED
I was able to snag these for 190USD which at the time of purchase is 60% off. At their normal pricing of ~460USD they directly compete with the Sennheiser 650s which were my previous go-to headphones. However, after owning these for about a week (letting them "burn in" so to speak), I have to say I somehow prefer the K 701s. It is a bit more of a bright sounding pair of cans than the 650s but the amount of space I hear with the 701s is just...I'm having a hard time fathoming how it's possible. I sincerely love the 650s and I do think they do low end better than the 701s...but with something like a SubPac on my chair giving me the bass definition that the 701s lack, this IS the best headphone experience I've ever had. And don't get me wrong, the low end of the 701s is not bad, it's just not very punchy. Like in EDM and heavy metal music with very low tuned guitars you can clearly hear very low notes quite clearly. It just seems to be lacking the punch of the low end which is not necessarily a deal breaker. Most headphones go too hard on the low end, it's just if that does matter to you, the 650s will be a better pick in my opinion. The biggest thing to take away from this though is this; even if I bought these at full price, I think I'd pick them over the 650s. The fact that I got these on sale for 60% is just...it has to be the greatest deal I've ever scored. The only thing I really wish these cans had was a removable headphone cable. Something tells me I will break these in the coming years and it will be a horrific experience. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2023 by Ringooooooooo

Good headphones but with known potential defect.
I upgraded from my Audio-Technica ATH-M30 (cost about 60$ to 80$) to a pair of AKG K701 headphones ($550 at launch, about 200$ to 250$ now) and so far, I'm not disappointed. A word of caution however: They are known for a potential (but mostly fixable) defect (more about that at the end of this review). Overall sound quality: The K701's offer a well balanced and clear sound, with a very flat frequency response and a wide soundstage. The high frequencies are clear and the mids are well present. The basses are what you would expect from proper monitoring headphones: They are not "boosted" or colored at all. For some people, it might be an issue, especially if they are bass lovers. I would recommend to check out the bass mod on the Internet, it's just a matter of removing a piece of felt that is covering the bass port in each ear cups. This mod is reversible and makes the basses more "punchy", sort of like making the attack quicker on a ADSR envelope. My M30's sound kinda muffled when compared to the K701's, but they have more bass than the K701's. Build quality: Made of plastic, with some metalic parts (mostly the decorative parts). I would not recommend these headphones if you plan to travel or go outdoor with them. The plastic is quite thin and glossy. My M30's are build tougher than the K701's in comparison. Comfort: Clearly, the best headphones I ever had in term of comfort. They are super light and the ear pads are soft but not too soft, so they keep their shape and no plastic rests near your ears. I should mention too: These headphones use an elastic mechanism that automatically adjust the headband to the proper setting. I was not sure about this system at first, but it works very well ! In comparison, my M30's would hurt my ears after an hour or so of use because the ear pads were too soft and thin. Now, the potential issue you might face with these headphones. AKG K701's are known for disconnected wire(s) in the ear cups. There are many reports about this issue over the Internet and a video on how to fix it. Basically, some solders are weak and tend to break, so you might lose the sound on one or both sides. Sometimes, wire might still make a contact when the ear cup is in a certain position and you will get sound, but you will lose it when moving the ear cup. This issue is usually fixable by taking apart the headphones and soldering the wire correctly. It's easy to do if you know how to follow instructions. Just be careful to not damage the little decorative grids, you should always turn counter-clockwise to remove them ! It doesn't seem to be an recent issue, since you can find reports dating as far as 2011. Recent K701's are made in China, the AKG logo on the headband is now simply "AKG" (no more "three hearts" logo) and the box is different from the original I think (it as a full-size window at the front instead of no window). Overall, very satisfied by these headphones even with the (fixed) wire issue. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2016 by Will 123

Needs More Respect!
These headphones are my 3rd pair after purchasing the now discontinued HD 598's & the MassDrop HD 6XX. After watching many video reviews on line touting the benefits & value of many different brands at different price points, you will find little if any reviews on these cans. They were recommended by a music professional (studio editing) and am very grateful & pleased with the trust of his recommendation. In comparison with the other two, these provide a much wider soundstage, (598's are closed back in fairness to them) and to my ear, provide more detail in clarity with the midrange and highs as well as better separation. I use these 90% of the time. Am more of a traditional classic rock, pop, jazz, new age guy versus more of the current genres. Have been a life long fan of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler (when band disbanded) and have an even greater appreciation for his brilliance listening thru these. Much music sounds spectacular hearing instruments and notes I never heard before from other headphones and my B&W Matrix 3 Series 2 loudspeakers. I also listen while inputting music into a SONIX Whole Body Vibration device which allow me to not only listen to the music, but also feel the vibrations from each song via my feet & hands. Aural Ecstasy! I also use a Schiit Asgard 3 Amp and Modius DAC to enhance the experience. These are lightweight, comfortable and come with a 3 meter cord which allows you to not be so restricted movement wise while listening. If you are looking for everday music enjoyment across most platforms of music, you can't go wrong with these. There have been some less than stellar comments from others here about the pads, discoloring, made in China, etc. Please do not be swayed. Have had no issues and have owned for almost 8 months now. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2021 by SONIXwellness

Very Good!
By far the most comfortable headphones I have ever had. The self adjusting aspect is very good. They sound great and the micro fiber ear pads are wonderful. I am using them mostly for my ham radio station where they do everything I need them to do. The plug is a bit backwards in that the line has a 1/4" plug and the adapter takes that to 1/8" which is backwards from what I'm used to but it works fine. At this price they are a real bargain . ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2026 by Dwight L. Brown

Very controversial headphones.
I was choosing a new pair of headphones and immediately ordered a dozen models. Including several from AKG, namely the K612, K712, K701 and K371. Let's start with the K371. Although they are the cheapest, they are a very decent device. They don't press on the head, and the soft ear cushions allow you to wear the headphones for a long time. The device stays on the head very securely, you can easily take it outside for a run, a bike ride or just a walk. The rather strange design raises some questions. It's unclear how fragile it is. Judging by many reviews here: very fragile. The headphones sound decent for their price, a little bassy. The K612, K712 and K701 headphones are of a completely different type: they are open-back and significantly larger, you can't take them outside, and there's no point. A detachable cable is only available on the K712, and that's a shame. I believe that absolutely all headphones more expensive than ~$100 should have a detachable cable. But there are detailed photo instructions on the Internet on how to add and solder a connector yourself. They all sit on the head perfectly, albeit with slight differences. The K712 is the "older brother" of the K612, so the ear cushions are slightly improved. They are a little thicker, softer and made of a different material (memory foam, it seems). So the K712 is a little more comfortable than the K612, but that doesn't mean that the K612 themselves are uncomfortable. There are practically no differences between the K612 and K701 in terms of comfort. Sound. Personally, I liked the K612 the most for its clean, "unbiased" sound. In them, you can focus on all the instruments or vocals, and none of them "stick out" too much. The K712 are generally considered a more bass-heavy version of the K612, but I only partially agree with this: there is a difference, but it's very small. At the same time, it seemed to me that the K712 lost some clarity and purity compared to the K612. The K701 are a completely different pair. They have very strong high frequencies, and the low frequencies are, on the contrary, weakened. While the K612 and K712 are easily suitable for simple and enjoyable music listening, the K701 might seem "boring" due to the unexpressive bass, but they are very detailed! You can hear all the nuances of the composition, and that's really cool. I also think they would be well suited for FPS games. Regarding reliability. Things are bad here. There are many bad reviews with photos of the K371 regarding the reliability of the construction. The K series headphones have known problems with the quality of soldering of the thin cables inside, which often leads to the sound disappearing in one of the headphones. I personally encountered a similar problem twice: the first pair of K701 I received had a non-working left earphone, and in the K712, during testing, the sound started to cut out. Also, in the K series, the black headband is held by four thin elastic threads, two on each side. They constantly pull the headband down, allowing people with different head shapes to wear the headphones comfortably. However, over time, these threads degrade and deteriorate, like office rubber bands, which means the headband will always be in the highest position, making it difficult for people with smaller heads to wear the headphones. One of the pairs I received had exactly these worn-out elastic bands, and I could only wear the headphones because my head is quite large. In the end, I returned all the AKG headphones and kept a pair from a completely different brand, but if it weren't for the build quality issues, I would have kept the K612 for home listening, I really liked them. Or the K371 for the gym and cycling trips. I hope this short review will help someone make a decision and find their favorite pair of headphones. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2026 by Entony

Made in Austria (2012), well worth the $240, amazing soundstage.
Used, but the previous owner took great care of them. It's one of the"Made in Austria" models, so very worth it to me! I read that sound right out of the box will have a tinny quality to it until 100h of burn in have been achieved, but since my cans are used can't confirm that. I can say that the bass is very crisp (though not overpowering since sound profile is flat) and that the soundstage is amazing, when I close my eyes I can picture where each instrument or singer is positioned. The volume is a little low on these compared to my Beyer DT-250's, it's not like I can't live with it, but the K701s definitely benefit from being hooked up to an amp. The ear cups are large circumaurals, so comfort as far as my ears are concerned is not a problem. In fact, once I put them on, I often will forget that I'm wearing them. The one comfort issue I do have is with the headband. On the underside, there are eight bumps spread across the band. When I looked at pictures, I thought that they would be soft to act as a cushion of sorts, but now that I own the cans I realize that the bumps are hard and will apply a lot of pressure to the top of the head (especially the top two bumps). Some people put a towel or sponge between their head and the band, but I just adjust where the band sits on my head, the pressure doesn't completely go away, but it does lessen enough to where I don't notice it as much. It's a small minus to what are otherwise a great pair of headphones. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2014 by Calvin Wang
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