K7xx vs HD6xx

HD6xx needs no introduction and is among the most well-known headphones in the market. In contrast, the K7xx is considered the very first Massdrop collaboration that was a success.

Nonetheless, we are here to talk about the variations these two hold among each other.

K7xx	HD6XX
Poor imagery is typically associated with large sound stages, and they are no different. They aren’t terrible by any means; they’re fine but not particularly noteworthy.	HD6xx is also considered poor for imaging.
K7xx headphones are considered cozy and comfortable.	HD6xx are not very pleasant and press on your ears.
These headphones are considered to have more bass.	HD6xx does not have a strong bass.
These headphones are considered to be ideal for gaming due to their good bass.	HD6xx is not the one you would want to consider for gaming due to its poor bass.

AKG K7XX vs Sennheiser HD6XX

The first difference is how comfortable the Sennheiser HD6xx is to wear. They seem lighter, and as a bonus, the cushioned headband barely even applies pressure to the top of your head. 

On the contrary, AKG K7xx headphones feel slightly weighty but not bothersome on the neck, so you occasionally need to adjust them.

It’s difficult to tell the difference in sound between the two while they’re both using the Schiit unit, but switching between them gives the HD6xx a little more immersive sound as if you were actually in the song rather than just listening to it through headphones if that makes any sense.

We have been listening to various music in the music collection, including electronic, pop, jazz, classical, new age, choral, alternative rock, rap, etc. 

Hence, we kept switching between the AKGs on the Mayflower unit and the Sennheisers on the tiny Schiit. We concur with many others who believe the Sennheisers sound somewhat superior to the AKG headphones. 

Although the Sennheisers have more bass than the AKGs, both produce excellent, relatively neutral sound, precisely what we prefer in speakers and headphones.

Comfort

Give the K7xx a clear advantage in terms of comfort. These headphones are quite cozy. The Hd6xx is less pleasant and tends to press slightly against the ears. However, it most likely varies from person to person.

Sound

The HD6xx produces music with a smoother, cozier feel. The K7xx feels precise, but not so exact that it’s unpleasant, such as the MDR7506. Specifically, use the K7xx for studio monitor, mixing, and mastering.

Just be aware that despite the HD6xx being advertised as studio speakers, it will truly make the music bassier than it needs to be, resulting in tinnier sound production. 

Ultimately, we believe the K7xx offers incredibly clean highs that never feel strident. On them, female vocals sound fantastic. We believe that the HD6xx performs better in the mids.

The song has a rather milky, silky feeling. Both pairs of headphones have excellent bass.

Gaming and Reverb Detection

K7xx for gaming and reverb detection. Currently blending voiceover with lines from voice actors, the K7xx picks up even the smallest amount of room reverb.

You can feel every pin-drop in video games and pinpoint its exact location. It’s both terrifying and amazing. With these headphones on, you can hear each step.

Are HD650 and HD6XX the same?

A newer version of the Sennheiser HD 650, the Sennheiser HD 6XX, is only offered on the Drop webpage.

The driver architecture hasn’t changed, and both headphones sounded very neutral. The HD 6XX transmits audio more consistently, most likely because of its stronger clamping force. 

Because of their open-back designs, both headphones lack wallop and rumble, although the HD 6XX has more accurate bass. In addition, they are available in the dark blue rather than only black.

HD650

Unfit for use in sports. Although quite sturdy on the head, the Sennheiser HD650 has a hefty crucial hearing style that’s not intended for working out or jogging.

Inadequate for traveling. Their open construction spills a lot and does not prevent any background noise. They are unusable while traveling or on the go because they are bulky and lack control.

Sennheiser HD 650 headphones are marginally more comfy than Sennheiser HD 600 headphones. These headphones have broad ear cups that completely enclose most ears, just like the previous generation. 

Additionally, they have a suede-like material covering that is soft against the skin and increases their comfort level. The HiFiMan Sundara 2020’s ski-band headband style may be preferred if you desire more comfy headphones.

HD6XX

Sennheiser HD6XX is insufficient for exercise and sports. Although they are sturdy enough for informal listening periods, they are not intended for use in sports.

They may come off your head while engaging in more strenuous physical activity. These hefty over-ear headphones are passably comfy. However, they are difficult to transport when traveling.

Sennheiser HD 6XX headphones are poor for commuting and traveling. Since these passive headphones are passive, you will not be concerned about them losing power.

They do, though, emit a significant amount of sound because of their open-back design, which might irritate individuals nearby.

They can also not muffle interferences like the roar of a bus or an airplane engine or the voices of other travelers.

AKG K7XX (Massdrop) Measurement and Succinct Review

Measurements

Although we believe there is very little variance from unit to unit, we did want to make clear that this is not the precise identical device that has previously been tested.

We also employ a smaller tri-flange tip for the in-ear microphone, allowing us to cram it farther into the ear canal than before. Compared to the previous configuration, this mostly increases the treble readings, but in a manner that should make them more accurate.

Sensitivity to frequency is not all that unexpected. Overall, the sound is rather well-balanced, with a slight accent on the bass end and some uneven, occasionally peaky treble. 

Our hearing tests suggested that the lower-end softness contributed to balancing the peak, but it didn’t seem enough. Good channel synchronization.

When 1KHz is adjusted to 90dB, distortions levels are fairly good and modest. However, if you push it much more, distortion quickly increases.

The CSDs are generally clear, with a small ringing on the left at 1 kHz and the right at about 2 kHz. The faint buzzing in the uppermost areas is most likely a result of an artifact. Everything is fine overall; nothing to worry about.

Discrepant mic location and depth discrepancies were the main determinants of the somewhat difficult raw measurements. In any case, the outcomes were generally favorable. The performance of this headset is extremely reliable.

Review

We adore this pair of headphones. Although there are a few small flaws, it is generally well-balanced and suitable for various musical styles. Even the MFSL Nirvana Lithium test was passed by it.

The early K701s had a lean, chilly sound, but the 7XX did not. The tone of the 7XX is warm and full-bodied, with just a tinge of shine on metal percussion. Undoubtedly, a broad bass rise levels out and aids hide a lower-mid treble bump. 

Even yet, the bump’s characteristics seem modest. It’s obvious but not challenging. The remaining treble may be smoother but isn’t as clean as a high-quality silk dome tweeter. It is also a bit on the heavy side.

We genuinely appreciate the K701’s overall tonal balance. But what strikes me is how well it can resolve problems. It’s good. Excellent articulation, great attack save for the deeper bass, and excellent clarity. 

These are the qualities that made the K701 popular. The Z7, even with modifications, sounded dull compared to the most recent earphone we tried.

HD600 and K7XX are compatible and/or dissimilar. No higher vocal crest but lower treble peak; greater bass clarity but inferior treble.

Your sensibilities will truly determine how you feel about it. We chose the K7XX (we had to chance to get the HD600). In either case, there are compelling arguments.

K7xx Bass vs HD6xx

K7xx Bass

These headphones feature a noticeable lot more bass than the 6XXs. Additionally, it is sufficiently clear and focused on being entertaining for EDM and some lighthearted gaming. Although not the Monoprice Retro murder bass, the bass is still quite good.

HD6xx Bass

In this particular area, the 6XXs fall short. There is nothing else you can comment on other than these aren’t bassy headphones. Although they have bass, these aren’t HD600s, where the bass is hardly audible.

Thus bass heads won’t be interested in these. We find rap or hip-hop music with lots of basses to be unpleasant.

Despite the lack of any bass, it is highly tight and concentrated and has a sound that we would characterize as booming.

HE4xx Vs K7xx Vs HD6xx Gaming

HE4xx

Build

This pair of headphones is decently made. Although well-constructed and HiFiMan don’t frequently go together, they are amazing.

Due to their all-steel construction and strong plastic for the cups, they have an exceptionally stiff feel. 

Additionally, since the blue plastic used is unpainted, paint chips, a problem with the initial HiFiMan headphones, are not a concern. The headpiece is hand-stitched, has an imitation alligator skin appearance, and has a luxurious feel.

The guards are a lovely, black-coated metal as well. These feel sturdier than either the HE-560 or the HE-1000. In our view, the least expensive pair of HiFiMan’s is the finest constructed.

Comfort

With them, comfort is somewhat of a mixed bag. There is indeed no comfortable band on this vintage HiFiMan, but this is still preferable to a plain headband.

By no means are these uncomfortable; nonetheless, we believe that the headband could use a little extra padding. 

The headband’s angle of curvature contacts a significant portion of your head, which greatly aids in evenly dispersing the somewhat heavy weight.

The HiFiMan Focus A pads, composite and slanted pads, are used in very beautiful earpads.

Mid Range

These have a solid midrange. Particularly when compared to the somewhat veiled HD6XX and T-X0, which lack the echoing or weirdness of the former, it is quite forward and appealing.

Even though the HD6XX wins for having the cleanest vocals, they are still excellent. They have a minor distortion, but the texture is distinct from the K7XX’s. You will nevertheless appreciate the voices on these.

Gaming

These gaming headphones are excellent. This trio’s competitiveness is arguably at its peak here. Gunshots are kept from obscuring the mid-range, which is fairly prominent and draws up those footsteps, thanks to their slightly limited bass.

HD6xx

Build

These headphones are among the most storied in history and excellently made. Many sets of HD650s since 2003 are still being used because, in typical Sennheiser fashion, all the components feel lovely and of high quality. 

The plastics have a premium feel, and the headband is made of a nice-feeling piece of what we presume to be spring steel. These may be entirely dismantled and tweaked, just like the 650s. 

The head cushion is quite supple and soft, and the padding is very wide, what we would refer to as a “4-finger pad” (meaning you can fit four fingers of a fist in the opening of the pad). Simply put, the whole thing feels quite sturdy and well-made.

Comfort

Once the main issue is resolved, these headphones rank among the most comfortable we have ever used. Like the HD650s, the HD6XXs are renowned for having an absurdly high clamp force. We can say right away that these clamps are quite hard. 

It’s almost painful and seems to stop the blood flow to your head at some point. These won’t ever slide off your head, which is a plus.

If you are an Air Force fighter pilots who want to switch out your current headsets for a set of HD6XXs, feel free to do so. 

No matter your movements, they will not come off your head.

Mid-Range

A “Veiled” headphone is the 650s/6XXs. As a result, the vocals usually sound sunken. While we agree that this is partially true, most of this issue stems from the HD650s’ initial model, which was later modified to lessen this veil. 

Compared to certain other headphones we have tried, the vocals are a little bit muffled, but they are still amazing.

Even though they are slightly recessed, they are incredibly sharp and brilliant and never lose focus. For those who enjoy vocal-focused music, these headphones deliver good vocal performance.

Gaming

Unless you try anything better, you probably don’t realize how much you hate these for gaming. We preferred these for gaming over my M50Xs. Due to their amazing picture and good sound stage, we appreciated these in games. 

That weak bass is their main issue with video games. It gives FPS game gunshots an underwhelming sound. You can hear them but not feel them because they are lifeless. 

You can certainly feel the gunshots when using headphones with much more low bass than 6XXs. It’s like when you fire a real gun and detect the sound, yet there is zero shock wave.

K7xx

Build

These headphones are not very well constructed. They have a rather cheap appearance and are made completely of plastic. In contrast to a set of AKGs built in Austria, they had the expected plastic rattles and creaks from China. 

The headband and the rubber arch that supports it and holds the bridge wires appear to be the chain’s weakest link. These are frequently broken, and we can understand why. 

The headband has the typical AKG gravity adjustment mechanism and a strap made of imitation leather, which is rather comfortable. You wouldn’t want to put these pairs of headphones in a hard place since they would surely break.

Comfort

The comfort level of these headphones is so close to being excellent, yet it falls short. We truly appreciate the gravity adjustment method, and they are very light.

Although the headband has no cushioning, it still feels incredibly comfortable. The pads are where they fall short. 

The AKG memory cushion Anniversary pads are present in them. We understand why some individuals adore these pads; nevertheless, we despise them. Although large and rounded, no one’s ear can fit inside because they are too narrow. 

The interior of the drivers’ ears is struck, which after a little while, truly aches and makes them uncomfortable.

Mid-Range

We would still describe these headphones as being veiled. They aren’t as covert as the 6XXs, but they still don’t appear very noisy.

Additionally, the voices may use some cleaning up; they tend to sound muddy and grainy. They perform vocals passably but not in the best way possible.

Gaming

The K7XX gaming cans work okay. They outperform the HD6XXs since they have a bigger sound stage and greater bass. Nonetheless, they tend to favor enjoyable gaming headphones over competitive ones. 

They do footsteps reasonably well, although their somewhat subpar imagery hinders their precision. Even while the sound stage does a little to aid with distance judgment, they aren’t the finest. 

Although they are less accurate than the HD6XXs, we believe the smaller veil assists with poor imaging, as does the fact that the footsteps are a little louder.

Frequently Asked Questions