K701

K701 for me did the trick since they first came out. It was like a whole different experience. That soundstage!! Never tried Q701 but I've tried a lot of AKGs later on and I really like them. Sadly all of them with this headband style are slowly going bad (elastic bands wearing off and plastic sliders cracking making noises etc) and after years they're a bit uncomfortable.

I’d be interested to hear how they stack up to the HD630VB headphones that were released about 10 years ago. I have the HD630VB and I LOVE them but reviewers and audiophiles at the time completely ripped them apart. I think the “variable bass” aspect angered some purists but it’s actually really useful to be able to fine tune the bass response sometimes. The fixed cable was also a complaint, which obviously won’t be an issue with the HDB630. To me, the HD630VB sound better than AKG K701 and Airpods Max for what it’s worth. I still use them all the time because you can just chuck them about or fold them up and put them in your bag. They do look pretty tacky though, which might have contributed to the poor reviews.

I will say AKG K701 great sounding cans, the cons: open ones (no much Isolation, in and out) and they need power... not necessarily bestial tube audiophile amps but not cheap DAP direct out.

I'm with the op here I've tried the 600, 6xx, 650 660 didn't like any of them... Just incredibly boring and zero energy anywhere in the bass or treble... I didn't think they had any musicality what so ever. But what do I know. Hifiman sundaras were dry and extremely clinical to me as well so I don't recommend them at all.. for around 500 personally speaking if you want reference get some Sony mdr-7506 and a decent k11 or something and call it a day. I've personally been using akg for close to 20 years as a reference headphone k701, before that k-240 , and a few others. If you want something with more musicality try meze 105 aer or something like that. Also please stop using the dragonfly there's so much better out there for cheap

My setup for tarkov is the same one I use for music production. B650 -> DX1 DAC -> Pioneer SA510 -> AKG K701

Headsets are often very overrated. Separate headphone and mic are far superior and often cheaper as a combo too. And you can swap out either, whenever. Beyer is great as people said, but personally I use AKGs (K701 and K545) for headphones, and some cheapo Trust (Netherlands) mic but it's still much better than non-standalone mics. *AKG is Austrian and used to be made in Austria, but now made in China. Idk what to think of their new headphones tho (mine are 12+ years old), but I hear they have excellent mics.

IMO, the Sundara is the better all-rounder, but the AKG K701 has a larger soundstage. That said, if you had room in your budget, I would just spend a little more to get an Edition XS over the AKG K701. It does the spacious detailed type of sound in a more refined way.