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Massdrop x AKG K7XX Audiophile Headphones

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Massdrop x AKG K7XX Audiophile Headphones

Name: Massdrop x AKG K7XX Audiophile Headphones
Brand: Drop
SKU: akg-k7xx-massdrop-first-edition-headphones
Price: 200 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.271226 (424 reviews)

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Product Description

Our first custom headphones ever, the Massdrop x AKG K7XX have been an enduring community favorite since they first launched more than two years ago. Since then, they’ve received praise from Head-Fi, Super Best Audio Friends, Z Reviews, and more for offering a rare value in the world of open-back cans Read More

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overview

specs

reviews424

photos47

q&a11

discussions12.9K

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Drop+Audiophile

3499

Official

Nov 6, 2019

Is this a good gaming headphone?

Answer

fvgoulet

Dec 12, 2019

I assume that when people ask this question, they generally plan to play competitive games. Taking that into account alter a lot on the way I answer this question. I also completely omit any gaming headset of my alternatives lists because why would someone consider the AKG K7XX for gaming competitively anyway. The AKG K7XX are straight flat. Which means you can do whatever you want with them but they are designed to be flat (no emphasis on any sound frequency whatsoever). If you want to adapt them for gaming, you must/should amplify the mid and highs with an equalizer. Next you should have an amplifier to drive them to their full potential, which is another extra you have to consider if you don't already have one. It depends on a lot of factors, but I would say there is a lot of contenders that sells for less than half the price of the AKG K7XX that have better gaming features out of the box and that dont require any amplifier to drive them properly:

Audio Technica ATH-AD500(x,z) (Godly soundstage at the price and emphasized on mid and highs, lacks bass a lot IMO)
Audio Technica ATH-AD700(x,z) (Very similar to the ATH-AD500 but slightly better)
Beyerdynamics DT990(Very Good soundstage at the price and emphasized on mid and highs + Well rounded for electronic music genres and guitar centric type too)
And so on... There is so much more headphones to consider before the AKG 7XX that are better without any alterations at this price point (200$ USD)

For options requiring an amplifier that costs less and that are more suited for gaming out of the box:

Hifiman HE4XX or Hifiman HE400i (They are a little bit different but both are very good well rounders for gaming and listening to music)
So on again... there is a lot of alternatives

To be clear, when the question "Is this a good gaming headphone" is asked, the sub-questions generated are "is there good soundstage on these" and "does the sound signature of these is emphasized on mid and highs so the gamers easily detect footsteps and positional sound queues". The soundstage is important to pinpoint where sound and in-game noises are coming from and the sound signature emphasized on mids/highs helps you in detecting sounds like footsteps and sound queues that could help you know the position in space of an enemy in FPS. For other game types than FPS, I don't really see the point to focus on these sound features as you don't really need positional audio. Keep in mind that communication is key in any game that let you cooperate with other players. All of these headphones mentioned above don't have a built-in microphone. Even if you CAN add a microphone like the Antlion ModMic or the Massdrop MiniMic to a pair of headphones lacking a microphone, this is yet another feature missing from gaming headphones that have a built-in microphone. As of the "open-back" characteristic of all of the above-mentioned headphones, this is a major "issue" if you plan to bring them at a LAN party or a competition. Open-back means they leak sound as much as external sound can be heard when you put them on. This means that if there is a lot of noises around you when you are gaming with these on, you'll probably have a hard time hearing what's going on in your game. In short, they are good for when you game in a quiet room where you don't want to leak too much noise nor be submerged in external noises. If you plan to play in a quiet room with these on, they have a very good soundstage though. TL;DR: No. Considering their price point and their basic features they are not good for gaming by themselves and out of the box. You need expensive other acquisitions (external microphone, amplifier) and equalize them quite a bit to adjust them to game competitively. Side note: I personally find them overpriced, cheaply made and boring. I had to resolder the wiring inside the right driver and had to change the pads to make them comfortable. Even after that I prefer my Hifiman HE400i in general and without any alteration, which I bought new for 130 USD. I wish I tried the Hifiman HE400i before buying the AKG K7XX. They are just better at everything I throw at them.

(Edited)

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Ryloguy

Mar 12, 2020

I have some big a** ears and I had to replace the pads on my M50X's so they wouldn't rub against the side of my ear. Can anyone else with big ears advocate for the comfort of these with stock pads?

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Answer

Doublecrossed_Swine

Jul 3, 2020

The memory foam pads on the 702's that these clone are amazing but if you have long ears your best bet is probably the senheiser style.

Nov 6, 2019

What does it mean that these are open back?

Answer

jujubu

Dec 12, 2019

The enclosure is open, allowing the drivers to move air easier, which can help with better bass and wider sound stage. It also keeps your ears from getting as hot, but it's really more for the sound, not the comfort. The flip side of open back is that you'll also hear any external noise, and everyone around you will hear whatever you're listening to, so it's bad for both quiet and noisy environments with other people. These are meant for isolated listening.

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ORMOLU

Apr 7, 2021

Hi. Any option for NO LEATHER? If not may I send that part back? I will make my own synthetic strap if necessary. VEGAN products are much appreciated. Thanks.

Vote

Answer

Evshrug

4216

Apr 7, 2021

These have been out of stock for a loooong time... I think they were discontinued when Samsung bought AKG. I don’t know about a head-strap for AKG, but I do know Dekoni offers third party velour and vegan “choice leather” pads that don’t come from animal products, and they make pads for most headphones. Sennheiser headphones on this site (HD 58X Jubilee, HD 6XX, HD 8xx) don’t use leather, most of their products are resin/polymer, metal, and velour. Help me learn: is silk OK by vegans?

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Nov 6, 2019

What is the difference between these, the K702, and the K712?

Vote

Answer

jujubu

Dec 12, 2019

There's a great review on Head-Fi comparing these. I just picked up the AKG K712 Pro today, and am comparing them to the K7XX. The K712 Pro has a bit more detail, but it's not immediately noticeable. You have to really pay attention. I find the bass goes deeper on the K7XX, and the mids are more recessed on the K712 Pro. This may change as they break in, though. For the price difference, I would just get the K7XX. It's basically the K702 65th Anniversary Edition, and is close enough to the K712 Pro that I'm not sure it justifies the price difference unless you can find the K712 Pro on sale for almost half off (like it is right now).

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