I replaced the pads on my AKG Q701 headphones today for the 4th time. It made me realize that I’ve used these headphones for at least 40 hours a week for 14 years straight. I’ve had to repair the left side speaker solder joint a few times, but they’re designed to be easily torn down and repaired. Truly BIFL headphones.

I’ve heard that the newer AKG K702 headphones are identical but I can’t vouch for that. They go for around $250.

  • aing@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    1 month ago

    ATH-AD700 from 2009.

    Still using it when playing FPS games. Still with original pads since using generic pads will change the sound. Can’t find pads replacement with original shape. Never have problem with cable and driver.

  • JordanZ@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    1 month ago

    My Q701 and K550 both recabled to have a 4 pin mini XLR connector. They’re both over 10 years old and still going strong. They don’t really leave this room so wear and tear is minimal.

  • InFerNo@lemmy.mlEnglish
    0·
    1 month ago

    I have Beyerdynamic DT990 Pros because they’re so repairable. Changed the pads a few times and recently, after over a decade, I modded it to have a removable cable as the old cable’s connector started to misbehave.

    I used to use steelseries headsets but they kept breaking in similar ways and just wanted some decent quality, repairable headphones.

    Can definitely recommend. Sound is amazing.

    • Underfreyja@lemmy.caEnglish
      0·
      1 month ago

      When I was playing Counter-Strike a lot, I got into Steel Series because a lot of the players used it and EVERYTHING broke sooo fast… Like I would play around 30 hours a week so that was… a lot but still. My Steelseries mice would last me a couple of months, my headsets half a year. I would RMA them and the RMA would break super fast too… Only good thing about them nowadays are the XL Mouse Mats…

      Nowadays, in terms of gaming stuff, I’m back to a mix of Corsair & Logitech.

  • zod000@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
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    1 month ago

    I’d had a pair of K702s, and yes, the whole family is more or less just slight tweaks (K701, K701, K712, K7XX, Q701). I did have a part that kept wearing out though, the little elastic bands that let it auto adjust. They sell the part cheap, but since you need to order them from AKG, the shipping was killing me. I ended up modding them to not longer auto adjust but just fit my head specifically.

    Edit: I’d like to shout out to Beyerdynamic for also being on this “headphones that just won’t die” train. My DT-770s are easily as old as OPs.

  • Psythik@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    1 month ago

    I have the Chinese clone version of these, Superlux HD681-AIR. They’re only $25-30 but have flat mids, deep (but not overwhelming) bass that extends below 20Hz, and slightly siblant highs that can be fixed in EQ—but what really sells them for me is the perfect soundstage and imaging. You get amazing 3D audio from two drivers with no fancy software gimmicks required. In games you can pinpoint sounds with millimeter precision. And naturally this (along with the excellent bass response) makes them ideal for music and movies as well. It’s A near perfect headphone for the gaming/entertainment PC.

    No joke, I’ve bought and returned $500 planar magnetic headphones that didn’t sound as good as these. That said, I’d recommend getting a good pair of velour earpads because the ones in the box are flimsy and cause ear pain. But for the price it is impossible to do better.

    https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/brand-superlux/hd681-air/

    https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/superlux/hd-681 (this review is for the older, non AIR model but the two headphones are identical, other than a resistor added to the drivers in the AIR version to help address the siblance issue.)

  • zer0bitz@lemmy.worldEnglish
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    1 month ago

    That’s awesome. I’ve had my AKG K371s for about 5 years now. I replaced the ear cups once because they were in such bad condition. Otherwise, they’ve been the best headphones I’ve ever owned.

  • Crozekiel@lemmy.zipEnglish
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    1 month ago

    It’s crazy how good headphones can be when you just buy a good set from a good audio brand. I am ashamed of how much money I spent on “gaming” headsets that wouldn’t even make it a year and had shit microphones and audio quality in general. About 10 years ago I bought a pair of AudioTechnica open air headphones and I love them so much, and they still work exactly like the day I got them. Comfortable to wear all day too.

  • quick_snail@feddit.nlEnglish
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    1 month ago

    Any headphones without a replaceable cable is just trash.

    Usually the phones last forever. Its the cable that’s the weak point

    • Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
      0·
      1 month ago

      For sure, I’ve replaced the cable on this set a few times due to getting tangled in chair wheels or my kitten chewing on the cord

    • JordanZ@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      1 month ago

      Little bit of dremeling and most headphones can be changed.

      Stock K550’s didn’t have a detachable cord. Later variants did. I usually recable them so I can use them with all my amps.

      Not the prettiest cause my hand slipped and made a gouge and time has scuffed it from plugging/unplugging but it’s been fine for 10+ years.

      I also swapped out the 3 pin for 4 pin on a similar set as the OPs as well.

        • JordanZ@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0·
          1 month ago

          They are 4-pin mini-xlr on my headphones. The Q701 had a 3 pin variant originally. Most headphones wire the ground wires from both drivers together. 4 pins instead keeps them separate. I can then use different cables to either keep them 4 pins or merge them again into three pin.

          The reason for this is I have certain amps that only work with them being separated.