Just picked up a pair of K701s recently (my second time owning them). I have a recabled pair this time and I can't really say if that makes a difference or not but I think they are keepers now. I do agree that they need a half decent amp to sound good. After listening to these for 2 weeks I can say that these headphones sound like they try to stay out of the way as much as possible..almost as if they are indifferent to the music. I have the K1000 and K340 and after using the K701 and switching to either phone I really notice their strengths and weaknesses (K340 - amazing mids and very natural sounding but soundstage not as open ; K1000 - sounds faster, more engaging, soundstage is bigger, but the bass though punchy does not extend as low).