This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets and everyday tools from my home in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
If the ear pads on your AKG Q701 have gone flat, replace them soon — the foam inside can crumble into a sticky dust that ends up on the headphone itself. I tried two third-party pads from Amazon Japan. The cheapest grey ones were a miss. A black pair with almost the same tapered shape as the originals, only ¥40 more, fitted and looked far better.
What I tested
- AKG Q701, which I have used for about seven or eight years
- The cheapest compatible pads I could find, in grey (¥1,259 at the time of recording)
- “K712” memory-foam compatible pads in black (¥1,299 at the time of recording)
What I found
- The old pads came off with a simple twist, but crumbling foam stuck to the headphone as I removed them. Remove them gently.
- A toothbrush worked best for cleaning, wiping the brush with alcohol as it picked up the dirt.
- The grey pads are the same thickness all round. The originals and the black pads are thicker at the top and thinner at the bottom, which sits more naturally against your head.
- The grey pads were soft and comfortable at first, but the stitching on the back was rough and the grey looked out of place on the black-and-green Q701.
- I could not hear a real difference in sound between pad types. The bigger change was comfort and a proper seal around the ear.
- When fitting, make sure every tab is in its slot before you twist. I forced one and bent a small plastic tab; I could straighten it, but it could snap.
| Cheapest pads (grey) | Black pads | |
|---|---|---|
| Price at recording | ¥1,259 | ¥1,299 |
| Shape | Even thickness | Thicker top, thinner bottom (close to the originals) |
| Feel | Very soft, honeycomb texture | Velour-like, a little firmer |
| Build | Rough stitching on the back | Better made |
| Look on the Q701 | Grey stands out | Blends in |
Who it’s for
- Good fit: owners of a Q701 (or a similar AKG model) with flattened pads
- Good fit: anyone reviving an old pair of headphones cheaply
- Not a good fit: if you want exactly the sound and fit AKG intended, buy genuine pads
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. YouTube’s auto-translated captions can help you follow along. The follow-up video, where I switch to the black pads, is here.
Limitations
I compared two third-party pads on one pair of headphones, by ear. The grey pads were shipped from overseas and took about a week to arrive. Prices are Amazon Japan’s at the time of recording.
Products
Compatible memory-foam ear pads for AKG K701/K702/Q701/K712: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Earbuds, Speakers & Audio (35) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.