The search for the perfect headphones can feel like a never-ending journey.

And since everyone has different tastes, its impossible for someone else to recommend the perfect cans for you.

But world be damned, Ive found mine, and Im never giving them up.

Get sucked into the world of headphones by buying something a little more expensive.

Then maybe your tastes change, or you get bored, and you get something even more expensive.

Then maybe you get a headphone amp.

But my search is over.

The pads are made of this weird hard foam.

You wouldnt think its comfortable, but it is.

Which only contributes to its lightnessit feels perfectly sized every time.

(The headband is uncomfortable, but well get to that in a bit.)

By that, I mean it doesnt have particularly over-emphasized bass, midrange, or treble.

This is not a headphone for bass heads.

Flat headphones are most popular with fans of classical music and jazz.

Most people are familiar with closed headphones, which isolate you from outside sound.

It has an enormous soundstage.

If soundstage sounds like a stupid audiophile buzzword to you, then you arent aloneI thought the same thing.

Until I heard the Q701.

It is the headphone that finally made me realize what that word meant.

Some will love it, some will hate it.

That last item is what really separates the Q701 from other headphones.

Some may find it overly analytical or robotic, but I feel just the opposite.

It made me want to bang my head and groove every time I put it on.

And two years later, it still makes me feel that way.

Im driving mine with anAudioengine D1, though there are cheaper options out there as well.

How I Made Up for the Q701s Shortcomings with DIY Mods

No set of headphones is perfect.

I solved both of these problems with DIY mods.

The bass was quite simple to fix, thanks to Head-Fi usermms6.

Just stick them in the holes andgently twist counterclockwiseas shown here.

The Q701 already has a piece of felt there.

Grab that and cut one or two circles the same size from a piece of microfiber.

I used the black cloth that comes with Macs and iPhones.

Fixing the Q701s headband was a bit more of a challenge.

The stock headband has thesehorrible hard bumpsalong the top.

So whats a soft-headed nerd to do?

This was no easy task.

I cut my finger in two places.

I do not recommend this method.)

And now my headphones are perfect for both my head and my ears.

But if you have a vastly different budget, there are other similar headphones out there.

Most obvious would be the Q701s cousins: AKGsK612,K701,K702,K712, andK7XX from Massdrop.

The HD600 in particular is probably tied for my all-time favorite headphone, but costs significantly more.

After all, headphones are extremely subjective.

All it takes is the following:

Know what you want.

Explore different headphone models.

Once you know what you want, find a similar model within your price range.

Remember the Q701 alternatives I listed at all those different price points?

Youll find the same lines exist with most headphone brands.

Dont be afraid to get your hands dirty.

Plus, theyll also take away that itching desire for something new.

Doing a mod is like having a new set of headphones to play with all over again.

Of course, I cant truly know whatll happen in the future.

Maybe 10 years from now my tastes will change.

Or maybe my Q701 will finally break and Ill find something better.

But the more I try other headphones, the more I become enamored with what I already have.

And if they died on me today, Id buy another pair in a heartbeat.