Only recommendation is to see a certified fitter and see which of the 716 irons best suits your game.  Only way to know for sure and for you to enjoy the game more.   

Davis, Chuck is making a good point however in the absence of a fitter I think the biggest differences are the sole / turf interaction of each iron...very different feel plus the AP1's are larger and have thicker toplines so they may or may not be attractive at address.

Just a couple points...I am about the same hdcp and play AP2's with no problem...my son plays AP1's and they are not for me, IMHO

I echo what Chuck said! It makes such a difference to get fitted! 

I had the AP1's (714).  I played them for 1 year but I found them really clunky.  They looked huge next to the ball, it threw me off.  I since switched to the AP2's and I like them much better.  I'm an 11 handicap, and the AP2's don't hurt me.  In fact I've played way better with the AP2's.

As the other guys said, get fitted.

I agree always get fitt!!! but also don't let handicap be the judge of irons that you get. I have a friend who plays blades and hits the ball great at a 10 but his handicap is from around the green and the risk he takes. I have seen him shot even and close to par several times. My opinion get fit and find the one that works best and feels the greatest it doesnt matter what it is. Feel and look are just as important as what the club does.If you dont like the club your hitting you will never hit it good.

Sounds like a trip to your local fitter is in order. It is more than just the head, you need to be sure that you get the proper shafts too.

Hey Rob,

Glad you posted this.  I'm about the same HCP and currently playing the 714 AP1s.  I agree they look a little clunky but doesn't bother me as much.  But the AP2s just look sexy and willing to check these out... 

I should have added the AP1's are about a club shorter for me.

Here is my two cents worth to your response. I have played AP2 irons for several years and I am switching to teh AP1.

Titleist did an amazing job with the 716 AP1 series...not as bulky as the 714 AP1 line and lofts are stronger. I just got fitted today and they are so much easier to swing and the launch, distance and sound are not a distraction. You have to get the rigt saft and I chose the KBS Tour V Stiff. I had to really concentrate to hit the 716 AP2, the heads in my opinion are getting smaller. I am a 4.5 index and I can't wait for the 716 AP1 to arrive. 

Get fitted!

You want forgiveness in your irons, but you also need the forged feel so I recommend the ap2 irons if u have problems with your irons then those are workable. 

Only thing I can tel you is to get fitted. They will make sure you have the right iron heads and shafts for you and your swing.

I would go with the 716 AP2 not the AP1.  The issue for me is lofts.  The AP1 pitching wedge is 43 degrees.  The AP2 is 46 degrees.

Basically, Titleist has done a TM with the AP1 by making each club about a club more.  So the AP1 wedge is the same as the AP2 9 iron etc.  This stronger loft in a new design, bouncier head is then combined with the normal shaft for a wedge.  So you end up with a stronger loft, better launch for your wedge but a distance that is closer to your 9 iron.  The net result is that you think "Wow, my 7 iron goes a club further".  But wait and think about it.  If everything goes a club further, you are going to need an extra wedge (let's call it the gap gap wedge) in between your PW and your normal gap wedge.  Funnily enough, it needs to be a club that goes the same distance as your normal PW.  For me, that makes no sense at all.  I'd rather stick to the normal bag of lofts and have my normal wedge set up, even if it removes bragging rights that I'd get by having a 7 iron that goes 180 yards...

The AP2 is a lovely club. It has decent lofts so there are no surprises.  It is very forgivable, nice to look down on and I'm sticking with that.