EPTPeople have recommended that I buy an amp, but I really don't want to spend the money if it's only going to be for clarity (these are the first decent headphones I've ever had, so they already sound amazing to me). I just want to boost the volume, but just going louder isn't really enough of a reason to put out around $100, especially if it's only a small amount. How much louder could I go if I decided to get one?
Headphone enthusiast thread! - Page 32
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0mgVitaminE
United States1278 Posts
People have recommended that I buy an amp, but I really don't want to spend the money if it's only going to be for clarity (these are the first decent headphones I've ever had, so they already sound amazing to me). I just want to boost the volume, but just going louder isn't really enough of a reason to put out around $100, especially if it's only a small amount. How much louder could I go if I decided to get one? | ||
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Myrmidon
United States9452 Posts
On December 26 2010 03:26 Breadwinner wrote: I live in a small dorm room and the quiet rules for my dorm can be strict sometimes, so I really like the idea of investing in a pair of quality headphones. Here's my only concern; I don't want to give up listening to music with other people, especially my girlfriend. Is it possible to maintain good audio quality if I try to listen through a headphone splitter? Does anyone have any suggestions for the right brand of splitter to turn to? Or is there a more creative solution that I should know about? Thanks for your help. I don't think using a splitter should make much of a difference in sound quality, but maybe there's some problem or effect I'm forgetting that would happen to a parallel load like that. All adapters, splitters, and cables are pretty much the same in terms of audio quality (i.e. none make a difference), though there are differences in build quality and price. A bigger concern is that all headphones would getting the same signal from the source. If the two headphones don't have the same specs, what's coming out of one set may be much louder or softer than what's coming out of the other. This is particularly the case for most higher-end headphones compared to most earbuds or higher-end IEMs. In an extreme example, some IEMs may be upwards of 40 dB louder than old studio monitor headphones. But I think you could just use an impedance adapter or in-line volume control on one of the ends. Or you could get one of those multi-channel amps you see in the pro audio world, like the Behringer HA-400 (about $20). Those have an input and multiple outputs, where each output has its own buffer and volume control dial. Note that most of these products use 1/4" TRS connectors, so you may need some 1/4" to 1/8" adapters (should be no more than $1 per). On December 26 2010 04:00 Carefoot wrote: I ordered an AKG 701 here in Korea - I use to own a used pear which use to bug out occasionally and to have a new pair of these for my own is an absolute treat to look forward too. Here is the headphone amp I ordered: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190456128930&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT Will this be suffient or am I being too cheap? I have a full fledged amp in my home in Canada which I can use if this is junk. But maybe it will work out who knows. Fuck I love nice cans. Team AKG gogo? I have K601s.  Anyhow, the Fiio E5 is actually not a no-name product. Some people seem to really like it as a sub-$20 portable value amp. That said, it only boosts volumes by a max of something like 3 dB. Used with some sources, it may actually make your setup sound worse. Try it out and let us know! But I think it's unlikely that you will be satisfied using the product and unsatisfied not using the product. I think it's more likely that you either like the sound with or without it, or you don't like the sound with or without it. On December 26 2010 04:47 decafchicken wrote: got some fresh scratch/amazon gift card for Christmas. looking for headphones with great bass and suited mostly for electronic(trance) and some hip hop music at around 100. would it be worth it to get a sound card/amp for said headphones as well? I could spend up to 150 on both. Audio-Technica ATH-M50. They're closed, foldable, and good with bass. Also, they're supposed to do well without expensive amplification. Amazon recently bumped up the price from $110 to $130, but I think even $130 is an okay price. If you want to try a budget soundcard with the rest of the budget, the Asus Xonar DG ($25) is advertised as having a dedicated headphone amp section. If you want to take the plunge, be sure to report back and let us know how it goes. | ||
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hifriend
China7935 Posts
On December 26 2010 04:47 decafchicken wrote: got some fresh scratch/amazon gift card for Christmas. looking for headphones with great bass and suited mostly for electronic(trance) and some hip hop music at around 100. would it be worth it to get a sound card/amp for said headphones as well? I could spend up to 150 on both. Like above poster I recommend the ATH-M50's. Those cans are the best I've ever had and I'm simply in love with them, I listen to similar music as well. I would watch out for certain small and cheap webstores tho as there are a fair amount of fakes floating around the internets, and if you want to spend on a good pair of cans you might as well get the real thing. So do some research on the store before you order. Gl! | ||
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Myrmidon
United States9452 Posts
On December 26 2010 05:01 0mgVitaminE wrote: I just got Akg k240 studio's for christmas today, loving how comfortable they are and how they sound. Only problem is that they seem a little quiet. People have recommended that I buy an amp, but I really don't want to spend the money if it's only going to be for clarity (these are the first decent headphones I've ever had, so they already sound amazing to me). I just want to boost the volume, but just going louder isn't really enough of a reason to put out around $100, especially if it's only a small amount. How much louder could I go if I decided to get one? K240 Studios are definitely among the quieter consumer headphones, outside some of the 300+ ohms high-end stuff. Do you need portability? For just computer use, you can try the Asus Xonar DG ($25, PCI slot). For some reason, I'm currently unable to find max output power stats or what the driver op amp is, but it's got to be a lot stronger than onboard sound or a portable player. In the very least, it advertises itself as handling headphones up to 150 ohms. | ||
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Stoids
United States636 Posts
On December 26 2010 04:47 decafchicken wrote: got some fresh scratch/amazon gift card for Christmas. looking for headphones with great bass and suited mostly for electronic(trance) and some hip hop music at around 100. would it be worth it to get a sound card/amp for said headphones as well? I could spend up to 150 on both. You'll want some good closed headphones. Plenty of suggestions around here. Audio Technica A700 or 900, Sennheiser HD280 Pros, etc. I'm going to agree with what the person above stated. There's very little advantage of buying a headset. Besides convenience, they offer little much else. The comfort and sound quality is usually overpriced for what you are getting. You are better off buying nice audiophile headphones for about 100 dollars and using either a desk mic, or if you really want modding you headphone. Avoid buying headsets with USB, as usually the sound will have hissing and be unpleasant. It amazes me how popular Turtle Beach is. If you've ever used a desk mic + audiophile headphones, I don't think you could ever go back to a headset. Mod for AD700 Mic: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/490831/my-elegant-ad700-boom-mic-mod | ||
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57 Corvette
Canada5941 Posts
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zickoray
United States366 Posts
![[image loading]](http://www.straightenersale.com/images/bose-on-ear-headphones.jpg) | ||
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gulati
United States2241 Posts
On December 26 2010 04:08 Khol wrote: My price range has went up to 150$ + now. Is the quality of music that bad on the SENNHEISER PC166? I can't use anything but a USB headset, so it limits my selection. If there is a better USB headset for gaming/music/mic let me know! It may be a bit to ask for, but I'm also searching everyday. Are there any recommended Audio Technica USB headsets? Or is it better to go with the SENNHEISER PC166 Any thoughts on the Audio Technica ATH-750COM USB Headset? I have so many questions :D It depends on your need to have a microphone. If you don't need a microphone, get the Sennheiser HD 518/558 with a cheap 7.1 Soundcard, and just pop the 6.3 -> 3.5mm adapter into the external USB soundcard, then into your computer. Might be a bit inconvenient, but your ears will thank you for it. If you need a microphone, go with the PC166. As I said, it's a 90%. They are killer gaming headphones. I just currently use Audiophile headphones with the best soundcard on the market, so my judgement on 'high-end audio' is different than most. Get the PC166 for an all-around solution to music, gaming, and communication. Or, get the HD 518/558 for an even better solution, but you sacrifice convenience and portability. Hope this helped. | ||
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FragKrag
United States11567 Posts
 They sound a lot more colored than my HD 280s and have better bass :o | ||
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decafchicken
United States20176 Posts
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Yammiez
Canada186 Posts
Been using my Sleek SA6 earbuds for a couple of years now. I still love them, but they get a little irratating after many hours of constant use. These headphones are huge! and are really comfortable. This is my first time with a 'decent' / 'good' set of open headphones, and I'm surprised that they actually let ALL the sound through, so it's as if I'm not even wearing them. Now I need to get myself a FIIO E7 for my mp3 player and laptop (unless somebody suggests something otherwise?) | ||
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Psykologen
Norway16 Posts
![[image loading]](http://pleer.ru/i/p/15380/15380.jpg) | ||
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Stoids
United States636 Posts
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decafchicken
United States20176 Posts
On December 26 2010 09:22 Stoids wrote: Just ordered the Asus Xonar DG off Newegg. Going to be using them with my AD700's. I'll let you know if there's any noticeable difference in sound. Please do, Im thinking about getting one | ||
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Myrmidon
United States9452 Posts
But if you try it out, be sure to report back on your impressions! | ||
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Kyhol
Canada2575 Posts
On December 26 2010 06:17 gulati wrote: It depends on your need to have a microphone. If you don't need a microphone, get the Sennheiser HD 518/558 with a cheap 7.1 Soundcard, and just pop the 6.3 -> 3.5mm adapter into the external USB soundcard, then into your computer. Might be a bit inconvenient, but your ears will thank you for it. If you need a microphone, go with the PC166. As I said, it's a 90%. They are killer gaming headphones. I just currently use Audiophile headphones with the best soundcard on the market, so my judgement on 'high-end audio' is different than most. Get the PC166 for an all-around solution to music, gaming, and communication. Or, get the HD 518/558 for an even better solution, but you sacrifice convenience and portability. Hope this helped. It has helped me greatly. Thanks for your enthusiasm. | ||
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gulati
United States2241 Posts
On December 26 2010 06:22 FragKrag wrote: Got a pair of HD 555 for Christmas and I'm loving them They sound a lot more colored than my HD 280s and have better bass :o You, my friend, are a smart man. P.S. I can teach you a nifty little trick on how to make your 555's sound like 595's/598's. Just youtube "555 modification". It is the first video. Be prepared to "o.O" | ||
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Kewlots
Australia534 Posts
![[image loading]](http://www.getprice.com.au/images/uploadimg/1511/350_HD418__85814_std.jpg) My girlfriend got me these bad boys for Christmas their relatively cheap 90$ au does anyone know if there anygood ?? There hd418 sennhieser | ||
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unDef
United States85 Posts
Can somebody please explain why the community regards Turtle Beach's PC headsets as garbage? And preferably if possible, the HPA 2s with 5.1. | ||
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decafchicken
United States20176 Posts
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