Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Good headphones with no amp
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Good headphones with no amp

post #1 of 18
12/11/09 at 9:47am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I'm searching for a good pair of headphone who don't need any amplifier and sound perfect for jazz, accoustic guitar, blues, dave Mathews band and some hip hop. I don't think i'll use it with computer or ipod, but in my Marantz cd player. For my ipod or computer, i will buy an other type like close headphone.

After my research on head-fi site, i find this HP:

1) Grado sr225i
2) Senn HD595
3) Audio Technica AD700

Is this Headphone work great without amp ?
Do you have any other suggestions ?
Reply
post #2 of 18
12/11/09 at 10:37am
Thread Starter 
also add this one....

4) Audio Technica AD900
Reply
post #3 of 18
12/11/09 at 12:05pm
Thread Starter 
suggestions ? no ?
Reply
post #4 of 18
12/11/09 at 3:15pm
Thread Starter 
bump!
Reply
post #5 of 18
12/11/09 at 3:19pm
To my ears, the esw10jpn's and the JH13's are the best headphones that can play well without amp, but with an amp they do it better....
Reply
post #6 of 18
12/11/09 at 3:19pm
I'm a Grado man, myself, and I can attest to them sounding wonderful without an amp.

Grado sr225i is my vote.
Reply
post #7 of 18
12/11/09 at 3:49pm
Nightrane..cool avatar

The Senn 595 is a decent can, the Audio-Technica options are probably more detailed and leaner and work very well unamped too. I have the ATH-AD2000 and it is very good for instrumental jazz. I wrote some comparisons in the review in my sig, you might find it useful.

I havent heard any grados so I cant comment, but by all accounts they are quite forward and have less soundstage.

The Marantz CD players are said to have quite usable headphone outs, so you should get quite enjoyable results with either of your choices. If you are going to use the can with your Cd player all the time, perhaps even consider a HD-600 if your budget permits. The Marantz onboard amp should be able to drive the HD-600 sufficiently if not optinally as a dedicated amp would.

Hope that helps
Reply
post #8 of 18
12/11/09 at 4:50pm
just like to add any grados for the most part sound good unamped, but it also depends on the headphone out. i had RS1s unamped on a macbook and they were incredibly weak. then i moved to a macbook pro, and believe it or not, one of the unmentioned differences is a much stronger HP out.
Reply
post #9 of 18
12/11/09 at 5:06pm
Another Grado fan here. They are open and I like open phones better for more airy genres like jazz, esp classic and live jazz, where there is very distinct instrument separation and lots of room between. Many people are right that Grado does not have a great sense of soundstage, but for live stuff, esp intimate jazz and accoustic, most Grados put you right there on the stage hearing the bassist's fingers rub the strings.

And then when you move to pop and rock genres, almost nothing does rock guitars as good as Grados. And the SR-225i is highly esteemed in the Grado line here on Head-fi.
Reply
post #10 of 18
12/11/09 at 7:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GuyDebord View Post
To my ears, the esw10jpn's and the JH13's are the best headphones that can play well without amp, but with an amp they do it better....
Thank you...but my budget is less than 350$. But esw10jpn looks terrific
Reply
post #11 of 18
12/12/09 at 11:38am
Thread Starter 
Anyone know how is the HD595 without an amplifier for mostly jazz and rock ?
Reply
post #12 of 18
12/12/09 at 2:07pm
The HD595 can be driven unamplified by iPods and MP3 players....its just not quite up there with the best at that range.

If you're looking for an unamp'd experience, you really need a pair of high pressure driven headphones like the Sennheiser HD25MkIIs. To my ears, the HD25MkIIs sound better than the HD595 unamp'd in terms of bass response and depth and tautness. The HD25MkIIs have superior attack speed and the bass is separated in the soundstage better. The HD595s are good, but you're not getting the best out of it without amp. or Cardas/Zu cable modification.

Amplified, there's no competition - the HD595 sound great. The HD25MkIIs are way more comfortable and modest looking - the most lightweight high end monitoring type earphones. But it depends if you liked closed back or not. I do because there is always background noise, so the closed back actually works better for me in my environment.

It might be different for you in Quebec. Can't comment about jazz - I don't listen to it.
Reply
post #13 of 18
12/12/09 at 2:10pm
IMHO don't even try the 595 unamped. Go for Grados. Although I'm not sure how powerful that Marantz amp is, it may be plenty....
Reply
post #14 of 18
12/12/09 at 2:39pm
Denon 2000's without a doubt
Reply
post #15 of 18
12/13/09 at 10:49pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you all....

GO with the Audio Technica ad700....less expensive.......i'm gonna buy more music with balance....
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Good headphones with no amp