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Audio Technica ATH-A700 Amped?

post #1 of 11
4/8/10 at 1:48am
Thread Starter 
I ordered my Audio Technica ATH-A700 headphones through Amazon.com. But I was also wondering if I should get an AMP with these headphones? Would I notice better sound quality with an amp? Thanks!

I planned to get these amps:

FiiO E5 Headphone Amplifier
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post #2 of 11
4/8/10 at 1:53am
A700 doesn't need an amp as it can be easily driven. I've amped my pair of A700's and haven't noticed any sound improvements as they sound good straight out of the box.
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post #3 of 11
4/8/10 at 2:26am
I used that combo for a while.

The E5 isn't a good amp at all, unfortunately. I do disagree with warubozu, however. They benefit greatly from good amping to my ears (I'm using the XM5 as my portable rig)

Good luck! The A700 is a greatly under-appreciated can IMO.
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post #4 of 11
4/8/10 at 2:34am
Thread Starter 
So are you saying that an amp makes an enormous difference? I'm fairly new to headphones and this would be my first pair of expensive headphones ^_^ Think I would even notice any difference at all?
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post #5 of 11
4/8/10 at 2:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chickenalfredo View Post
So are you saying that an amp makes an enormous difference? I'm fairly new to headphones and this would be my first pair of expensive headphones ^_^ Think I would even notice any difference at all?
No, it's not enormous, per se. In essence, the bass is tighter and the treble becomes more controlled and detailed. To me, it's the little things that make the difference. If it's your first pair, I wouldn't worry about it until you're more seasoned. What are you playing them from?

Also, save yourself a few bucks and forgo the E5. It's junk, trust me.
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post #6 of 11
4/8/10 at 2:59am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by clarinetman View Post
No, it's not enormous, per se. In essence, the bass is tighter and the treble becomes more controlled and detailed. To me, it's the little things that make the difference. If it's your first pair, I wouldn't worry about it until you're more seasoned. What are you playing them from?

Also, save yourself a few bucks and forgo the E5. It's junk, trust me.
Oh okay, thanks a lot clarinetman. I played clarinet in symphonic band in high school haha. Anyways, I'm playing them from my iPod Touch 2nd gen lol. Or with my speakers at home (Logitech speakers).
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post #7 of 11
4/8/10 at 3:07am
Oh that's cool! It's a great instrument! I'm in a couple of youth symphonies around my state right now and we're going to China this summer... It should be awesome.

I digress.

They should play fine out of either of the aforementioned, a friend of mine has a 1st gen and they're fine with that.
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post #8 of 11
4/8/10 at 3:11am
Thread Starter 
Lol yeah I had fun in symphonic band, hardest part was memorizing the 12 scales. Glad to hear that your going to China haha. How much did you have to fun-raise for that one? I think we all like to digress!

So some people say that the ATH-A700's aren't portable? I noticed in your portable rig that ATH-A700 is in there, along-side Ortofon e-Q7's :P
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post #9 of 11
4/8/10 at 3:24am
Well we got a killer deal on it--about $3000 for airfare plus 5-star hotels, transportation, and food. The hardest part was getting into it because the audition was for the five best youth symphonies in the state, including one that's the best regionally, but I got first chair anyways (hate to gloat ).


The A700 isn't meant to be portable, actually. They're HUGE, just FYI. I can see them out of my peripheral vision whilst on my head, if that gives you an idea.

The e-Q7 is my next portable. I'm so tired of carrying around the AT's in public, including at school, and looking mentally unstable. I just have to get the money for them now...
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post #10 of 11
4/8/10 at 3:34am
I use my A700 with my Headfive. Big difference...worthwhile to invest in an amplifier.
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post #11 of 11
11/12/10 at 4:38am

I would definitely get an amp for them. I listened to them for about a year without an amp (and rated it because its so much better than anything else I'd owned), but now I can't listen to them without an amp. The best way I can describe the improvement is that everything sounds "clearer". You can really crank up the volume without the sound (especially bass) being harsh or distorted.

 

I'd spend a bit of money on an amp, simply because you can keep using them with better headphones you might (and almost definitely will) buy in the future. I have tried some cheap amps like the E5, and all they seem to do is boost the volume on things like my Ipod whereas better ones noticeably improve the sound quality.

 

Let us know what you think about your headphones and what amp you end up getting if you haven't bought one already

 

Hope this helps.

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