HD555

Are you saying the audio quality of the HD555s is disappointing to you? I ordered a pair as well that should be here tomorrow so I can't attest to this first hand but I'd advise that you stick it out with them until you finish your amp. From what I hear, the HD555's change a great deal with burn in and there are a few mods that can be done relatively easily to increase their sound quality as well.

I've had mine for 3 days and it's beginning to come around. I don't use any sources except for my desktop stereos which is good quality. The first day, it brought chills to my spine by how bad it sounded.

Keep it on for 24 hours and see if it improves.

Btw, exactly how does yours sound?

Oh, you haven't gotten it - you just ordered it. I see, nevermind my question then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Circuitbender 

I'm saying I haven't even gotten it, but from the threads I've been reading it doesn't really meet its full potential without an amp. I am going to finish my CMOY but the thing is, it's probably not going to help much seeing as I can't get to the line-out on my Sansa anyways...

Oh, you haven't gotten them yet. Well, I hear that they don't perform at their best without proper amplification but the CMoy you're building will probably have enough power to drive them effectively.

Of course, you'll have to take my statement with a grain of salt and see for yourself when they arrive. You might be pleasantly surprised.

I've always read that they were fine without an amp.  I'm running mine straight from a cowon j3 and they sound absolutely fine to me, even with minimal burn in.  I tried it with an ipod nano>lod>fiio e5 and they sounded great too, that's like a 30$ setup only.  

I'll say you definitely didn't waste 75$  Maybe they won't reach their full potential without an amp but they're definitely fine without one.  I don't even plan on burning mine in, I'm just going to use them normally and in a month or 2 they'll be even better.  Maybe then one day I'll be bored and I'll do the soundstage mod too.  I don't see any reason to max out your headphones the instant you get them, you'll just get bored of them faster and possibly get upgraditis.  

I think this thread is a bit of pointless obsessing based on no evidence of anything whatsoever.

Wait.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by mythe 

I've always read that they were fine without an amp.  I'm running mine straight from a cowon j3 and they sound absolutely fine to me, even with minimal burn in.  I tried it with an ipod nano>lod>fiio e5 and they sounded great too, that's like a 30$ setup only.  

 

I'll say you definitely didn't waste 75$  Maybe they won't reach their full potential without an amp but they're definitely fine without one.  I don't even plan on burning mine in, I'm just going to use them normally and in a month or 2 they'll be even better.  Maybe then one day I'll be bored and I'll do the soundstage mod too.  I don't see any reason to max out your headphones the instant you get them, you'll just get bored of them faster and possibly get upgraditis.  

Mine get plenty loud without an amp, but they just sound terrible out of my iPod touch 3g. The Xonar DX made them sound like completely different headphones. So, while I've also seen most people saying they don't need an amp, I disagree with that.

To the OP, keep the HD555s until you can get an amp!

I just got mine in last evening. Havent found more time, is all am sad about.

I am excited at the way they sound on grunge, but the bass is a huge let down. I was expecting them to burn in, but i read a few articles saying its all psychological, and now even if they burn/break-in, I'm not gonna feel any difference psychologically.

I can't even begin to think of buying an amp given that the headphones were out of my budget here in India, already.

Will buying an E3 help the experience? I don't wanna buy the E5 because it looks like an iPod Shuffle, but if it is THAT better, i could hide it somewhere in my pocket. Please do not suggest E1.

Do a search for hd555 mods on the forums.  There are some helpful things to be done quite easily.  Most of the mods are reversible too.  

burn in on the hd555 is definitely not psychological. but they will sound much much much better after a bit of use... around 50-100 hours in.

and while the hd555 doesn't need an amp it can do wonders with a decent source.

i'm running off my sondigo inferno. no lack of bass, mids are amazing and highs are very clear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronus 

I just got mine in last evening. Havent found more time, is all am sad about.

I am excited at the way they sound on grunge, but the bass is a huge let down. I was expecting them to burn in, but i read a few articles saying its all psychological, and now even if they burn/break-in, I'm not gonna feel any difference psychologically.

I can't even begin to think of buying an amp given that the headphones were out of my budget here in India, already.

 

Will buying an E3 help the experience? I don't wanna buy the E5 because it looks like an iPod Shuffle, but if it is THAT better, i could hide it somewhere in my pocket. Please do not suggest E1.

Amp is just an additional stuff if you felt that the HD555 is lacking of something in it.

Give it a try one day if you can afford ;)