[firstwat]

Quote:

With onboard audio, the only way you can get definitive advice is from someone with the exact computer (or at least exact audio section) as yours.
 
If you check the buying guides linked in the opening post of this thread, the HD 558 is rated a "2", which means:
 
"(2) Denotes amp is not required, but one is recommended."
 
More specifically the HD 598 is a 50 Ohm can with a sensitivity rating of 112 dB. 
 
The DT 990 (including Pro) is a much less efficient 250 Ohms and only a 96 dB sensitivity rating.  It is rated a "3"
 
"(3) Denotes amp is required. Using these without an amp will leave much to be desired."

 
So I think I would rather look for 32 ohm version if I could find one or settle with hd558.
 
The reason for asking was that where I live 32ohm version is very hard to find unless I import and 558 was very close to 990-250 price wise.
 
--
 
Edit: 32ohm version is almost twice the price of 250ohm pro version and therefore out of my budget, so thats that I guess

 

[steve2151]

Quote:

 
 
I really wanted to get the dt990 hoping that without amp they will be better than hd558 without amp....
 
Has anyone tried these two without amp for comparison?

 
Mine were not very good with onboard sound. Improved a bit with a $25 Audio Advantage Micro II, but still too sibilant for my tastes. These deserve at least a budget dac/amp chain (~$200) for best results. 

 

[firstwat]

Quote:

 
Mine were not very good with onboard sound. Improved a bit with a $25 Audio Advantage Micro II, but still too sibilant for my tastes. These deserve at least a budget dac/amp chain (~$200) for best results. 

 
Those are pretty small and therefore I can see myself using something similar.
 
Not much different than plugging the cans directly to the laptop...
 
Im very much tempted to just buy the dt990-250, use a while without amp and get one of these as soon as i can. Although I hope that the sound be good/load enough without amp anyways

 

[brunk]

Those are pretty small and therefore I can see myself using something similar.

Not much different than plugging the cans directly to the laptop...

Im very much tempted to just buy the dt990-250, use a while without amp and get one of these as soon as i can. Although I hope that the sound be good/load enough without amp anyways

That sounds like a good plan.

 

[firstwat]

Quote:

That sounds like a good plan.

 
Thanks man...
 
 
 
 
So I think the general consensus was HD558 without amp > DT990 - 250 without amp....

 

[vazmuten]

I listen mainly Evanescense, To monsters and man, Adele ... What is the recommend closed can over the ear headphones in 300$ range?

Please give me options by AKG, Sennheiser or Sony brands.

 

[Sekka]

Quote:

I listen mainly Evanescense, To monsters and man, Adele ... What is the recommend closed can over the ear headphones in 300$ range?

SoundMAGIC HP100 + FiiO E17

 

[vazmuten]

SoundMAGIC HP100 + FiiO E17

Please give me options by AKG, Sennheiser or Sony brands.

 

[Sekka]

Quote:

Please give me options by AKG, Sennheiser or Sony brands.

The AKG K 550 (also with FiiO E17) is apparently very good, but I haven't tried it.  Sennheiser has some pretty good headphones for your preferences for $200-$300, but they are open.
 
A headphone doesn't have to belong to a top-name brand to sound good.  Just look at reviews for the SoundMAGIC HP100.

 

[007E]

Wrote Something pages back but never got a response.

I'm looking for some decent headphones that are bassy (coming from xb500) but also have clean crisp highs. These will usually be driven off a PC/laptop or my Nexus 4 phone. I want them to be portable enough to wear to the airport and on a flight and not look ridiculous. My budget is under $180 shipped with tax.

Please help as I'm ready to buy today.

Thank you

 

[brunk]

Quote:

Wrote Something pages back but never got a response.

I'm looking for some decent headphones that are bassy (coming from xb500) but also have clean crisp highs. These will usually be driven off a PC/laptop or my Nexus 4 phone. I want them to be portable enough to wear to the airport and on a flight and not look ridiculous. My budget is under $180 shipped with tax.

Please help as I'm ready to buy today.

Thank you

If you can go $20 higher, a used Etymotic ER-4P is the best possible isolation available and sounds excellent. Great customer service too.
If you absolutely cant go above $180, VSonic GR07 is your best bet.

 

[anetode]

Quote:

Please give me options by AKG, Sennheiser or Sony brands.

The AKG K551 or a more laid back approach with the Sennheiser Momentums. There are substantially better options out there for the price, but you'd have to be more open minded.

 

[vazmuten]

The AKG K 550 (also with FiiO E17) is apparently very good, but I haven't tried it.  Sennheiser has some pretty good headphones for your preferences for $200-$300, but they are open.

A headphone doesn't have to belong to a top-name brand to sound good.  Just look at reviews for the SoundMAGIC HP100.

Anyone tried AKG K550 vs. SoundMagic HP100 ?

 

[007E]

If you can go $20 higher, a used Etymotic ER-4P is the best possible isolation available and sounds excellent. Great customer service too.
If you absolutely cant go above $180, VSonic GR07

is your best bet.

Thanks for the recommendation but I'm looking for over the head headphones

 

[Grim Wrath]

Hi guys, total noob here,need some advice. My first real headphones were the SONY MDR V-6's, I snagged em for $60 on amazon a couple of years back. I recently modded the earpads with the beyerdynamic velour pads. They are much more comfortable and I don't have to deal with the degrading pleather anymore. I'm currently saving up to buy the next tier of headphones, and the V-MODA m100's really caught my fancy. From the build quality, to the customization, to the crowdsourced signature, I really am thinking about getting these. However some people have said that I may not like them as much since I'm coming from pretty flat sounding headphones. 
 
I live in NYC and I take the train almost daily, so I would prefer a closed pair, over ear (for passive isolation and comfort), and portability. With my MDR V-6's I just stuff the coiled cable in my pocket and dangle a bit out for adjusting. I also use the headphones for Skype and gaming at home.
 
I listen mainly to rock and nu metal, with electro and DNB included.
 
Should I just buy the m100's or go for something else?