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Cant hear any difference with the Fiio E7

post #1 of 3
Thread Starter 

Hey guys, noob here. 

 

I currently use an Ipad 2 and my Macbook Pro with a Sennheiser HD280. Im quite happy with the headphones even though it has a lot of mixed opinions online. It was a lot better than my old $10 ear phones I used to use. 

 

I just bought the Fiio E7 and listened to different types of music from Classical, Dubstep, Rock, House, and Rap. My problem is that I am not hearing any difference between using just the HD280 and the HD280 with the Fiio E7. The only thing I can see it doing is make the sound louder and when I boost the E7's volume up from 40-60 range.  Other than that, I dont see the wow factor. 

 

I've had my headphones for a little over a year now and just wanted to hear a little better. By that I wanted to get a little muffled sound but still hear all the equipment used in music separately. Maybe a 3d-like quality in hearing wise without upping the volume to hurt my ears. A private theatre sound like if I must describe it like that. I know this is asking way too much but I got to use the HD800 a couple of times along with a couple more $800+ head sets. I just wanted to experience something along those line. Sorry for the nutjob description of what Im asking for. Im not really savvy about this kind of thing. I know I could have gotten surround sound speakers for this but I stay up late and people around the house will just get mad at me when I play or watch movies that they could hear at 2am.

 

I was considering getting the HD650 to use at home only and the 280 when I go outside but a lot people led me to believe that that would be a waste. Instead I got the E7 first and probably get the HD650 later on. Did I make a mistake? Or do I have to "burn-in" the E7 for a couple more days?

 

Thanks.

post #2 of 3

A few folks don't think an amp makes a difference unless your source does not have enough juice to power your headphones.  I am one of those people.

 

A lot of placebo effect going on if you ask me.  Now if you get some 300 ohm and up headphones, then you would probably need an amp.

post #3 of 3

I have the HD280s and know that they need to be driven by an amp to bring out the lower end despite their modest 64 ohm rating. I also have the E7 and what it did to my 280s was remarkable compared to how they worked straight out of my laptop/PC/MP3 player. Attached to my Sansa View the E7 did a great job of driving these much maligned and underrated cans to produce what they are truly capable of.

 

So I am a bit perplexed regarding your E7 not driving the 280s. I can't see your Mac providing the extra amplification needed but then again I don't own a Mac.

 

So maybe the E7 does need some burn in to make it work better. I must admit I didn't use the E7/Sansa/HD280 combo until I'd had the E7 for about two months. All I can say is that it does a great job.

 

As an aside, the 280s can provide very clear and crisp sound when driven properly. They are a very neutral HP and particularly suited to classical music.

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