squirrelboy1210
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
- Posts
- 68
- Likes
- 10
Hey there headfi! i've been studying up on the forums for the past six months now on what headphones sound best straight out of a portable source. What i'm looking for is a headphone that has low impedence and will make-do with mp3 files- not anything lossless or FLAC. i'd really appreciate it if you guys could help me cross out some of these off my list. the reasons for crossing out can be as follows:
1. has high impedence, and will sound tinnny without a strong source of power
2. is too revealing of the music found on the apple store and whatnot
3. has the potential to sound exceptional that can't be reached without an amp and would be a shame to not use that potential
4. would be a shame to buy such great 'phones only to listen to mp3 music files out of an iphone, ipod, etc.
5. the increases in cost from lower models can't be justified as the improvements in SQ are incremental due to the pure lack of sonic information in mp3 files
,,, you get the idea. as i've posted in previous threads, i don't want to go the hassle of buying an amp, dac, cables, etc. and updating my music library to lossless files. it would also be too memory- consuming to use such files on a smartphone. basically, what range of headphones/ price point can make the most of a source with low output and mp3-level music?
here is the list of headphones i need clarification on (further suggestions are more than welcome, but i will tell you i've done my fair share of research):
ath-ad900, hd598, philips fidelio x1,L1, $500 iems (se535, w4, pro copper, ie80, etc.- is it a waste to use their capabilities of detail finding with mp3's?)(same goes for iems in higher ranges: ie800, k3003, se846, ue11, jh13, jh16) ultrasone edition 8, grado ps1000, denon d600, mad dogs
for example: i've read ps1000 will deliver great sound from portable sources- but is it enough to justify the difference in price with, say, a momentum when the files/recordings you're listening to aren't of high quality
i've kind of established the line at the 300 dollars headphones (momentums, hp50, p7, m100, m500, etc.) to be where the [B]limitation of source kicks in, and i won't notice much difference for money not due to the headphones, but because of the player/files. what do you guys think?[/B]
BTW please no exaggeration of minor differences in sound! i've experienced too many instances of people claiming the differences are vast, only to be disappointed. it may be that i don't exactly have "golden ears" but if you figure the sonic difference will be marginal to 80% of the population please don't exaggerate
1. has high impedence, and will sound tinnny without a strong source of power
2. is too revealing of the music found on the apple store and whatnot
3. has the potential to sound exceptional that can't be reached without an amp and would be a shame to not use that potential
4. would be a shame to buy such great 'phones only to listen to mp3 music files out of an iphone, ipod, etc.
5. the increases in cost from lower models can't be justified as the improvements in SQ are incremental due to the pure lack of sonic information in mp3 files
,,, you get the idea. as i've posted in previous threads, i don't want to go the hassle of buying an amp, dac, cables, etc. and updating my music library to lossless files. it would also be too memory- consuming to use such files on a smartphone. basically, what range of headphones/ price point can make the most of a source with low output and mp3-level music?
here is the list of headphones i need clarification on (further suggestions are more than welcome, but i will tell you i've done my fair share of research):
ath-ad900, hd598, philips fidelio x1,L1, $500 iems (se535, w4, pro copper, ie80, etc.- is it a waste to use their capabilities of detail finding with mp3's?)(same goes for iems in higher ranges: ie800, k3003, se846, ue11, jh13, jh16) ultrasone edition 8, grado ps1000, denon d600, mad dogs
for example: i've read ps1000 will deliver great sound from portable sources- but is it enough to justify the difference in price with, say, a momentum when the files/recordings you're listening to aren't of high quality
i've kind of established the line at the 300 dollars headphones (momentums, hp50, p7, m100, m500, etc.) to be where the [B]limitation of source kicks in, and i won't notice much difference for money not due to the headphones, but because of the player/files. what do you guys think?[/B]
BTW please no exaggeration of minor differences in sound! i've experienced too many instances of people claiming the differences are vast, only to be disappointed. it may be that i don't exactly have "golden ears" but if you figure the sonic difference will be marginal to 80% of the population please don't exaggerate