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senns fans! as well as iPOd!

post #1 of 11
9/23/04 at 2:07pm
Thread Starter 
hi peeps, i've been reading this forums faithfully as soon i knew this site around the time when i got my iPOd.. i'm thinking of getting a senns. the audiophile series or the DJ series. no PX pls. i used my fren's 570 on my iPOd and it sounded really soft at 100% of the volume.. and as i've read, they said that an amp is needed to drive such power hungry cans.

the question i would like to ask is that "what is an amp?" lol, i really know nuts bout this. good if u guys who are using iPod can post ur reviews/experiences on using them.. would love to know!

thanks!
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post #2 of 11
9/23/04 at 2:23pm
An amp (short for amplifier) takes low level signals from your source (in your case, an ipod), amplifies the signal, and outputs them to your headphones. Portable playback devices usually have built in amps, but they are generally of poor quality. Almost always, a dedicated amplifier performs the task much better.
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post #3 of 11
9/23/04 at 2:23pm
Welcome to head-fi. Sorry about your wallet .

I can't talk much about headphone amplifiers...I own one, but I'm not as qualified as I'd like to be in explaining how they work; I'll let someone else do that.

As for my eighteen month-old, third-generation ipod, I have had nothing but positive experiences with it. It is one of the most neutral portable sources I have ever used. The only problem I have encountered with it is that it can tend to be bass shy with higher-end headphones. Try to use high bit rates (192 kbps and above) with your portable audio if you intend to use high-quality headphones/ear phones.

An amplifier is a must-have for high quality cans, especially those with higher impedances or current demands (Sennheisers generally have high ohms 120-300, some Grados have high current demans to sound their best). Amplifiers aren't only necessary for increasing the volume, but also for optimizing the frequency response curves. Your headphones will sound not only louder, but different when they are augmented by an amplifier.
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post #4 of 11
9/23/04 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 
okies, just one qns for u crazyfrenchman.. does ur iPod drains faster when u use higher end cans?
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post #5 of 11
9/23/04 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 
thanks len.. what bout the differences with amps?
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post #6 of 11
9/23/04 at 3:20pm
It's best for you to decide what headphones you want, and then inquire in the Amplification forum which amplifier is recommended for that particular headphone. Headphones have differing specifications, although most good amps can drive a wide spectrum of headphones. Your choice of headphones will have some bearing on what amplifier people recommend. Also, there are portable headphone amps as well as "home" headphones amps (more bulky and usually requiring an AC outlet), so let people know which type you need. "Home" headphone amps are usually of a higher sonic caliber since they aren't restricted by size/weight design goals.
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post #7 of 11
9/23/04 at 4:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by drumma
okies, just one qns for u crazyfrenchman.. does ur iPod drains faster when u use higher end cans?
The rate at which the battery is drained depends on the volume at which you must play your music and what sort of music you are playing (I assume certain songs encoded with certain formats will work the hard drive and circuitry processing more). It has nothing to do with whether or not the headphone is high-end or not. Some headphones have high impedance/low sensativity, and thus require you to either use an amp or set the volume higher with the ultimate goal of being properly driven. Some headphones have high sensativity so you'll find yourself able to play music at very low volumes, thus draining the battery less compared to the same file being played at a higher volume.
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post #8 of 11
9/23/04 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bLue_oNioN
... Some headphones have high impedance/low sensativity, and thus require you to either use an amp or set the volume higher with the ultimate goal of being properly driven ...
This can very well make the source/portable distort and in long run harm it badly. If it can't drive the cans at low-medium volumes, don't try normal to high volumes with it either. Here's a case where an amp is needed. (preferably more than a Cmoy, if we're talking more than 100 Ohms combined with low sensitivity IMO)
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post #9 of 11
9/23/04 at 5:12pm
I normally use my Sennheiser HD25-1's with my iPod and have thought about getting a portable amp.

However, many on this forum have advised against using an amp with the iPod and HD25 - because the HD25's are very efficient phones. Personally, I believe my HD25's go loud enough, and are detailed enough, without the use of a head amp.
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post #10 of 11
9/23/04 at 6:22pm

Sennheiser and iPod

You don't need an amplifier if you paired your iPod with the Sennheiser HD-25 headphones. I bought a pair on-line for about $180.00 (new) and the sound is incredible. Very clean, dynamic and with great bass.
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post #11 of 11
9/23/04 at 8:02pm
Thread Starter 
ok.. regarding the amp again, so there are amps specifically to drive a certain range of headphones for example, headphones with the impedance of 32 to 120 and anything above this range, i need a better amp?
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