I've always just assumed that computers send a proper audio signal out on the USB port.  Is that true, or do all USB headphones have built-in DACs and amplifiers?

You're going to have a hard time finding something quite as boomy as the Beats.   The Audio Technica ATH-M50 trades some boom boom for finesse, a lower price, and durability.

Does the same problem happen from different sources?  Is the V6's jack clean?  Have the external cords been worn?

Quote:   Speakers have different efficiencies at different frequencies.  100 mW at 50Hz will not come out at the same loudness as 100mW at 1kHz.  More/less sound out of the same power.  Also, speaker impedance fluctuates depending on what is being played, which raises or lowers the power...

AKG-K550.   http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/wonderfully-competent-akg-k550-sealed-headphone

Here's a nice resource.  The first post is full of great links.   http://www.head-fi.org/t/529144/recommendations-thread-i-e-dont-start-a-new-thread-ask-for-advice-here-please-read-op   There a lot of potentially good choices out there for you.

Audio - Sound Phil(e) - Love   If you want to explore the depths of sound and what it can mean to you, then that's all the reason you need.  Buy whatever you want to do whatever you want with it.  Enjoy yourself.

An amplifier won't change the need to turn up the volume.  It will just let you turn the volume up even more.   Soundcheck should fix your problem.   http://ipod.about.com/od/introductiontotheipod/ht/soundcheck_ipod.htm

Pink noise might accelerate burn-in. But, music is adequate.   Just listen to your cans and leave music playing when you're away.

Quote:   Nope.   As long as you don't exceed their rated power, they will never overheat.

RMS voltage is what directly correlates to SPL (Sound Pressure Level). All loudness is derived from SPL.   Terms like "peak power" and "peak to peak voltage" only exist to impress laypersons with irrelevant information.   If you want to measure the part-volume voltage: 1. Get a...

    Yeah. To swap out devices with subtle differences - all of which are supposed to have no differences - is to miss the biggest source of distortion: the headphones.       Yep.  Yep yep yep.

Just had a listen with some MDR-V6s and onboard Realtek sound.   I spent something like 7 minutes trying.  Couldn't tell any of them apart.   I copied the lossless one and changed its id3 tag to "control."  I named gave the other 4 the same tag info.  In Foobar, they'll all look the same...

Quote: Indeed they did, in 99-2000.  I thought you meant the older generation.  ^_^

(Voltage Squared)/Resistance = Power.  An impedance of 132 ohms will receive about 24% as much power.  That's about -6.2 decibels (65% perceived volume).  To achieve a perceived 50% volume, 10 decibels must be lost, which would require a cable with 288 ohms (10x the resistance, or 1/10th power)...

Quote: lawl yep.  There is no 1.8L K engine. Also,  the Civic Si had a D16Y8 that made 127HP.  The Civic Type R (JDM only) came with a B16B, which was a destroked B18C5 that made 180HP.  The Civic SiR had a 160HP B16A.  The Integra GSR had a B18C making 180HP.  The only one of these cars...

    Hell yes, snowman knows best.  Manuals are nice for getting unstuck.  As an igloo dweller, you likely already know what I'm about to say, but one good tip to remember is that when turning/braking in the snow, push in the clutch (or switch to neutral, lol automatic owners) to keep the...

Quote:   The spectrum the E17 delivers should be more or less the same no matter what volume you ask of it.  The only difference will be that that you might lose a bit of the "dynamic range."  That is, if everything is being pumped out at/near max volume, when the snare drums (etc) kick...

Don't feel bad about running the Fiio E17 at high volume, because the DT880s high impedance means that even when "maxed out," the E17 isn't really delivering that much power.  Futhermore, the DT880s aren't particularly efficient, which means you won't get crazy loudness from a given amount of...

I'm looking for some open back headphones with good soundstage and bass.  I'd like to stay under $200, but I can spend more if adequately inspired.   I don't particularly want crazy accuracy.  I just want to hear nice sounds.  70% Music, 15% Movies, 15% Games.  I probably prefer things a bit...