ATH-A900LTD or K701 unamped out of powerbook?

[mchank]

Which would sound better, just based on sound quality, unamped out of an 12" Apple Powerbook headphone out? I don't care about open or closed. Has anyone tried the K701 out of a powerbook or an ipod unamped? How does it sound? I know that the ATH-A900ltds don't need an amp to shine but will the K701 sound on par with the A900ltds? Please don't suggest getting an amp, even a cheap one as my budget will only allow for headphones at the moment.

 

[slwiser]

I can endorse the ATH-A900LTD since I have them and they are very good. Based on the prestige of the others that have the 701s and are saying how good they are you can be sure that you can't miss with either. Given the 701s are the manufacturer's top of the line can, it would be surprising to see the A900LTD better it. Therefore, you should make sure you like the signature of the can you choose first and listen to it if you can.

 

[dmb367]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchank Which would sound better, just based on sound quality, unamped out of an 12" Apple Powerbook headphone out? I don't care about open or closed. Has anyone tried the K701 out of a powerbook or an ipod unamped? How does it sound? I know that the ATH-A900ltds don't need an amp to shine but will the K701 sound on par with the A900ltds? Please don't suggest getting an amp, even a cheap one as my budget will only allow for headphones at the moment.

Any headphone really needs an amp to shine. I wouldn't be impressed with any headphone directly out of my ibook.

 

[chrisfromalbany]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmb367 Any headphone really needs an amp to shine. I wouldn't be impressed with any headphone directly out of my ibook.

I disagree. The A900s don't sound much better at all. You can use them though a tube amp to change the sound but actual improvement is very slight.

 

[ScubaSteve87]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisfromalbany I disagree. The A900s don't sound much better at all. You can use them though a tube amp to change the sound but actual improvement is very slight.

Yeah a lot of the AT line is like this. My AD2k sounds pretty good out of the straight out of the ipod. I really think that AT's are just transparent phones, and source is the most important part

 

[tkam]

The regular A900s don't really need an amp at all so based on that I'd say go for the A900LTD. The k701's on the other hand do need an amp they require a lot more current to sound good then your powerbook or ipod can put out.