[aberry520]

If I don't get an amp with the m50s will they still sound really good? 

 

[Dongle]

FWWI, I'm a noob and I just got my ATH-M50's. I also own

SR80i
Sol Republic Tracks V8
Philips O'Neil "The Stretch"

and I've owned

V-Moda Crossfade LP1
V-Moda M80
Skullcandy Crushers

Why is all that important? Because the ATH-M50 is my favorite one. And I'm using it sans amp for now. I think the hype behind the M50's are accurate. The part people need to understand is that there are better headphones than the M50 out there. But not for $101 (what I paid)

 

[Hoagie]

There is a lot of disagreement on whether they need an amp.  I'm convinced it depends on the source and the type of music you listen to.  I use mine primarily with an Ipod and listen mostly to jazz.  I need very clear headphones that clearly separate the notes and different instruments.  For me they benefit greatly with a line out and the E11.    Some types of music don't need the same degree of separation, and you  may have a better source.  The thing to remember about amps is that it is not about volume, but about tightening up the sound.  

 

[GaryPham]

My cousin owns and M50, and we a/b'ed them extensively using my amps.  Our conclusion is that we "think it might sound better" when amped, meaning that the benefits of amping it are very minimal.  I personally think they sound fantastic without an amp, and would only get an amp if you already or plan to get harder to drive headphones in the future.  For some headphones such as my Amperiors that I use to own, I actually think it sounds worse when amped.

 

[TheGame21x]

Yes, they sound great straight out of just about any source. Amping just adds that last maybe 5% of remaining detail.

 

[tannerbnd]

they don't need an amp

 

[Digital DJ]

Quote:

If I don't get an amp with the m50s will they still sound really good? 

Are you meaning Desktop Amp, Studio Amp, or Portable Amp?

 

[Gnomeplay]

Quote:

If I don't get an amp with the m50s will they still sound really good? 

The main thing to be gained out of an amplifier would be if you bought one with an integrated equalizer. They sound great just on their own, but I think something like a FiiO E11/E17 makes them a little bit more admirable.

 

[zardak]

I just did the test for you right now with an iPod and 'uncompressed' WAV files 16bit CD quality music: unamped they sound great, but amped they sound fantastic, simple as that. Without an amp you will be happy, but the clarity and definition that comes through when they're amped is a noticeable difference.
 
I hadn't listen to them for a couple of weeks, so just now when i listened to them unamped, i thought WOW that sounds great, but they will definitely need more volume if you like to listen to your music a bit louder than normal, but then i plugged in the FiiO E12 (classy amp!) and BANG! Now where talking.More detail, better instrument separation, more depth, better treble sound, better soundstage stereo imaging. Hope that helps.