Best Sounding Un-Amped Cans

[[S]uds]

The question is simple. I'm looking for the best set of cans that can be put to their full potential without a dedicated amp. The source will be a PC Sound Card(X-Fi ExtremeGamer, hopefully upgraded soon) playing high bit-rate MP3's or FLAC/APE Files. I don't want an amp because of where(and who) I am living with. I just need a simple set up, some Cans, a computer, and music.

Anyways, I am looking at a couple of set of cans; Audio Technica AD900 or the Ultrasone HFI-780. Not sure which to get, if either of them. So, if you have any recommendations or opinions, it would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and music is mostly Prog Metal/Rock. And it would help if they work great for gaming as well, although that is secondary to music.

-Suds

Edit: Ideally, I want them to be less than $300.

 

[Rednamalas1]

AD900 won't dissapoint and work well without an amp - with virtually all type of music quite well.

If you listen to rock - you might want to think grado SR225s

 

[Uncle Erik]

Prog metal/rock? You're already a Grado lover, you just don't know it yet. Get the best pair you can afford and be sure to look at the used ones.

As for an amp, I'd pick up one of the SOHA kits at Glass Jar Audio. Build it and leave extra wires hanging out. Put on a sticker that says "high voltage - experimental" or similar. They won't steal something that wouldn't sell, let alone touch it.

 

[[S]uds]

Will the Grado's work great without an amp? There is now way I can build my own amp. If they do, I might be able to get the Grado SR325i. Anything above that is above my price range. And are the SR325i worth the price premium over the 225? Thanks.

 

[phkd]

I saw Symphony X last weekend. It was sweet.

Anyways, I would say that it depends on to what you upgrade your sound card. Soundcards have amps on them. different headphones are better with a certain amps than others. I'm sorry, but it's just not possible to say "these are the best unamped headphones..." cause there is always an amp.

And what's worse is that even though it's true that relatively high-voltage amps drive high-impedance headphones well and high current-amps drive low-impedance headphones well, it's hard to figure out what your soundcard's amp style is. Therefore, unfortunately, you are going to have to try headphones out with your system and decide which pair you like best.

With all that discouragement said, people tend to recommend Grado's for onboard amps, so that's gotta count for something, right? I like them too, due to their freqresp, for rock. I would buy a pair of sr-60s, try them with your setup, and if you like them, return them and get the sr-225. if you don't like the sr-60 return them and try one of your other options.

hope that helps!

 

[[S]uds]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phkd /img/forum/go_quote.gif I saw Symphony X last weekend. It was sweet.

I'd love to see them live. In fact, checking their tour dates I can! Going to have to see if I can grab to some tickets for April 30th.

If it helps at all, my current sound card is a X-Fi ExtremeGamer. You also make a great point, I might try the SR60's to see if they are what I like.

 

[Cry Havoc]

The 780s are awesome. Do you like bass? Do you need bass? Also, do you want isolation?

 

[[S]uds]

I like bass, as long as it isn't excessive(DT770). Tight, quick bass is what I'd like. The HP's can be opened or closed, I don't need isolation and don't care if they are isolated. I'd prefer around the ear cans though, kinda why I've been shying away from Grados during my research.

 

[Tomikans]

Grado .. that's all i got to say.

 

[Aimless1]

Grados then, and the SR-225 in particular.

 

[[S]uds]

So the SR325i isn't worth the extra $100?

 

[1Time]

I don't think headphones exist that can be used to their full potential without a dedicated amp.

Without a dedicated amp and for primarily progressive metal / rock and gaming second, I'd want to try the Denon AH-D2000 for about $250+.

 

[Jaska]

I've never listened to the SR-325i, but I will admit that I've taken plenty of people's rather consistent comments seriously that the treble can be problematic compared to other Grado models. I have the SR-225, and like them very much. Their one weakness, for me, is that their treble can indeed be pushed over the edge of what I can bear, but only with a small percentage of the music I listen to.

So, I will agree that the SR-225 would be a good choice in your situation. Apart from these, I would have no reservations in recommending the beyerdynamic DT250-80. As long as you don't have big ears, they should be more comfortable than Grados, and I have found varying degrees of amplification to have almost no noticeable or appreciable difference in the sound quality the headphones are capable of offering.

 

[Rednamalas1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uds /img/forum/go_quote.gif So the SR325i isn't worth the extra $100?

It is - for people who LOVE hot treble -i.e. Me.
I personally prefer 325i to 225, but the harsh treble can be bothersome to many.
225 has sonic presentation that many will prefer.

 

[The Legend]

Agree completely.

If you like rock can't go wrong with Grados.