ER-4P & iPod/Powerbook G4 w/o amp?

[Textual Intercou]

I've been a short/medium time lurker, and have read a good deal of threads about this, but before making a $300 plunge I hoped I could get a few opinions on the matter. I realize the members must answer these same questions over and over again, but hope someone can reassure me regardless.

Anyway, I've used the Sony MDRv600's for the past few years, and they're both bulky and are starting to grate on me in a few areas. Evancescence's Origin, for one recent example, just clashes and sounds harshly metallic.

Moving on, I want something light-weight and fairly high-quality, and so from reading it seems the ER4P is the best way to go, so I won't need to upgrade later. I'll use it with a G4 Powerbook and a soon to be purchased iPod. However, after the Powerbook, 4P, and iPod an amp is too much, and may not be needed for my unsophisticated ears.

My listening music is mostly CDs that I own (or can get access to) and have ripped to ogg format for convenience, so if the source bothers me I can resort back to CD's/higher quality rips. For the iPod I'll have to go back to mp3 anyway, so I might as well resample at a higher bitrate.

I worry that:
1) the Powerbook and iPod will sound cruddy without amping
2) Even with an amp, the output will be too cruddy, and I'd need a better CD player
3) the ER4P will be uncomfortable for long listening periods

I realize that the 4P can be converted to the 4S and I might get a portable amp later, but right now that's not an option. I'll buy them through headroom for the 30-day return option, please tell me if I'm making any mistakes. I realize that music is subjective and all that, and that the ultimate test will be listening, but as my friends are just as uneducated as I (with our radioshacks and MDRv600/900s) hopefully someone can give me some pointers in advance.

Thanks!

 

[stan23]

Although I don't have the ER4p (I have the 'S') I can tell you right now that they sound just fine on my iPod. And the S is supposed to be used with an amp!

If I add my Total Airhead on the iPod, I notice that the volume is a bit higher, but the sound quality remains the same. I think its just the fact that the iPod headphone out just doesn't sound right with an amp.

I'm sure you'll be fine with whatever devices you use with the ER4s. They sound absolutely amazing! You'll never look back!

 

[lextek]

The 4P's are my first choice with my iPod. They sound finw with my iBook. Still waiting for my 12" PB.

 

[Textual Intercou]

Thank you, I don't have any doubt this is what I'll go with

I'm curious, for any still reading, what bitrate do you use on the iPods?

 

[lextek]

I'm happy with 192 VBR.

 

[gerG]

I have both an ipod and a ti-book. Either will drive my ER4S with ease, but I do not listen very loud. The ER4P should solve that problem, but you will have less deep bass.

The one problem that I have with the ER4S is bass response. I have to listen louder than I like to get any deep bass presence. Fortunately itunes has well placed eq bands which work wonders. I bring up the 32hz about 6db and the 64hz up a couple and I can drop the volume down nice and low. This is actually what saved my powerbook from it's sentence to the the closet, where it has spent the last year. I now use it with OS9.2 and an outboard DAC as my MP3 player at work. I switch between the DT770s and the ETYs, depending on how long I can get away from interuptions.


gerG

 

[stan23]

I use 256K lame only.

 

[Spad]

I own iPods, a TiBook and Ety 4s. You certainly won't have to worry about the sound quality with this combination.

Although you will find little but unbridled praise for the Etys here, the truth is they are a bit of a hassle to deal with. The only time I use mine these days is when I absolutely must have the isolation they offer.

For everyday portable use I actually prefer the Sony D66 "Eggos." They're very compact compared to most other full sized cans, have great bass, and at about a hundred bucks shipped, are considerably cheaper than the Etys.

As a testament to their fun factor, as I write this I am literally within almost arm's reach of Sony CD3000s, W2002s, K1000s, and Ety 4s, among others. I'm actually listening to an iPod with the Eggos.

An amp really isn't necessary with either the iPod or the TiBook in the majority of cases. The only portable gear I use amps with are MDs and PCDPs.

 

[gerG]

Well. since Spad broadened the playing field...

Fun factor is important in portable gear. I use the Etys when I travel mainly for the isolation (nothing comes close on an aircraft). When I get there, however, I am likely to kick back and listen to either my HP910s or DT250s. It is always a major decision when I travel which to take, but one of them always ends up in the travel case (if I can't decide I take both).

I guess the bottom line is that you will end up with more headphones than you have ears, yet this will seem perfectly sane to you. When you awaken you will feel perfectly rested and will remember none of this conversation, and if you see a pair of Philips HP910 advertised for $50 or less you will jump on them with joyous abandon.


Snap!


gerG

 

[zeldon]

I own an iPod 10GB. I use a Super Mini v.5 amp and a pair of Sony MDR-NC11 in-ear noise cancelling buds. This combo is the best set up I've ever owned, and I'm quite happy.

I rip everything to MP3 at 192bps. I stuff this entire package into a $10 Case Logic pouch which fits into my shirt pocket (rather a snug fit, but fit it does!)

BTW, I'd like to know how the MDR-NC11's fare against other phones. I've not heard any mention of them in these boards. They have good noise cancelling circuitry and seem detailed with good bass. Any other opinions on these would be appreciated.

-zeldon

 

[Textual Intercou]

well, they came in today and I'm extremely impressed. I was listening to the cowbell on Moulin Rouge's Lady Marmalade, and for some reason I was almost brought to tears

(yeah, I know that's kinda weird)

I'm pretty sure I'm getting a good seal because the sound is extremely 'there'...that's the best way I can describe the difference between those and the v600's, I don't really know how to explain it. You probably know what I mean better than I do. I figure it'll only get better as I get used to how to best position them

For some reason I'm having some comfort problems with the right ear, I'm still experimenting and after an hour or two it's a lot more comfortable than it was, but I still every so often take the right out and scratch in there