[AMBFCHD]

Hello!
 
My Fiio x5 2nd gen is (hopefully) on the way, being my first "audiophile" player. I've been browsing these forums for several hours before choosing, so thanks to whoever contributed with reviews/opinions/anything else concerning this topic. Now, I would like to ask for your help:
 
First - from what I've read, Fiio x5 is slightly "warm" sounding. Since I am not limited by music genres, I'd probably like the final sound to be neutral (right?). People here have suggested the best match with Fiio x5 are neutral headphones. If you guys would be so kind, would you share your experience/opinions on particular headphone neutrality and especially their matching with the player? My budget is around 150€, so nothing "big". From what I've read, several users have been praising Beyerdynamic DT250 - 250 ohm as being quite neutral and very good for their price...?
 
Second - how exactly does the impendance of Fiio x5 work? The specs say it's 300 ohm. My question is, what is the max impendance to be used with Fiio without the headphones lacking (would the DT250 sound how they should, for example)?
 
Many thanks in advance, yny help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[AMBFCHD]

Bump, I guess.

 

[SteveHiFi]

I have an X3, which is warmer. I would describe the X5 as smooth, but still pretty accurate.
 
You might be looking for a neutral-sounding headphone, but it all comes down to what sound you prefer - are you able to test any headphones? Even if they're mainstream brands which are commonly available for demo in shops local to you, maybe you can note down some impressions and then read about the same models here - it's a starting point. Anyway I had an AKG K20 DF for years and loved it - that is quite a neutral model so why not?
 
If the X5 specs mention 300ohm, that's definitely going to mean the headphones it is supposed to work best with (up to 300). So say, a 250 ohm DT250 should be fine.

 

[cel4145]

First - from what I've read, Fiio x5 is slightly "warm" sounding. Since I am not limited by music genres, I'd probably like the final sound to be neutral (right?). People here have suggested the best match with Fiio x5 are neutral headphones. If you guys would be so kind, would you share your experience/opinions on particular headphone neutrality and especially their matching with the player? My budget is around 150€, so nothing "big". From what I've read, several users have been praising Beyerdynamic DT250 - 250 ohm as being quite neutral and very good for their price...?

99.9% of the "final sound" will be determined by the headphones. The impact that the sonic characteristics of the X5 will over other high quality solid state dac/amps is subtle. So don't worry about that. Pick the headphones that suit you.

Second - how exactly does the impendance of Fiio x5 work? The specs say it's 300 ohm. My question is, what is the max impendance to be used with Fiio without the headphones lacking (would the DT250 sound how they should, for example)?

It's not quite as simple as that. Whether or not the X5 will be able to drive the headphones well will be a function of the headphones impedance, sensitivity, and your listening volume. So pick out some headphones and then research how difficult to drive they are and whether or not the X5 should do well with them

 

[AMBFCHD]

Many thanks for the replies. Don't have much of a chance to try various headphones, making it harder to choose.
 
Anyway, one more thing came to my mind. Got an Onkyo A-9377 amp at home. Would this thing work as an amp for 250 ohm headphones properly (with Fiio x5 connected to it via a jack - red+white [I'm bad at the terminology])? Here are the specs (I'm so lost in it) http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/onkyo/a-9377.shtml

 

[cel4145]

Anyway, one more thing came to my mind. Got an Onkyo A-9377 amp at home. Would this thing work as an amp for 250 ohm headphones properly (with Fiio x5 connected to it via a jack - red+white [I'm bad at the terminology])? Here are the specs (I'm so lost in it) http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/onkyo/a-9377.shtml

Sorry. That information doesn't tell us anything. Unfortunately, audio companies rarely provide good specs for headphone output on receivers and amps. However, they are typically better able to drive higher impedance headphones than lower impedance headphones. Best thing to do is try and see.

 

[AMBFCHD]

Sorry. That information doesn't tell us anything. Unfortunately, audio companies rarely provide good specs for headphone output on receivers and amps. However, they are typically better able to drive higher impedance headphones than lower impedance headphones. Best thing to do is try and see.

Many thanks for your response, both here and in the other thread. 

  Since you've already provided your opinion here, maybe you could help me by answering the other question I've asked - what's the best way of connecting Fiio x5 with the amp (or, is the jack/red+white cable alright or not)?

 

[cel4145]

Yep. One of these cables: http://www.amazon.com/KabelDirekt-3-5mm-Stereo-Audio-Cable/dp/B00DI89MSM/. Hook it to the CD, Tuner, Dock, or Tape in on the back (definitely not the Phono inputs).