[Shubar]

Can anyone suggest a good set of portable headphones which can be driven by a mp3 player (cowon j3) unamped?
 
I've had the chance to demo a few: Shure 840, Denon AD2000, Sony XB500/XB700/XB1000, M50s and to me they sounded really terrible @@ (demo'ed them all umamped).
 
Cheers. 

 

[audiogamma]

Sure, Senn HD-25. They're light, supra-aural and are driven well by the J3.

 

[MalVeauX]

Heya,
 
You thought the D2000's sounded terrible?

Well, what have you heard that sounded good? That way we can figure out something that is more your taste.
 
Also, what genres of music? Bass heavy? Neutral? Any other characteristics you're looking for?
 
Very best,

 

[Shubar]

In terms of portable unamped, my reference is a pair of Shure Se535s. I guess i'm looking for closed portable headphone which can perform similarly to the Se535s without requiring an amp. To me those headphones I mentioned above sounded terrible in comparison to the Shure Se535s. The genres I mostly listen to are alternative rock / rock.
 
Cheers