well idk about "enough" as even some of the best amps aren't considered "enough" but it should be ok. I run my HD80 without proper amplification and I am not disappointed.
Originally Posted by RasmusseN /img/forum/go_quote.gif well idk about "enough" as even some of the best amps aren't considered "enough" but it should be ok. I run my HD80 without proper amplification and I am not disappointed.
x2. you don't even NEED an amp. i love mine out of my soundcard headphone out. i use a c&c and it does wonders. an amp just adds a lot to it, but without an amp it is still great.
Originally Posted by feh1325 /img/forum/go_quote.gif i just listened to my hd580 powered by my shuffle and can't understand why people exaggerate the need for an amplifier.
could just be my unsophisticated ears and brains
Lol if you try to put an amp between your shuffle and hd580, I'm sure you'll notice quite a difference. I find it hard to hear a difference normally, with and w/o my total bithead through my laptop. However, putting the bithead in analog mode, through the headphone out of my iPod, I hear a DEFINITE difference. In the first few seconds of listening in fact. I think the difference is more noticeable in the bass. They'll sound stronger, more sharply defined.
The hd580 also definitely didn't sound bad through the iPod. Just not up to its full potential I think.
Almost any portable player can power the HD580 to loud volumes, but a good amp helps flesh out the extreme frequencies and details in the music. Usually adding an amp improves the music in a subtle way. If the source is good and has enough power, adding an amp may not significantly improve quality.
Actually, I had the same dilemna 3 months ago when I bought my HD580...
I listened to them for a while and found them not so fun... not to say boring... and I ended up listening only to my Grados...
... Until I bought the Practical Devices XM4
I don't know much about amps and I still don't know if this amp is a good fit for the HD580 (the 3 good reasons for this choice were : I'm in Canada and it's shipped from Toronto / I have a SR325i and this amp has a bass booster feature which adds bass to the bass-lacking 325i / I had a special rebate on it !).
Well, since I have this amp, I no longer listen to the grados... My 580 sound is more controlled, especially the bass... everything is more clear... highs are more detailed...
So, you can use them for sure without an amp. But they won't sound like 580s until you amp them.
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