Headphones that don't require an amp?

[Guile]

As the title suggests, I'm looking for headphones that don't require an amp to get high quality sound from them, I'm looking to spend $200-300, and it seems a lot of headphones in this price range require an amp to get good sound quality, and on my budget I can't afford good quality headphones and a good quality amp. BTW any headphones you suggest would have to be available to buy in the UK, or atleast be shipped overseas. Thanks in advance.

 

[Davesrose]

I think the Grado series is the easiest to drive: doesn't get muddy sounding without an amp (unlike many other headphones). If you can't get a Grado in the UK, you should be able to get the MS-1. You can get it directly from Alessandro's site.

 

[kramer5150]

Well... what I have found with headphones is that within each companies lineup you reach a point where upgrades become increasingly less significant without an amp. With Sennhesier that point is the HD580 and AKG=K240s.. IMHO.

Grados are kind of an odd-ball. I do like the sound of my RS1 plugged into my Denon receiver jack, and running straight out of my D335 PCDP. So there certainly are exceptions, if your un-amped headphone out is robust enough, or just happens to synnergize well with the cans.

 

[Davesrose]

Oh, that makes me think of another point. Many of these headphones are designed to sound great with higher end sources. Many recording professionals then rely on studio monitors instead. The Sony MDR-V6 is one such headphone that sounds good on any source. It's a very transparent headphone, closed, just all around good studio monitor. It doesn't scale up as well as some other headphones (all my Sennheisers in particular really scale up nicely).

 

[craiglester]

I second the MS-1, mine runs great from my Karma, unamped.

 

[Esidarap]

The audio-technicas in that price range are notorious for sounding great unamped. Namely the ATH-A900

 

[saber8689]

For closed cans the Audio Technica ATH-A900 is very good unamped. As for open, the ATH-AD900's are good... lol. I guess I'm an Audio Technica kinda guy.

 

[Yen]

Well... what I have found with headphones is that within each companies lineup you reach a point where upgrades become increasingly less significant without an amp. With Sennhesier that point is the HD580 and AKG=K240s.. IMHO.

2nd.

I think any quality headphone will sound better with an amp, but some can be used without amping, but the SQ will decrease from the maximum capability, i.e. what they could have sound. Some suffer more and some less.

Although Grados are famous for being low impedance hphones and easy to drive, they do sound better amped. The ear-opener for me was with my first headphone amp experience, SR80 & cmoy.

Anyhow if unamped, I would go for Grado/Alessandro too.

 

[penguindude]

All decent headphones will benefit from an amp. Although some have low-impedance rating, you will be surprised how well they sound matched with a proper amp.

 

[Audiofiler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I do like the sound of my RS1 plugged into my D335 PCDP. So there certainly are exceptions, if your un-amped headphone out is robust enough, or just happens to synnergize well with the cans.

agree with Kramer here..and yes the unique pairing of the D-335 and the RS is sweet mystery...and I love this combo too.

 

[varro]

Well... what I have found with headphones is that within each companies lineup you reach a point where upgrades become increasingly less significant without an amp. With Sennhesier that point is the HD580 and AKG=K240s.. IMHO. Quote:

2nd. I think any quality headphone will sound better with an amp, but some can be used without amping, but the SQ will decrease from the maximum capability, i.e. what they could have sound. Some suffer more and some less. Although Grados are famous for being low impedance hphones and easy to drive, they do sound better amped. The ear-opener for me was with my first headphone amp experience, SR80 & cmoy. Anyhow if unamped, I would go for Grado/Alessandro too.

Atleast the MS1 dont need amp, and they will sound worse with low quality amp..

 

[spinali]

The Grados, yes, but let's not forget the Audio Technica AD2000? Powerful sound, nice range. They're about $490 on Japanese import, but if you watch the For Sale listings, you can get one as low as $400-420. No amp even remotely needed for this phone.

 

[luckybaer]

Apple iBuds don't need amplification, but their sound leaves something to be desired. I'd look elsewhere.

KSC-75 from Koss are cheap and don't need amplification to sound good. They are nice and portable.

I've never owned Grados, but people say they sound good un-amped. Don't know if you want to wear them while walking around in public, though. They're really retro-styled headphones that remind me of the things I used to have to wear in foreign language lab... I'm thinking of getting some for home use.

 

[terance]

i really enjoyed the sound of my SR60's straight out of my ipod.

but considering you are in the UK i think that kind of rules grados out =/

a good set of IEMS comes to mind considering your budget, that could get you
ety er4, super fi5, shure e4c AND custom molds.

i am going by US prices and vendors though.

 

[lini]

Guile: Which equipment will you be using that headphone with? That can make a lot of difference...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini