pixote
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2011
- Posts
- 23
- Likes
- 0
this is what hfk88 wrote in a message to me
Hi Pixote
All amps will do little to the sound quality when its connected to onboard audio from a laptop because the audio quality from onboard is limited. Therefore you shouldnt spend too much money on the amp if you know you will only use it with a laptop / ipod. Whats more important for you i think is you spend most of your money on a very good headphone you like that sounds still good unamped - this way it will fit with your laptop audio quality. Better to get headphones that fit your laptop audio than get too expensive hifi headphones that sound bad because it reveals bad quality! You should only spend a lot of money on an amp if you are going to connect it to a high quality soundcard / reciever / audioplayer later. The reason is all devices in the chain (music material quality - source - amp - headphone) must all be good quality before the quality of the amp will show. This is why the salesman said they are for hifi, if you want the maximum hifi out of your Sennheiser HD 558 you have to upgrade everything. BUT good sound quality can still be had out of iphone or laptop audio - just not best potential of HD 558 they are too good. The best thing you can do to save you many headaches (and money) is to find a headphone that you like that doesnt need amp to sound the best.
If you like Sennheiser HD 558 then I think you should get them. You can buy a portable amp here: http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/amplifiers.php - look at the top 2
I recommend for you "Headroom Total Bithead" for 150$ - it will fit your use.
Remember amps and headphones improve over time the more you use them!
Hi Pixote
All amps will do little to the sound quality when its connected to onboard audio from a laptop because the audio quality from onboard is limited. Therefore you shouldnt spend too much money on the amp if you know you will only use it with a laptop / ipod. Whats more important for you i think is you spend most of your money on a very good headphone you like that sounds still good unamped - this way it will fit with your laptop audio quality. Better to get headphones that fit your laptop audio than get too expensive hifi headphones that sound bad because it reveals bad quality! You should only spend a lot of money on an amp if you are going to connect it to a high quality soundcard / reciever / audioplayer later. The reason is all devices in the chain (music material quality - source - amp - headphone) must all be good quality before the quality of the amp will show. This is why the salesman said they are for hifi, if you want the maximum hifi out of your Sennheiser HD 558 you have to upgrade everything. BUT good sound quality can still be had out of iphone or laptop audio - just not best potential of HD 558 they are too good. The best thing you can do to save you many headaches (and money) is to find a headphone that you like that doesnt need amp to sound the best.
If you like Sennheiser HD 558 then I think you should get them. You can buy a portable amp here: http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/amplifiers.php - look at the top 2
I recommend for you "Headroom Total Bithead" for 150$ - it will fit your use.
Remember amps and headphones improve over time the more you use them!