Is buying 64ohm headphones for use with a phone/laptop (no amplifier) a bad idea?

[richbrown]

Hi

I'm aware that portable players are better suited to lower impedance headphones.

I'm considering buying a 64ohm pair of headphones: http://www.amazon.co.uk/LINDY-HF-100-Premium-Hi-Fi-Headphones-Black/dp/B0057P09EK/ref=cm_rdp_product_img

The reason I am strongly considering this pair is that they have large cups; I have fairly large and slightly protruding ears, over the head phones tend to cause me discomfort, and I plan on wearing them all day. They are also in my price range and the reviews seem to suggest the performance is to a standard i'll be happy with.

However they will mostly be used with either my phone (samsung SIII) or my laptop (MacBook Pro)

I know that they will not go as loud as lower impedance ear phones. Will their volume be very limited? I will be using them in a library mostly, so a quiet environment.

More importantly, will the performance be reduced? I am looking for good quality reproduction - i listen to a lot of well produced electronic music - however I'm not an audiophile, i will be listening to mp3 (V0 or 320) and am not going to spend more than £100 ($160) on a pair of headphones.

Given this is my level of interest in audio reproduction, is the 64ohms an issue if purchasing mostly for playback from these devices? Is it likely to be a minor drop in quality or more of a serious limitation to the performance of the headphones? Due to my need for large cups that will be truly circumaural and give enough space for my ears my options seem limited.

Thanks!
Rich


PS: I don't think I want to be using a portable amp.
PPS This isn't a recommendation post, but if anybody does know of a pair that fit the bill feel free to let me know

 

 

[NA Blur]

You should be fine.  Keep in mind that the sensitivity also plays a roll as it tells us how easy a headphone is to get to a specific loudness.
 
In the case of the LINDY HF-100 the sensitivity is 100dB which is average to above average.
 
As long as your player can reach loud listening levels with most headphones you have tried I see no reason these will not work as well.
 
The sound quality and performance will not be reduced because of the sensitivity.  In fact it might improve because it can give a better damping factor.
 
Specs here:
http://www.lindy-headphones.co.uk/hf-100-premium-hi-fi-headphones-i34

 

[PurpleAngel]

I have the Lindy HF-100 headphones, but mine are sound under the name Brainwavz HM5.
Good audio quality for the price, but they have a lighter bass and a little too bulky as traveling headphones.
 
I would say to save some cash and get the JVC HA-S500s, 30 GBP.
The HA-S500s are only 32-Ohm, easier for a phone or laptop to drive.

 

[richbrown]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Purple Angel, how light are we talking? Do you think they would feel underpowered listening to something like Burial?
Thanks for the recommendation, however how big are the cups? I require large, totally over the ear circumaural cups.