[Tristan Hanson]

I apologize there are a million of these out there, but I need some help, I'm new around here. I'm looking for a headphone amp combo under $300 that will accurately reproduce music which will be their primary use, my musical tastes range from Classical to Classic rock and everything in-between. About as wild as my music gets is Coldplay, it will be hooked up to my MacBook Air so portability is a bit of a factor but I'm fine with full size. If the amp has a built-in USB DAC that would be a big plus, I've been leaning towards open-back cans but I'm open to anything.

 

[chef8489]

I apologize there are a million of these out there, but I need some help, I'm new around here. I'm looking for a headphone amp combo under $300 that will accurately reproduce music which will be their primary use, my musical tastes range from Classical to Classic rock and everything in-between. About as wild as my music gets is Coldplay, it will be hooked up to my MacBook Air so portability is a bit of a factor but I'm fine with full size. If the amp has a built-in USB DAC that would be a big plus, I've been leaning towards open-back cans but I'm open to anything.

 

If you want full sized open back cans i would suggest the akg k7xx off massdrop when they run them. That and a fiio e10k or e17 would be a great combo around 300.00.

 

[Tristan Hanson]

 

  I apologize there are a million of these out there, but I need some help, I'm new around here. I'm looking for a headphone amp combo under $300 that will accurately reproduce music which will be their primary use, my musical tastes range from Classical to Classic rock and everything in-between. About as wild as my music gets is Coldplay, it will be hooked up to my MacBook Air so portability is a bit of a factor but I'm fine with full size. If the amp has a built-in USB DAC that would be a big plus, I've been leaning towards open-back cans but I'm open to anything.

 

If you want full sized open back cans i would suggest the akg k7xx off massdrop when they run them. That and a fiio e10k or e17 would be a great combo around 300.00.

how good are the AKG's for music? I thought they were centered towards monitoring.

 

[PL4Y3R 0N3]

I would suggest the AKG k553 and a fiio amp such as suggested above. Thek553 are on massdrop right now for $119 I believe and they are really good, unbelievable at that price.

 

[Tristan Hanson]

I would suggest the AKG k553 and a fiio amp such as suggested above. Thek553 are on massdrop right now for $119 I believe and they are really good, unbelievable at that price.

Do I really need the FIIO E17K if I get the E10K?

 

[PL4Y3R 0N3]

Do I really need the FIIO E17K if I get the E10K?

Sorry, I couldn't tell you. For the k553 I wouldn't think you would need an amp, especially out of a laptop. But I haven't had a headphone that needed an amp ever. I wouldnt think that you would need both the e10k and the e17k, but I am not the guy to ask.

 

[chef8489]

 
Do I really need the FIIO E17K if I get the E10K?

No it was a suggestion for the fiio e17 or e10k not both. The akg are said to be pretty amazing. Basically the k702 at a much  better price.

 

[chef8489]

Sorry, I couldn't tell you. For the k553 I wouldn't think you would need an amp, especially out of a laptop. But I haven't had a headphone that needed an amp ever. I wouldnt think that you would need both the e10k and the e17k, but I am not the guy to ask.

The e10 and e17 are more about the dac over the amp than just the amp. The k553 are closed back and the op was asking about open backed headphones.

 

[buke9]

HE400S no need for a amp at all sounds good straight out of a phone . They are very comfy also. A pair of Focus A pads adds a bit more bass to the mix and I like the feel better than stock not that they are bad by any means.