[ultimo101]

Audio Technica's ATH-A700.

Alright, so after a few nights of research I decided to purchase this product.
Now that I get them Im noticing one MAJOR flaw. When at a decently loud volume.. the quality drops tremendously. The cymbals and treble noises get quite distorted.

Theres really nothing I can do about this so I am sorry for just ranting. But I mean, I paid $175 for headphones, I figured this wouldnt be an issue...

 

[dfkt]

What source/amp are you using with them? That could matter quite a bit.

 

[Agnostic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimo101 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Audio Technica's ATH-A700. Alright, so after a few nights of research I decided to purchase this product. Now that I get them Im noticing one MAJOR flaw. When at a decently loud volume.. the quality drops tremendously. The cymbals and treble noises get quite distorted. Theres really nothing I can do about this so I am sorry for just ranting. But I mean, I paid $175 for headphones, I figured this wouldnt be an issue...

Sounds like an amplification problem. I don't think this has anything to do with the Headphones.

 

[ultimo101]

My pc's creative soundcard.

 

[Golden Monkey]

...well, there you go then...

 

[ultimo101]

So I need to buy an amp? I chose these because they were supposed to be excellent without an amp

 

[dfkt]

Sure, they might work well with a decent low-power source, like a Cowon MP3 player - but not a sub-par Soundblaster.

 

[ultimo101]

ooh -_-
I guess I should have asked this first. What about a decent stereo amp (using the 1/4" adaptor)? Surely that should be enough

 

[Agnostic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimo101 /img/forum/go_quote.gif So I need to buy an amp? I chose these because they were supposed to be excellent without an amp

Your sound card just doesn't have the power to drive your headphones at the volume you want.

 

[Agnostic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimo101 /img/forum/go_quote.gif ooh -_- I guess I should have asked this first. What about a decent stereo amp (using the 1/4" adaptor)? Surely that should be enough

Yep

 

[Akabeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimo101 /img/forum/go_quote.gif My pc's creative soundcard.

That's a problem

You should browse in the portable amps/full-size amps and source threads for some clues. There are a LOT of things there you can read. Every headphone can shine when it acquires a good synergy all the way from the source and to get there you need to find the equipment and that sounds good for your taste.

Good luck finding them

and enjoy the ride there

 

[ultimo101]

Thank you to all, youve not only been helpful, but informative as well.
Not to mention polite haha

again, thank you very much

 

[Shahrose]

ultimo, i've used 4 different creative based sound cards, over a span of 10 years and i've found they only distort when you've messed with equalizer settings or the bass/treble settings. don't ever boost the bass or treble beyond 50% (default setting). if you want to boost bass, then lower the treble, don't increase the bass. always cut, never boost.

also, make sure you're not maxing out the volume in the sound card panel; at 100%, it's bound to distort. if you want/need more volume, you really need an amp (which will also boost sound quality).

 

[Peter Pinna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif ultimo, i've used 4 different creative based sound cards, over a span of 10 years and i've found they only distort when you've messed with equalizer settings or the bass/treble settings. don't ever boost the bass or treble beyond 50% (default setting). if you want to boost bass, then lower the treble, don't increase the bass. always cut, never boost. also, make sure you're not maxing out the volume in the sound card panel; at 100%, it's bound to distort. if you want/need more volume, you really need an amp (which will also boost sound quality).

Shahrose, brings up some very valid points. I would suggest setting the volume controls and the frequency controls all at 50%. The main volume control can be less than 50% if you wish. Second, I suggest "turning off" the equalizer for headphone useage. In Creative "Speaker Settings" make sure "Headphones" is selected in the speaker/headphones option drop down list.
Taking your description of what you are looking for in a headphone amp, and the impression I have is that you are looking for an inexpensive one, you might want to check out this one:

Behringer | AMP800 - MINIAMP Compact 4-Channel | MINI AMP AMP800

I use this amp connected to the sound card (SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum) on my office computer. Especially when you consider it's inexpensive price of only $40, it has a very nice sound.
Good luck.

 

[Nocturnal310]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif ultimo, i've used 4 different creative based sound cards, over a span of 10 years and i've found they only distort when you've messed with equalizer settings or the bass/treble settings. don't ever boost the bass or treble beyond 50% (default setting). if you want to boost bass, then lower the treble, don't increase the bass. always cut, never boost. also, make sure you're not maxing out the volume in the sound card panel; at 100%, it's bound to distort. if you want/need more volume, you really need an amp (which will also boost sound quality).

You must have tried the X-fi rated Cards then? ..because their output gets distorted when EQ is used.