Panasonic Shockwave

[alfaudio]

Could any one give me some ideas about Panasonic's shockwave PSCDP such as SL-SW895 or SL-SW890. Mainly concerning their sound quality. Could them drive KOSS KSC35 loudly enough?
I usually use E888with my R55MD in 4-5bars to the max.vol.

 

[joelongwood]

I have the SW-SL870 and it drives the KSC-35s just fine. I think the sound is very good for a portable. Just my opinion of course.

 

[jpelg]

"Fine" is a very relative assessment. I have heard many times on this forum that many cans are driven "just fine" straight out of PCDP's headphone jacks. If not for some practical experience of my own, it would have led me to try some less-than-efficient cans for use without an external amp.

I use an older Panasonic Shockwave 405 that puts out 9mW @16ohms. I use it with Koss Sportapros which have the same 60ohm drivers as the KSC35's.

I need to run the PCDP at near max volume setting to get really satisfying volume in public places. This sucks battery life very quickly out of my AA rechargables. Using a portable amp provides a much more satisfying listening experience without taxing the PCDP's built-in headphone jack (and really saves lots on battery life too). If you are using your system in more quiet environments then you might be OK.

Most earbuds, like the 888's at 16ohms, are much more efficient by comparison.

Just some practical experience. FYI.

 

[joelongwood]

Quote:

"Fine" is a very relative assessment.

Isn't everything?
Quote:

Most earbuds, like the 888's at 16ohms, are much more efficient by comparison.

I just plugged the KSC35s, which BTW are the exact headphones alphaudio was asking about, into the PDCP and to achieve a very loud volume, in a quiet environment, the volume was at 7........going any higher would risk hearing damage.
The E888s plugged in, with the same CD, needed to be at a 6 to achive the same volume. I wouldn't call that "much more efficient by comparison."
Quote:

I need to run the PCDP at near max volume setting to get really satisfying volume in public places.

Be careful! In your attempt to override external noise, you may unwittingly be damaging your hearing. If you want to block out external noise, Ety ER6 would be a better choice for portability.
Quote:

Using a portable amp provides a much more satisfying listening experience without taxing the PCDP's built-in headphone jack (and really saves lots on battery life too). If you are using your system in more quiet environments then you might be OK.

Change "might" to "will" and I'll agree to that. But of course, I could be wrong, because "satisfying" volume is "relative" isn't it?
Just some practical experience.

 

[jpelg]

All points well taken. I am now wondering if the SportaPros actually DO sound different than the KSC35's, and maybe the KSC50's too. Has anyone actually compared all three side by side?

[size=xx-small]Ety ER6 would be a better choice for portability. [/size]

They are on my list of "next to try". I am still not sure about the whole canalphone thing. But you guys make them sound so enticing. And they would be a cool match for my MD player which just sits in a drawer at the moment. I may have to just go for it.

And what from there? ER4's? HD600's? Headphone amps? Tubes? Oh, where does it end??!!!!

or

 

[Tim D]

Yah, I've tried a variety of Pansonic portables with that exact same power rating...and I've had Sportapros before. You are raising the volumes to unreasonable levels just because of outside noise. So basically what you are doing is, because your environment is noisy, you are subjecting your ears to even more noise.

Course I guess it is relative...but to me that seems like excessive volume levels.

 

[joelongwood]

Quote:

And what from there? ER4's? HD600's? Headphone amps? Tubes? Oh, where does it end??!!!!

jpelg, as long as you hang around here, it doesn't end!
As far as the ER6s go, I hesitated for as long time because I didn't think I could shove something in my ear. I was wrong. Headroom has that 30 day trial period.........I say go for it. They definitely don't need to be as loud in public places because of their isolating characteristics. And the sound is wonderful (I know "wonderful" is relative), but believe me, for what they cost, they are indeed, wonderful! I've used them with my Sony MD player and there is ample power there to drive them.

BTW, the Porta Pros (haven't heard Sporta Pros,) are VERY different sounding than the KSC-35s. I think someone compared the KSC-35 to the KSC-50.........maybe try a search.

 

[citroeniste]

Quote:

Originally posted by jpelg All points well taken. I am now wondering if the SportaPros actually DO sound different than the KSC35's, and maybe the KSC50's too. Has anyone actually compared all three side by side?

Do this simple experiment. Take your speakers, and listen to them. Now move them each 1 foot (30cm). Listen again. Do they sound different? Now rotate them 30deg in. Listen again. Do they sound different?

My point: the three Koss's put the drivers at different places relative to your ears, so of course they sound at least a little different!

 

[jpelg]

I was actually wondering more from an "efficiency" standpoint, rather than from "accuracy" or "tone" standpoints.

But your point is well taken also.