[Zaphod1]

Hi,

i rather like it simple, so i`m looking for a headphone that does a good job without a headphone amp. is there one that can give great performance when connected directely to a good computer soundcard (Terratec DMX 6dire) or a standard Sony AMP (even better if it would work even with an Apple Ipod that i consider buying) ?
price is rather a secondary issue.

ah yeah i`d use it for music (alternative, jazz, hiphop, ska, ska punk, easy listening) and PC games.

 

[psyco1]

From what I've read, I'd say the RS-1's a good bet for the best without an amp, though I doubt you'd want to pay that much.

 

[bangraman]

The MDR-R10 should work from most outputs...
Whether it gives the best sound unamped is something I can't comment on. R10 owners here will surely comment.


High-end Gratos without an amp capable of supplying high current is not a good idea. With the dynamics removed or lessened, Gratos just sound... average.


The ATH-W2002 works well with some unamped sources, not with others. Generally it's agreeable but once again, a decent amount of current is desirable. Cheap, warm sounding and low-resolution sources may bog the 2002 down.


So the question: How secondary is price really? Drop a maximum budget figure.

 

[Xecter]

Um..... lemme give this a try.


Closed:
Sony V6/7506 (~60ohms)
Senn. HD280s (~64Ohms)

Open:
Grado SR60 (~30[?] OHms)
Grado SR80 (~30[?] Ohms)


=P

 

[GeoffW]

The CD3000 sounds great with every unamped source I've plugged it into (some better than others). And it goes far beyond comfortable volume levels on a PC soundcard. I would guess the R10 is better unamped, but the CD3k is only $380.

 

[Zaphod1]

thanks for the comments so far.
i`d pay up to 300$...cause otherwise i`d go for the dt880+amp (same money)
well i read that the grado r60 seem to work good without an amp, and if they looked cooler and had the cable on sided i wouldn`t wait getting one of those.

 

[kuma]

if you don't mind foreign objects stuck in your ears.
They work off my laptop or portable minidisc players.

 

[MusicJunkie]

I have a pair of RS-1s and a pair of Ety ER4Ps. I say the ER4P sound better than the RS-1 unamped as well as amped.

But then again I think the ER4P are best sounding headphones I've had the pleasure of hearing.

Get the Etys, you'll never be sorry you did.

MJ

 

[wallijonn]

CD3000
A1000
W1000
A900
DT531
V6
...

 

[Gluegun]

I would simply go for $300 total for headphones and an amp... There is no need to *speficially* get the DT880's... just go for the highest fidelity you can get for $300...

 

[Zaphod1]

well. i`ve decided to go for gold and get the DT880 + AMP ! is a creek OBH-21 (succsessor of the OBH-11 ) a good match for the 880s ?

 

[tom hankins]

CD-3000, are the best of the headphones I've owned without an amp.

 

[Mythar]

good choice...I've just built a few cmoys as a little project while the money's low, until I can buy parts for a couple of metas or a premade amp...and even with lower priced low impedence phones that have no problem being driven from portable devices, the sound is much cleaner, fuller, and richer. I almost think my cheap crappy old headphones sound better than my newer nicer ones (I don't have any really nice pairs yet...need to start work before I can get them) when the cheap ones are amped and the nicer ones aren't. Just my opinion. Makes a big difference though. Make the cmoy a project and build a few...one for each use...portable? computer? stereo? It's fun and you'll be happy you did.

 

[cyberhazard]

Sony MDR-CD3000. After performing my own tests with Chesky's Ultimate Domostration Disk, I've decided these are the one. No more wandering eye.

 

[grinch]

i found the rs-1's unlistenable without an amp. their frequency response changed a lot, in my experience.. without an amp they got really bright.

i use ety 4s with my ipod all the time and it sounds pretty great to me.

if i was looking for an unamped headphone, i'd definitely look at sony v6, and grado sr-60/80/125/225. i like my sr200's out of the ipod as well, and they do nothing but improve when i add an amp.