The Hassle-Free Headphone Recommendation Thread: Cans that sound great without amping, modding, or burn-in.

[chohoho]

What about IEMs that are good without amps?

 

[Tail]

  What about IEMs that are good without amps?

99% of them are driven to the full without any amp. Only couple of huge impedance ones need amp to match it, but it's rare, and almost no earphone is low sensitivity enough not to be able to be driven from smartphone or iPod for example.
 
You'll more likely just get some hiss from amps that are too powerful for iems and wouldn't gain any benefit

 

[NewWaveAudio]

  99% of them are driven to the full without any amp. Only couple of huge impedance ones need amp to match it, but it's rare, and almost no earphone is low sensitivity enough not to be able to be driven from smartphone or iPod for example.
 
You'll more likely just get some hiss from amps that are too powerful for iems and wouldn't gain any benefit

Powerbeats 2 amp well with a FIIO E12, but are still plenty loud without. The bass has less punch though

 

[chohoho]

Thanks for the help, I have a pair of SE215s but I don't know that much about IEMs.

 

[Guppy_]

oppo pm-3

 

[wolfjeanne]

Still loving my Philips fidelio L2
Not very popular since the x2 is only slightly more expensive and arguably more fun sounding - i.e. more bass. But definitely a hassle free headphone. 

 

[GearMe]

Some inexpensive cans that don't require amping, have nice enough sound, a low 'visibility profile' for out and about, are a good value. Got each of them in the $27 to $37 range (a bit lucky on the WS55s)

Audio Technica WS55
JVC S400 (the S500 is supposed to be pretty good as well)
AKG K518LE (foam mod...yeah, I know -- no mods but it's a 1 minute mod that anyone can do)

 

[rogerthat]

I've seen mentions of ATH M50s and can add my thumbs up.  They are easy to drive, but also very tolerant if you do amp them a bit.
The only criticism I have is that they tend to emphasize the bass a bit, but they are very nice sounding headphones and I would say they are a solid first step

 

[mohandandamudi]

Even I'm trying to buy something which doesn't need amping or modding and I want to use them mainly with iPhone and cumputer.
I have listened to Audio technica ATH-M50x they sound clear but my complaint is with the Bass I didn't like the Bass (I know they are monitors but didn't expect that low) . Now I'm struggling to decide which between Vmoda Coseefade LP2 and Beyerdynamic custom one pro.
Anybody have used them can they tell what is the how they compare sound clarity wise in treble department and bass department (which is more thumping) ?
Regards,
Mohan

 

[wolfjeanne]

  Even I'm trying to buy something which doesn't need amping or modding and I want to use them mainly with iPhone and cumputer.
I have listened to Audio technica ATH-M50x they sound clear but my complaint is with the Bass I didn't like the Bass (I know they are monitors but didn't expect that low) . Now I'm struggling to decide which between Vmoda Coseefade LP2 and Beyerdynamic custom one pro.
Anybody have used them can they tell what is the how they compare sound clarity wise in treble department and bass department (which is more thumping) ?
Regards,
Mohan

The ATH-M50x is not a truly neutral monitor. They already have enhanced bass. It has been too long since I listened to either of the alternatives you propose; I think I liked the LP2 better, but thought that there was too much mid-bass making them quite slow but very present at the bottom, and that the custom one had the gimmick of adjusting bass, but for all the rest sounded slightly worse than the ATM-M50x.
I tried the Sennheiser Urbanite's in store the other day and thought they sounded quite good but with too much bass for me, so they might be what you are looking for. Had no direct comparison with either of the aforementioned headphones though. EDIT: or the Ultrasone I tried which was more V-shaped. From price and pictures I think I tried the HFI-780

 

[Makiah S]

  Sony ZX700
Sennheiser HD-25 II
 
Both seem to be fine w/o amping or modding.

 
 

  ur6000

 
 

The ms-1 sounds good without an amp highly recomended

 
 
I'd say these Three are my favorites, an I still own two of them! Granted my MS1i is modded, though the mods are... more for looks an less for SQ, an my HD 25-1 II is totally stock

Both though are wonderful! I like my HD 25-1 II in the gym an my MS1i walking to an from out side 

 

[NiHaoMike]

The Xiaomi Piston 3 works pretty well even with onboard audio.

 

[JMO1]

Hello - first post on this forum.
 
I am looking for help to decide wich headphones I should get.
 
Price range: apr. $300 or less.
Closed design if possible (low noise bleed)
wired
 
Sound preference: I listen mainly to pop and electronica. I enjoy a rich, warm sound and powerful bass. I was considering the Beats Pro, but after reading on this forum, I gather there is a lot of alternatives in my price range that give more bang for bucks. Design is not that important, alltough it don't hurt if they look good as well.
 
I appreciate any feedback I can get, as I am a little confused atm.

 

[looser]

I am unable to decide among Soundmagic E10/E10s, Signature Acoustics C12 and Mi Piston. I listen mainly to Bollywood, Pop and a bit Classical. Currently have a Sony XB400EX and like it more or less although i always find me increasing the 150-400Hz range in the equaliser. Please help.
 
Just a new member here and unable to find a way to start a new thred. :/ Hence, asking in this thread.

 

[k34dyn]

Hi,

First post here. I can't seem to create a thread on the introduction section for some reason (no option).

I just wanted to know if anyone could reccommend some closed back headphones for hip hop and drum and bass music. Budget is about $200 and I'm not looking to use a portable amp at the beginning.

Thanks for the suggested names, I'll be browsing the site to check them out.

Thanks