Using Sennheiser HD800 with an iPad

[ankoru]

Hello everyone!
I have a pair of HD800 and was wondering if I can plug them directly into my iPad or mobile phone via a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adaptor.

 

[SilverEars]

Hello everyone!
I have a pair of HD800 and was wondering if I can plug them directly into my iPad or mobile phone via a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adaptor.

Probably brings out the bads of 800 if driven like that. bass lite, low level upper-mids with peaky treble. Probably not as enjoyable as well driven 800 for music, but podcasts are acceptable!

Only way to find out is try them. Nobody is going to tell you how exactly you will hear.

 

[Kammerat Rebekka]

You’re asking the wrong crowd dude!
99% of head-fiers will most likely claim that you need an amp..preferably a tube amp..and while you’re at it - better pick up an external dac. The rabbithole is bottomless.
Why? Because they think it sounds better that way...even if none have done a simple levelmatched blindtest in order to ascertain if they actually can hear a difference between X multi-buck rig and an iPad.
Spoiler: most can’t

But to answer your query: yes you can. It’s a 300 ohm headphone yes...but it is easy to drive as the sensitivity is high. I have a good friend who listens to his HD800 straight out of an iPad. Sounds great

 

[ankoru]

You’re asking the wrong crowd dude!
99% of head-fiers will most likely claim that you need an amp..preferably a tube amp..and while you’re at it - better pick up an external dac. The rabbithole is bottomless.
Why? Because they think it sounds better that way...even if none have done a simple levelmatched blindtest in order to ascertain if they actually can hear a difference between X multi-buck rig and an iPad.
Spoiler: most can’t

But to answer your query: yes you can. It’s a 300 ohm headphone yes...but it is easy to drive as the sensitivity is high. I have a good friend who listens to his HD800 straight out of an iPad. Sounds great

That's great! I shall go and order an adaptor

Thank you so much!

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Why? Because they think it sounds better that way...even if none have done a simple levelmatched blindtest in order to ascertain if they actually can hear a difference between X multi-buck rig and an iPad.

The problem is really the opposite. You have a lot of guys who don't understand audio buying expensive headphones that are designed for stationary use and plugging them into laptops, phones, and tablets. The volume is good enough and they think ok it doesn't sound that amazing but I guess it's all there is.

But that's wrong, there is more, much more.

Sennheiser 600/650/6XX and 800 scale very well to the point it's difficult to throw too much amplifier at them. When you know what these headphones should sound like and they don't, it's the amp. They will sound lifeless and flat even though they get loud enough. Feed them happy power and they can blow your mind.

 

[ankoru]

The problem is really the opposite. You have a lot of guys who don't understand audio buying expensive headphones that are designed for stationary use and plugging them into laptops, phones, and tablets. The volume is good enough and they think ok it doesn't sound that amazing but I guess it's all there is.

But that's wrong, there is more, much more.

Sennheiser 600/650/6XX and 800 scale very well to the point it's difficult to throw too much amplifier at them. When you know what these headphones should sound like and they don't, it's the amp. They will sound lifeless and flat even though they get loud enough. Feed them happy power and they can blow your mind.

Thank you very much for this.

Actually, I have an amplifer (Woo Audio) and a CD player connected, but rarely use the set as I have to move around.

I turned it on last night and enjoyed it very much, but then thought that it would be nice to use the HD800 as a portable set, so that I can sit with my family, move around the house, etc.

I have zero technical knowledge.

I had always assumed that something like an iPad would not be 'strong enough' to power the HD800 (because of its size and the larger 6.3mm plug).

I'll get an adaptor to try, but if the sound is disappointing, is there some sort of pocket-sized amplifier that I could consider?

 

[Whitigir]

Probably brings out the bads of 800 if driven like that. bass lite, low level upper-mids with peaky treble. Probably not as enjoyable as well driven 800 for music, but podcasts are acceptable!

Only way to find out is try them. Nobody is going to tell you how exactly you will hear.

This is exactly what it feels like... also max out volume isn’t anywhere satisfying but more likely annoying

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Thank you very much for this.

Actually, I have an amplifer (Woo Audio) and a CD player connected, but rarely use the set as I have to move around.

I turned it on last night and enjoyed it very much, but then thought that it would be nice to use the HD800 as a portable set, so that I can sit with my family, move around the house, etc.

I have zero technical knowledge.

I had always assumed that something like an iPad would not be 'strong enough' to power the HD800 (because of its size and the larger 6.3mm plug).

I'll get an adaptor to try, but if the sound is disappointing, is there some sort of pocket-sized amplifier that I could consider?

I guess there might be some portable amps that could do it but I don't know any to suggest. Which Woo amp do you have? It might have set a high standard

 

[Kammerat Rebekka]

The problem is really the opposite. You have a lot of guys who don't understand audio buying expensive headphones that are designed for stationary use and plugging them into laptops, phones, and tablets. The volume is good enough and they think ok it doesn't sound that amazing but I guess it's all there is.

But that's wrong, there is more, much more.

Sennheiser 600/650/6XX and 800 scale very well to the point it's difficult to throw too much amplifier at them. When you know what these headphones should sound like and they don't, it's the amp. They will sound lifeless and flat even though they get loud enough. Feed them happy power and they can blow your mind.

I take it you get your wisdom from the manufacturers and not the sound-engineers
Either way if it works for you, then more power to you.
I used to think the same though and could quite clearly hear the advantages that came with more power and pricier amps. Then again at that time I had never listened to gear without looking at it. Better definition, better controlled bass, increase of low-level detail and larger soundstage were all things I experienced back then.
...and then my friend who works with sound in a professional recording studio had the wonderful idea of hiding the merchandise from view AND more importantly: levelmatch the amps. Since then I have effectively stopped caring about amps
Our minds can create the most riveting soundquality known to man...it is the exact same as you get elsewhere...only you’re in the mood for music and therefor enjoy it that much more. Wasn’t the amp though

 

[ankoru]

Thanks to everyone, for your speedy, honest and helpful replies - I am very grateful.

I think that I shall go with the adaptor first - it may be all that I need for listening to podcasts and watching YouTube videos.

I've had a quick look at portable amplifiers, but if it doesn't work out with the adaptor, I shall probably get another pair of headphones just for the iPad.

 

[ankoru]

I guess there might be some portable amps that could do it but I don't know any to suggest. Which Woo amp do you have? It might have set a high standard

I believe that it was called a model 6. Two boxes connected together with a short power cable. It is covered in several years' of dust.

The foam on the HD800 is starting to crumble so I have just ordered the replacement pads.

I was surprised that it all still works!

I have to start looking into how to rip CDs, etc. Things have moved on a lot.

 

[SilverEars]

This is exactly what it feels like... also max out volume isn’t anywhere satisfying but more likely annoying

I usually find that if not drive well enough, the bass tend to be reduced, and sound tilts towards the upper frequencies sounding leaner, but also with bass being looser sounding. Dynamics are noticeably reduced as well.

I have noticed with HD800S for example, if it's being driven well, I can tell the driver being really gripped and outputting tighter and cleaner bass. I can hear it in the sound from the reaction of the driver, it's has certain property of the driver responding noticible in the sound that's hard to explain.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I believe that it was called a model 6. Two boxes connected together with a short power cable. It is covered in several years' of dust.

The foam on the HD800 is starting to crumble so I have just ordered the replacement pads.

I was surprised that it all still works!

I have to start looking into how to rip CDs, etc. Things have moved on a lot.

I don't know about that amp but Woo is generally good stuff. The only question is whether that amp is the appropriate type for you 800s.

You can rip CDs with foobar2000 or dbpoweramp and many other apps. I like to use ffmpeg command line on *NIX because it's scriptable and lighter than GUI apps.

I take it you get your wisdom from the manufacturers and not the sound-engineers

Actually "none of the above."

Really what happened is I plugged a pair of 600s into three different low-powered sources over a period of time and they all sounded flat and lifeless. One was a mini stereo stack, the other was a FiiO K5 amp, and the other was a FiiO 5 MKII DAP. Some of the sources actually had enough power on paper but it wasn't happening.I put the facts together and realized the 600 can be loud enough and still sound like crap. Since then I use appropriate amps and I'm always delighted and amazed. The difference is night and day.

I think it's kinda dumb and unproductive to buy great headphones and never drive them to their potential. But if you want to waste money it's your business

 

[ankoru]

I don't know about that amp but Woo is generally good stuff. The only question is whether that amp is the appropriate type for you 800s.

It's this one, but the older 1st generation

https://wooaudio.com/amplifiers/wa6se

 

[gimmeheadroom]

It's this one, but the older 1st generation

https://wooaudio.com/amplifiers/wa6se

That's a honker of an amp. Should drive anything but an HE6