[Mr.T]

Ok, people talk of portable audio (CD-Discman's etc.) do not have enough power to properly power headphones that are about 300 Ohms (Senn HD600 etc.)

Will a YAMAHA RX396 recevier and CD Player (Home stereo, separate components) be able to power a set of 300 Ohms Headphones (sen HD600 or Sen 495 (which are 32 Ohm I think))

Right now I'm using a set of Koss R80's and they are powered easily (Blasting my ears after only 1/4 of the volume set)

I interested in the HD495 cause they are not as expensive as the 600's


Another question are the Senn 495's a BIG step up from Koss R80's or just marginally better ?

Thanks all.

 

[Audio-Me]

Of course they can drive them, but the question is wether or not they can drive them well. I'm sure the headphone jacks on those mentioned would be decent, but you'll be holding back the headphones from sounding their best. Bottom line, if you want to use awesome high impedence headphones like Sennheiser HD600, get an amp. =)

 

[gaineso]

My Harmon Kardon FL8300 cdp jack plays my HD600s too loud. Very clean, but no volume control.

My H-K AVR300 receiver, plays the 600's very well and at any volume I can stand.

However, the best sound I get is from the line-out jack of the FL8300 to a Total Airhead amp to the HD600s. Awesome sound.

Better off with a portable amp or maybe a home amp, and line out from the source. If you can't go line out, there shoulfd be an available tape out.

I'm sure that your Yamaha will drive them comfortably and well. Line out with a 'phone amp is almost always (97% of the time?) better.

 

[Mr.T]

Thanks for the insight.

Will the 495's have just about the sound quality with my YAMAHA receiver as the 600's. ??

Also are the 495's ($79) a BIG step up from a pair of Koss R80's ($39) or just marginally better. ?? (Note this is using my Yamaha receiver <396>)

Thx

 

[gloco]

I also have a Yamaha receiver, RX-V493. It drives the my Sennheiser 580's just fine, in terms of volume. I keep the knob set to 9 o' clock. As for those 495's, i honestly did not like them at all. In my opinion, they sounded lifeless, but remember, this is my opinion. The 580's sound much better than the 495's, of course.

George

 

[delenda est Sony]

Mr T:

I suggest the Sennheiser 497s rather than the 495s. They are easier to drive and sound better to my ears, though some consider the 495s more comfortable. You will find that the 497s sound a lot better than the R80s. I tried the Kosses and found the music sort of overpowered by that trademark Koss bass. (Also the R80s seem sort of fragile! I dropped the demo pair on the floor and one of the cup housings popped out!! Oops

)

The 580s will sound even better, but you'll have to use an amp above and beyond your receiver jack. With the added cost of the cans and the amp, you'll pay about 6 times more than the 497s price of $60 (at headphone.com). Depending on your budget, you may want to try the 497s first.

Happy hunting!