Best available headphones for music?

Scott Salisbury · 23 Jun 2006 at 18:33

Curio said:
..my Sennheisers actually sounded awful when I first got them - took about a month of solid use for them to sound sweet.

Oh right, didn't know that. Well I knew all audio stuff sort of needs breaking in a bit, to break the newness, didn't think it would take that long though.

I already like the quality of these cans, so if they're going to get better then I can't wait

They just sound so clean and crisp.

squiffy · 23 Jun 2006 at 18:52

Scott Salisbury said:
As for an amp? Definitely not, they’re so loud as they are. I’ve even tried them on my Creative Zen:M for the hell of it and they’re impressive even on this (many reviews said they were almost useless on mobile devices). Though, I won’t ever use these cans outside the house

The big Sennheiser phones are quite hard to drive, so if you upgrade to a headphone amplifier you'll notice a overall improvement, most noticeable will be in the bass region (not so muddy) Don't know what headphone amplifier quality is in soundcards, I know the older types could drive passive speakers, but newer ones just line level? I use RS line Grados and these are quite easy to drive, but big difference between driving off portable devices, and proper headphone amplifier. Something like a Pimenta headphone amp from the line out will suit Sennheiser's perfectly.

Scott Salisbury · 23 Jun 2006 at 20:06

Ah right. Bah now I'm interested!

I just done a quick google search for pimeta, can't you buy them straight off the shelf? I just find pages on how to make your own :confused:

What's a good headphone amp that you can just buy? Don't know if I would buy one, don't really think I need it. But just out of interest.

squiffy · 23 Jun 2006 at 20:19

Pimenta's are available DIY and pre-made. Not "big brands" usually people who make them are just into hi-fi. You can customize headphone amps (op-amps effect sound differences so can mount onto socketed fittings)

If you have any interest in sound quality a headphone amplifier is worthwhile, if existing amplifier is inadequate. If the line out is just a standard line out it will be!

fish99 · 23 Jun 2006 at 22:56

Yeah, should have said that earlier, but when we talk about some headphones being hard to drive and needing a headphone amp, it's not necessarily volume we're talking about (that's the sensitivity), it's that a stronger current will be needed to bring the best out of high impedence headphones. Of course a headphone amp does bring more volume too if you need it.

Whether a headphone amp will bring enough improvement in a 150 ohm headphone to be worth how ever much the amp costs is a judement call, I certainly don't know. You've also got to take into account that a PC soundcard, presumably playing MP3s, isn't exactly a high quality source.

TooNice · 23 Jun 2006 at 23:55

Scott Salisbury said:
Oh right, didn't know that. Well I knew all audio stuff sort of needs breaking in a bit, to break the newness, didn't think it would take that long though.

I wouldn't read too much into break-ins for headphones to be honest. Yes my AKG701 sounded much better to me after 2 weeks than out of the box. But I think that was more psychological than the result of physical changes in drivers etc. I have yet to see any hardcore believers in headphone break-ins successfully pass a blind test. If you enjoy your cans now, then just let it be.

As to amplification, as previously mentioned, it is not just about volume. That said, the HDxx5 series are designed to be easier to drive. But honestly, an amp is not the most cost effective way to improve sound quality for headphones. A source would do more in my experience. Let's put it this way, my headphones and source cost roughly the same. My (pretty reasonable) amp cost more than either my headphones and source (not combined). Yes it improves the sound, especially of my K701. Yet if I had to drop one component in my chain, it would be the amp.