Headphone connection

Sherm

Sherm

Sherm

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Joined
4 Jun 2003
Posts
903
Location
UK, Dorset
This may sound stupid, but not ever having any headphones for my pc before i just need to know one thing.

Connecting a pair of headphones to my X-fi, do i have to unplug one of my speaker jacks and plug in the headphone one? Id there a way of routing the connection to the fron panel on case? Either that or i have a headphone jack on my keyboard, would this use the x-fi?

Thanks:rolleyes:
 
If there is already a headphone port on the front panel of your case you should be able to just connect the leads from that to a header on the X-Fi card, then when you plug in headphones it should automatically cut your speakers.
 
I prefer line out---pre-amp--->headphone amp.

Best of both words, you can quickly switch inputs and outputs without unplugging anything
 
Greenlizard0 said:
Are these headphone connections that cases provide any good? I'm thinking of replacing my X-fi with something without a front I/O bay....
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Ive heard there pretty generic outputs...quality still wouldnt match the output directly from a soundcards output or the Xfi breakout box or front panel, only ones that will be better is as badbob suggested, although if your cans got a low impendance you could whack it in your soundcard and just enjoy it without hassle, or from a headphone amp u may notice better quality also.

Im considering getting a headphone amp also but frankly people say u dont get much better quality with the Audio technic A900s, but id like to have one with 2 source inputs which cost an a lot I belive.
 
What you said WiJ, that's what i would like to do and yes i have a headphone socket on my case. Will have a look at the card and see if i have any connections that i can use.
 
HighlandeR said:
Ive heard there pretty generic outputs...quality still wouldnt match the output directly from a soundcards output or the Xfi breakout box or front panel, only ones that will be better is as badbob suggested, although if your cans got a low impendance you could whack it in your soundcard and just enjoy it without hassle, or from a headphone amp u may notice better quality also.

Im considering getting a headphone amp also but frankly people say u dont get much better quality with the Audio technic A900s, but id like to have one with 2 source inputs which cost an a lot I belive.
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Cheers for that info.

I have a headphone AMP, and was in your situation. I couldn't justify spending that amount of money - so when one was offered to me (I believe) for a good price I took it.

I have to say that in the brief period of not using it I totally missed it! And this is using it on the front end of an X-Fi Fata1ty! Music just sounded so much richer (at roughly the same volume). (I own a pair of Audio Technica ATH A900 headphones).
 
Hi, I have a " 2004 A.N.T. Audio Anthead "Orange" Headphone amp. It boosts the quality of music really well, the only disadvantage is that you have an extra power cable running around lol

edit - how good this is I'm finding out now. It did well boosting the signal from an X-Fi Fata1ty, but it's really swimming harder boosting my crappy Realtek onboard sound from my laptop..
 
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Hi there,

I'm the bloke who sold you the Amber Ant. It is a fine little headphone amplifier but you can't expect it to transform the sounds from a very low end source to decent hi-fi sound. As the old maxim goes "garbage in, garbage out." I have a set of Audio Technica W5000s and a set of Sennheiser HD650s and use a Graham Slee Solo headphone amplifier. The problem with owning such high end gear is that it reveals so much sound from the source. I find listening to poorly recorded or music from a poor source unpleasant as my gear reveals any flaws present in the source or recording.

Re. the Graham Slee Solo. It's an excellent headphone amplifier. Sennheiser used the Graham Slee Solo to demonstrate the HD650s. It's received very enthusiastic reviews internationally. Within it's price bracket (around £350.00 now), it's regarded as one of the top four or five headphone amps available. I'm very happy with the Solo as I was with the Amber Ant. I use my W5000s most of the time for listening to music, games or movies but these cost over £500.00 in the UK so my priorities and choices are probably untypical here.

To the original poster here I would suggest that if you don't intend to amplify your 'phones you should look for a set of low impedance cans, i.e., Audio Technica, Grado, Goldring and some Sennheisers amongst others. These will provide tolerable sound direct from your soundcard or from a source such as a DVD player, Ipod, etc., without a headphone amplifier. But don't waste your money on Mickey Mouse so called "5.1" or "surround sound" headphones made for PC gaming. These tend to be little more than badly engineered toys. If you listen to music, I'd also avoid wireless headphones. A couple of years ago I auditioned a set of Pioneer wireless cans price at around £300 and was distinctly underwhelmed by them.
 
Wouldnt mind a nice Graham amps, but as lot of headfiers say its not gonna get much out from certain cans.

I guess once u go to such a high quality sound source/system u will be able to hear all the bad things just like exposing an bad source thru an HD screen I guess ;)

I think I may keep my audio technic A900s for those quiet needed times, but in future if can be I may invest in some HD595-650s truely loved the music from them there open design and comfort for long hours cant be beat and sounded totaly different if not better then the AT 900s ;)
 
Swapped headphones with my friend with HD595s for a while and thought the sound on my A900s was better in almost every way. Comfort of the "3D Wing" system is waaay better than traditional phones, I missed it a lot.

Despite the low impendance I run a USB DAC/AMP with my A900s and it makes a huge difference, music sounds so much nicer it's unbelivable.
 
Hxc said:
Swapped headphones with my friend with HD595s for a while and thought the sound on my A900s was better in almost every way. Comfort of the "3D Wing" system is waaay better than traditional phones, I missed it a lot.

Despite the low impendance I run a USB DAC/AMP with my A900s and it makes a huge difference, music sounds so much nicer it's unbelivable.
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Hmm you know ive had both also but perhaps cant recall how the sound was, gonna ask my m8 to loan his cans one day.... cos id love to re-compare but have both in front of me. Id like to hope/belive the HD595s arent as good sounding but a lot of headfier forum members tend to suggest open headphones will sound more natural and better for music.... could be wrong on that !

But then thats perhaps the reason they own 4-5 cans ;)

Can I ask what Dac/Amp are you using also ?
 
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