Ipod Touch vs Macbook Sound Quality (When Using Headphones)

[CraigB3]

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but i just wanted to see if it was me who has experienced this.

I was listening to my Ipod touch (32gb, 3rd Gen) earlier today while i was out, through a new pair of Shure SE115's and the sound quality was great. However once i got home i plugged in the same pair of headphones into my Macbook, and noticed that the quality was not as good.

Dont get me wrong, the quality when plugged into my macbook is by no means bad, but there is a definite difference compared to my Ipod.

Anybody have any idea why this may be? :confused:

[BittenApple]

Did you have any equalizers on?

[CraigB3]

I have the same EQ setting on both my Ipod and in Itunes on my Macbook. They are both set to bass boost.

[tkermit]

Yes, the Macbook's internal DAC is supposedly of relatively low quality. So - could be a difference in DAC Quality, or in the quality of the built-in headphone amplifier, or a very slight pre-set EQ curve that Apple decided to build into the iPod.
Many music lovers use an external DAC with their Mac, like for example the Cambridge DacMagic or an Apogee One/Duet and some headphones should preferably be driven by separate headphone amplifiers, where there exist differences too.

Of course, since you said you had 'Bass boost' enabled, iTunes and the iPod touch might simply use a different EQ curve to achieve that effect..