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Best over-ear headphones f/ iPod touch in the $200-$300 range
- Thread starter pelican7
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goldenmackid, many thanks for the excellent link, just what i was looking for!
I think I am getting these for Christmas... http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/able-planet-nc1000ch-clear/4505-7877_7-31646181.html
True, but low impedance high efficiency headphones like the Shure's mentioned here, or the similar Sony MDR-V6/7506 work just fine from the headphone out. This should be a consideration for any headphone purchase unless you want to also carry an amp.
First and foremost, "Thanks" for all your input.
I thought the link to the shure headphone was very informative. But moving on to headphone amps, the review say's that an amp makes them better, but a lot? Subjective.
Is battery drainage going to be sacrificed with this particular model or is the amp being used as a complement to the headphone?
I thought the link to the shure headphone was very informative. But moving on to headphone amps, the review say's that an amp makes them better, but a lot? Subjective.
Is battery drainage going to be sacrificed with this particular model or is the amp being used as a complement to the headphone?
I can use the SRH840s fine with my iPhone. There is a noticeable difference in loudness between my iPhone and my computer. There is an even more noticeable difference in loudness and quality between the computer and an amp. Whether you need one? Up to you. My father thinks that the SRH840s are great without an amp, as I would imagine most that don't use a headphone amp. As for the battery question, they drain quicker, but not too bad. I recently went six hours straight from a 95+ battery and got out of the car with below 50+ IIRC. Given your budget investing in a cheap portable amp doesn't sound like a bad idea.
I hope you don't get tired of me thanking you, but thanks!
You're explanations are forthright and clear. Any thoughts on a small amp suitable for the iPod touch?
I haven't used anything under $500. I have owned several Ray Samuels amps, but they aren't cheap. I cannot stress enough about going over to Head-Fi.org.
I have to step in here and say that unless you decide on some really high impedance, difficult to drive phones, that a portable amp is not going to give significant gains - especially to someone that is just getting their first decent set of headphones. (And there is an argument to be made that if you do choose such phones, a portable amp won't do them justice, either). A headphone amp, even a small portable one, doubles or triples the size of your portable setup, plus you need a Line Out Dock cable, etc. Then most portable amps only last 10-15 hours max on a battery - far less than most modern ipods. All this for an extremely small gain with most phones - especially if you are listening anywhere other than a quiet environment.
Head-fi is a busy, interesting place, but be forewarned - the Flavor of the Month Syndrome runs rampant there. Be very wary of any reviews you read stating that Product X made a HUGE difference. The folks there tend to convince themselves of almost anything they want to believe.
Head-fi is a busy, interesting place, but be forewarned - the Flavor of the Month Syndrome runs rampant there. Be very wary of any reviews you read stating that Product X made a HUGE difference. The folks there tend to convince themselves of almost anything they want to believe.
Thank you for your kind advice, much appreciated. I'm afraid i may be complicating things, for now i would like a nice headphone for my iPod touch and the goldenmackid seems to have steered me to a very nice one in my price range. The amp sounds interesting i admit, but for now i'd be happy with a great sounding headphone and the shure, based on the review, seems not to need them. Thanks again for your advice.
I can't say that I disagree with this entirely. Flavor of the Month definitely is rampant. I read head-fi amongst a lot of other things, but never when it comes to a product that I review. I lurk, but never post on head-fi for a lot of reasons. There is a lot that head-fiers know and they have a huge influence in the community in general. I would recommend an amp for the SRH840s, that's just my opinion and I'm no audiophile.
You are welcome - my pleasure. I have not heard the Shure's recommended, although I generally respect Shure as a company. I don't know if the option exists where you live, but I would encourage you to go try some different models on if at all possible, as different people often feel very differently about the same models - both sound and comfort-wise. Failing the ability to try them on, try to buy from a retailer that will allow returns. If you want to consider something excellent, but well below your price range, look at the Sony MDR-V6/7506 mentioned above. These are Studio Monitors much like the Shure's, but they have been made with essentially no changes for over 20 years. I own 6-8 set of phones in the $100-$500 range, and my 7506's see the most play time by a considerable margin because of their neutral sound, comfort and versatility.
There is tons of great info to be gleaned at Head-Fi, but I find that over the last couple of years the signal to noise ratio has gone way up. A good number of the most vocal members there spend so much time changing gear and their setups that I don't know how they have time to actually listen to the music that gear is designed to play, let alone get to really know a particular product.
I visited the site as suggested, still, be interested in your opinion on a "cheap" portable amp. (Man, i think i'm opening a can of worms here) $100 price range give or take. Feel free to tell me if i'm defeating the purpose with that amount. You know 2 steps forward, 1 back kind of thing.
One thing I would definitely take advantage of at Head-Fi is the Classifieds section. Since so many people turn over equipment so quickly, there are great deals to be had there daily. 'Audiophiles' tend to take really good care of there equipment as well - almost everything I've ever bought used has been nearly as good as new, usually for 1/2 price. My latest purchase there was a Corda Move portable amp, but I think it was around $150. I don't use it much while traveling, mostly connected to my home and work computers.
Thanks for the advice, i will check out the classifieds and at least you've given me a name on an amp that i can start to look at. Also, thanks on your last post on going out and checking some stores. Sometime i get so involved with everyday things i tend to overlook the most basic and simple logic.
Get a fiio E5. Cheap, simple amp, performs pretty well according to reviews. Whatever you use, remember to get a LOD (line out dock) cable. Taking sound from the headphone out port defeats the purpose. You can get both from my favorite chinese website dealextreme.com.
