Headphone newbie with a question

C

chiablo

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
387
Some personal background:
I don't like loud speakers/headphones. I'm more of a mellow sort of guy that would rather 'hear' the sound than have it blasted into my skull by overpowered audio driving equipment. I never could understand how people can be comfortable while listening to such high volumes.

My current setup:
Audigy 2 ZS
Creative Inspire T7700 - 7.1 speakers

I bought the 7.1 speaker setup because I wanted to have better positional awareness in games like CS:S and BF2. Unfortunately, in order to get the true surround, I have to have the speakers at a volume that is both uncomfortable for me and my wife and the quality of the speakers really rears it's ugly head at anything but low volume levels. I don't know how creative did it, but the subwoofer supplies the most high pitched bass I have ever heard.

So, I am currently looking at replacing the speakers with a good pair of headphones that will provide good audio quality and provide me with the positional audio experience that I am currently lacking. I primarily play games on my computer system (mostly First Person Shooters with a heaping pile of World of Warcraft on the side.) I don't listen to much music on that particular machine, but the generes I enjoy most are Heavy Metal, Prog. Rock, and Industrial. With headphones I could more comfortably listen to music without distrubing the wife (she'd rather gouge her eyes out with a spoon than listen to Strapping Young Lad.)

One of my main concerns is budgeting. I want to get a good pair of headphones that will last me years and not need to worry about upgrading at a later date. Luckily, headphone technology doesn't evolve as quickly as video card technology... So I'd be comfortable in spending a little more money here. The headphones I was looking at getting is the Sennheiser HD555. From everything I've read, I won't get a noticible difference between the 555's and the 595 (or higher.) Especially since I won't be utilizing them at high volumes.

An issue at hand is my lack of an amplifyer. I honestly don't feel comfortable spending $200+ on an amplifyer who's main purpose is to move the volume from uncomfortably loud to eardrum shatteringly loud. I do realize that an amp provides the nessisary power to the headphones to make them sound better, but the price point hits me hard. I have an old stereo that's sitting in a closet. It's one of those CD/Tape deck/Radio stereos. Would this work as an acceptible substitute for a headphone amp, or do I need to get/build a more realistic amp?

Also, I want to upgrade the Audigy 2 ZS to an X-Fi card, but I'm having a hard time justifying the upgrade to the wife. Is there a noticible difference between the X-Fi and the Audigy 2? And is the FPS version of it worth the extra $100?
 
I can't comment on the 555's as I am on a very tight budget and only have the 201's(still really impressed with them though) but as for the amp I can comment on that aspect.

Don't think of an amp just as increasing the volume(which it does rather well) but as something that can push the driver correctly. Even though my 201's can be used without an amp, they do not sound as clean. I am not one that likes loud volume but I do want my headphones to sound good.

And do not worry about the cost of an amp. It does not sound like you are a big audiophile, just someone that wants to enjoy good sound. I built my own amp, a cmoy amp, for just under 27 dollars. Yes it might not be the best rated but like you, I just want good sound...something that is not going to set me back a few hundred dollars. If you are not the type that likes to solder, then make a request for one to be built for you.

There are a few people here on this board that can do it and not charge that much(misterx comes to mind :) ). Just ask for either a cmoy or if you want a slightly better amp, a mint amp(but costs more). Another place to look for someone to build you an amp is at www.headfi.org
 
For an amp, buy a cmoy or mint amp from ebay. They sound great and are around $50. You can make your own, but it is a little more expensive depending on how much tools you have to buy, but it is educational. Another site for this is www.head-fi.org. It's probably a little more specific to your question. As far as loudness goes...I heard a 595 on a sound card at max volume and it was normal sounding with pop music. If you listen to a lot of classical, where the loud and soft parts differ by a lot, the overall volume of those recordings is less and sounds bad because they are noisy recordings because of the dynamic range limitations set by CD technology. If CD's had more dynamic range, then classical music could be recorded so that there is virtually no noise. That's why a lot of people recommend an amp. It's to drive the music up to a good listening level.
 
You honestly dont really need an amp. An amp will make your headphones sound better, but its not like it wont work without them.

Just plug your headphones into your Audigy for now and if you want you can make a cmoy or buy a headphone amp at a later date
 
Like I said, I have an oldish stereo system that is just sitting in a closet. Could this be utilized as a makeshift amp or would it still lack the power needed to properly drive the headphones?

I'm also considering upgrading the HD555's to a pair of HD580's (amazon has a good deal on them right now.)
 
chiablo: _most_ receivers don't have terribly good headphone stages. In your situation, I'd skip the amp - I don't think it would be essential in your situation. The HD555s will sound fine straight out of the Audigy (though they'd sound _better_ out of an X-Fi). If the Audigy has the same headphone-surround processing as the X-Fi, that should give you excellent positioning.
 
chiablo said:
From everything I've read, I won't get a noticible difference between the 555's and the 595 (or higher.) Especially since I won't be utilizing them at high volumes.
Click to expand...

This is not true. There's a very noticable difference between the midrange headphones and high end headphones, at any volume level. In this case, the HD-595 will be better across the entire spectrum. That said, the HD-555 is a very nice headphone, and you won't regret buying it if you will.

(Currently owning a HD-595, having borrowed the HD-555 for a week)

If you can afford it, get into the headphone world with a high end model to begin with, it saves having to upgrade later on. And trust me, you will want to upgrade. In any case, if you're not looking to upgrade in the future, steer clear of head-fi.org, the "sorry about your wallet" welcome there isn't a joke :D.


About the amps, I think it's a waste not to use a great headphone to it's full potential, and would definitly recommend a dedicated headphone amp (or a 70's-80's receiver, the old receivers often have good, if not great, headphone stages).
 
Ah, head-fi.org. Shortly after finding their forum, I found myself $1500 poorer. :(

The down side to buying high end headphones (yes, blasphemy some of you may say) is most of them require an external amp source or they might sound no better or in some instances worse than a mid range headphone designed to run unamped.
 
I just got these and so far I really like them. They have really good bass compared to some sony ear buds I got for my sister for just a little less. These thigns blow them away.

Yes there are better, and I am somewhat of an audiophile, however these are great all around earphones, portable, small, comfortable, and sound good. i got them for work mainly but so far I end up using them for everything.

Except when im in my car, then I let the DLS Iridiums do their thing.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826106333
 
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