Looking for Headphones with optical input

[Elian]

I'm looking for a pair of headphones for college that have an optical input, i dont have normal headphone outputs on my soundcard (EMU0404) and the 1/4inch ports arent amplified so i have no real volume on a standard pair of headsets.

I was planning on buying some sennheisers when i realized this. this is the only pair of headphones i have found right now
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...ProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=MDRDS3000

The only thing i am wary of is the fact they are infrared. anyways. can anyone suggest me any headphones (wired or wireless) that will accept optical?


edit: note that i have a set of coax digital boston acoustics 2.1 speakers that i will be using when i'm able to have an acceptable noise level

 

[masteraleph]

Quite frankly, you're better off with a cheap amp and a nice pair of headphones from the stereo out than anything else with this.

 

[Canon]

Get a headphone amp. That's your best solution.

 

[Svperstar]

I also have an EMU0404, you can get a cheap adapter at an Radioshack type store to convert the 1/4" plugs on the 0404 interconnect to anything, and I do mean cheap, like $2 or $3 max. Even a $60 Pocket Amp V2 from www.electric-avenues.com will make a big difference in sound quality. Then you can plug the Sennheisers into the amp normally.

Unamped the 0404 sound horrible, flabby bass that covers everything, I would rather use integrated audio than listen to my 0404 unamped.

 

[Elian]

I also have an EMU0404, you can get a cheap adapter at an Radioshack type store to convert the 1/4" plugs on the 0404 interconnect to anything, and I do mean cheap, like $2 or $3 max. Even a $60 Pocket Amp V2 from www.electric-avenues.com will make a big difference in sound quality. Then you can plug the Sennheisers into the amp normally.

Unamped the 0404 sound horrible, flabby bass that covers everything, I would rather use integrated audio than listen to my 0404 unamped.

thanks, i knew there were adapters, but i also know that there is no amplification on these ports (so they can be used with keyboard amps etc.)

if you think that the soudn quality is good with an amp you should hear the digital outputs on this card... fantastic

 

[Svperstar]

if you think that the soudn quality is good with an amp you should hear the digital outputs on this card... fantastic

One of these days down I road I want to get a Benchmark DAC1 or something similar, and I am going to get the Sony SA5000s at some point during the summer.

Already spent too much money as it is, may as well go all the way

 

[jpmkm]

I doubt you'll find many headphones with a DAC+amplifier built in. If you really want to go the optical route, your best bet will probably be to get a separate DAC and an amplifier, then just run regular headphones off that. Or just hook up an amplifier to the analog out.

 

[mustang_steve]

I think headroom made a few amps that have digital in.

Pretty much you have to at the least get an amp and phones, as headphones are analog creatures (much like loudspeakers), so a DAC is involved somewhere, whether at amp level or signal level.

 

[eastvillager]

hehehe, I can see it now, some poor guy with a stiff, 3 foot toslink cable between his headphones and his soundcard.

 

[walie]

here

 

[Elian]

yeh those are what i want but i cant fork out 680 for some headphones lol... thanks though i appreciate it...

I think my best bet right now is to try and live with my 2.1 speakers since i'll be using this as a TV generally as well... if my roommate finds it annoying then i will deal with it

 

[Newbify2]

If you think a $679 pair of optical headphones will be better than a pair of these:
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/ecsplash/shop/detail~dpno~342023.asp
and a $180 stereo amp then that's just special. I don't know why you would want an optical pair of headphones unless your only output is optical or you just want to brag about having headphones with optical inputs.