For a computer, would the Sennheiser HD580's require an amp?

[Snipa]

I'm own the Sennheiser 495's headphones and am really interested in upgrading to the HD580's.

At headphone.com they say that these will need an amp because they are overwhelming for a portable player.
http://www.headphone.com/ProductsHeadphones/SennheiserHD580.asp


However, I'm planning on using them on my computer. My question is would the standard headphone out jack on my soundblaster card or my altec lansing satellite not be enough to power these bad boys?

Thanks

Snipa

 

[mikee]

For headphones like those with their impedance, I believe you will need an amp to drive them sufficiently. SBLive headphone jack is unamplified. The altec's might have enough juice to drive them, but I doubt the quality is good.

 

[Soccerman]

yeah you might want to do something to amplify it.

I have a REAL stereo between my soundcard and my headphones, so I'm ok.

 

[Kyle]

How bout plugging them in to the Klipsch pre-amp (The new one) Is that amp'ed at all?

 

[slpaulson]

My klipsch preamp drives my 580s just fine.

 

[Strafe]

I have my HD600's plugged right into my MX300 and they sound great! The only difference between the 600's and 580's are the 600's have carbon fiber drivers (instead of plastic) that are more closely matched.

 

[KevinH]

I concur with strafe. My 580's sounded best on the Mx-300 via the speaker 1 out. This is in relation to sb live (at work), the 5.1 platinum (I sold), and the Hercules XP (which I currently own). It's a shame since I use my headphones at night quite a bit.

-K-

 

[Kwad Guy]

Incidentally, the HD580s are great sounding headphones...
But the price they have on them at that link provided in the
original post for this thread sucks...These were closed out a while
back, and have regularly been available through various sources
for around $150...$199 is not a good deal...

Kwad

 

[KevinH]

Where'd you see the 580's for 150 Kwad ? My brother is also interested in a set.


Kev

 

[Kwad Guy]

SpiderGear.com had them at around that price for ages...I just
checked, and they don't have them on their Web site anymore...
But they are selling them (tons of them) for $179 on e*bay.
There's also a guy selling them off (new) on e*Bay for $149
and I'll bet they'll sell for that price (he has 5 sets at that
price, I think).

These are a good deal at $150. They were a steal at $99 when
I got mine SpiderGear sold me a "refurbed" pair for $99,
then realized they didn't have any refurbs and sent me a new
pair for the same price. They didn't even ask me, just sent
the new pair instead. Now THAT was service!

Kwad

 

[Possum]

One thing I heard was that Spidergear couldn't sell some of the new HD580's separately (from the original HD580 and DSP Pro (or was it 360?) bundle), so they had to call them refurbished. I got this from the forums at www.headwize.com.

 

[Kwad Guy]

Mine were definitely NOT taken out of a bundle. They came
in a standard stand-alone retail box...

Kwad

 

[Possum]

Just because it's in a bundle doesn't necessarily mean it has to be out of the retail box. Think of it like that HP CD-RW and Diamond Rio bundle that's gotten some attention in the Hot Deals forum. The HD580 and DSP Pro come retail boxed, but bundled in a BIGGER box.

 

[A2KLAU]

You might need to ahve something that can produce power, so go for a cheap and cheerful amp with headphone jack.
My Computer/HiFi setup is pretty good! From soundcard to amp, Pioneer A-302R about a 125-130Watter amp, Fronts: Mission 702e Floorstanders, Rear: Sony HiFi Surround Speakers. Sweet setup! VERY sweet setup I have here!

Albert.

 

[Snipa]

thanks for all the replies guys!