Sennheiser 280 pro's - do they need an amp?

[Gurck]

When I use them, they're plugged into the 5.25" i/o panel of my Audigy 2 ZS p.pro. I think they sound great, and I can't really tell the difference in sound quality unless it's an enormous difference or I hear two differing-quality sources of the same sound within a few minutes, but I think overall sound quality affects the listening experience even if not noticed consciously, so I'm looking for "real-world" opinions. I would check head-fi.org, but as I said I want real-world opinions - not "sure, spend $50,000 for a 2% increase in sound quality, it's worth it for sure!!" from someone who spends no money on anything except headphones.... I have a budget after all Volume isn't a concern, just sound quality.

 

[esun]

Doesn't make sense. You buy good $100 headphones, then plan to spend probably more than that on a headphone amp? A little ridiculous.

 

[beatle]

If you add an amp, you'll get more volume with less distortion and better SQ. The impedence of the 280s is only 64 ohms, compared to the HD580s 300 ohm impedence. I was pretty pleased with my HD580s hooked up to my H/K receiver, but I know there's a lot more to these things if I get a decent amp...

I'd think you should be ok without an amp, however. The fact that they're sealed helps with their efficiency.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: esun
Doesn't make sense. You buy good $100 headphones, then plan to spend probably more than that on a headphone amp? A little ridiculous.

Well, we all learn as we go along. Look at my sig, you'll see my main rig has a p4 But I'm more interested in SQ, can deal with spending a bit more. Plus I've read that you can cheaply build a high quality amp. I've taken no EE courses, but I can follow directions, make inferences & understand things generally, and am handy with a soldering iron I'm just wondering if I'd notice a huge SQ improvement using an amp with these cans or if it'd be minimal.

 

[0roo0roo]

280's don't need amps

 

[jdogg707]

I have been using mine without an amp and have had no issues with sound quality. Unless you have an issue with the sound or start noticing static, then I would say you are fine.

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
280's don't need amps

And as for SQ goes, based on your current setup a source upgrade would benefit you more than a amp.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: Algere

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
280's don't need amps

And as for SQ goes, based on your current setup a source upgrade would benefit you more than a amp.

Yeah, I play tons of games on my rig or I'd probably have an m-audio revolution. Come to think of it, I could stand higher volume as well. Not for extended time periods, but once in a while I want to just blast my head And I find my current setup a bit lacking at those times. I could crank my speakers, but the sound quality suffers noticably, while the Senns reach their "max" (how limited by not having an amp?) before any SQ degradation.

I'm actually thinking I might invest in an amp, whether purchased or built. If it doesn't show me the improvement I seek I figure I can ebay the 280s and pick up some 5x0's, or even some 600s. In my heart of hearts those are the phones I wanted anyway, but at the time I couldn't see spending that much on phones. Now I think I could justify it. The sound quality of good phones is every bit as good as I had (skeptically) read that it was and then some.

 

[Algere]

I have no complaints about the 555's and if your on a tight budget the 580's are real close soundwise to the 600.


EDIT:

(how limited by not having an amp?)

It you feel it's lacking then I suppose a amp will be beneficial. As far as I've read/heard, amps are more beneficial to higher impedence type headphones as mentioned above in contrast to lower impedence headphones.