What are good Headphones for the M17x?

Currently I'm using a Grado SR325IS and my headphones are getting really a lack of ampification. I can't use the headphones with the laptop without a headphone amp ( They sound horrible without the amp).

I'd like a pair of headphones to use with the m17x (friend's mine will come soon ) but I don't want to have to lug my amp around as it weighs an added 5 pounds I don't want to have to lug around with the m17x.

 

Hey Boomer!

Hopefully this thread can point you in the right direction.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=401294

 

It gave me very little advice on my problem / search.

I'm not looking for a gaming headset.
Looking for a headphone that won't need an amplifier to run with the m17x.

I am one of the worst type to fund. Audiophile + Gamer
Looking for a good headphone to play lossless audio out of . =]

 

Why not get a ibasso D10?.

BTW... I would recommend a sennheiser HD595 if you don't want to use an amp... They sound better with amp but they are pretty easy to drive.

 

Yeah i've tried my Senn 595 and 555 with the laptop but they just don't sound right.

The best so far with this laptop is the AKG 702, haven't tried my 701 still waiting for recabling.

The grado 325is is just unuseable with the laptop...

Does anyone know what sound card this thing uses?

 

if the HD5X5 don't sound right this soundcard really sucks lol.

The soundcard probably is piece of crap realtek .

TBH the best idea would be get an external soundcard and/or an portable amp .

 

If you're an audiophile, would you consider canal phones?

Currently using Shure SE530 in ear. Expensive, but beautiful clarity and rich bass.

If you're looking for mobility without the amp, you'll be pushed to do better (with in ear that is).

 

Sorry I misunderstood your question and sent you looking in the wrong place. Hope you find your answer!

 

Hey Big, speaking of external soundcards....do you have a suggestion for a good external soundcard for the M17x? Something with maybe digital out? How good is the older Creative X-fi Notebook card?

 

Yeah at $500 they should sound good.
But earphones just don't have enough sound stage and they don't go high enough w/out distortion.

Also do your SE530 have a 1/4 or 1/8 plug?

 

Hmm which portable amp do you recommend? I've never bought a portable one... only have desktop amps (desktop amp for a desktop replacement? )

 

Of the course sound stage can never match headphones. But the clarity is amazing nevertheless. Check the reviews or give them a test. These puppies do NOT distort.

Do you mean jack? 1/8 standard with an 1/4 adapter provided.

Numerous ear plug sizes to suit any lug hole.

Sorry if I've mistunderstood the question.

 

I'll give them a try then. I think my dad has a pair i'll just borrow them from him

Btw are you selling your pair?

 

Is a pretty good soundcard for gaming with a crappy DAC (just like every soundcard around ).

If you want something express for music i would go with an echo indigo or an emu 0404.

Take a look at the ibasso's and pico's.

Ibasso D10 is very good

 

My Asus Essence STX has a pretty good DAC on board the soundcard.

But yeah nothing beats an amp + DAC + ipod LOD with lossless source + good headphones.

I don't want to go with a turntable and vinyl because i'd go broke

 

M17x don't having a SPDIF is a shame

 

Wouldn't part with them mate.

Best earphones I ever owned (They ought to be for the price )

 

I have an external x-fi card. However, games don't detect x-fi/eax in the settings. Any suggestions?

 

I use these when I work out, and also when I'm gaming. They work great if ya need to do both.

 

I've tried those earphones. They're pretty bad lol.

Then again I suppose your not an audiophile?

 

Yeah what is up with that? =[

It has HDMI which supports PCM lossless so if you have a reciever or amp with HDMI i guess thats fine.

 

Try the Audio Technica AD700. No amplification needed at all. I run them straight from my Sansa Clip + Samsung players with no problems. Treble, mids are their strong suit. Bass isn't as impactful as other phones but it's still quite adequate to my ears. Another one of their strong suits is their vast soundstage which is essential for gaming.

If you insist on getting an amp, I suggest the Pico or the RSA Mustang. Or you can wait a bit and get the RSA Shadow or the Pico Slim. Both are targeted to IEM users though.

Also, if you want something more discrete, I suggest the Phonak PFEs. Wait until September though once the new version comes out. Unfortunately, there's some durability issues with the current model. Haven't tried them myself but I will in the near future. I'll tell you how it goes.

Want more info? Then, I highly suggest asking the kind folks at Headfi. We won't bite.

 

Heh I just bit the gun and bought myself an Ibasso D2.

Also gonna pick up those headphones and the AKG 702's tomorrow. I'll see how they are =].

 

If a sennheiser HD555 doesn't work great for him a AD700 isn't going too... Both are really easy to drive (my iriver do it without a problem ).

 

Curious...what desktop amp are you gonna drive the 702's with? I personally avoid phones that are notoriously hard to drive. I'm more of a portable setup user.

 

The D2 is nice, theres also the corda 2move. I personally use an Echo AudioFire2 but it isn't very portable as my laptop doesn't have a powered firewire so I have to use the wall wart. For sound though the Echo is top notch. For headphones that are easily driven without a good source I'd suggest the Ultrasone HFI-780's but I doubt you'd like the sound signature as they have alot of bass. And on the ultra-portable side I use westone ES3X and wow they just sound amazing, very good soundstage for IEM's too.

 

Sennheiser HD650 Audiophile Open Dynamic Stereo Headphone
I have a Sennheiser PC 350 but thats a gaming headset.

Remember, if you want to get the best sound out of these headphones, you need to get a good quality sound card.

 

Wow, its almost like you didn't read any of the posts in this thread. Had you read them you would have know that he already knows that he needs a good source and thats the reason he wanted different headphones. But he decided on a better source for his current headphones. Please don't spam, its pretty %^$&*(# useless and really annoying.

 

Calm down, I did read the thread.

 

Oh, Ok, Yeah the HD650's need a good powerful source, at 300 ohms you need alot of power to push them. Honestly I wouldn't buy them unless I planned on getting a tube amp of sorts. And those can get extremely expensive, then you have to add the price of various tubes into the mix.