Need help purchasing headphones & amp

[OrbitzXT]

I'm far from an audiophile, but I do appreciate good sound and I want to get a new pair of headphones for use with my computer. These will be used primarily for music and some gaming as well.

I was looking at the Sennheiser HD 595...

SENNHEISER HD 595 6.3 mm stereo (3.5 mm Adapter) C...

I know a couple of gaming buddies who have them and claim they're amazing, and from a lot of what I'm reading it seems to be true. Anywho, having never really had a nice pair of headphones, I've never needed an amplifier. To be completely honest, I'm not even really sure what one is or what it does. I imagine by its name, it just boosts the power/quality of the signal to the headphones? I have an HT Omega Strike sound card, which I believe is a decent card, but I wouldn't mind hearing from more experienced people as to what sounds cards are "the best".

So yeah, I'd like to buy these headphones..or if someone can suggest better ones for a somewhat similar price I'd look into those as well. If possible, could you link me to a good amplified on NewEgg? I like making use of my Preferred Account there so I'd like to order it all from them. And if you think my sound card needs an upgrade, I'd be open to suggestions. Thank you!

 

[Irish_PXzyan]

Yo!
I just bought myself a new headset the other day
I was left with that pair and a Sharkoon X-Tacic 5.1 headset and I ended up buying the 5.1

But I have a pair and an AV receiver.
before I had this AV I had it plugged into my Auzentech Prelude x-fi and it sounded great
Then when I plugged it into the AV it sounded better.
I mean you get more BOOM out of it.
Overall quality has improved and I love it

If you can get an AV go ahead!!

The HD 595 is a great headset!
But I just wanted a newer model and I am very interested in the 5.1 surround headsets

But everyone is different!

 

[Completely Bonkers]

TBH, I think those headphones may be overkill unless matched with a pro amp AND you are listening to HD-audio. If you are listening to "pop" or mp3, then definitely overkill.

If you game or skype, consider a headset. You can get good ones:

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/private_headsets_pc
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/professional_aviation_headsets
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheise...nal_headphones-headsets_professional-headsets

CAREFUL matching impedance of mic and headphone with the amp/soundcard.

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

I'm far from an audiophile, but I do appreciate good sound and I want to get a new pair of headphones for use with my computer. These will be used primarily for music and some gaming as well.

I was looking at the Sennheiser HD 595...

SENNHEISER HD 595 6.3 mm stereo (3.5 mm Adapter) C...

I know a couple of gaming buddies who have them and claim they're amazing, and from a lot of what I'm reading it seems to be true. Anywho, having never really had a nice pair of headphones, I've never needed an amplifier. To be completely honest, I'm not even really sure what one is or what it does. I imagine by its name, it just boosts the power/quality of the signal to the headphones? I have an HT Omega Strike sound card, which I believe is a decent card, but I wouldn't mind hearing from more experienced people as to what sounds cards are "the best".

So yeah, I'd like to buy these headphones..or if someone can suggest better ones for a somewhat similar price I'd look into those as well. If possible, could you link me to a good amplified on NewEgg? I like making use of my Preferred Account there so I'd like to order it all from them. And if you think my sound card needs an upgrade, I'd be open to suggestions. Thank you!

Own them and love them. You don't need an amp to make them sound great. The amp makes them sound wonderful, but don't fret if you don't have one. Picture incoming.

Well worth the money, anyone who gives you crap about how they sound without an amp is an idiot. Yes, a good amp will bring out the real beauty of them, but is not 100% necessary.

 

[OrbitzXT]

Own them and love them. You don't need an amp to make them sound great. The amp makes them sound wonderful, but don't fret if you don't have one. Picture incoming.

Well worth the money, anyone who gives you crap about how they sound without an amp is an idiot. Yes, a good amp will bring out the real beauty of them, but is not 100% necessary.

I've read a few things that they sound good still without an amp, but I feel if I'm going to invest this much I may as well get one. What kind of things do I need to look for when shopping for an amp, and is there a particular one sold on Newegg you recommend?

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

I've read a few things that they sound good still without an amp, but I feel if I'm going to invest this much I may as well get one. What kind of things do I need to look for when shopping for an amp, and is there a particular one sold on Newegg you recommend?

Regarding amp: I built myself a CMOY one for about ~$20, and it was worth it. I have not gotten into more expensive ones as I am satisfied so far.

Protip: When listening to music on these, the EQ has to be adjusted quite a bit. I upped the bass and to give it a better feel. Have a look:

EDIT: Fyi, versus my Grados, these are more tame, IE not as aggressive, but they sound better. The Grados are more "IM ON THE STAGE FUCK YEAH" and the Senn's are more, "I'm hearing where all the instruments are coming from, but I'm 2 rows back, and I love it."

 

[Reventon]

Make sure you have a GOOD soundcard with an amp otherwise those will not be used near their fullest potential at all. Try a nice HT|Omega card.

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

Make sure you have a GOOD soundcard with an amp otherwise those will not be used near their fullest potential at all. Try a nice HT|Omega card.

Yeah my laptop sound card is actually pretty good, but I usually listen on my darn Sansa Clip+, which is amazing. Overall, unless you have EXTREMELY good ears, you won't be able to tell the difference. What matters more is the music quality. With Grado's I cannot tell bitrate, but with the Senn's bitrate is EASY to tell. I can pick out 128, 192, and 230 EASILY. Grado's, not so much.

 

[OrbitzXT]

Make sure you have a GOOD soundcard with an amp otherwise those will not be used near their fullest potential at all. Try a nice HT|Omega card.

While doing some research, I see the HT Omega Claro Halo being thrown around a lot as a great card. At the moment I have an HT Omega Striker, is there a huge difference between the two if I were using the HD 595's?

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

While doing some research, I see the HT Omega Claro Halo being thrown around a lot as a great card. At the moment I have an HT Omega Striker, is there a huge difference between the two if I were using the HD 595's?

IMO, no there is not a HUGE difference. HD 595's benefit from marginal changes, but you won't immediately thrown them off the table at the difference. They sound good NO MATTER WHAT, they can just SOUND BETTER with other upgrades to sound card, etc. Get the headphones, if not satisfied, get a sound card (later).

Also: Newegg has the headphones for $250, I got mine off Ebay for $160. Make sure the seller is legit, email about warranty, and if they come in an original box. If yes for both, they are legit.

 

[OrbitzXT]

Is there an amp I can get that I can use for both my headphones and speakers? I have a set of Logitech Z-5500's that have never sounded as amazing to me as others claim them to be. Perhaps an amp would help with that?

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

Is there an amp I can get that I can use for both my headphones and speakers? I have a set of Logitech Z-5500's that have never sounded as amazing to me as others claim them to be. Perhaps an amp would help with that?

I have no idea what you would do for 5.1 speakers and an amp. That makes no sense to me. The only amps I have seen support 2.1.