Is a headphone amplifier necessary to compliment the Sennheiser HD558 headphones?

Question

I know nothing about headphone amps, but reading up on them it seems they can be helpful, but I don't know how helpful they would be with already good headphones. It also seems that the only really good ones are at least 80+ dollars, and would be quite a bit of money if it doesn't add much.

What's your opinion on this?

Answer 1

It would help with your pair of headphones. The 558s are rated at 50ohms, and Ipods and other portable players really only drive up to 32ohms efficiently.



Also, most computer headphone outputs are the same as well, along with other general headphone outputs of average consumer gear. Getting a dedicated headphone amp will most likely help in the detail and punch of your music.



Some of the things a headphone amp could do for you...



Better battery life on portable players (Puts the burden of powering the headphones on the amp and not the IPod.)



Punchier response in the bass ranges



Crisper trebles



Fuller midranges



Possibly better detail.







All of this really depends on the amp, and in the end you may only get a very subtle improvement. Also, all of this depends on how good your source is. If you are listening to so-so MP3s, a headphone amp won't do much. If you are listening to relatively good recordings, then a headphone amp might be beneficial.





I personally own a NuForce Icon Mobile for my Ipod and Shure SRH440 headphones. My headphones are only about 40ohms, and they only cost me $100, but I still see a slight improvement in sound. The most notable improvement to sound would be the overall clarity of my music. It is very subtle, so I have to really listen for it, but it's there. The biggest improvement overall would be the fact that my Ipod's battery can last longer on the go now because I'm not straining it's internal amp.





I would say, buy a headphone amp and try it out. Make sure you can return it if needed. Pick some clear and well-recorded songs from a variety of genres, especially Jazz, Alternative, or anything that has alot of midrange instruments (Brass, Acoustic Guitar, Etc). Then listen to those songs without the amp a few times, and then with the amp. If you don't notice anything, then send the amp back because you probably don't need it. But you will most likely notice improvements somewhere or another.



Most importantly, keep your eyes closed while listening, it helps your mind focus on the sound.







Good luck

Answer 2

You should try this one out!



FiiO E7 Portable Headphone Amplifier ;The best head phones Amp for under $100.00



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003E6K1VK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=topproduct012-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003E6K1VK



Compact, stylish & functional is what the FiiO E7 is all about. It is an amplifier/DAC all in one nice compact package for under a C note! Tested it out and it really brings the voice and instruments onto a wider soundstage. Included with it is a black perfect fitting silicone skin, soft velvet pouch case, 3.5mm male connector, black rubber stretch band to mount your E7 together with your Ipod and a USB mini connector to charge your E7. Just a real nice package. The instruction manual is minimal and the writing is small. I needed a magnifying glass to read it! But the operational sequence was easy enough to figure out! I also have an Airhead amp and it also is great sounding and cost the same as the E7. But the Airhead is not a DAC and not as high tech as the E7. It is difficult for me to hear any real difference between the two devices both sound really good. The Airhead works on 4 AAA batteries and a wall adapter transformer. The E7 has an internal lithium rechargeable battery that can be charged by a USB port. It takes around 5 hours to completely recharge it. It is supposed to last up to 80 hours depending on the drain caused by the efficiency of the headphones you are using. I have not yet tested this number but will be trying to over the next month with my Sennheiser 600 headphones and Koss Porta pro open air headphones.

Answer 3

I have a pair of HD558's sitting right next to me.. They do benefit from an amp, just not an incredibly large amount. I use a cheap fiio e7 which is a dac/amp combo. I do notice a difference but im not the best at describing what the difference is. I will say that it opens up the sound a little bit making everything a tad more clear. The biggest difference i notice is with female vocals. it makes them sound fuller and more forward. Don't think that the difference will be huge, you might not even notice until you compare them amped vs unamped.



so yea.. that and what the other guy said lol

Answer 4

Fiio E7 Manual

Answer 5

Sennheiser wins hands down, especially as you want quality. The other thing is merely a very badly overhyped fashion "gimmick" with a ridiculously high price tag.