People say this sounds "tinny" without an amp. What makes it sound tinny? Why don't other headphones sound tinny without an amp?
760992
Some headphones have more electrical resistance to increase sound quality these headphones don't need an amp because most devices have enough power to push them all the amp will do is make the sound louder and slightly better but in my opinion I'd save the money and not buy the amp the headphones sound just fine even with the slight increase in ohms which is the same thing as electrical resistance hope this helps
760993
An equalizer will cover you- I am using onboard audio and these sound better than anything I've ever heard once you subdue the mids.
760994
I'm not sure as to the "why," but there is a kind of hollow sound when listening to music or speeches when playing through a laptop's sound card. Sounds okay when playing CS:GO and BF4 though... Some headphones just are power hungry I guess. For the price tag, I was hoping to get at least comparable sound to my AT-A900x headphones, but no go.
760995
I have to disagree. When I use mine with either my on-board Realtek Azalia or with this SYBA external USB Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows, Mac, Linux Extra Audio Source with Microphone SD-CM-UAUD it sounds loud and very well balanced. They have a "reference" feel, they are very compliant, with a flat response curve. That is, highs, mids, and lows are given the same weight. This is typically found in professional sound equipment, while consumer headphones and speakers are built to accentuate highs and lows. Someone who's used to bass-heavy headphones would probably describe them as weak and tinny, but to my ear they represent bass quite well, if it's there. You can use an EQ to overcome this, and they should comply. I have to disagree. When I use mine with either my on-board Realtek Azalia or with this SYBA external USB Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows, Mac, Linux Extra Audio Source with Microphone SD-CM-UAUD it sounds loud and very well balanced. They have a "reference" feel, they are very compliant, with a flat response curve. That is, highs, mids, and lows are given the same weight. This is typically found in professional sound equipment, while consumer headphones and speakers are built to accentuate highs and lows. Someone who's... » Read More I have to disagree. When I use mine with either my on-board Realtek Azalia or with this SYBA external USB Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows, Mac, Linux Extra Audio Source with Microphone SD-CM-UAUD it sounds loud and very well balanced. They have a "reference" feel, they are very compliant, with a flat response curve. That is, highs, mids, and lows are given the same weight. This is typically found in professional sound equipment, while consumer headphones and speakers are built to accentuate highs and lows. Someone who's used to bass-heavy headphones would probably describe them as weak and tinny, but to my ear they represent bass quite well, if it's there. You can use an EQ to overcome this, and they should comply. « Show Less
760996
it sounds tiny because it is 150 ohms so it needs an amp to push it but the pc 360 are 50 ohm and dont need an amp ... jus look for a headset with 50 or less ohms and u wont need an amp
2177932
There is no probably about the sound. It is bad. Sounds like music and headphones are playing in a tin can.
796259
That sound is the active noise canceling. All active noise canceling headphones have that sound. You probably won't hear it when you are playing music. If you still do and that is bothering you, you can use it with the noise canceling turned off.
413978
Sorry, been on the road for awhile so I didn't see this question. These headphones are very rich with bass and not tinny at all! They also have really good coverage on the highs too. You will hear things in your music that you have never heard before with these things (ok, assuming you have been using the typical headphones and not $100+ ones). These are the only headphones I use now (actually for the last 15+ years). I just bought an Ipod nano that came with ear buds. Guess where the first place they ended up was (circular file).
1222471
No, they will work without an amp. Yes, for them to work at peak performance. Really depends on your standards of sound quality. Mine sound fine without an amp.
1386828
I can't tell you if the dac is worth it but I wanted to make it clear since a lot of people have said that an amp wouldn't help much on the qc15's. This is quite wrong since I have used these headphones myself with and without an amp and the difference is clearly there. You'll be able to turn up the volume much louder on these headphones with an amp and get a much warmer sound. Whichever amp you decide on getting, you'll definitely notice the difference.
264999
its not just an amp, its a better dac. you headphones can run fine on the iphones amp. I like having the better dac
1526583
That probably depends on how good your hearing is/how loud you like your music. I have never needed an amp using these headphones.
141280
Not really. I purchased this along with my pair of ATH-M50s, and was disappointed. Headphone amplifiers are more designers to provide higher power to run the drivers on studio headsets, as opposed to delivering better sound quality. If you were to plug your new set of ear cans into a regular headphone jack, (like a cellphone) you would notice an appreciable amount of decreased max volume. That is what headphone amps remedy, although there are much better options than this one. I returned mine.
1242080
Take a look at the impedance on these headphones. It's an almost certainty that your macbook air's sound card (I'm not a mac user, but I'm fairly sure the macbook has integrated sound) does not have an amplifier, which is needed to drive these headphones to their full potential.Amps are a dime a dozen. Buy one, plug one end into your macbook, plug your headphones into amp, and your sound should be greatly improved (especially your lack of any bass). Fiio amps are relatively low cost and should do the trick.
2254673
my shure headphones seem to be not very bassy at all... anyone else feel that way? I'm not a bass freak or anything I love highs and mids but the se535's seem to have less bass than my old se215's... Seems a bit strange
505577
Almost any pair of headphones will benefit from a higher quality DAC and/or amplifier. These sound quite solid even driven by more common sources such as a laptop headphone port. Because of this I find the difference between 'normal' sources and a nicer setup to be a little less pronounced but still appreciable, though your milage may vary.
1005282
Need is a strong word. You can use them without an amp but, to get acceptable levels for music that is meant to be played loudly you would want one.
730858
no you dont still sounds good without a amp and it can punishment you dont need a amp for these
2142487
i am not an expert in headphone. in my experience, i do not use an amp when i used the headphone with my laptop/iphone/ipad. i bought this headphone since i read a review that the headphone does not require amp to produce its maximal output.
1382621
It depends on how you want to play this violin. If you want to play it for others to hear (and sound like a normal violin), then you'll need an amp. Without the amp, the violin makes a very soft sound when played; enough for you to hear it but not really anybody else. I purchased this violin for that reason (to practice without everyone in the household hearing it). In this way, you can play the violin without an amp (but others won't be able to hear you). Lastly, you can finagle the violin to plug in headphones and listen to yourself play through the headphones; so with your headphones in it sounds like a regular violin to you, but everyone else around you will hear little to nothing at all - this form of playing does not require an amp.
1005279
Yes, they can be used without an amp and do well without one, even straight form an iPhone. But like any headphones would benifet from a dedicated DAC/amp. Headphones that need higher input (amp) will be rated at 150 ohm on up to 600 ohm. If only using standard computer mp3 output, look in the 20-60ohm range.