Is it a waste to purchase headphones this good if using just an iPod or Mac laptop as your music source, without an external amp? Thanks
481685
The answer to that all depends in my opinion on the quality of the music in your collection. If you're mostly using 128 kbps MP3 or AAC, then you'll not really realize the full potential of what these headphones can deliver. However, if you have high bitrate (256 kpbs+) or lossless recordings in your library, then the P7s will be a welcome and worthwhile purchase. I've owned mine for a couple of weeks (and upgraded from the Bowers & Wilkins P5s) and am literally blown away by their balance, power and precision. They're so good, in fact, that the $400 price seems like a pretty darn good value for the money. The answer to that all depends in my opinion on the quality of the music in your collection. If you're mostly using 128 kbps MP3 or AAC, then you'll not really realize the full potential of what these headphones can deliver. However, if you have high bitrate (256 kpbs+) or lossless recordings in your library, then the P7s will be a welcome and worthwhile purchase. I've owned mine for a couple of weeks (and upgraded from the Bowers & Wilkins P5s) and am literally blown away by their balance, power and precision. They're so good, in fact, that the $400 price seems like a pretty darn good... » Read More The answer to that all depends in my opinion on the quality of the music in your collection. If you're mostly using 128 kbps MP3 or AAC, then you'll not really realize the full potential of what these headphones can deliver. However, if you have high bitrate (256 kpbs+) or lossless recordings in your library, then the P7s will be a welcome and worthwhile purchase. I've owned mine for a couple of weeks (and upgraded from the Bowers & Wilkins P5s) and am literally blown away by their balance, power and precision. They're so good, in fact, that the $400 price seems like a pretty darn good value for the money. « Show Less
481686
I use my P7 with an iphone 4 and the FiiO E11. Without the Amp is fine but I will say with my FiiO E11, the sound is better (not as loud) and the Bass is perfect and not overpowering. I did not expect this, like Johnny wrote, "They are very low impedance @ 22ohms." I expected the bass to increase but the sound is better as well.
481687
it worths as it brings out subtle layers of sounds that i did not know exists before, kind of like when wearing prescription glasses for the first time with sounds. Fit seems to be for people with large heads. Good headphone!
481688
You don't need an amp with the P7. They are very low impedance @ 22ohms. This means they can be driven very easily. If you look at something like the Sennheiser HD600, those are 300 ohm impedance and will pretty much NEED an amp
481689
No. They are very efficient and sound great with iphone, ipod classic, and even spotify streaming. Sound GREAT!!! No need for amp. They are very loud with volume at about 75% using iPhone 5.
481690
Another follow-up to your question. I'm really impressed by how efficient the P7's drivers are. I have an iPhone 5 and it gets uncomfortably loud if I go above 3/4 of full volume on most of my recordings. I have a FiiO E12 (Mont Blanc) amp that I use occasionally when I'm sitting at my desk and listening. I'd say the FiiO does a nice job creating a somewhat smoother overall sound, but from a pure sound output perspective, it's absolutely not necessary. Hope that helps!
2162331
I mainly use them for DJIng. But I also use it with my macbook and imac and the sound quality is awesome. Cant go wrong.
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.
168909
Hi, I have these connected to my MacBook Pro laptop. But the think I really love is that I also discovered they could be connected to my iPod nano! So far I am really pleased with the sound and quality.
1932285
Your laptop and iPhone have their own internal DAC. They convert to analog before outputting through the headphone output.A standalone DAC will probably sound better than those but is not necessary.
1923502
This is just an amplifier so you can use it with or without a DAC. your laptop has a DAC in it which it will call a "sound card" but, for all intents and purposes the words "DAC" and "sound card" mean the same thing. I use a Macbook Air running straight into mine and it sounds great. When I also use a high end USB DAC (a Simaudio D500), it sounds incredible but that starts running into a lot of money.What I would recommend, though, is that you get the Ocean Mini version of the amp. It's about $20 more than the V1 and it's a pure tube amplifier rather than just a tube pre-amp with solid state amplification. This is just an amplifier so you can use it with or without a DAC. your laptop has a DAC in it which it will call a "sound card" but, for all intents and purposes the words "DAC" and "sound card" mean the same thing. I use a Macbook Air running straight into mine and it sounds great. When I also use a high end USB DAC (a Simaudio D500), it sounds incredible but that starts running into a lot of money.What I would recommend, though, is that you get the Ocean Mini version of the amp. It's about $20 more than the V1 and it's a pure tube amplifier... » Read More This is just an amplifier so you can use it with or without a DAC. your laptop has a DAC in it which it will call a "sound card" but, for all intents and purposes the words "DAC" and "sound card" mean the same thing. I use a Macbook Air running straight into mine and it sounds great. When I also use a high end USB DAC (a Simaudio D500), it sounds incredible but that starts running into a lot of money.What I would recommend, though, is that you get the Ocean Mini version of the amp. It's about $20 more than the V1 and it's a pure tube amplifier rather than just a tube pre-amp with solid state amplification. « Show Less
1005280
Yes, they can be used without an amp, but they sound much better in my opinion with one. Even a cheap Fiio E6 or whatnot. If you're listening out of a computer a DAC/amp like the Fiio E10 or the Fiio E7 or its successor, the E7k "Andes". I wouldn't say I'm an audiophile either and I used to be ambivalent about amps and DAC's until I actually tried them. Then I realized how good they could make a good set of headphones sound.
1106406
no. you plug into a port and it uses the electricity from you laptop....so, the answer is no, you do not need headphones.
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
1094975
Your computer's onboard audio will definitely be able to drive them. I used them on several different computers and they worked with all of them.A headphone amplifier will probably make the headphones sound better, but it's definitely not necessary.
1390827
Hi Alec, these are great with a laptop using the headphone plug. I use them every-day for my radio program. This particular pair came with a European-style A-C plug, so I had to purchase a separate power plug, but after that they were good to go.
1538675
I use Sennheuser HD 598 headphone; my player is an iPod, or my Nexus tablet, running through this amplifier is much better sounding than without an amp, or in comparison to a creative portable amp I tried for a bit.
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
1768062
Well if you mean in terms of hearing, no...you won't hear any difference for basic use. But in terms of pure sound quality, a headphone output always lowers the quality of the music, hence why most audiophiles use an actual audio interface from their computers! Hope that helps!
2066459
Hello. I listen to my headphones in amplifier of Technics and sound great. Sound card, which you want to buy seems to be very nice. There are also built-in amplifier for headphones and very high quality. I see no reason these headphones do not sound good, not to say super good. Good choice in my opinion!
1775033
I often use a DAC and headphone amp for lossless and lossy files. The One has as good a DAC, at least for recording, way better than a lot of "portable" DACs out there. For critical listening, depending on your tastes and budget, you may still prefer an audiophile grade DAC.
1618943
You probably don't "need" it because apple devices usually don't have trouble powering headphones, but I recommend buying it. This amp can really make headphones blast!