Headphones from MacBook - worthwhile?

[Lost_BMW]

In my office I have a NAD CD player and NAD amplifier hooked up to my iMac (plus Wharfedale speakers) so I can switch between CD and iTunes downloads easily; the sound from the iMac isn't too bad, certainly listenable enough to make the convenience of iTunes attractive.

So, I'm wondering if the sound board(?) and output from a bog standard 2.26 GHz MacBook would justify a pair of decent headphones and a headphone amp like the Graham Slee Voyager or iBasso D10?

I'm way out of touch with Hi Fi now and don't know whether the laptop would give a good enough source signal to be listenable. So, if anyone has any experience of this or advice I'd be grateful!

[Maxf]

I'd try and feed the optical audio to a DAC then to a headphone amp. I think you'll find the results pretty impressive!

I'm currently using a Graham Slee solo and Sennheiser HD650 headphones and they constantly impress me.

[JustinP1]

I have a very high end hi-fi for real listening and also a Macbook Pro as a secondary source for use with headphones.

I am just plugging the headphones into the headphone jack!

I have two sets of Bayer headphones (open and closed back) I use for audio engineering at about £120 each and do get a more than decent result which is easy to listen to and enjoyable.

Unless listing through headphones was going to be your primary method, I don't know whether the cost would justify the additional expense over doing that.

[Lost_BMW]

Brilliant!

Thanks for the positive news - I'll go ahead then and listen to a few models before settling on my favourite combination.

Cheers . .

[JustinP1]

Lost_BMW said:

Brilliant!

Thanks for the positive news - I'll go ahead then and listen to a few models before settling on my favourite combination.

Cheers . .

Good plan, there is nothing better than trying it out.

I would start with the headphones first.

I use Beyer DT990s which are pro audio engineering headphones. I would seriously consider that range as well as 'hi-fi' ones. The pro ones are built to last and a nice clean uncoloured presentation.

Something of that level for me anyway is plenty good enough for listening.

If you want to fine tune it though, external DACs and amps will give a different flavour. That said though the 'sound' between different headphones varies greatly and much more than the amp that feeds it.

[Lost_BMW]

JustinP1 said:

Lost_BMW said:

Brilliant!

Thanks for the positive news - I'll go ahead then and listen to a few models before settling on my favourite combination.

Cheers . .

Good plan, there is nothing better than trying it out.

I would start with the headphones first.

I use Beyer DT990s which are pro audio engineering headphones. I would seriously consider that range as well as 'hi-fi' ones. The pro ones are built to last and a nice clean uncoloured presentation.

Something of that level for me anyway is plenty good enough for listening.

If you want to fine tune it though, external DACs and amps will give a different flavour. That said though the 'sound' between different headphones varies greatly and much more than the amp that feeds it.

I've previously had Sennheisers (2 models, years back), an awful JVC set when digital first emerged and a pair of Bose recommended by Audioscene (good deal for him?) that didn't sound v. good (over bright and sibiliant on some recordings) and started to distort and buzz after a short while even though I never listened at loud volumes.

I'v looked at reviews and want to try Grados but will try to find a dealer near(ish) who has the Beyer model you mention.

[Willie Dee]

I use Optical audio out to a Cambridge Audio DAC magic, it sounds much better than having the sound card do the work.

[Lost_BMW]

JustinP1 said:

Lost_BMW said:

Brilliant!

Thanks for the positive news - I'll go ahead then and listen to a few models before settling on my favourite combination.

Cheers . .

Good plan, there is nothing better than trying it out.

I would start with the headphones first.

I use Beyer DT990s which are pro audio engineering headphones. I would seriously consider that range as well as 'hi-fi' ones. The pro ones are built to last and a nice clean uncoloured presentation.

Something of that level for me anyway is plenty good enough for listening.

If you want to fine tune it though, external DACs and amps will give a different flavour. That said though the 'sound' between different headphones varies greatly and much more than the amp that feeds it.

As an update thought I'd let you know what I went for and to thank you again for the advice.

I spoke at length to Robin at HiFi Headphones and described my 'wants' in detail ('don't think I'm a natural headphone person really!) which was to major on comfort and listenability so I can bear to listen for longer than the 30 mins I'd get before annoyance/ headaches from my previous 'phones. He couldn't have been more helpful and advised me against the Grados I'd considered once I told him I hated an overly aggressive, bright or sibilant treble/top end as he thinks they may be too revealing given my source.

On his advice - and returnable if I don't get on with them! - I've gone for the Beyer Dynamic 880 Premium, a limited run of lower resistance (32 ohms rather than the 250 ohms of the standard) which he thinks will suit my needs longer term and the iBasso d10 headphone amp/ DAC.

Better still he is going to adjust the iBasso to match it to the headphones to give a sweet, relaxing sound which I'd said I was after. The iBasso has several adjustable op amps so he will find the one he'd recommend and then if I want I can also play around with the alternatives until I'm happy.

An excellent service + a handy discount for buying the pair from them. I'll let you know how they sound from my laptop and hi-fi once they arrive . .

Thanks again.

[JustinP1]

I think you'll be pleased with them.

As I mentioned before I have the closed and open backed Beyers, and the 880 is a cross between the two.

It seems to have the same physical design of the 990's and they are so comfortable, after a while, they are not stinging like cheaper models digging into your head, you actually can't even feel they are on.

I think the large and wide pads around the ears spread the load whilst still making a constant pressure.

[Toffer]

At home with the HiFi I use Sennheiser HD650 headphones, but have been disappointed with their transparency when used with the Macbook Pro (and also my iPod). Sounds daft, but they are too analytical, too hard to drive and just don't sound great. However, whilst on the move I have found that the much cheaper alternative from Sony, the Sony MDRXB500 do a wonderful job...full of bass artifice that covers up most of the lack of music...and an absolute bargain price too!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MDRXB500-Extra-Headph...