Do I need an AMP for a Sennheiser Hd600

[Sunburn74]

Hi. I have an opportunity to buy a sennheiser hd600 for a good price. However, I keep reading online stuff about having an AMP. I plan on using the HD600 with my desktop speaker system (there's a 3.5mm jack). I currently have the HD515 and it works pretty well (the bass is very muddy though).

Anyway can someone tell me two things: in laymen's terms, what does an AMP bring to the table? And do I need one for use with a desktop? Thanks

 

[TheViper]

These headphones have a 300 ohm impedance which means it takes a lot more power to push them than standard headphones.

Without a headphone amp, they won't sound very well.


Most run about $50+ with a couple from Boostaroo going for under $30 but you can build one yourself for under $20.

 

[Sunburn74]

So you're saying, if I use the sennheiser hd600 with the headphone jack on my pc speaker system, they won't be adequately powered?

 

[TheViper]

That's hard to say as different PC audio systems give different power levels to the headphone ports. Some are connected directly to the front surround speaker instead of the PC itself.

You'd need to know how much power is dedicated to the headphone jacks. Not something often provided with the PC specs.

I will say that it is likely the power level will be much higher than that of portable devices (iPods, portable CD players, etc...) and that an amp may not be necessary.

My advice is to go ahead and get them. And if the sound seems week, build that cheap amp for $20.