Long-winded post ahead:
I read most negative reviews and a common trend is that people are under-amping these headphones. One thing I've learned is that if it's not 50 ohm or less, YOU NEED A BEEFY AMP. Period. There's no way around it. If you want to hear what they're capable of, you need to give them electricity to move those diaphragms. I'm not talking about a little dongle DAC/amp. I'm talking about a real amplifier that generates heat you can feel. If not, they will get plenty loud, but will not sound good and you'll think you wasted your money. Electric impedance is real, and not because the HD 58X are 150 ohm, it means they will be that low all the time. The impedance is measured at a certain point, so they will not always measure the stated number. It varies in real-time, like for example, how your leg muscle power varies while you run.
All headphones behave different and their impedance varies depending on frequency and other factors, just like you struggle when pushing a car from a dead-stop but once you gain a bit of speed, it gets easier. Now throw variables, like ice on the road, oil under your shoes, etc. Your little amp might move them on certain frequencies, but on others where the impedance is higher, power will not be sufficient. The more power you give them, the better they will sound as a whole in all frequencies. Why get good headphones and deprive them of power? If you're going to use your iPad or your phone, save your money and get lesser headphones, because you're going to miss the whole point of the better ones. Then you have your source to worry about. Try to sing good with a punctured lung or a sore throat.
If you get good headphones, you'll hear how bad your compressed or streaming music will sound and you'll wonder why your cheaper headphones sounded smoother and didn't bother your ears. We haven't even gotten to the DAC yet, which to the discerning/undamaged ear, makes a huge difference. If you think your Massdrop headphones that you spent over $150 don't sound impressive, spend at a minimum $200 more on any established, popular DAC and amp combo. That's all you need to play in the field. I'm biased towards Schiit Audio and highly recommend them. My Mimby/ Vali 2 combo is the most affordable audio equipment I own, and is the one that makes me smile the most. I spend more on satisfying my fallen human ego. God bless!
I read most negative reviews and a common trend is that people are under-amping these headphones. One thing I've learned is that if it's not 50 ohm or less, YOU NEED A BEEFY AMP. Period. There's no way around it. If you want to hear what they're capable of, you need to give them electricity to move those diaphragms. I'm not talking about a little dongle DAC/amp. I'm talking about a real amplifier that generates heat you can feel. If not, they will get plenty loud, but will not sound good and you'll think you wasted your money. Electric impedance is real, and not because the HD 58X are 150 ohm, it means they will be that low all the time. The impedance is measured at a certain point, so they will not always measure the stated number. It varies in real-time, like for example, how your leg muscle power varies while you run.
All headphones behave different and their impedance varies depending on frequency and other factors, just like you struggle when pushing a car from a dead-stop but once you gain a bit of speed, it gets easier. Now throw variables, like ice on the road, oil under your shoes, etc. Your little amp might move them on certain frequencies, but on others where the impedance is higher, power will not be sufficient. The more power you give them, the better they will sound as a whole in all frequencies. Why get good headphones and deprive them of power? If you're going to use your iPad or your phone, save your money and get lesser headphones, because you're going to miss the whole point of the better ones. Then you have your source to worry about. Try to sing good with a punctured lung or a sore throat.
If you get good headphones, you'll hear how bad your compressed or streaming music will sound and you'll wonder why your cheaper headphones sounded smoother and didn't bother your ears. We haven't even gotten to the DAC yet, which to the discerning/undamaged ear, makes a huge difference. If you think your Massdrop headphones that you spent over $150 don't sound impressive, spend at a minimum $200 more on any established, popular DAC and amp combo. That's all you need to play in the field. I'm biased towards Schiit Audio and highly recommend them. My Mimby/ Vali 2 combo is the most affordable audio equipment I own, and is the one that makes me smile the most. I spend more on satisfying my fallen human ego. God bless!