use of headphone with pc

[sunnys]

hi everybody
is it possible to use a good quality headphone (from sony,philips etc) with my pc using its motherboard output.
here i am talking about some big headphones (may be called hi-fi)
is there any need of amplifier if yes thenwhat kind of if not then are they able to deliver their best without amplifier.
aswer it immediately oterwise

[rohanbee]

Sometimes these high end head phones use a different type of jack for connection. Better get a goo dlook at your mobo's rear output jack for the headphones and then go look for the proper head phones. Also, i believe there is a convertor for the same also but i haven't seen one in quite a while.

[Keith Sebastian]

Good quality = Sennheiser, Koss, Shure, Etymotic, Beyerdynamic, AKG, Ultrasone, Bose etc.

Currently I use a pair of Sennheiser's. I rarely use speakers.

Sony's and Philips are average at best.

EDIT: Beg to differ with User:RohanBee. Sorry mate, but most high end headphones use standard 3.5mm (1/4") jacks. Gold plated with carbon free wires, that's the only difference.

-Keith

[siriusb]

@Keith:
What about those 5.1 headphones? Surely they must require a special output jack from the mobo? Or do they come with multiple input jacks? Or, perhaps, they employ coax or spdif input?

[sunnys]

thanks for the responce guys
today most mobo came with 5.1setups while 7.1 is getting common.
in both of them we can use normal 1/4" headphone jack. so no problem of compatibility. this que i asked because at home i have my music system commected with my pc using stereo connector. when i connect my sony headphones(came with my discman) to music system they sound rich but when i put them directly in to pc sound is not that good.why it is so?
is this because pc is not providing adequate power.
NOTE-i put all effects of music system off so only pc equiliser and settings can affect the sound and my mobo is gigabyte with 7.1 audio
b/w what model of haedphones keith.

[sumitava_b]

What about Altec lansing? AH512 model?

[Keith Sebastian]

Originally Posted by siriusb

@Keith:
What about those 5.1 headphones? Surely they must require a special output jack from the mobo? Or do they come with multiple input jacks? Or, perhaps, they employ coax or spdif input?

I haven't used 5.1's. Most pro audio headphones/earphones would be plain stereo. 5.1's are designed for games and movies, and that's not what audiophiles are interested in anyway.

I haven't yet seen 5.1 headphones from Bose (they have Triport), Sennheiser or any other big guns.

I've seen a Zalman 5.1 on display. They're about the same price as the cheapest Sennheiser HD-202 (which I picked up for AUD 70). They (Zalman) come with a 3 X 3.5mm jacks.

I don't think headphones come with S/PDIF plugs as there's no reciever onboard to process raw digital signals.

Sunnys - It's the HD-202. Best bang for the buck. I have a pic of it in the Mobile Monsters section (Sendo X review).

-Keith

[hack expert]

well to play games i use headphone but wen it comes to music u gotta have a good set of speakers dat is a must
also if u play games like doom3 u`ll need a good sound system

[sunnys]

hey keith can u give me some link so that i can see the specs of your headphones.
in my opinion if u have a good set of 5.1(not headphones) u can use them for anything but cheeper ones are good for only games and movies.
iam biased towards headphones because u can get very nice piece at 15% price of a good surround system. i think if u are not to party then headphones are better option.
but please anmswer my que about need of some kind of amplifire with headphones. 8)

[Keith Sebastian]

Originally Posted by sunnys

hey keith can u give me some link so that i can see the specs of your headphones.

Just google for Sennheiser HD-202. It's stereo.
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...76?Open&print=
Best value for money.

Originally Posted by sunnys

but please anmswer my que about need of some kind of amplifire with headphones.

Not necessary as long as you have decent onboard audio or soundcard.

If you're still interested in 5.1 -
Search for Zalman 5.1 headphones. Kind of cheap looking, from a company that's not into pro audio.
http://www.bit-tech.net/review/261/
Zalman Korea makes excellent heatsinks and fans. Not sure if the same can be said about their multimedia products.

Like I said before, I haven't found any decent 5.1 headphones, only Bose TriPort come close, but they aren't 5.1 anyway.

TIP: Just get a good set of plain stereo headphones from Sennheiser.

-Keith

[bendre123]

I prefer headphone over speaker.
i dont want to disturb other while hearing songs.
i am using philips headphone.
it sound good

[sunnys]

so iam planning to go for an good stereo headphone .will search for more options.
THANKS KEITH
is there some software available with which pseudo surround can be generated with stereo headphones.

[Keith Sebastian]

Originally Posted by sunnys

so iam planning to go for an good stereo headphone .will search for more options.
THANKS KEITH
is there some software available with which pseudo surround can be generated with stereo headphones.

For movies WinDVD has many good surround options and headphone profiles. For music search among Winamp DSP plugins at the Winamp site. Also you're audio driver should have some similar DSP options.

-Keith

[sunnys]

thanks