Possible Stupid Question

[cowbell]

This will obviously show how newbie I am.

I got to thinking that since we'll be moving within a year or two where I will be able to build out what I really want, I thought that I would just drop a couple hundred bucks on a top notch pair of headphones since my wife hates loud speakers anyway and the only time I could enjoy a pricey speaker system is by myself.

Here's my idiot question of the day. If I did this, would I still need to purchase a receiver to use or at the very least benefit from features of a high end pair of headsets?

 

[agarwalro]

Need more info to give better suggestion

If you need a receiver or not depends on what you are currently using for audio-video. If you have a headphone out connection on the device that you use to control the volume, you should be good. Alternately, if there are the left and right audio out (red and white) connectors, then too you are good, albeit you might need an adapter dongle.

There are many types of "headphones". Each type has its own merits and demerits. What works best for you depends on your needs. Here is a good place to start,

http://www.headphone.com/products/headphones/

 

[Nick250]

This will obviously show how newbie I am.

I got to thinking that since we'll be moving within a year or two where I will be able to build out what I really want, I thought that I would just drop a couple hundred bucks on a top notch pair of headphones since my wife hates loud speakers anyway and the only time I could enjoy a pricey speaker system is by myself.

Here's my idiot question of the day. If I did this, would I still need to purchase a receiver to use or at the very least benefit from features of a high end pair of headsets?

I have my DVD player hooked up directly to a headphone amp and it works fine. That being said the headphone amp cost $450, much more than an inexpensive receiver and I do not hear a difference between the headphone amp and and my Onkyo 595 headphone out. The folks at headphone.com push the headphone amps hard, and my experience is that it's bunk. If I had to do it over again I would not get the amp. FWIW I have Senns HD580s and think they are superb. They do need a reciever to drive them however. They are not very efficent and sound a bit muddy on a portable device.

Nick

 

[jcPanny]

Headphone volume control

The technology and features of receivers changes quickly, so I would recommend waiting on the purchase until you are ready for the full HT.

In the mean time, buy a quality pair of headphones. Since most CD or DVD players do not have a variable headphone output, you can buy a couple adapters like this to provide the volume control function:
http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=headphone%20volume%20control
Not the highest quality, but it is cheap.

 

[Mudcat]

Headphone amps needn't cost a bundle. For under $100 you can get a single unit that will power a couple of sets of cans, each with it's own volumn control.

Check these out:

I have this unit (http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2380)

http://www.audiomidi.com/common/cfm/product.cfm?pid=4872


or these
http://www.musicalfavorites.com/headphone-amps/

 

[j_garcia]

http://www.headfi.org/