Best headphones to use unamplified?

Another vote for the NAD HP50. Like the HD650, it is on the warm side of things, but the HP50 being closed has a little smaller soundstage. It is actually a big soundstage for a closed back. It think it resolves detail better than the HD650, though. The main caveat with these is that the fit doesn't work for everyone. But I run it out of my Note 4 all the time and it sounds great!

 

Another vote for the Oppo PM-3.

 

Man, now I need to hear a PMx2. I am absolutely in love with the PM-3, so much so that it may be my new favorite. If the PMx2 goes even further in that direction, I need it in my life.

Edit: It should go without saying therefore that I highly recommend the PM-3 as the best closed back portable cans.

 

I need to buy MSR7 and have a PM3 lonar. I've had good experience with MSR7 but had bad memories with PM3. Guess I should revist both.

 

I liked the pm2 a lot when I had them on loan. Worked great out of everything with more then reasonable output. It was well balanced headphone with plenty of extension both sides in my opinion. Lot try to say they don't have enough air or top end,little on dark side but, personally never thought that with them. Only thing I criticized about them was the 799 price tag and would like it be bit lower to be more competitive towards other high-end headphones. But, if I had the money and need well balanced headphone for all around use I probably pick up a pm2 myself. Good headphone.

 

HP50 are great headphones! I have tried them with several amps (O2, arrow, dangerous source, M3) as well as directly from my phone and have to admit that I couldn't detect any differences in sound. Well designed for its intended purpose I guess....

 

I will echo what others say about PM-2 and PMx2. Both sound great out of portables. IMHO PMx2 sounds both better out of a portable and scales more than PM-2. But for its price, especially if you can buy used or get a refurb from Oppo, the PM-2 is an excellent option. Also, notwithstanding its reputation, I believe that the PM-2 does scale some with better amps, although not at the level of say the Senn line of headphones. It does not necessarily have greater resolution with better amps, but the soundstage opens up a bit and there is greater bass slam/impact. For example, the PM-2 is way more engaging out of the Liquid Carbon than out of any portable.

 

Since the PM2 is not completely closed, don't you have to worry about sound leaking out and in when using as a portable, versus a PM3, which is completely closed?

 

I wasn't suggesting using the PM-2 as a portable per se. OP asked about best headphones unamped and I (and others) said the PM-2 (and variants) were good out of portables. There are a bunch of reasons why the PM-2 (as opposed to PM-3) would not make a good, true portable, the most noteworthy being it is an open can as you point out. That said, I have been known to use my PM-2 at my building's gym when the gym is otherwise empty and I am doing something other than running (say something like a stairmaster). But even that use is a bit unusual. But the PM-2 is very good as a transportable and I will often shuttle them back and forth between work and home.

 

Yea I'd say either the PM2 or the Hifiman HE X, both sounded amazing right out of my Smart Phone [and when I had the PM2 It had a terrible phone] The PM2 is built better and far Cheaper, so I might start there. But if you wanna splurge the HE X outa my phone sounds very much like my HE 4 [running out of my NFB10ES2]

still the HE X build is kinda meh... I was really impressed with Oppos build so I'd grab that, give it some mods and rest easy!

 

Denon D2000 works great without amping, I'd think same goes for the larger number models too. And of course, the headphones made for studio-use work well straight out of about anything: Beyerdynamic DT770, DT880 (32-ohm Beyers especially), Focal Spirit Pro and Senn HD598.

LCD-X should do great too, haven't tried them though.

 

Momentum 2 is definitely a winner from the iPhone/iPad output especially if you enjoy the tonal presentation of the HD- 650. If you have have an AK 100/120 or something with a bit more quality, the AT MSR7 or the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro sounds wonderful. Not as forgiving as the Momentum. The clamping force of the MSR7 can be a bit much with extended listening. Both the Momentum and the DT 770 Pro are more comfortable (my ears only, YMMV.)

Saw the post for the NAD HP50 and I agree that the sound is very good without an amp and in the HD-650 tonal camp. Comfort for me is not as good as the others. Also enjoyed the Focal Classic Pro, but the fit is very tight around my ears. Worth borrowing or testing as many of these options as you can.

 

The TH-X00 sounds very good with my iPod Touch 5G

 

Yeah, it's the same 25-ohm load as D2000 - could it be the same driver?

 

HD 598. Though they are unlike HD 650. Pioneer SE A1000 are like HD 650.

 

Because I cannot stand IEM I got T5p 2 Gen. Unamplified, directly from HTC 10 the y sound very good but they are the best with HTC 10 and JDC labs C5

 

Sorry @philipmorgan, but I've not heard one that I'd feel secure about recommending. Hell, the only one that I even like is the SINE, but that's with the Cipher cable. For solid un-amped performance, IEMs are realistically the only way to go. YMMV, of course.

Edit: I recall that @Tyll Hertsens was a fan of the HEX out his smartphone. But you'd frankly have to be a swivel-eyed loon to spend 1.5–1.8k on a full-size, open headphone on the basis of its suitability for strictly portable use. Tyll suggested as much himself, albeit more nicely.

 

I'm coming around to this position too. My previous issue with IEMs was comfort, but Comply and Ortofon silicon tips have addressed that for me. I've enjoyed the Zero Audio Tenores, and am hoping the HiFiMAN RE-00 are a good fit for my taste too.