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Topic: Should I consider a headphone amp? (Read 5440 times) previous topic - next topic
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Should I consider a headphone amp?

I have been curious about headphone amps for a while now, especially since I took delivery of my new Fiio X1 a couple months ago. I am really happy with this DAP, and it has more than enough power to drive my Sennheiser HD 25 SP headphones. I also have a pair of HD 580 Jubilee (from ~ 20 years ago) that have been lying dormant for years due to decayed earpads and head piece (about $100 to replace). I may get new pads for these, but my recollection is that it was no harder to drive than the HD 25 SP.

In any case, I realize that power is not the only rationale for buying a headphone amp, and that the spatial representation of the music can be improved to overcome the "in-head" phenomenon. If my 'phones are easy to drive, is it worth it to consider a headphone amp? If so, I would like something portable (to go with my X1) and less than ~150$. I would also like something suitable to use with my laptop (worth getting one with a DAC?)

I know Fiio makes several amps, ranging in price from 30 - 300$. I am tempted to just buy the cheap one and try it out. Any suggestions?

Should I consider a headphone amp?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Kadsura on
I have been curious about headphone amps for a while now, especially since I took delivery of my new Fiio X1 a couple months ago. I am really happy with this DAP, and it has more than enough power to drive my Sennheiser HD 25 SP headphones. I also have a pair of HD 580 Jubilee (from ~ 20 years ago) that have been lying dormant for years due to decayed earpads and head piece (about $100 to replace). I may get new pads for these, but my recollection is that it was no harder to drive than the HD 25 SP.

In any case, I realize that power is not the only rationale for buying a headphone amp, and that the spatial representation of the music can be improved to overcome the "in-head" phenomenon. If my 'phones are easy to drive, is it worth it to consider a headphone amp? If so, I would like something portable (to go with my X1) and less than ~150$. I would also like something suitable to use with my laptop (worth getting one with a DAC?)

I know Fiio makes several amps, ranging in price from 30 - 300$. I am tempted to just buy the cheap one and try it out. Any suggestions?


"Worth it" is a very subjective question, but if your current amp has enough power and you're not looking for desktop or pre-amp features, the answer is probably "no."

Should I consider a headphone amp?

Reply #3 –
Actually, the X1 may be a bit underpowered for the HD580's, as it is for the HD600, according to Audiobot.  However, the HD580's aren't portable headphones, anyway.

Should I consider a headphone amp?

Reply #4 –
Quote
In any case, I realize that power is not the only rationale for buying a headphone amp, and that the spatial representation of the music can be improved to overcome the "in-head" phenomenon. If my 'phones are easy to drive, is it worth it to consider a headphone amp?
You've been reading too much "audiophile nonsense".    The only "spatial effects" will be optional cross-feed which blends the left & right channels.  Some headphone amps include this feature, and some headphone listeners feel they get a more natural sound with cross-feed (on some recordings, I assume).     

A headphone amp can do two things -  Of course it can amplify (make the signal louder).    Some soundcards and laptop headphone outputs, etc. have (relatively) high source impedance.  The impedance of headphones varies across the frequency range, and the "interaction" between the amplifier's source impedance and the varying headphone impedance can cause frequency response variations.    An amp with low source impedance (compared to the headphone load) will be immune from this problem. 

Unfortunately, source impedance is rarely specified.  Usually they just specify the recommended minimum headphone impedance.   

Quote
I would also like something suitable to use with my laptop (worth getting one with a DAC?)
If you are driving it with a good quality signal, there won't be any improvement in audio quality.  But, if you've got a noisy source (some soundcards are noisy) the amplifier will amplify the noise and you'll be better off with built-in DAC.

Should I consider a headphone amp?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: theriverlethe on
Actually, the X1 may be a bit underpowered for the HD580's, as it is for the HD600, according to Audiobot.  However, the HD580's aren't portable headphones, anyway.


1.6 Vrms at 97dB/mw and 300 ohms gives 102 dB/volt, so you'll go well over 100dB.  Probably not useful/safe to go very much higher than that.

Should I consider a headphone amp?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: saratoga on
Quote from: theriverlethe on
Actually, the X1 may be a bit underpowered for the HD580's, as it is for the HD600, according to Audiobot.  However, the HD580's aren't portable headphones, anyway.


1.6 Vrms at 97dB/mw and 300 ohms gives 102 dB/volt, so you'll go well over 100dB.  Probably not useful/safe to go very much higher than that.


106dB, if the sensitivity is the same as the HD600's.  It really depends what you listen to.  THX reference level has peaks of 105dB, but you may want more than that for classical music with wide dynamic range.  I believe nwavguy's target was 110dB, with a bit of headroom for good measure.

Should I consider a headphone amp?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: theriverlethe on
It really depends what you listen to.  THX reference level has peaks of 105dB, but you may want more than that for classical music with wide dynamic range.  I believe nwavguy's target was 110dB, with a bit of headroom for good measure.


I don't think it does.  A difference of a few dB from one man's arbitrarily chosen threshold is insignificant.  You're not going to notice the difference, and you probably don't want peaks quite that high anyway. 

Should I consider a headphone amp?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: saratoga on
Quote from: theriverlethe on
It really depends what you listen to.  THX reference level has peaks of 105dB, but you may want more than that for classical music with wide dynamic range.  I believe nwavguy's target was 110dB, with a bit of headroom for good measure.


I don't think it does.  A difference of a few dB from one man's arbitrarily chosen threshold is insignificant.  You're not going to notice the difference, and you probably don't want peaks quite that high anyway.


Tell that to Beethoven.

A "modern" dynamically-compressed recording will be too loud at >0dB, but a classical recording with 30dB peaks may not have sufficient volume.  How is this arbitrary?

Edit: Seriously, though, my headphone amp is capable of ~123dB with my headphones.  Listening to a pop recording, the volume knob will be at 8 o'clock, whereas with a classical recording it might be at 3 o'clock.

Should I consider a headphone amp?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: saratoga on
Quote from: theriverlethe on
It really depends what you listen to.  THX reference level has peaks of 105dB, but you may want more than that for classical music with wide dynamic range.  I believe nwavguy's target was 110dB, with a bit of headroom for good measure.


I don't think it does.  A difference of a few dB from one man's arbitrarily chosen threshold is insignificant.  You're not going to notice the difference, and you probably don't want peaks quite that high anyway.


Looking at the track "Salve Regina" in Jriver, it returns a dynamic range value of 26.3 LU.  With the average volume set at a safe 80 - 85dB, peaks in this track would easily push the X1 into clipping.  Nwavguy's spec was not arbitrary, and I would argue that he was low-balling it a bit for "absolute transparency."