Guys, I'm new to headphones but would like to dabble in HP amps.
I know there are many different headphone impedances, from 32 ohms to 600 ohms, maybe even more.
What sort of signal levels do these things want to make your ears bleed? I see numbers of xx mW but I guess it depends a lot on the headphone impedance.
Any pointers?
Jan
I know there are many different headphone impedances, from 32 ohms to 600 ohms, maybe even more.
What sort of signal levels do these things want to make your ears bleed? I see numbers of xx mW but I guess it depends a lot on the headphone impedance.
Any pointers?
Jan
I know, but for me that is the most intelligent decision, but I appreciate that everybody has his own opinion.
Back in the glory days of HiFi, there was no separated phones preamps, every stereo amplifier had phones output. And that works great.
But I understand that is challenge to make dedicated phones preamp, after all we are on DIY site!
Back in the glory days of HiFi, there was no separated phones preamps, every stereo amplifier had phones output. And that works great.
But I understand that is challenge to make dedicated phones preamp, after all we are on DIY site!
SPL per mW -- 2V RMS with my Sennheiser HD650's would be ear-splitting -Z= 300 Ohms. I have Stax from the 1990's -- have no idea what the drive level is as they work off a transformer which provides the bias. They sound great but I find myself using the Senn's all the time.
Low source impedance ~= low power loss.
Low source impedance ~= low power loss.
I've found this spreadsheet very useful in the past: https://robrobinette.com/images/Audio/Headphone_Power_Calculator.xls
Type in the headphone impedance, sensitivity and desired SPL and it calculates necessary power / voltage / current.
Courtesy of Rob Robinette (Headphone Power Calculator Spreadsheet | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org). He also released an Android app.
Type in the headphone impedance, sensitivity and desired SPL and it calculates necessary power / voltage / current.
Courtesy of Rob Robinette (Headphone Power Calculator Spreadsheet | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org). He also released an Android app.
That is a very nice spreadsheet DHM, thanks for the link!
Jan
Glad to be of assistance! Now I'm curious to see what the mighty Jan Didden comes up with
My AKG 4 channel headphone amp claims max 100mW. Output impedance 11 ohms.
I've also use the TI headphone chip TPA6120A supplied with +/-15V. Way more level than I ever need - but I have not tried it with 600 ohm cans. I have run 16 ohm compression drivers with it.
PRR Paul had some numbers here:
Best Headphone Amp IC today?
I've also use the TI headphone chip TPA6120A supplied with +/-15V. Way more level than I ever need - but I have not tried it with 600 ohm cans. I have run 16 ohm compression drivers with it.
PRR Paul had some numbers here:
Best Headphone Amp IC today?
Found this on the net, calculating power requirements for ears bleeding 120dB:
Headphone Sensitivity / Power Requirements Compared | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org
But for some headphones, like Sennheiser HD650 there is no power rating data in the specification, so it is not sure that can handle 167mW.
Headphone Sensitivity / Power Requirements Compared | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org
But for some headphones, like Sennheiser HD650 there is no power rating data in the specification, so it is not sure that can handle 167mW.
Yes, problem is that every headphones is specific, it would be best to first knows specification of phones, and than build amplifier for that specific phones.
That's what I tried to tell you a few pages back ;-)
Jan
That's also a very good list, thanks. It does mean it is hard to build something that is optimum for everything.
Yes, clearly.
There are four main cases.
1. Usual box-in headphones. Dynamical, ~16-32 Ohms, ~100-110 dB/mWt sensitivity.
2. Full-size over-ear, 64-600 Ohms, 100-110 dB sensitivity
3. Full-size inefficient, 10-64 Ohms, 85-90 dB sensitivity.
4. Armature, in-ear and hybrids, 10-64 Ohms, >110 dB sensitivity.
(2)While high-impedance ones no need much current, but could demand voltage headroom up to 10-20 volts, current are low, say up to 50-100 mA.
(3)Inefficient ones require both voltage and current headroom up to ten volts and up to half Amp.
(4)Highly-sensitive ones doesn't demand huge swing, but especially sensitive to amps noise and could demand some current if resistance are low, say up to 1 Volt and 100 mA.
(1)Common droplets are somewhere inbetween and needs some dozens of mV to be driven, so, say, again up to 1 Volt and up to 100 mA.
Join 1+4 pair if you can provide low-noise, and add voltage or current steroids for 2 and 3 cases.
Also, keep in mind peak-factor and some, say, 6 dB margin in case of high-dynamic range music material.
Usually users can heat up to some minutes and then roll back volume. This allows to feel the power or saturate emotions.
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