[zeiter]

I asked this question under another thread, and got no reply. Let me put it another way. Would 5db difference in  HP sensitivity make a noticeable difference ? Or do I have to go , let's say 10 db, or more  and that's to be used with a portable player. My 91db  headphones don't sound great with my player, and I don't want external portable amps, so switching to 96 db will it make a big difference, or do I need to go higher than 100 db ?  This way I'll know which range I'm supposed to be looking for.

 

[squallkiercosa]

Zeiter, you might have to reformulate your question: try explaining what you're after.

 

[zeiter]

  Zeiter, you might have to reformulate your question: try explaining what you're after.

Ok, I have a DX100 DAP and my LCD-3 don't sound great on that ( far from my home setup with dedicated amp, etc...) they sound thin. They have a 91db sensitivity, and here's my question: if I went with headphones around 95 or 96 db, will that make a difference , like big improvement? I heard some AH-D7000 which have 106DB I guess, and they were so easy to drive with the DX100.  So does 5db increase in sensitivity make a noticeable difference in sound level ?  Or better go an extra 10db ?Thanks

 

[zeiter]

Anybody with some knowledge about this info ???

 

[kraken2109]

5dB will make a difference that is noticeable, but you might want more.

 

[squallkiercosa]

Sometimes numbers can't explain headphones particularities, synergy is one of those factors often discredited by objectivists. The lcd-3 are well known to be picky concerning amps. Planars "consume" a lot of current and a lot of amps are not designed with planars in mind. I suggest you to ask in the following threads:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/588429/audeze-lcd-3-appreciation-thread

http://www.head-fi.org/t/575751/new-audeze-lcd3

 

[zeiter]

Actually I'm not looking to see which amps work with the LCD-3. My son has a HIFI-M8 that I can borrow, and it works fine. But I don't want an extra amp, so I'm looking for other more sensitive headphones to use with the DX100, and keep the LCD-3 for home use . I think I'll go by kraken2109 advice and look for something in the 100db or more range., as 95 or 96 might not do it for me.

 

[squallkiercosa]

The lcd-2 in theory are harder to drive and I found them to be quite the opposite. I can't talk about the LCD-3... But I do think the same and probably my next headphones will be 32ohms +110db sensitivity

 

[zeiter]

My son has the LCD-2 with his Hifi-M8, and they're fine with that unit, but only  on the highest gain setting. I , like you,  prefer more sensitive HP than going highest gain. When I play the LCD-2 on my home amp BHA-1, I use same volume setting as for the LCD-3, the difference I think is only 1db in sensitivity, and I can't feel it. I never bothered to try the LCD-2 on the DX100, since the LCD-3 were not very convincing on that to start with.

 

[squallkiercosa]

Can you please try the lcd-2 to see how do they sound on the dx100?

 

[zeiter]

Will do that tonight, and post my finding. I'm at work right now, and don't have any of the equipment on me.

 

[zeiter]

Well, just tried the LCD-2 with the DX100 and same thing, at medium gain, volume maxed, it 's OK, but not great. Actually there's more quality lost with the LCD-2 than the LCD-3 ( compared to a home amp ).  Yes I can live with that, but both headphones don't sound alive like with a home amp ( which is to be expected I guess).  I'm not blaming the DX100 at all, low sensitivity HP require more power, and if I don't want an external amp, I'll have to get more sensitive HP. My son's HIFI-M8, coupled with his Ipod Touch, sounded much better with the LCD-2, and  the source was 16/44, and not Hi Rez in both cases. So my end observation, since I don't plan to add an amp, I'll be going with HP in the 100db range as I like the DX100 a lot, and that will give it justice.