120-ohm Adapter

[450]

Does a 120-ohm adapter help all headphones?

And where can I get one locally (USA) w/o taking some DIY route.

 

[cosmopragma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450 Does a 120-ohm adapter help all headphones? .

No.The opposite is true.Only a few headphones do sound better via such an adapter, most headphones sound better via a 0 Ohm jack.

 

[bLue_oNioN]

But if you are still interested, you should find what you need at Meier Audio.

And if you're incredibly lazy (

) here's a link just for you =)
http://home.t-online.de/home/meier-audio/

 

[Imyourzero]

I have a question... Most people generally regard the ER-4S as souning better than the lower-impedance ER-4P. However, a lot of people like the ER-4P because it is easier to drive. To have the best of both worlds, a common suggestion is to get the ER-4P and the 120-ohm adapter cable that essentially transforms them into an ER-4S. My question is: does the ER-4P with the adapter truly sound exactly like the ER-4S, or does the ER-4S with no adapter still hold some sonic advantage?

 

[saint.panda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imyourzero I have a question... Most people generally regard the ER-4S as souning better than the lower-impedance ER-4P. However, a lot of people like the ER-4P because it is easier to drive. To have the best of both worlds, a common suggestion is to get the ER-4P and the 120-ohm adapter cable that essentially transforms them into an ER-4S. My question is: does the ER-4P with the adapter truly sound exactly like the ER-4S, or does the ER-4S with no adapter still hold some sonic advantage?

There's the Ety 4p to 4s adapter cable which in fact is just a cable with a 75ohm resistance. Nothing more, nothing less. The 4S is nothing more than the 4P with an added internal serial resistance. So yeah, you could buy the 4P and the adapter cable and practically own both earphones. The merit of going for the 4S without the adapter is that you reduce your system by one cable (sonic and practical benefit).

 

[Earwax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmopragma No.The opposite is true.Only a few headphones do sound better via such an adapter, most headphones sound better via a 0 Ohm jack.

Anyone have an example of a headphone that might sound better with the 120 Ohm adapter? (other than Etys)

 

[bLue_oNioN]

Would the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro sound nicer with greater impedance?

 

[KenW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by saint.panda There's the Ety 4p to 4s adapter cable which in fact is just a cable with a 75ohm resistance. Nothing more, nothing less. The 4S is nothing more than the 4P with an added internal serial resistance. So yeah, you could buy the 4P and the adapter cable and practically own both earphones. The merit of going for the 4S without the adapter is that you reduce your system by one cable (sonic and practical benefit).

Or you can apparently dispense with adapter cables altogether:

Xin's solution to the cables

Looks like he's made a cable-less adapter. That guy is amazing. Just wish I could have talked him into making me an enhanced cable.

 

[Mr.Radar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earwax Anyone have an example of a headphone that might sound better with the 120 Ohm adapter? (other than Etys)

The 120-ohm adapter jack helps tame the highs on the Beyerdynamic DT660 and DT860.

 

[ssportclay]

The 120 ohm adapter helps the the following headphones:
1 beyer DT860
2 beyer DT660
3 beyer DT931
4 beyer DT831

These are the only phones I can think of unless someone can add to this list.

 

[setmenu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imyourzero I have a question... Most people generally regard the ER-4S as souning better than the lower-impedance ER-4P. However, a lot of people like the ER-4P because it is easier to drive. To have the best of both worlds, a common suggestion is to get the ER-4P and the 120-ohm adapter cable that essentially transforms them into an ER-4S. My question is: does the ER-4P with the adapter truly sound exactly like the ER-4S, or does the ER-4S with no adapter still hold some sonic advantage?

The Er4p's are can be converted to the S version with the addition of inline
resistors of 73 Ohm , but be aware their response will change further if you
put a 120 Ohm R in there instead of the recommended value, they will not sound like the 'S' version with this value.
I would recommend experimenting with resistor values as they do have quite an impact on sound , this can be a good way of tuning the phones to ones
own tastes.



Setmenu

 

[JaZZ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by setmenu I would recommend experimenting with resistor values as they do have quite an impact on sound , this can be a good way of tuning the phones to ones own tastes.

I second this recommendation. I've found the best sound with a P-to-X adapter with resistor values between 20 and 40 ohm. Even better, if your portable source allows it: renounce the adapter and actively equalize the pure ER-4P by means of a graphic EQ. E.g. +2 or 3 dB at 15 kHz, maybe +2 dB or something like that at 30 Hz if your player has a bass drop-off with a 27-ohm load.

 

[jpelg]

An adapter like this also benefits the Koss 60-ohm lineup if you use them with an amp. Tames the bass bloat that is more obvious when using the Koss' in a quieter (non-portable/mobile) environment. Ampless it is not helpful though.

 

[setmenu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaZZ I second this recommendation. I've found the best sound with a P-to-X adapter with resistor values between 20 and 40 ohm. Even better, if your portable source allows it: renounce the adapter and actively equalize the pure ER-4P by means of a graphic EQ. E.g. +2 or 3 dB at 15 kHz, maybe +2 dB or something like that at 30 Hz if your player has a bass drop-off with a 27-ohm load.

Hi Jazz
These phones seem to be tricky little things to get right ,I note you mention
giving them a top end lift,I too find them a little rolled off.
I think the prominent 2k region of these phones can give the impression of them having more treble than they actually have.
I have experimented with all manner of different eq settings [passive RLC networks] and seem to be slowly homing in on a very nice sound.

During my investigations of the balanced armature drivers used in phones such as this I have yet to come across any that do not exhibit a severe roll off after anything between 4 and 10khz!
Low frequencies obviously do not fair much better.
I would love to know the make and models that are used by the various IEM
maufacturers...


Setmenu

 

[bLue_oNioN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssportclay The 120 ohm adapter helps the the following headphones: 1 beyer DT860 2 beyer DT660 3 beyer DT931 4 beyer DT831 These are the only phones I can think of unless someone can add to this list.

Just for learning's sake, how come it doesn't help the D770-80?