[CZ Eddie]

I'm looking at the Fireye Mini+, Mini, Fiio E6 and Hippo.  The Mini+ and E6 are just barely too big for the application I'll use them in, so I absolutely cannot use anything larger.
 
Problem is, while I have some 32ohm speakers, they aren't high quality.  And the only high quality speakers I can find that will fit the DIY application are 8ohm 78db/w speakers.
So.... of the above mentioned choices, would I be correct in assuming the E6 is the best suited, since it's the only one rated for 16 ohms while the rest are 32ohms?
It would probably get about 60 minutes total of constant-on time.  Average would be more like 30-45 minutes of constant-play.  Will that kill it?
 

 

[CZ Eddie]

Looks like this answers my question about the E6.
SonicElectronix (huge player in car stereo) is offering the E6 packaged with headphones with these specs:
 

1. Sensitivity: 110dB SPL/mW
2. Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms

 
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_46816_ClarityOne-Audio-In-Ear-Headphones-Headphone-Amplifier-Bundle.html
 
Holy crap that must be an ear-bleeding loud setup.

 

[ClieOS]

You are confusing power amp with headphone amp. Speaker requires massive amount of power when compared to headphone. Trying to drive speaker with headphone amp will end up with, well, almost no sound at all.
 
Also, take note that your speaker rating is 78dB/W and the IEM is 110dB/mW. That means it only take 1000 times less power for the IEM to sound over 10 times louder than the speaker (sealed ears vs. free air, but that's not the point).

 

[pukemon]

Yeah those 78db speakers needs some power to push.

Sent from my SM-N9005

 

[CZ Eddie]

  You are confusing power amp with headphone amp. Speaker requires massive amount of power when compared to headphone. Trying to drive speaker with headphone amp will end up with, well, almost no sound at all.
 
Also, take note that your speaker rating is 78dB/W and the IEM is 110dB/mW. That means it only take 1000 times less power for the IEM to sound over 10 times louder than the speaker (sealed ears vs. free air, but that's not the point).

 
Thanks for the helpful response (both of you).  I am new to the headphone world, so I had to google IEM.  "In Ear Monitor"?
And the mW rating is also new to me.
 
But the speaker I'm looking at is headphone sized.  This is the speaker:
http://www.parts-express.com/visaton-bf32-8-ohm-13-full-range-speaker-8-ohm--292-610
 

Nominal Diameter 1-1/2"
Power Handling (RMS) 2 Watts
Impedance 8 ohms
Frequency Response 150 to 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity 78 dB 1W/1m

 
 
When I compare that with headphone speakers, I get almost the exact same specs, except for the impedance and power handling.  Note the sensitivity is the same between the two models.
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-ce38mb-32-1-1-2-mini-speaker-black-32-ohm--285-131
 

Nominal Diameter 1-1/2"
Power Handling (RMS) 0.25 Watts
Impedance 32 ohms
Frequency Response 137 to 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity 78 dB 1W/1m

 
In the normal speaker world, this would tell me that if I hooked up the two speakers to the exact same amplifier, then the 8ohm speakers would be much louder.
Am I confused about this?  I certainly could be.  

 

[ostewart]

You would still need a speaker amp for those, even though the driver is small.
At a push some Valve headphone amplifiers might be able to power them.
 

1. Nominal Diameter1-1/2"
2. Power Handling (RMS)0.25 Watts
3.  
4. Power Handling (max)0.50 Watts
5. Impedance32 ohms
6.  
7. Frequency Response137 to 20,000 Hz
8. Sensitivity78 dB 1W/1m
9.  
10. Voice Coil Diameter0.50"

​vs

 

 

1. Nominal Diameter1-1/2"
2. Power Handling (RMS)2 Watts
3.  
4. Power Handling (max)5 Watts
5. Impedance8 ohms
6.  
7. Frequency Response150 to 20,000 Hz
8. Sensitivity78 dB 1W/1m

​For the mini speaker, no micro amp will output 2W into an 8ohm load