[avalanche]

I read an article at one site an year back (stereophile, I think - can't be certain) - that headphones/earphones should be removed from the source (iPod/laptop) only after minimizing the source volume to zero.
 
I myself have noticed that when I switch off my speakers from the mains, I often get a loud "click" noise from the speakers. A similar "click"ing noise (not very loud, but certainly audible) happens if I remove my IEMs from the iPod in the middle of a song. Does such a thing have any damaging impact on the ear piece?
 
Or was that article just baloney?

 

[FearSC549]

I don't see how that will damage a driver since there's barely any or no circuitry inside a headphone. The only reason it might get damage is high volume(which is also high current), which burns the voice coil. I don't think that little pop or static sound is loud enough to damage the drivers.
 

 

[Uncle Erik]

The headphones should be fine.

However, some amps aren't happy when they're being driven without a load. This depends on the amp, so check with the manufacturer to see if it is OK.

Pops when turning on and off equipment don't harm headphones.