[ceesgetdegrees]

So I have the newly brought Soundmagic E10 IEM headphones that have an impedance of 46 Ohms and was wondering if I needed a headphone AMP/DAC. The bass isn't to the level that I would've liked and just overall quality as well and was wondering if getting an amp would improve quality on both my laptop and my phone. (Samsung S7 Edge with PowerAMP External DAC Support).

Also what would be a good portable DAC/AMP to buy that is less than $60 bucks? I do not want to spend more to possibly not hear a much of difference leading to it not being well-spent purchase.

Would any of the below be a good purchase?


FiiO K1 Portable Headphone Amplifier and USB DAC | Link: http://a.co/6TDmeXx
TOPPING NX1A Portable Headphone Amplifier | Link: http://a.co/5UKWnYm
Creative Sound Blaster Portable Headphone Amplifier | Link: http://a.co/5aiBWCn
FiiO Q1 Portable USB DAC Amplifier | Link: http://a.co/dDy5bvW
FiiO A3 | Link: http://a.co/hPaBvCV
FiiO A1 | Link: http://a.co/2xw1WyT
FiiO E10K | Link: http://a.co/cWXxoHv
AudioQuest Dragonfly Black | Link: http://a.co/1hRKkC9

My Headphones:
Soundmagic E10 (http://a.co/fE7vE95)
Driver: Dynamic 10mm Neodymium Driver
Impedance: 46 Ohms (+/- 10%)
Sensitivity: 100dB/mW @ 1KHz (+/- 2dB)
Frequency range: 15Hz~22KHz

Monoprice 8323 (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=8323)
Driver Unit: 50 mm
Impedance: 40 ohms
Sensitivity: 100 ±3 dB / 1mW (S.P. L at 1 k Hz)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz

 

[serman005]

Do you have a good, snug fit with your tips? I own the E10C and I get great bass, once I have created a tight seal. Bass is weak if I don't have a good fit. So, just wondering about that. You may need to pick up some Comply tips to help out with the seal, if you don't have them already.

 

[PurpleAngel]

So I have the newly brought Soundmagic E10 IEM headphones that have an impedance of 46 Ohms and was wondering if I needed a headphone AMP/DAC. The bass isn't to the level that I would've liked and just overall quality as well and was wondering if getting an amp would improve quality on both my laptop and my phone. (Samsung S7 Edge with PowerAMP External DAC Support).
Also what would be a good portable DAC/AMP to buy that is less than $60 bucks? I do not want to spend more to possibly not hear a much of difference leading to it not being well-spent purchase.
Would any of the below be a good purchase?

Is there any audio quality difference between plugging the Soundmagic E10 IEM into the laptop or the phone?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

So I have the newly brought Soundmagic E10 IEM headphones that have an impedance of 46 Ohms and was wondering if I needed a headphone AMP/DAC. The bass isn't to the level that I would've liked and just overall quality as well and was wondering if getting an amp would improve quality on both my laptop and my phone. (Samsung S7 Edge with PowerAMP External DAC Support).

Also what would be a good portable DAC/AMP to buy that is less than $60 bucks? I do not want to spend more to possibly not hear a much of difference leading to it not being well-spent purchase.

Would any of the below be a good purchase?


FiiO K1 Portable Headphone Amplifier and USB DAC | Link: http://a.co/6TDmeXx
TOPPING NX1A Portable Headphone Amplifier | Link: http://a.co/5UKWnYm
Creative Sound Blaster Portable Headphone Amplifier | Link: http://a.co/5aiBWCn
FiiO Q1 Portable USB DAC Amplifier | Link: http://a.co/dDy5bvW
FiiO A3 | Link: http://a.co/hPaBvCV
FiiO A1 | Link: http://a.co/2xw1WyT
FiiO E10K | Link: http://a.co/cWXxoHv
AudioQuest Dragonfly Black | Link: http://a.co/1hRKkC9

My Headphones:
Soundmagic E10 (http://a.co/fE7vE95)
Driver: Dynamic 10mm Neodymium Driver
Impedance: 46 Ohms (+/- 10%)
Sensitivity: 100dB/mW @ 1KHz (+/- 2dB)
Frequency range: 15Hz~22KHz

Monoprice 8323 (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=8323)
Driver Unit: 50 mm
Impedance: 40 ohms
Sensitivity: 100 ±3 dB / 1mW (S.P. L at 1 k Hz)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz

Given the sensitivity of the IEMs is 100dB/1mW power isn't the problem here. With IEMs the more usual problem would be a high output impedance on what you're plugging them into and not getting a good seal with the tips. The first doesn't seem to be the problem since the S7 isn't known to have a high output impedance (or I just haven't heard of Samsung regressing on that), so I'd look into getting a good seal first.

 

[Arh Rao]

Since you are using phone as source, Go for K1 as if wan budget, if you have enough budget can go for Audio Quest.
A DAC/AMP is needed for long term purpose, maybe after you buy any of the DAC/AMP is a Start you dive into new Audio world haha

 

[WoodyLuvr]

Definitely sounds like a poor seal... check out Comply T/Tx-400 Tips. FYI, the "Tx" is with the wax guard.

 

[cossix]

Check the seal and if that doesn't do it, I'd stick to the FiiO lineup. I use the X3-II, and A5 which I love but their lower priced gear should be great too. FiiO does a good job with their price to performance ratio

 

[ceesgetdegrees]

I will buy either the FiiO K1 or A3 and give it a test. If not much of a difference, I will just buy a nicer set of headphones and pair it with the audioquest. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Oscar-HiFi]

I will buy either the FiiO K1 or A3 and give it a test. If not much of a difference, I will just buy a nicer set of headphones and pair it with the audioquest. Thanks for the help everyone.

Did you read the above posts, it is really important to make sure you get a good seal for the best bass response, before buying an amp (which won't solve the problem, you'll turn them up louder and damage your hearing), invest in some comply foam tips if you cannot get a good seal with the silicone tips.

It seems like you have just ignored the advice of about 5 people...