[BenF]

 
True.even some of my IEMs sounds dull w/o 16db ticked and vol knob turned above 2-3pm to hear it right. one con though imho, woud've been a 3 step boost than 2.....like 0-8-16db. if this is addressed on the E12DIY silver it's a mass welcome! not sure JamesFiiO and his team thought of this. technically feasible but maybe cost cutting involved as they need 3 way sw, enclosure's extra cut and some additional components to add that feature!!! (maybe $5-10 a piece?) kinda bitter question to match at this price tag.

 
My hardest to drive IEMs (150ohm/95dB RE-262) are unbearably loud at 2-3PM, even without the 16dB boost.
I hope you use a very weak source, because otherwise you need to consult a specialist.

 

[Evshrug]

Yup. When I first got the E12, I didn't really get it for the power it could provide. But it has allowed me to get and use phones like the 600ohm K240's, so that power capability is now paying off. So yeah, very versatile.

How do you like those 600 Ohm K240? I've always wondered why AKG's flagships are at 62 ohm resistance... I feel like even the 120 ohm K612 would be less picky to drive.

 

[Chris J]

How do you like those 600 Ohm K240? I've always wondered why AKG's flagships are at 62 ohm resistance... I feel like even the 120 ohm K612 would be less picky to drive.

Careful what you wish for.
Most headphone amplifiers will not drive a 600 Ohm headphone.

600 Ohm headphones often need more voltage than most headphone amps can provide.
The E12 is probably one of the few portables that can drive 600 Ohm cans.

As far as 120 or 62 Ohms, unless it is a very inefficient headphone, the impedance will not matter to the E12.

 

[Evshrug]

I was thinking more like 250 ohms... Yeah more voltage for volume, but current shouldn't be a problem once you get that needed volume (and of course output impedance becomes a non-issue)

 

[iSennheiser]

Careful what you wish for.
Most headphone amplifiers will not drive a 600 Ohm headphone.

600 Ohm headphones often need more voltage than most headphone amps can provide.
The E12 is probably one of the few portables that can drive 600 Ohm cans.

As far as 120 or 62 Ohms, unless it is a very inefficient headphone, the impedance will not matter to the E12.

FiiO can drive my HD600 to a deafening volume at 50% high gain 12 o clock. I always listen at 35% or below, or else I might loose my hearing, its very powerful indeed, but I don't think if it can drive higher end like Hd800 which i tried moment ago, its quite rough... Not smooth

 

[Chris J]

FiiO can drive my HD600 to a deafening volume at 50% high gain 12 o clock. I always listen at 35% or below, or else I might loose my hearing, its very powerful indeed, but I don't think if it can drive higher end like Hd800 which i tried moment ago, its quite rough... Not smooth

Not too sure if I would use a $120 headphone amp with a $1400 headphone!
LOL!

 

[StanD]

FiiO can drive my HD600 to a deafening volume at 50% high gain 12 o clock. I always listen at 35% or below, or else I might loose my hearing, its very powerful indeed, but I don't think if it can drive higher end like Hd800 which i tried moment ago, its quite rough... Not smooth

Actually the HD800 (102 dB/mw) is more sensitive than the HD600 (97 dB/mw) or HD650 (98 dB/mw).

 

[Shawn71]

*I always listen at 35% or below, 

**its quite rough... Not smooth

* Did u listen to the same level of 35% (~10'o clock) with hd800? as hd 600.
** over-powering/kinda jarring the drivers or not enough power to drive?

 

[StanD]

Not too sure if I would use a $120 headphone amp with a $1400 headphone!
LOL!

And the actual reason is?
The FiiO E12:
15.5 Vp-p
Rated for 300 Ohms
> 16 db Gain
Output impedance <0.5Ω
THD <0.005%
 
If it can hurt your ears using an HD600, the HD800 is even more sensitive and will play even louder. It cannot drive a low impedance low efficiency Planar Magnetic can, however, not many amps can - including many very expensive ones.

 

[iSennheiser]

* Did u listen to the same level of 35% (~10'o clock) with hd800? as hd 600.
** over-powering/kinda jarring the drivers or not enough power to drive?

I turn it up to 50% and i get almost the same volume with HD800 and Hd600.However, HD 800 is quite rough and sounds somehow wrong with E12 until i plugged it to some Lehmann desktop Amp. No wonder that Sennheiser made its own amp to pair up with $2000 HDVD 800 amp. -.o I can't afford that , so i am more than happy with my budget set up, E12+hd600 :'(

 

[StanD]

I turn it up to 50% and i get almost the same volume with HD800 and Hd600.However, HD 800 is quite rough and sounds somehow wrong with E12 until i plugged it to some Lehmann desktop Amp. No wonder that Sennheiser made its own amp to pair up with $2000 HDVD 800 amp. -.o I can't afford that , so i am more than happy with my budget set up, E12+hd600 :'(

 
Jude's review on Head-Fi states the following:
"In its high-gain setting (+10 dB), the FiiO E12 was making easy work--and beautiful driving--of my Audeze LCD-2 and LCD-3, and my HiFiMAN HE-400 and HE-500. And the HD 800? You bet. With the exception of a few portable amps by ALO Audio and Ray Samuels Audio, I’ve not had much luck with finding a portable that I liked with the HD 800. Until the E12, that is. Not only did the E12 drive the HD 800, its bass boost (with its emphasis peaking way down low) gave the HD 800 a kick up the fun scale--this is something I’ve also enjoyed with the ALO Audio Mk3-B that also has a bass boost circuit (a very nice adjustable one)."

 

[iSennheiser]

Jude's review on Head-Fi states the following:
"[COLOR=777777]In its high-gain setting (+10 dB), the FiiO E12 was making easy work--and beautiful driving--of my Audeze LCD-2 and LCD-3, and my HiFiMAN HE-400 and HE-500. And the HD 800? You bet. With the exception of a few portable amps by ALO Audio and Ray Samuels Audio, I’ve not had much luck with finding a portable that I liked with the HD 800. Until the E12, that is. Not only did the E12 drive the HD 800, its bass boost (with its emphasis peaking way down low) gave the HD 800 a kick up the fun scale--this is something I’ve also enjoyed with the ALO Audio Mk3-B that also has a bass boost circuit (a very nice adjustable one).[/COLOR]"

Yeah but HD800 definitely not worth to be driven by E12, it needs something like Lehmanns or HDVD800, its day and night to me, but my HD600 just another winner with E12.

 

[StanD]

Yeah but HD800 definitely not worth to be driven by E12, it needs something like Lehmanns or HDVD800, its day and night to me, but my HD600 just another winner with E12.

I guess we'll have to leave it that Jude and yourself have very different opinions. My office just moved to across the river from J&R. I used to be across the street 

 oh well, it was good while it lasted. Next time I get over to J&R, I'll bring my E12 and plug into an HD800.

 

[Shawn71]

I turn it up to 50% and i get almost the same volume with HD800 and Hd600.However, HD 800 is quite rough and sounds somehow wrong with E12 until i plugged it to some Lehmann desktop Amp. No wonder that Sennheiser made its own amp to pair up with $2000 HDVD 800 amp. -.o I can't afford that , so i am more than happy with my budget set up, E12+hd600 :'(

FiiO has a max power output of 160mW to drive 300ohm cans whereas HD800 allow max. input power of 500 mW.which is of 300% more than FiiO's ability to drive 300ohms. So looks like, E12 can drive hd800 good BUT NOT THAT GOOD. Also the hd800's driver dia 56mm has more voice coil windings.

 

[Shawn71]

  I'll bring my E12 and plug into an HD800.

huhoo.......true listening spirits flowing!

my fingers crossed. appreciate a timely post.