[lac29]

I was wondering what the definition of synergy between headphones and amp was? Is it simply how well they work/fit/harmonize together? Is this purely subjective?

Is there any general consensus in reference to synergy between the commonly praised portable amps and headphones?

 

[MaZa]

There is subjective match, but also technical match. Subjective match is when amp and headphone (and source too) either diminishes each others flaws or enhances others virtues. Like adding bright source, bright amp and bright headphone is generally bad idea obviously, but it might match for some ear. This is all subjective.

Technical match is about impedance matching, so frequency response wont be 'off', and is amp able to drive the headphone properly in the first place.

I dont know about portable amps, but in high-end Melos or Mapletree amp + Grados are said to be match made in heaven.

 

[Duggeh]

When an amps output electricity is as close as you can get to the electricity which makes the individual headphones' driver sound as best it can and perform as best it can, that's synergy.

Headphone amplifiers do not give the kind of electricity that the K1000 or the Ergo AMT like, and speaker amps do not give the kind of electricity that electrostatic headphones like. Its a matter of matching needs to provisions.

 

[vcoheda]

no such thing as objective synergy in my book. if 2 amps are both capable of driving a headphone and you like one amp over the other, it is not synergy, only personal preference for that component.

 

[ChaseD13]

well its very subjective, but i think it can be objectively determined that xxx amp favors certain frequenciess and has a certain sound. the same can be determined for headphones, and the same can be determined for what your ears prefer. you take headphone+amp and combine them so you have a sound you like. that's synergy.