But how does one become a person that writes long messages late at night on mysterious internet forums?...wait, I'm that guy.
In a word, Rum.
But how does one become a person that writes long messages late at night on mysterious internet forums?...wait, I'm that guy.
We're pretty much on the same page, so I'll try to keep this brief...Well, yes and no. You're confusing the issue. What you're referring to is generally quoted as how much sound is produced per watt (or milliwatt), at a given frequency, as measured by a sound pressure level meter, a set distance from the drivers. This value does not necessarily correlate with impedance. In other words, they are two different specifications.
As an example, let's look at the three different impedances offered by Beyerdynamic, for their DT 770 model:
Beyerdynamic DT770 / 250 ohm: 96 db @ 1mW / 500 Hz.
Beyerdynamic DT770 / 80 ohms: 96 db @ 1mW / 500 Hz
Beyerdynamic DT770 / 32 ohms: 96 db @ 1mW / 500 Hz
You will note that the manufacturer of this headphone lists the sensitivity as exactly the same, for three different impedances. So the sound level produced by each of these cans is exactly the same, given a 1mW input at 500 Hz. Using your terminology, they are equally efficient. Of course, they don't specify what sort of amplifier they used to achieve that result. They also ignored the effect of frequency (though I give them props for including the frequency used in this measurement).
Using the points in your discussion, if you drive any of these headphones with an amplifier that is capable of providing the necessary voltage and current, then theoretically you ought to get the same sort of result. Without resorting to a lengthy explanation on ohms law and calculating impedance using imaginary numbers, let's just postulate that you get the same result, if and only if your amplifier can indeed match the right voltage and current to the load presented to it. I assert that the load for each of those headphones is different, notwithstanding their equal efficiency ratings. Each requires a different voltage and current to achieve the same power, and thus the same sound level output. But those are two different things.
So back to the original question: is there any advantage to higher impedance headphones? Let me modify my previous answer thusly:
If you can hear the difference, AND if you have an amplifier that can produce the necessary voltage and current needed, then higher impedance headphones are better.
If you can't hear the difference, AND/OR you do not have an amplifier that can produce the necessary voltage and current needed, then skip the higher impedance cans. Go with what you can drive with an ipod alone, and leave the arguments to people who write long messages late at night on mysterious internet forums... :tongue_smile:
Well first off, all headphones require amps, and you will always need a DAC if you want to play a digital file. A standalone, dedicated DAC will usually sound better than the one integrated in your cell phone because it has discrete parts that are better at converting 1's and 0's into an analog waveform.The question should be this.
Does a pair of headphones that requires an amp/dac to drive sound better than a pair of headphones that does not?
If it does, what are the reasons behind those headphones sounding better?
The question should be this.
Does a pair of headphones that requires an amp/dac to drive sound better than a pair of headphones that does not?
If it does, what are the reasons behind those headphones sounding better?
The question should be this.
Does a pair of headphones that requires an amp/dac to drive sound better than a pair of headphones that does not?
If it does, what are the reasons behind those headphones sounding better?
Let me skip the previous argument to answer this question another way. What first started me on my journey to high fidelity headphone audio, was breaking a cheap set of headphones, and the desire for something better.
I broke a set of Sony MDR NC-40 on-ear headphones, that were driven by an ipod shuffle. Those cans have a teeny built-in amp/noise cancelling system, driven by an AAA battery. You can decide for yourself how powerful an amplifier driven by an AAA battery is. I used that setup for about 6 years, at work, daily. It suited my needs. It was portable. I know it wasn't perfect, but it was portable. That was the main goal.
When I broke the setup, I no longer needed portability. I needed over-ear cans, not on-ear cans. I bought over-ear cans, and then tried to drive them with a cheap amplifier (a cheap Fiio), that was about the size of my ipod shuffle. It sucked, badly. I did not want to revert to a new set of the Sony MDR NC-40's (though the thought did occur to me). No, I wanted something better. I did not want to keep blowing money on crappy amps, so I did a little research. I read some review on Amazon that mentioned Head-fi. I foolishly decided to sign up for a membership on this website. And that's where it all started. Just about a year ago, for me.
So my next purchase was a better amp. The main driver for my amp purchase was frugality, because this was going to sit on my desk at work, and I didn't want to feel bad if some moron walked off with my stuff. So I bought a Bravo V2 amp for under $70 from Amazon. It was cheap, it drove the cans a whole heckofalot better than the silly little Fiio, and it also had the interesting side effect of introducing me to tubes.
This setup was also not idea, because now the cans became noticeably bad within a month, and so I began buying new headphones. And on and on. And suddenly the motto of this website made sense: "Welcome to Head-Fi, sorry about your wallet!"
The answers to your questions are subjective. Sorry. There are no absolutes on this website. There are many opinions. Each opinion is valid for the person who wrote it, and maybe a few more people who believe it. Just keep in mind, your ears are different from everyone else's. What sounds good to me won't sound the same to you. There are a lot of reasons for that, some being your age, how badly you've mistreated your ears over time, your knowledge of music appreciation, whether you've been a musician or not, and so on. Even if you know little about music, if you're an Old Guy (tm) like me, it doesn't matter how much you know, if you have to live with tinnitus.
So. To be brief, we can't answer those questions for you. Only you can. In my personal opinion and experience, I think headphones sound better with amplifiers, simply because the headphone can be driven better with a good amp, than by an ipod/phone/computer alone. The reasons for that sounding better? I don't have the time, desire, or ability to explain it all, but you can read that for yourself on this website. Even if you believe that, if you're like me, your ears might not hear those improvements, because you're too old, your ears are damaged, you have no ear for music, and on and on.
This journey is very individual in many ways. We can only do so much to help you experience it. Good luck and hang on to your wallet.
So from reading some of the recent posts, my macbook pro already has a pretty good sound setup, and I won't benefit all that much from this combo? Is there a thread somewhere that explains alot of the question I have right now? Like why would someone buy a 600 ohm headphone over 35 ohm, if 35 doesn't require an amp? What makes a headphone 600 ohm etc? I'm a total newbie and feel so stupid but it's hard finding beginner information. Thanks for everyone that's been a help thus far. I feel so lost amongst the jargon.
Apparently I'm not allowed to post classifieds on the forum yet but If anyone are thinking about selling their Modi I'm looking for one to go with my Vali. Preferable in Europe but other locations are fine too.
I can also take the time to ask how big a difference an external DAC like Modi does? I haven't owned one before and are currently running my Vali straight from my Lenovo laptop. Will I hear a big difference?
The difference will vary from headphone to headphone, but you should be able to hear a positive change
Headphones: Phillips Fidelio X1
Headphone Impedance: 32ohm
Headphone Sensitivity: 100db
Currently I am using the realtek motherboard audio on my PC. The sound is decent. (compared to what I am used to - previously el cheapo $30 headphones)
Tomorrow in the mail I will get a creative labs OMNI usb soundcard. This will provide me surround processing for games, as well as an improved DAC over the motherboard and a 600ohm headphone amp based on the MAXIM chipset.
Would I get any benefit from using a Magni amp attached to the OMNI?
Would I get any benefit in bypassing the DAC on the OMNI with a MODI?
Does anyone have experience using the Fidelio X1 headphones with this amp/dac combo?