[djembeplay]

I was just wondering... is underpowering a set of cans bad for the drivers? I know it can be terrible for speakers with overheating coils and whatever else may happen... but is the same true of headphones?

So, for example, if I plugged my K701s into something without much juice (like a portable player) is there actually a risk of damaging them as a result?

Thanks.

 

[ericj]

The only way it could be hamful is if you're turning up the volume so far that the amp is constantly clipping - causing the heat in the voice coils you mention, because clipped audio is too similar to DC.

I don't think that an underpowered portable headphone jack can put out enough juice to heat up a headphone coil, even if it were putting out straight DC. Don't worry about it.

 

[Kees]

The drivers get really frustrated because they cannot perform the way the should.
They get really mad after a while and finally they explode.

 

[synaesthetic]

I think I like Kees' explanation best. =D

 

[tjohnusa]

If you like that sound then continue....if not then don't....I vote for don't

 

[djembeplay]

Interesting... thanks for the info everyone. I'm actually not doing it myself... I'm using an amp. I was sort of just wondering in a theoretical sort of way...

 

[Fixcinater]

It won't hurt anything. DAPs don't have enough to distort.

If you were clipping a home amp into some phones, that would fry something, but you'd have way too much volume coming out of there anyway and you'd blow the drivers even without clipping.

 

[djembeplay]

Cool, thanks... so when I underpower my phones, I get distortion at certain lower frequencies... this won't hurt anything then?