[Hobsten]

So currently I have it set for High Gain for 64~300ohms headsets for my 300 ohm HD 650. I was wondering if people have it on 300~600 ohms. 
 
Can having a higher impedance setting than your headphones damage the headphones?

 

[VNandor]

Generally speaking, a strong amplifier can blow up a headphone but I don't know if the STX has enough power to damage your headphones. Anyways the music would play earblastingly loud before the headphones got damaged.
 
I personally set my STX to normal gain 70% volume, foobar is at aorund -8dB while I listen to my HD600.

 

[mindbomb]

always use the lowest settings that you find get things loud enough. ignore the labels.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  So currently I have it set for High Gain for 64~300ohms headsets for my 300 ohm HD 650. I was wondering if people have it on 300~600 ohms. 
 
Can having a higher impedance setting than your headphones damage the headphones?

 
Hopefully you disabled the motherboard's on-board audio, in the BIOS, when you installed the Essence STX.
 
Have you tried the Unified Xonar Drivers?
http://maxedtech.com/asus-xonar-unified-drivers/
 
Would be surprised if anyone used anything beside the 300~600-Ohm setting, on the STX, when driving 300-Ohm (HD650) headphones.
 
Chances are a high volume setting would damage your ears, before damaging the headphones.

 

[funkisound]

I think the high gain is +12 dB and extra high gain is +18 dB from normal, so it's not a huge difference, they're both sufficient for driving the 650's. I ran the 650 with the STX for a few months and I think I slightly prefered the extra high gain for music as it drove the headphone a little better, but no big difference, high gain is good too, just don't put it on normal gain with the 650. I wouldn't worry about damaging anything, the STX's amp isn't THAT powerful..