Jump to content

What does a headphone amplifier do?

legend8887
By legend8887
in Audio
 Share
Posted

I'm new to the headphone and sound part of all this, so can you tell me what it does exactly and why you might need it? I still think Beats sound good and Bose is really good to. :P Help a noob out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I'm new to the headphone and sound part of all this, so can you tell me what it does exactly and why you might need it? I still think Beats sound good and Bose is really good to. :P Help a noob out.

It increases the power of the signal...its only necessary on difficult to drive headphones (headphones with a high impedance)

PSU Tier List | CoC

Gaming Build | FreeNAS Server

Spoiler

i5-4690k || Seidon 240m || GTX780 ACX || MSI Z97s SLI Plus || 8GB 2400mhz || 250GB 840 Evo || 1TB WD Blue || H440 (Black/Blue) || Windows 10 Pro || Dell P2414H & BenQ XL2411Z || Ducky Shine Mini || Logitech G502 Proteus Core

Spoiler

FreeNAS 9.3 - Stable || Xeon E3 1230v2 || Supermicro X9SCM-F || 32GB Crucial ECC DDR3 || 3x4TB WD Red (JBOD) || SYBA SI-PEX40064 sata controller || Corsair CX500m || NZXT Source 210.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

it also can give them an other sound signature, especially when you are working with tube amps

I7 3930K @4.4 GHz  /  Asus rampage 4 formula  / 4x 8gb kingston hyperx blue low profile / gtx 980  / 2x ssd 500gb samsung 840 / 500gb 840evo ssd   /  500 GB WD blue /  windows 7 ultimate
my build: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/133477-750d-finished/

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

It increases the power of the signal...its only necessary on difficult to drive headphones (headphones with a high impedance)

it's necessary to drive anything, everything needs an amplifier. You can't just feed DAC output straight to speaker/headphone. Impedance doesn't necessarily indicate either, some low impedance headphones require more heavy duty amplifiers.

 

Everything that is designed for a headphone to be used with it already has an amp, if that should be bypassed or have an additional one is up for question based on the equipment used.

 

Beats pro 2 or solo 2 whatever (I don't remember which) aren't that bad,  Bose isn't that bad either, just horribly overpriced.

 

You will need a separate amplifier if none of what you use already has an amplifier (motherboards have amplifiers in them) or if the volume is too low.

Error: 410

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Or low impedance and low sensitivity. Most people use an amp because they want their headphones to be able to go louder

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

In practical life, a separate/external amp is one of those 'either you need it, or you don't'. You'll know for sure whether you'd need it or not, when you got your headphone at hand. It's like taking a picture with digital camera. Either there's enough light available to enable you to take a good picture, or there isn't (and you'll need a flash, or additional lights, or something). You'll know it when you get there

HE-400 personal review , ATH-AD700 personal review, Aune T1 MK2 personal review, Lepai A2020+ personal review, Field report of Jakarta USF

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Audio

×