Fiio E10, AKG K612 Pro

[SSL]

Is the Fiio E10 (which I own) enough to drive the AKG K612 headphones to sufficient levels without distortion (clipping)? In his review of the E10, nwavguy suggests a minimum sensitivity of 106 dB/V. The K612 are 101 dB/V which from my understanding is pretty low.

I do not listen to music at live levels and most of my library is classica. Are there other headphones I should consider? I'm looking for fairly neutral, open cans with good soundstage and decent bass extension. The K612 seem to have all of these qualities and for less than $200. If the Fiio is likely to be "good enough" I'm willing to add and O2 later if it would make a significant difference, but I'm not spending $350+ all at once on audio.

[Snazzy]

Don't get an amp for headphones under 350$ is my way of thinking, unless the headphones have crazy impedance.

after you reach the 350$ point you should start looking into amplifiers.

 

i really liked my hd598's when i used those, they have amazing soundstage but have pretty lame bass.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Snazzy

[ShearMe]

Is the Fiio E10 (which I own) enough to drive the AKG K612 headphones to sufficient levels without distortion (clipping)? In his review of the E10, nwavguy suggests a minimum sensitivity of 106 dB/V. The K612 are 101 dB/V which from my understanding is pretty low.

I do not listen to music at live levels and most of my library is classica. Are there other headphones I should consider? I'm looking for fairly neutral, open cans with good soundstage and decent bass extension. The K612 seem to have all of these qualities and for less than $200. If the Fiio is likely to be "good enough" I'm willing to add and O2 later if it would make a significant difference, but I'm not spending $350+ all at once on audio.

 

My Syba DAC is good nuff, so the E10 should be fine as well.

 

 

Don't get an amp for headphones under 350$ is my way of thinking, unless the headphones have crazy impedance.

after you reach the 350$ point you should start looking into amplifiers.

 

Plz no.

[Lays]

I think it'll be more than fine. Hell, I ran my he-500's off a fiio e5 and it sounded fine and got plenty loud enough.

 

The other option I can think of is maybe the fidelio x1?

[SSL]

My Syba DAC is good nuff, so the E10 should be fine as well.

 

Nice, and by that I assume you mean the K612s? I can't remember if you said you own/tried them.

 

 

The other option I can think of is maybe the fidelio x1?

 

Right, I've heard of those. If the K612 will work so much the better as they are slightly cheaper (new, anyway).

[SSL]

Don't get an amp for headphones under 350$ is my way of thinking, unless the headphones have crazy impedance.

after you reach the 350$ point you should start looking into amplifiers.

 

i really liked my hd598's when i used those, they have amazing soundstage but have pretty lame bass.

 

That doesn't take sensitivity into account. Headphones do not magically become hard to drive at $350, I'm afraid.

[ShearMe]

Nice, and by that I assume you mean the K612s? I can't remember if you said you own/tried them.

 

I'm wearing them now.