DAC Frequency Response

[Hoof]

Probably a dumb question. Does a DAC need to have = or > frequency response to the headphones they're driving?

 

Context: Recently purchased AKG K712's. Considering the purchase of the JDS Labs "Element". Element DAC has a 20Hz-20kHz response, while the AKG's sport a 10Hz-39800Hz response.

[anothertom]

No, it doesn't matter. And most of what manufacturers tell you is bullshit anyway.

 

The frequency response of a DAC is the lowest and highest frequency it will output. The quoted frequency response of a pair of headphones usually comes with a +-3dB or +-6dB qualifier and is a measure of the spectrum produced from a flat input. If they don't show a graph then don't believe a word of it, and if there's a graph you can bet they've chosen flattering data. There's no way those headphones will actually output 10Hz in a meaningful way, and there is solid scientific biological and physical reasoning behind the usual cutoff being at 20kHz (namely that you can not hear those frequencies. Yes, even you).

 

EDIT: Just to clarify, the ratings on headphones are the useful frequency range it can reproduce, not the hard limit of what it can handle.

Edited August 7, 2017 by anothertom