Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in Audiophile
Simthaniel
Rigs
Modded headphones with qudelix at the core
When I received the Qudelix 5K, I had already modified a pair of Superlux HD-681 headphones. I previously soldered my own balanced connections to the drivers, providing multiple ways to connect and...
Apr 14, 2024
brothamike
A decent set of IEMs
I am in the midst of a 300 hour burn-in but, I will say I am enjoying how this set sounds so far. Before I received these which was btw late by a few weeks, I purchased a Sony/Kimber Kable MMCX...
Apr 12, 2024
merrick97
Should I exchange the PC38X for better headphones?
I bought the PC38X headphones FOR GAMING and they are great, but I have NO use for a Microphone since I don't do competitive gaming and I was wondering if there were better headphone options at a similar price without a headphone, where (presumably) more of the cost was put into making it sound better. I also find that my PC38X don't get quite as loud as I would like and I was wondering if a cheap amp like the iFi Go link would draw a little more volume out of my phones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN6MM822?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I went with the PC38X since it was considered the best bang for buck headphones. I care most about using spatial apps like DOlby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X. Suggestions are welcome.
Apr 11, 2024
LostnAmerica
Sound Signature of the Grell Project.
Wondering what type of sound signature the Drop Grell project headphones will have or trying to attain. Any update would be appreciated.
Apr 8, 2024
Fabulous
Looking for a gaming/content audio setup
Hello! I'm looking for recommendations on audio setups. I'd be planning on using it mostly for gaming. Preferably I'd like a pair of large closed back headphones since I have a big head and jaw. I'd also like to hear myself through my mic with mic monitoring. As far as budget goes, I don't really have one. But under 600$ would be nice. I can go higher if needed. The audio setup would be connected to a high performance PC. Thank you in advance for any recommendations!
Apr 4, 2024
1plsd
$10 Drop Coupon Email not sent?
Trying to buy some gear off Drop for the first time. I was told I would receive an email with a welcome to drop $10 off promo. I never received that email. Drop was able to send me emails for my login token and email for Password update. But for some reason the $10 off coupon was never sent to me.
Mar 31, 2024
NMPacella
New here
Hello, I just joined, primarily for the audiophile products. Looking at purchasing the NHT C3 speakers for our new living room. Space is about 15 feet wide by 33 long and they will fire long ways. Space is just for general listening, music room with all equipment is downstairs, so hoping they will fill it with sound nicely. Cheers.
Mar 18, 2024
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop
If you're looking to buy a cheap DAC/AMP and don't have one already, which it sounds like you are, maybe take a look at the Schiit Fulla 2 which some people were discussing below. It's not the strongest, but it's a solid start for higher impedance headphones! If you want more power, there are several solid options here on Massdrop, or you could pick up something like the Magni 3 from Schiit. That goes up to 430mW at 300 Ohms, and should have no problem driving these headphones. Keep in mind though that the Magni is just an amp, so you'll still need a DAC (Something like the Modi perhaps.)
While the E10K will provide significantly better sound than most laptops and phones, it cannot drive the 6XX anywhere near its full potential. For that, you need to get an amp with more voltage and wattage... and preferably a balanced-out.
With higher-impedance and/or low sensitivity headphones, more power on tap will always yield superior sound. With the Senheisser HD6XX/650, I heard the difference is more noticeable that with most other headphones. Though I will admit, I have never heard for myself.
When you have the money, the currently-available Massdrop Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/Amp would be a good choice. Then, you can hear for yourself.
Incidentally, I'm looking into getting a balanced cable for my HE4XX. It will be my first balanced experience!
But why? Have you come across any explanations of this phenomenon, or measurements to show what sort of objective difference you get between "loud enough" amps and "plenty on tap" amps? Sure, more power will let the headphones easily hit 120dB+, but if my average listening volume is 85dB (and even with tracks with a dynamic range of 15dB or so it would only hit peaks of 100dB) what difference would it make? For example, even factoring in the 500 ohm impedance bump, the e10k can push enough voltage to reach 105dB with room to spare. Most solid state amplifiers act as near constant voltage sources given their near 0 output impedance, meaning voltage output does not swing wildly, and higher headphone impedance means that it takes less current to drive so if anything it would be easier to drive. The issue with my argument is that it assumes sensitivity is similar across the entire frequency range, at 103dB/Vrms or 97dB/mW. Since these sensitivity measurements are (from what I've read) generally taken at 1kHz, it gives us no information about its sensitivity at other frequencies. However, we do know that FR measurements are done with a tone sweep at a constant amplitude i.e. voltage, so given headphone amps act as near constant voltage sources, wouldn't the FR remain relatively unchanged?
Anyway, rant aside, I've been using my e10k for years with other lower end headphones, and I'd rather not shell out hundreds of dollars to buy an amp that costs more than the headphone itself if it would only bring a placebo benefit. That being said, I would certainly like to try out balanced amps/cables though, because I know for certain they do make a significant, measurable difference.
It's like this stuff doesn't make any sense
As you noted, sensitivity (and impedance) measurements are generally taken at 1kHz. But a headphone's impedance/sensitivity is dependent on the frequencies being played through it. Bass and sudden amplitude increases are especially difficult to deliver properly - without distortion - and require considerable power to due so. More available power from the amp will mitigate the affect of these variances on the resulting sound.
Without doing any research, I suspect that the HD6XX/650 scales so noticeably with more powerful amps is because their impedance/sensitivity varies widely.
A more-transparent DAC and more-powerful amplifier than your FiiO E10K would only be a "placebo benefit" if you truly couldn't hear a difference... but trust me, it would be there. (The better the headphones, the easier it would be to hear the sound improvement when upgrading equipment.) But if you have good hearing and/or listening discernment abilities, I would be surprised if you paired your 6XX with a 'step-up' DAC/amp - such as the Massdrop Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/Amp - and didn't hear a significant difference... especially with its balanced-out. This particular unit is quite likely the best overall <$400 DAC/amp currently on the market... and Massdrop has them in-stock now!
I have my eye on two upcoming DAC/amp's from Monoprice with THX AAA Technology and Dirac Sensaround processing. Desktop and portable models:
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24459 https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24460
They could be game-changers if they live up to their promise.
It's been nice chatting with you. I gave you a few 'likes'. If you would return the gesture, I'd appreciate it.