Powering Headphones

[ScarySkulls]

There have been few headphone threads in past. But didnt find an answer there.

I need to know how to ensure that headphones get adequate power?

In cars we have option to match our amplifier power to speakers attached.

What to do in case of portable audio like iPod. How much power it puts out?

[hydrashok]

For more than "stock" power, you can get headphone amps (from abroad) like the Bithead or the Boostaroo.

[navin]

THe Bithead is not really nesscary. the Airhead is adequate. You can even power it from the car electrical system (think airhead in rear sest arm rest). Headphones recomended are the AKG 701, Beyer Dynamic DT880 or Sennheisser HD600. Beyond this you will have to consider Stax Electrostatics.

[gopz]

But wouldnt these be really bad for the ears, and also impair hearing in the long run?

[hydrashok]

Originally Posted by gopz

But wouldnt these be really bad for the ears, and also impair hearing in the long run?

Nope. Amping the 'phones is all about giving them good power, to make them sound better, just like amping regular speakers. We don't amp the headphones just for a raw volume increase.

But like they say, with great power comes great responsibility You have to use the power responsibly, by keeping the volumes reasonable. Else it will ultimately lead to hearing loss.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by gopz

But wouldnt these be really bad for the ears, and also impair hearing in the long run?

A volume control is standard at no extra charge!

[Bass&Trouble]

Originally Posted by hydrashok

But like they say, with great power comes great responsibility

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[d.kiran]

Has anyone here tried the popular DIY CMOY headphone amplifier? How good/bad is it?

@Navin: Can we have your impressions on how good the crossfeed of the Airhead/Bithead is? I have never heard any myself, but the theory sounds good.

@Scary, If your cans have a sensitivity of 16-32 ohms, I think you don't need a headphone amplifier (at least for the power). If your cans have a rating higher than that, then you might need a headphone amp.

[navin]

Originally Posted by d.kiran

Has anyone here tried the popular DIY CMOY headphone amplifier? How good/bad is it?

@Navin: Can we have your impressions on how good the crossfeed of the Airhead/Bithead is? I have never heard any myself, but the theory sounds good.

to be honest I prefer them without the crossfeed. theory and practice are often divorced. I'm told it makes more sense will lesser 'phones.

As fas as the CMOY is concerned I have never built one. the 2134 is an excellent low noise opamp but I think the OP275 might sound nicer. When I built my preamp I tried any number of opamps incl the 2134 and th 275 worked best but that was in my preamp and not in a headphone amp. the 275does not measure as well but measurements is not something I'd set in stone.

[ScarySkulls]

Good points.

Anyways, what option for guys who dont have headphone amps for now?
How to know outputs of their mp3 players like iPods?
What good headphones to use in that power range?

[d.kiran]

In my opinion, anything between 16-32 ohms should be fine with ipods. Some people I know use 64Ohm ones as well, but I have my reservations. While buying my headphones, in the end it boiled down to a Sennheiser (550 I think) and a Grado SR125 for my budget. I ended up choosing the Grado, because I felt that in certain areas(I remember the track I noticed this was Locomotive breath by Jethro Tull), the Sennheiser started sounding murky which I thought was caused by a lack of power rather than a limitation of the cans themselves(though I am not sure that really was the cause). The senns had a rating of 50 ohms and the Grado, 32. I could not afford a headphone amp then, so I went ahead with the Grado (despite the senns being marginally better).

You can check out headroom (www.headphone.com). They carry a lot of good headphones and if you are comfy with in ear ones, do check those out as well. They offer very good passive noise isolation usually, but can cause discomfort while worn for a long time.

[navin]

Originally Posted by d.kiran

In my opinion, anything between 16-32 ohms should be fine with ipods..

I have used 600ohm headphones direct too. As long as the 'phones are senstive enough you should not have an issue. Besides I dont listen to music too loud.