Compatibility 16 Ohm Headphone connected to 32 Ohm Headphone Amp

[Calypso1]

Are there any issues (SQ or physical damage) with hooking up a 16 Ohm headphone with a Headphone Amplifier that only goes down to 32 Ohms?

 

[Doodski]

Are there any issues (SQ or physical damage) with hooking up a 16 Ohm headphone with a Heqdphone Amplifier that only goes down to 32 Ohms?

What headphone amp are you using?

 

[Calypso1]

Hifiman Arya Organic + Topping A50III

 

[majingotan]

Should be fine but can potentially cause audible distortion/clipping on loud volumes due to poor damping factor (assuming that 32 ohm is an OTL tube amp)

Edit: just saw you added Topping A50III. Zero issues with the Organic whatsoever because the output impedance of it is <0.1 ohms

 

[Calypso1]

My listening volumes for the most part will be at low to mid levels but will pay attention for signs of distortion if I ever drive them to high volume. Thanks.

 

[DVDdoug]

Well... Impedance and resistance is the resistance to current flow. If it's rated for 32-Ohm minimum loads you are potentially "pulling" too much current and stressing the amplifier.

But, current is also proportional to voltage, so lower levels should help. (Ohm's Law says Current = Voltage/Resistance.)

 

[Calypso1]

In viewing the Topping A50III specification, it appears that it does output to 16 Ohm headphone at 2150mWx2. The sensitivity of the headphones is 94dB. How does one determine from these numbers whether the amp can drive the headphones to sufficient sound levels? I am assuming yes but it would be interesting to see how these are related.

 

[staticV3]

In viewing the Topping A50III specification, it appears that it does output to 16 Ohm headphone at 2150mWx2. The sensitivity of the headphones is 94dB. How does one determine from these numbers whether the amp can drive the headphones to sufficient sound levels? I am assuming yes but it would be interesting to see how these are related.

The Arya Organic has an efficiency of 94dB SPL/mW.

I know that Hifiman say sensitivity, they mean efficiency.

To calculate the max SPL of the A50III + Arya Organic, you do 94+10*log10(output power in mW).

So for the A50III's 1/4" headphone out, you get 94+10*log10(2150)=127.3dB SPL Peak.

Needless to say, you'll destroy your ears and the headphones before you reach the A50III's limits.

For the Pentaconn output, Topping don't specify output power at 16Ω, but we can predict it using curve fit.

First, convert Topping's power numbers to Vrms using Ohm's law:


Then, do a curve fit to get the estimated max output voltage at 16Ω:


Convert 7.06Vrms back into power and you get 3118mW at 16Ω, or 94+10*log10(3118)=129dB SPL Peak.

 

[Calypso1]

The Arya Organic has an efficiency of 94dB SPL/mW.

I know that Hifiman say sensitivity, they mean efficiency.

To calculate the max SPL of the A50III + Arya Organic, you do 94+10*log10(output power in mW).

So for the A50III's 1/4" headphone out, you get 94+10*log10(2150)=127.3dB SPL Peak.

Needless to say, you'll destroy your ears and the headphones before you reach the A50III's limits.

For the Pentaconn output, Topping don't specify output power at 16Ω, but we can predict it using curve fit.

First, convert Topping's power numbers to Vrms using Ohm's law:
View attachment 361757 View attachment 361758

Then, do a curve fit to get the estimated max output voltage at 16Ω:
View attachment 361756

Convert 7.06Vrms back into power and you get 3118mW at 16Ω, or 94+10*log10(3118)=129dB SPL Peak.

This is amazing! Thank you. Mark