Do you really need an amp for high impedance headphones? Can you use 250 ohm headphones without amp? Let us find out
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There are many types of headphones available, and you can use them for different types of audio. If you are planning to get new ones and listen to loud music, you need to check if an amplifier is necessary.
You can use an amp for any headphones that have an impedance of more than 50 Ohm. The amp will ensure that the sound quality and volume remain perfect. But do you need an amp? Read on to know more, especially if you want to buy 250 Ohm headphones.
Do You Need a Headphone Amp for 250 Ohm Headphones?
The 250 Ohm headphones are some of the standard headphones available in the market. Gamers and music lovers often use them because of the quality of sound they deliver.
However, if you are playing games with heavy sound effects or listening to metal, you might be wondering if 250 Ohm headphones are the best choice. So do you need an amp to enhance their sound?
It Depends on the Type of Sounds/Music
It all depends on the quality of sound. Most 250 Ohm headphones do not need an amp to improve the sound. They work well when you are listening to drum beats, dubstep, or even bass.
If you are thinking about getting an amp, try your headphones without one first. If you still feel that the sound quality needs to be better, you can get a headphone amp specifically for 250 Ohm headphones.
You might like to read: Why Do My Headphones Keep Changing Volume
Test the Device Yourself
To understand if your 250 Ohm headphones need an amp, you should test them on various devices. You will find that the results vary depending on what activity you are using the headphones for.
- 250 Ohm headphones will generally work well with mobile phones and devices like tablets or laptops. If the volume is adequate, you do not need a headphone amp.
- But if you try a live recording of podcasts, videos, or voiceovers with 250 Ohm headphones, the sound may sometimes appear distorted. For these activities, you will need to buy a headphone amp.
- Audio mixing requires top-quality. If you plan on doing any professional work, then you should buy an amplifier. An amp will help you deliver the best audio possible.
Test your 250 Ohm headphones with all devices before making any other investment. Often good quality 250 Ohm headphones work very well for numerous activities, and there is no need for an additional amp or even 80 Ohm headphones.
What Does An Amp Do?
If you want to get the most out of your 250 Ohm headphones, you should invest in an amp. As the name suggests, an amplifier increases the volume of the sound. But when you are using an amp for high impedance headphones of 250 Ohm, you need to find the right one.
Which Type Of Amp Should You Buy?
Amplifiers can have different power ratings, but they are not all suitable for 250 Ohm headphones. The power of the amp also needs to suit the impedance spikes. Often the impedance spikes depending on the frequency of sound.
The easiest way to determine what amp you need is by checking its output impedance. Usually, the amp’s output impedance needs to be eight times less than the impedance of your headphones.
However, if you plan to listen to audio at a very high frequency, you can buy an amp of slightly higher output impedance. It is better to get a more powerful amplifier as it will take the load and still allow the best quality audio.
You might like to read: Why Do My Headphones Keep Changing Volume
Do You Need an Amp for DT 770 250 Ohm?
If you use DT 770 250 Ohm headphones, you need to consider how loud you want the sound to be. The volume is a determining factor in whether or not you need an amp for the headphones.
You can easily connect the DT 770 250 Ohm headphones to your mobile phone or PC and listen to music or any other kind of audio.
The volume when you use your DT 770 on a PC/phone will be as loud as a conversation. Now, if you do not want to listen at a higher volume, you will not need an amp for your headphones.
There is also no need for an amp for DT 770 250 Ohm headphones to listen to vacuum-loud audio.
When Should You Consider Using an Amp for DT 770 250 Ohm?
Say you want to turn up the volume and recreate the feel of a rock concert. That is when you should get an amp.
You will also need an amp if you are using the headphones to drown out loud traffic or the ambiance of a noisy area. Therefore, check the sound levels and decide if you want to buy an amp for your DT 770 250 Ohm headphones.
Why Do You Need an Amp with DT 770 For Loud Music?
DT 770 250 Ohm headphones work pretty well when you turn up the volume. However, it tends to give a more bass quality to the sound.
On the other hand, the highs become rather harsh and may sound grating. So, if you use DT 770 250 Ohm for listening to audio at home at high volume, you will need an amp for the headphones.
Can you turn the volume up and use these headphones without an amp? You can do that if you are in a studio. DT 770 250 Ohm headphones are most suitable for sound mixing work in a studio without an amp. You can play the audio at a high volume without worrying about compromising the sound quality.
You might like to read: How Do Headphones Act As Antenna
Alternatives
If you do not wish to get an amp, you can look into other types of headphones. Sometimes, the sound quality and volume might depend on your device. It happens especially when you have an old mobile phone or when your computer’s motherboard is not up to standard.
In this case, you may consider investing in 80 Ohm headphones instead of an amp. Now, usually, an amp for your DT 770 250 Ohm headphones would work just fine.
But you can still get 80 Ohm headphones. If your device is too old, it is better to invest in an amp+DAC to get the best quality sound.
Can You Use 250 Ohm Headphones With Phone?
Yes, you can use 250 ohm headphones with a phone.To ensure that it works well, you should test headphones with your mobile phone before deciding on long-term use.
iPhone
After conducting specific tests with 250 Ohm headphones connected to iPhones, the results appeared to be positive.
You can connect 250 Ohm headphones to iPhone 8, iPhone 10, and iPhone 12. If you have either of these iPhones, you can use 250 Ohm headphones to listen to audio at high volume. You can also use them for sound mixing if you have such applications on your phone.
Android Phones
If you are an android user, you will need to check if the headphones are compatible with your mobile phone. Most 250 Ohm headphones work well with Android phones.
The sound quality is not affected when you connect 250 Ohm headphones to a smartphone. However, you might not be able to turn up the volume as much as you want. You can always use an amp for your headphones.
If you already have 250 Ohm headphones, you do not need to get a different one for your phone. 250 Ohm headphones are suitable for listening to music at an average volume. You only need a different model of headphones or an amp for your 250 Ohm headphones if you wish to increase the volume or try audio mixing and mastering on your phone.
Do You Need An Amp for 80 Ohm Headphones?
Yes, it is better to have an amp for 80 Ohm headphones. If you do not use an amp, the sound quality may appear less than it is supposed to be. 80 Ohm headphones can function without an amp. However, they are designed to provide rich sound at a high volume.
You Should Have an Amp for Headphones Above 50 Ohm
Most headphones above 50 Ohm work better with an amp. It is because of the high impedance. Impedance is the amount of electric current that it can resist. The higher the impedance of a pair of headphones, the better the sound quality will be.
Now, when you connect your 80 Ohm headphones to a device, the audio won’t be distorted. But an amp could help to achieve better quality. An amplifier for high impedance headphones usually helps to provide adequate power.
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Amp Increases Volume Without Distorting Sound
When you are using 80 Ohm headphones, you don’t want the audio to be too quiet. In this case, an amp will help to improve the volume and quality of the sound. If you do buy an amp, make sure it is of the right power.
For 80 Ohm headphones, do not buy an amp with an impedance of more than 8 Ohm. An amplifier with an output impedance of 8 Ohm will work well with your 80 Ohm headphones.
Yes, You Can Use 250 Ohm Headphones Without Amp. But You Should Get One if You Want To Play at High Volume
So, this brings me to the end of the article. If you want to get the best quality sound, use an amplifier for your headphones, and don’t forget to leave a comment about how your headphones work with an amp.
Share this information with others who are interested in buying new 250 Ohm headphones.
Happy listening!
