How to Match a Headphone Amp With My Headphones

A headphone amp will provide a headphones with the audio signal needed for listening.

A headphone amp is similar to an audio amplifier in that it amplifies sound frequencies that are then sent to speakers. The speakers are in a pair of headphones placed against the ear instead of in free-standing speakers. To match the frequency response between a headphone amp and your headphones to get the best audio, purchase an amp that meets or exceeds the electrical characteristics of the headphones. You will need the technical information for both the headphone amp and the headphones to accomplish this.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil

1. Write down the headphones' frequency response information. The information is provided with the instruction sheet that comes with the headphones or can be acquired from the "Specifications" section of the headphone's data sheet on the manufacturer's website.

2. Check the number in the headphone amp's technical specifications for its electrical output, or impedance, level. If the output impedance is low (less than 1 ohm), the variations in the impedance level in an inexpensive pair of headphones will not matter.

3. Verify that the output of the headphone amp is listed as being "low impedance" (1 or 2 ohm output impedance), as this will improve the headphones' response in the mid- and upper-bass audio ranges.

4. Check that the frequency response of the headphone amp exceeds that of the headphones on both ends; for example, lower and higher than the 20-20,000 Hz frequency response of a professional-grade pair of headphones (the actual frequency response varying depending upon the make of headphones).

Tips & Warnings

• Headphone amps vary in sophistication, with some having only the most rudimentary controls.

References

• AV Guide: Playback-WHy Headphone Amps Sound Different
• PC Mag: How We Test Headphones

Resources

• Audioholics: Understanding Loudspeaker Frequency Resposne