what headphones do you own thread - i own dt150's :)

Timber · 6 Jun 2025 at 18:18

mrk said:
Yes PC USB ports are not usually noise isolated but can be on higher end boards. My last mobo had a dedicated DAC USB port which had its own power regulation away from the other components for example. My current mobo is a Gigabyte Z690 with GB's own power management and power filtering so have not had any issues even though it has no specific DAC USB port like before. I just connect the DACs to one of the 4 USB2 ports on the top row of the IO panel.

Some cheap cables can also introduce noise too though when used with a PC.

Not a fan that they downgraded the shell finish from tectured to smooth. That will go oily/shiny like most smooth finishes do on plastic products.

Yep. I think the other thing was the SMSL C200 was the only DAC/AMP I've had that had an internal PSU and not a separate one, or use USB for power. This probably added to its troubles for me. I have moved power leads and things around before, but if I directly connect any DAC/AMPs I don't have any issues over USB. Thereby avoiding the need to find the cause, or buy those USB isolators so far.

RE: the DT 990 Pro X - agreed. They did a similar thing with the DT 770 Pro X and made the design look a bit worse. Also the font and how it looks on the side of the headphone.

Angst said:
After talking about headphone power requirements the other day I was looking into how loud I actually listened to music and how much power that actually requires. I think a lot of the myth that headphone amps need to be super powered comes from reviews quoting the power requirements needed to hit 120db, I worked out the volume I normally listen at by recording the volume level of playback from my source. It seems that I usually listen around 60-70db which is well within the safe listening range. Based on this I looked up the values needed for various headphones.

It looks like my Aeons (13 ohm planars) need 800mw to reach 120db and shockingly only 0.1mw for 80db.
The hifiman HE-6 SE v2 a notorious headphone seems to require around 4watts for 120db and only 0.4 mw for 80db.

This does become more obvious when you realise the sensitivity of the headphones is advertised on the box, the HE-6 being considered very low sensitivity still reaches 84db at 1mw. Obviously there is some swing from this "average value" with dynamics and impedance curves etc but it clearly does show that power requirements are massively over played.
Even if the measurements for my listening level were off by as much as 20db it would only take about 1mw for my headphones to be playing back at 90db.

I did see a really interesting chart the other day at Head-Fi, or Reddit around decibel level and length of time you can listen at each level before you introduce hearing loss/damage. I stupidly didn't save the thread for reference. I suppose this paired with the above would be interesting to know because it helps make sure you're within that boundary of 'safe'.

What software did you use to measure the playback from source, out of interest?

Angst · 6 Jun 2025 at 18:38

Timber said:
Yep. I think the other thing was the SMSL C200 was the only DAC/AMP I've had that had an internal PSU and not a separate one, or use USB for power. This probably added to its troubles for me. I have moved power leads and things around before, but if I directly connect any DAC/AMPs I don't have any issues over USB. Thereby avoiding the need to find the cause, or buy those USB isolators so far.

RE: the DT 990 Pro X - agreed. They did a similar thing with the DT 770 Pro X and made the design look a bit worse. Also the font and how it looks on the side of the headphone.

I did see a really interesting chart the other day at Head-Fi, or Reddit around decibel level and length of time you can listen at each level before you introduce hearing loss/damage. I stupidly didn't save the thread for reference. I suppose this paired with the above would be interesting to know because it helps make sure you're within that boundary of 'safe'.

What software did you use to measure the playback from source, out of interest?

Below 80db is generally considered safe for long periods I believe, above that the recommended safe amount of time decreases.

I just used a phone to measure, so hardly the most accurate but even if it's out by 10db it's still within range of safe.

Timber · 6 Jun 2025 at 18:52

Angst said:
Below 80db is generally considered safe for long periods I believe, above that the recommended safe amount of time decreases.

I just used a phone to measure, so hardly the most accurate but even if it's out by 10db it's still within range of safe.

OK Thank you.

So find and set the volume you normally listen to, plug the phone in via 3.5mm SE phone out and then measure.

Angst · 6 Jun 2025 at 18:58

Sorry should have been more clear, used the phones in built microphone to measure the level with a sound meter app.

Timber · 6 Jun 2025 at 19:00

Angst said:
Sorry should have been more clear, used the phones in built microphone to measure the level with a sound meter app.

OK understood.

Angst · 6 Jun 2025 at 20:53

It seems there's a great very detailed thread on ASR on this I had not previously seen.

Safe listening levels and headphone voltage/power requirements

Heya, there's a couple of threads asking about safe listening levels and people asking about voltage/power requirements in almost any amp/headphone thread. Here's my take on this: Noise Exposure Limits The EPA and WHO recommend that noise should be kept below 70 dBA over 24 hours and below 75...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Raymond Lin · 6 Jun 2025 at 23:19

Angst said:
Below 80db is generally considered safe for long periods I believe, above that the recommended safe amount of time decreases.

I just used a phone to measure, so hardly the most accurate but even if it's out by 10db it's still within range of safe.

Every 3db increase need doubling of power, so it scales or drop quite fast in terms of power needed.

Angst · 7 Jun 2025 at 02:19

Raymond Lin said:
Every 3db increase need doubling of power, so it scales or drop quite fast in terms of power needed.

Aye it does indeed but when most headphones seem to be at 1mw at between 90-110db and every 10db is a 10x in power then there is plenty of headroom for most.
There's a great spreadsheet in the op on the ASR link covering calculations for a significant number of headphones for average and peak power requirements based on a target volume and dynamic range of tracks. The dan clark numbers need adjusting as the sensitivity values are incorrect but once those are adjusted the formulas seem right and provide the expected results, not sure if this si the same for any other headphones listed but it can all be updated.

Timber · 7 Jun 2025 at 12:44

Tube savers arrived and fitted. Slightly lifts the tubes, which hopefully helps with heat dissipation. Idea stolen from Head-fi.

Gunni Parker · 7 Jun 2025 at 12:46

Steel series arctis 5. I've had them for ages. I've bought new ear pads and a replacement cable for them...

Rroff · 7 Jun 2025 at 12:50

Timber said:
Tube savers arrived and fitted. Slightly lifts the tubes, which hopefully helps with heat dissipation. Idea stolen from Head-fi.

Looks a bit better as well in my opinion - looked a bit silly with the tubes barely poking out - though not sure how that looks when on with the tubes glowing.

Timber · 7 Jun 2025 at 12:55

Rroff said:
Looks a bit better as well in my opinion - looked a bit silly with the tubes barely poking out - though not sure how that looks when on with the tubes glowing.

It does remove the impact of the LEDs under the tubes. Although I think it could do with the option to switch those LEDs off, in a similar manner to the green underglow LEDS - which you can turn off.

Raymond Lin · 8 Jun 2025 at 23:26

First Rev 2 of the i5 now out. It get's the recommended award woth "I can safely recommend it for everyone looking for an open-back under $1000 USD."

Fosi Audio i5 Revision 2 Review

Check out whether the Fosi Audio i5 Rev2 brings only improvements. Find out all about it now on Headfonia. Where else?

www.headfonia.com

Angst · 9 Jun 2025 at 14:15

Just had my 3rd or maybe 4th pair of HD650's in the last 10 years delivered. Seems I can never truly escape them.

Glanza · 9 Jun 2025 at 14:27

After 36 hours played with the Maxwell's, love the sound but I've ordered another head strap to see if it can make them comfier to wear for longer periods. Don't want to swap the earpads just yet but coming from fabric back to pleather it's surprising how warm they get my ears after a few hours.

Jenz · 9 Jun 2025 at 19:03

Topping DX5 Mk 2 has finally been detailed:

TOPPING DX5 II Hi-Res DAC & Headphone Amp Combo

NOTE: Product are expected to be available after July 15th Delivery time (around July 15th to 20th) 【Dual ESS9039Q2M DAC Chips】【Powerful Balanced Headphone Amp】【10-Band High Precision PEQ Adjustment】【Bluetooth 5.1 & LDAC Wireless DAC】【Aurora UI with Full-Color Display】【Extensive Connectivity &...

www.topping.store

Good price I think but not enough to switch to for me.

Raymond Lin · 9 Jun 2025 at 19:17

Jenz said:
Topping DX5 Mk 2 has finally been detailed:

TOPPING DX5 II Hi-Res DAC & Headphone Amp Combo

NOTE: Product are expected to be available after July 15th Delivery time (around July 15th to 20th) 【Dual ESS9039Q2M DAC Chips】【Powerful Balanced Headphone Amp】【10-Band High Precision PEQ Adjustment】【Bluetooth 5.1 & LDAC Wireless DAC】【Aurora UI with Full-Color Display】【Extensive Connectivity &...

www.topping.store

Good price I think but not enough to switch to for me.

It's like a Mini X9

edit - 7600mW x 2 output ???

7w from the balanced output? WTF?!

Edit again ....6.4w at 32om vs the XA-02 2w at 32ohm....this amp has some serious power. Also, it fits in the space that i have, kettle lead too! I love it. Must resist though lol

Angst · 9 Jun 2025 at 21:35

Looks a really nice unit, seems to have pretty much everything you could possibly want and for a very reasonable price.

mrk · 9 Jun 2025 at 22:32

Someone on headfi commented saying it looked like it was 3D printed, wonder what the material quality is like, specifically the volume dial. I'm a sucker for weighty feeling dials with a nice ratchet in its rotation.

At £200 I want to try it out anyway, wonder how smooth/warm that ESS chipset is.

Raymond Lin · 10 Jun 2025 at 10:31

mrk said:
Someone on headfi commented saying it looked like it was 3D printed, wonder what the material quality is like, specifically the volume dial. I'm a sucker for weighty feeling dials with a nice ratchet in its rotation.

At £200 I want to try it out anyway, wonder how smooth/warm that ESS chipset is.

I know you might be able to get it for free but for us mortals, if you sign up to the newsletter you get $10 voucher sent to you (not the 10% as in the sign up window).

p.s. i5's kickstarter survey confirmation form completed !