Headphone Calculator

The Headphone Calculator helps users determine the required power and output volume for a set of headphones based on their impedance, sensitivity, and the amplifier’s power output.

Key Concepts

• Impedance (Ω): Represents the resistance in the headphones, typically ranging from 16 to 600 ohms.
• Sensitivity (dB/mW): Indicates how efficiently headphones convert electrical signals into sound, usually measured in decibels per milliwatt.
• Power Output (mW): The power output of the amplifier driving the headphones.

Calculation Formulas

1. Required Power:
   \[ \text{Required Power (mW)} = 10^{\frac{\text{Sensitivity (dB/mW)} - 94}{10}} \]

2. Output Volume:
   \[ \text{Output Volume (dB)} = \text{Sensitivity (dB/mW)} + 10 \times \log_{10}\left(\frac{\text{Power Output (mW)}}{\text{Required Power (mW)}}\right) \]

Example Calculation

If your headphones have an impedance of 32Ω, a sensitivity of 100dB/mW, and the amplifier provides 50mW of power, the calculations would be:

• Required Power: 0.25mW
• Output Volume: 113dB

Importance

This calculator is essential for audiophiles and professionals seeking to match headphones with the right amplifiers for optimal sound quality. By ensuring that the output volume is within a comfortable range, users can prevent hearing damage while enjoying high-fidelity audio.

FAQs

1. What is headphone impedance?

   • Impedance measures the resistance of headphones to the current, affecting how much power is required for optimal performance.

2. Why is sensitivity important?

   • Sensitivity indicates how loud headphones will be given a specific power input. Higher sensitivity headphones produce louder sound with less power.

3. What is a safe listening volume?

   • Safe listening volumes are generally below 85dB to prevent long-term hearing damage.