Audio Kontrol 1 and headphones 120 OHM
Greetings,
I'm new to all that sound engineering thing so I don't even know the proper terms for asking my question. I have Audio Kontrol 1, I don't have monitors, I do have headphones Superlux HD-666 120 OHM. My problem is that it gives "rich" sound only when I make it loud (close to level where it's almost unpleasant for years). Is it possible that I need headphones 32 OHM otherwise I will become deaf very soon? Or those OHMs doesn't make change in that scenario? I kinda understand that louder sound will be "richier" in any speaker, but still concerned - is it possible that Audio Kontrol 1 is not powerful enough? Or it has enough of "power" to properly work with 120 OHM headphones. Please advise.
Best Answer
-
The output of +4.2dBu will stay exactly the same regardless of the impedance of the headphones. Higher impedance headphones will be quieter at the same output level as the current will be lower. Having said that, if the headphones are loud enough then they’re probably going to be fine. A external headphone amp would help, but let’s be honest, you have a $35 pair of headphones so expect a little distortion and lack of clarity.
A bit of advice - don’t overthink things, it’s too easy when you’re starting to get drawn into specs and performance charts and different reviewers saying different things, not to mention conflicting advice you’ll get from forums. I’d suggest going with what you have until you know what you need to upgrade and what upgrades give you the best bang for your buck.
1
Answers
-
-
Thanks! It says
Headphone
Maximum output level
+4.2 dBu (48 mW @ 33 Ohm)
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 0.1 dB
but I have no idea what it means. Does it meant that headphones should be less than 33 Omh? And can't be used with 120 Ohm headphones?
0 -
The lower the impedance of the headphones the louder they ought to play at a given setting.
The specification are given @ 33 Ohm which means that anything above 33 Ohm will give less than the +4.2 dBu .
The higher the impedance of the headphones then the better an amplifier you need to get a certain level of sound. However then how the sound sounds will depend on both the circuit driving the headphones as well as on the head phones themselves.
But in short then 32 Ohm headphones most likely will be a lot better fit but before buying some then find someone that have some 32 Ohms headphones and ask if you can try them on the KA1 so that you know what to expect from your investment.
Personally then I think that it takes a lot of care and consideration when buying headphones especially if you can not try them with the device before you buy.
1 -
Thank you for your detailed explanation. I understand that you're trying to explain as easy as possible but even that is hard to understand for me. Sorry.
Of course I would compare sound of 32 Ohms headphones If I could but I can't. And yes, I can't by headphones without knowing what to expect. I'm stuck (
It's not like my 150 Ohms headphones can't sound loud from KA1, it can. But I'm concerning that maybe the sound is already distorted from such a big level? And on lover level I can't hear well little things like the end of a reverb tail…
0 -
The output of +4.2dBu will stay exactly the same regardless of the impedance of the headphones. Higher impedance headphones will be quieter at the same output level as the current will be lower. Having said that, if the headphones are loud enough then they’re probably going to be fine. A external headphone amp would help, but let’s be honest, you have a $35 pair of headphones so expect a little distortion and lack of clarity.
A bit of advice - don’t overthink things, it’s too easy when you’re starting to get drawn into specs and performance charts and different reviewers saying different things, not to mention conflicting advice you’ll get from forums. I’d suggest going with what you have until you know what you need to upgrade and what upgrades give you the best bang for your buck.
1 -
Thank you! It's exactly what I wanted to hear.
So for future, when I'll be ready to buy better headphones, I better buy 32 ohms, to use with KA 1?
0 -
So for future, when I'll be ready to buy better headphones, I better buy 32 ohms, to use with KA 1?
I am afraid that mykejb is right that I had my units confused here. (dB-dBu-dBV COMPARISON TABLE) (However then e.g. a device such as Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 also indeed state : Maximum Output Level : 2.5dBu into 33Ω , 10dBu into 300Ω so it can be a little confusing)
I found this discussion for you : Highest impedance headphones my interface (Komplete Audio 1) will be able to run?
For more general information : WHAT IMPEDANCE SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR MY HEADPHONES?
BeyerDynamics does indeed say : "30 - 50 Ω - Laptops, mobile devices, interfaces, headphone amplifier".
But I think that it all depend on the interface itself and I haven't tried it so again then I couldn't say for sure what is best for you.
1 -
Thanks. It looks like this is the recipe:
high sensitivity and low impedance (32 ohms, or slightly more or less)
0 -
Yeah , sounds like it (no pun intended) , I also see in that discussion that the Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b is indirectly suggested as an sort of all-round headphone , you can check specifications of that , but that does not exactly come free either , however then less of course could also do it. 🙂
1 -
Industry standard Sony MDR-7506 - are exactly 64 OHMs and they work everywhere on every device that I have ever used - in over 20+ years of audio work.
You should not have to chase a set of phones that are exactly 32 ohms.
VP
1 -
Thank you guys for helping me to understand!
I see that Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b has a jack that go directly to computer headphones out? Does it mean that it will give good sound even without an audio interface?
It means that instead of buying good headphones I bought AK1 and chip headphones, but I didn't need AK1 at all??!!
you killed me… (((
0 -
I see that Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b has a jack that go directly to computer headphones out? Does it mean that it will give good sound even without an audio interface?
The low impedance high sensitivity Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b to me appears as a great all-round set that could be driven by most devices. And while I know that VocalPoint is a professional and that I am sure that he is right with respect to his 64 Ohm headphones then I think that for the purpose here then I would still go with the "Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b" which I think sounds as if they have a great sound generally. I use some cheaper BeyerDynamics myself with similar characteristics because I could not afford a more expensive alternative at the time.
It means that instead of buying good headphones I bought AK1 and chip headphones, but I didn't need AK1 at all??!!
This is a complete misunderstanding of the audio interface role. The role of the audio interface primarily is to allow you to get sound into your computer so that you can record audio devices/instruments , if you check the product page then you will see that it is mainly about connectivity and recording. The ability to plug-in headphones is meant for monitoring purpose I think. For the role of the audio device then check step 3 here : Building A Home Studio (On A Budget)
I myself got the Komplete Audio 6 interface which I have only used a little for vocal recording (attaching a microphone for recording of singing/voice) and I frankly never used headphones on the device.
While I am rather satisfied with the performance/what you get for your money versus the price of the KA6 then I must confess that I think of the KA interfaces as sort of more or less entry level interfaces. But still I think that it performs well and I have no real regrets buying it other than maybe I should have gotten an even better class from the start (?) , but all that is always about money and as I wrote then I think that the KA interfaces are good the price considered.
0 -
Well, I do agree that ATH-MSR7b is great headphones, but the price… It's just undoable.
@Vocalpoint So Sony MDR-7506 will work just fine even without AK1, directly from computer headphones out? Did I understand it correctly?
0 -
So Sony MDR-7506 will work just fine even without AK1, directly from computer headphones out? Did I understand it correctly?
Does your "headphones 120 OHM" not using an adapter if attached to the speaker/headphone output on your PC ?
Else then I am sure that you will generally not go wrong by following VocalPoint's advice
0 -
"So Sony MDR-7506 will work just fine even without AK1, directly from computer headphones out? Did I understand it correctly?"
I have used at least 5 pairs of 7506's in every audio device I have ever used since the mid 90's. There is literally nothing I have come across from the cheapest circa 1998 MP3 player to my current RME UCX-II that does not work with these.
Have never come across an impedance issue, a "not loud enough" issue - or any issue.
These bad boys are a reference standard for a reason.
When it comes down to battle ready studio headphones (for me) - there are the 7506's AND these:
ATH-M50xProfessional monitor headphones | Audio-Technica
And then there is everything else. Nuff said.
VP
0
Categories
- All Categories
- 18 Welcome
- 1.6K Hangout
- 66 NI News
- 875 Tech Talks
- 4.5K Native Access
- 17.3K Komplete
- 2.2K Komplete General
- 4.7K Komplete Kontrol
- 6.2K Kontakt
- 1.1K Reaktor
- 403 Battery 4
- 900 Guitar Rig & FX
- 458 Massive X & Synths
- 1.4K Other Software & Hardware
- 6.2K Maschine
- 8K Traktor
- 8K Traktor Software & Hardware
- Check out everything you can do
- Create an account
- See member benefits
- Answer questions
- Ask the community
- See product news
- Connect with creators