Impedance is the measure of how much resistance a speaker or headphone has to the flow of electrical current. Headphones with higher impedance require more power to drive them to the same volume as headphones with lower impedance.
Loudness is determined by the sensitivity of the headphones, which is measured in decibels (dB). Headphones with higher sensitivity are louder than headphones with lower sensitivity, regardless of the impedance.
So, do higher ohm headphones mean louder gaming?
Not necessarily. Higher ohm headphones require more power to drive them, but that does not mean they will be louder than headphones with lower impedance. The loudness of the headphones will depend on the sensitivity of the headphones, as well as the power of the amplifier or source device.
For example, a pair of 600 ohm headphones with a sensitivity of 100dB will be just as loud as a pair of 32 ohm headphones with a sensitivity of 100dB, if they are both driven by an amplifier with the same power output.
However, if the 600 ohm headphones are driven by an amplifier with a lower power output, they will not be as loud as the 32 ohm headphones.
Ultimately, the loudness of the headphones will depend on the combination of the impedance, sensitivity, and power of the amplifier or source device.
So, which is better, higher or lower ohm headphones for gaming?
It depends on your needs and the type of games you play. If you are looking for headphones that are easy to drive with a console or PC, then you will want headphones with lower impedance. If you are looking for headphones that will sound their best with a high-end gaming audio system, then you may want headphones with higher impedance.
If you are playing games that require a lot of positional audio, such as first-person shooters, you may want to choose headphones with higher impedance. This is because higher impedance headphones can produce a wider soundstage, which can help you to better pinpoint the location of sounds in the game.
Ultimately, the best way to choose headphones for gaming is to audition them in person. This will allow you to hear the difference between different headphones and impedances and choose the ones that sound best to you.
Here are some additional things to consider when choosing headphones for gaming:
- The type of games you will be playing. Some games require a wider soundstage than others.
- The size of your ears. Some headphones are designed to fit larger or smaller ears.
- The comfort of the headphones. You will want headphones that are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
