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 music?
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 music?
It depends on your needs and the type of music you listen to. If you are looking for headphones that are easy to drive with a portable device, then you will want headphones with lower impedance. If you are looking for headphones that will sound their best with a powerful amplifier, then you will want headphones with higher impedance.
If you are listening to a lot of bass-heavy music, you may want to choose headphones with higher impedance. This is because bass frequencies require more power to reproduce than other frequencies.
Ultimately, the best way to choose headphones 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:
- The type of music you will be listening to. Some headphones are better suited for certain genres of music 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.
By considering all of these factors, you can choose headphones that will give you the best possible listening experience.
