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.
Impedance Matching and Sound Quality
Impedance matching is important for getting the best possible sound quality from headphones. When headphones are not properly matched to the source device, they may sound weak or distorted. This is because the source device may not be able to provide enough power to drive the headphones to the desired volume.
How to Match Headphones and Source Devices
To match headphones and source devices, you need to consider the impedance of both devices. The impedance of the headphones should be matched to the output impedance of the source device. If the impedance of the headphones is too low, the source device may not be able to provide enough power to drive the headphones to the desired volume. If the impedance of the headphones is too high, the source device may overload and distort the sound.
General Guidelines for Matching Headphones and Source Devices
- Headphones with low impedance (16 ohms or less) can be driven by most portable devices, such as smartphones and laptops.
- Headphones with medium impedance (32 ohms to 64 ohms) can be driven by portable devices with a headphone amplifier, or by a home stereo system.
- Headphones with high impedance (greater than 64 ohms) require a dedicated headphone amplifier to sound their best.
Impedance matching is important for getting the best possible sound quality from headphones. By matching the impedance of the headphones to the output impedance of the source device, you can ensure that the headphones are driven properly and that the sound is clear and distortion-free.
