What are these anyway? A lot of people say about some headphones (ie. Senn HD800) and speakers (ie. ATC SCM11) that they "need proper amplification to sound their best", but what exactly does that mean?
What makes transducers "demanding"? And what is proper amplification?
Some time ago, I measured 1Khz sin wave at maximum output of a "lowend" E-MU 0204 audio interface and matched it to its "line" out going through a dedicated amplifier (one of those battery-powered headphone amps, don't remember brand). Then I listened through both using AKG K702 headphones (as the E-MU 0204 maximum output was the right volume for it) and the dedicated amp had significantly "cleaner" and more pronounced bass.
So is improper amplification just not enough power at all (incl. low) frequencies? What exactly would "power" be? Not enough voltage swing? Not enough current?
I forgot to measure output impedances, which might have made some difference - the E-MU has 22ohm, the amp is unknown, but given the ~65ohm headphones, it could have had an effect (but I'd expect an opposite one - more underdamped low frequencies with E-MU, but there were virtually none).
What causes headphones to be "demanding" in the first place? High mechanical damping?
I'm more of a physicist than I am an electrical engineer or transducer designer, so if I'm missing something simple, do tell me.
Thanks.
What makes transducers "demanding"? And what is proper amplification?
Some time ago, I measured 1Khz sin wave at maximum output of a "lowend" E-MU 0204 audio interface and matched it to its "line" out going through a dedicated amplifier (one of those battery-powered headphone amps, don't remember brand). Then I listened through both using AKG K702 headphones (as the E-MU 0204 maximum output was the right volume for it) and the dedicated amp had significantly "cleaner" and more pronounced bass.
So is improper amplification just not enough power at all (incl. low) frequencies? What exactly would "power" be? Not enough voltage swing? Not enough current?
I forgot to measure output impedances, which might have made some difference - the E-MU has 22ohm, the amp is unknown, but given the ~65ohm headphones, it could have had an effect (but I'd expect an opposite one - more underdamped low frequencies with E-MU, but there were virtually none).
What causes headphones to be "demanding" in the first place? High mechanical damping?
I'm more of a physicist than I am an electrical engineer or transducer designer, so if I'm missing something simple, do tell me.
Thanks.