Not long ago, we covered the best headphone amplifiers for the HD-series headphones. As of today, there are a lot of units that you can buy, and you need to pick the best one for your set of headphones.
Sennheiser know that, to get the best from their headphones, you need to get the best quality out of your music. They want you to enjoy your music, but they also want you to hear everything clearly at the same time, so they have a whole range of headphone amplifiers and accessories designed to make sure that happens.
A headphone amp is a very basic component of a headphone system, and it is essential for getting the most out of your dollar. So if you plan on getting a new pair of headphones, you should check out our list of the best headphone amps and consider skipping the integrated amp in your computer.
Sennheiser is a fantastic brand of headphones. Otherwise, these are the greatest headphones on the earth.
Here’s how you use headphone amplifiers to make them 99 percent flawless.
The finest headphone amplifiers for Sennheiser headphones are those listed above.
Position
Sennheiser HD 800 and HD 800 S Headphone Amplifier
Sennheiser HD 6xx Series and HD 700 Portable Amplifier
Best Headphone Amp For HD 560 S & HD 580
What You Should Know About The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
This is the apex of headphone amplifiers.
This compact amp has plenty of juice to power high-impedance headphones.
A near-perfect headphone amplifier/DAC combination.
Position
Sennheiser HD 800 and HD 800 S Headphone Amplifier
Snapshot
What You Should Know About The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
This is the apex of headphone amplifiers.
Position
Sennheiser HD 6xx Series and HD 700 Portable Amplifier
Snapshot
What You Should Know About The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
This compact amp has plenty of juice to power high-impedance headphones.
Position
Best Headphone Amp For HD 560 S & HD 580
Snapshot
What You Should Know About The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
A near-perfect headphone amplifier/DAC combination.
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Sennheiser HD 800 and HD 800 S Headphone Amplifiers
➕ Pros
- Excellent price-to-value ratio
- Solid construction & components
- Balanced & Unbalanced outputs
- Tubes can be replaced.
➖ Cons
- Stock tubes are terrible.
- The emphasis is on a well-balanced production.
The Loxjie P20 is a hybrid headphone amp that has a great price-to-value ratio. This headphone amp can deliver balanced & unbalanced outputs.
The headphone amp, on the other hand, focuses more on balanced output and does it better. It provides greater and more efficient power to the balanced mode than to the unbalanced mode.
This is ideal for customers with a large number of balanced headphones, as well as the Sennheiser HD 800 and 800 S. Furthermore, the Loxjie P20 is built to last.
Excellent build quality and a small footprint. These also come with standard tubes that are adequate but can be upgraded.
The audio quality and performance of your Loxjie P20 will considerably improve as a result of this. If you choose the balanced output, this headphone amp will easily power high impedance headphones.
It is also available for less than USD100, making it an excellent value. Because it’s tough to find a good headphone amp at that price point that does the job.
Overall, the Loxjie P20 is a great-sounding, low-cost headphone amplifier that can drive high-impedance headphones.
This is the best headphone amp for Sennheiser HD 800, in our opinion.
➕ Pros
- Combination of DAC and AMP
- Very well-made
- For the price, there are much too many features and inputs.
- Will drive almost any headphone with ease.
- For the price, the sound and performance are excellent.
➖ Cons
- Fingerprint smudges are quickly picked up by the brushed-metal enclosure.
- Inadequate protection
- Menu controls that aren’t intuitive
- It takes a long time to adjust the volume control.
Your Sennheiser HD 800 S sounds 100 times better with the Monolith desktop amp. It’s jam-packed with features and controls.
This desktop headphone amp, which combines a DAC and an amplifier, has enough power to run the Sennheiser HD 800 S as well as other high-impedance headphones.
When you connect your headphones to this amplifier, you’ll get a lot of clarity, detail, separation, space, breadth, depth, and balance.
Furthermore, this is a well-crafted item composed of brushed metal. However, there are a few drawbacks to using the Monolith desktop amplifier.
First, due of its inadequate shielding, placing your phone next to it produces interference. Second, properly adjusting the volume control takes a long time.
You’ll have to switch it on and off multiple times before they reach the desired loudness. Finally, the menu controls can be a little perplexing at times.
Although, over time, you will become accustomed to it. This doesn’t change the fact that the Monolith desktop amp is a high-performance gadget often regarded as the sound’s holy grail.
This is easily the best headphone amplifier for Sennheiser HD 800 S.
➕ Pros
- Headphone and line outputs are both fully balanced.
- The construction quality is excellent, and the look is modest.
- The sound is neutral and transparent.
- Connectivity options that are flexible
- Bluetooth receiver with high resolution
- Noise floor is quite low, and there is no distortion.
➖ Cons
- Not suitable for headphones with a low impedance.
- Pricey
This is a monster headphone amp that will obliterate low impedance headphones completely — beware!
Because the Topping DX7 Pro features a high impedance output, it’s ideal for high-impedance headphones.
As a result, the Sennheiser HD 800 and HD 800 S are available.
The peak of headphone amplifiers in terms of audio quality and balanced output — improved imagery and natural sounding instruments and voices.
The Topping DX7 Pro is a high-performance amplifier that produces outstanding, transparent sound quality across all audio sources.
What’s even better? The sound quality does not suffer when music is played over a Bluetooth connection. You have a variety of connectivity options as well.
Look, the Topping DX7 Pro is a straightforward amplifier that produces high-resolution audio for high-impedance headphones. It is, in fact, rather costly.
However, when it comes to audio equipment, it’s one of the best purchases you can make.
This is the greatest headphone amp for the Sennheiser HD 800 and HD 800 S, in our opinion. This audio gear will not let you down.
Just don’t use low-impedance headphones with it, or you’ll be in for a rude awakening.
➕ Pros
- Design is stunning.
- a lot of strength
- Tank-like construction
- Produces a detailed soundstage with clean and precise sound.
➖ Cons
- Planars are extremely difficult to drive.
- For this, a balanced DAC is recommended.
Rupert Neve, one of the most recognized audio engineers, created and designed it.
The same person that worked with the Beatles, Aerosmith, and Nirvana has now brought his knowledge to you.
This headphone amplifier is designed to do one thing and one thing only: deliver outstanding sound and a detailed soundscape.
This audio equipment has been tuned to drive and power your headphones, resulting in sound that is unrivaled.
Once you’ve plugged this amp in, you’re ready to go. You’ll listen to your music over and over. Because this will expose sounds you’ve never heard before or were unaware of.
In a nutshell, the Rupert Neve Designs headphone amplifier is a high-end headphone amplifier that produces superb sound.
Just be sure to get a balanced DAC to go with it. This is without a doubt the greatest headphone amplifier for Sennheiser HD 800 and HD 800 S headphones.
This also makes it ideal for headphones with a high impedance.
Sennheiser HD 600, HD 650, HD 660 S, and HD 700 Headphone Amps
Best Portable Amp For HD 6xx, HD 600, HD 660 S, and HD 650 EarStudio ES100 MK2
➕ Pros
- Battery life for a whole workday
- Very compact and transportable
- Excellent EQ
- For a portable device, this is a powerful amplifier.
- Excellent audio quality
➖ Cons
- Body made of plastic
- Buttons that are little
- Micro USB port
- For the finest sound quality, your Bluetooth source must support LDAC or AptXHD.
- Headphones with microphone wires aren’t compatible with this system.
Portable amplifiers tackle the difficulty of listening to music through headphones with a high impedance.
The ones on the market, on the other hand, aren’t done properly.
The EarStudio ES100 MK-2 is an outlier — a well-made compact amp with a few flaws. This compact amplifier can drive headphones with a high impedance.
It can easily operate Sennheiser HD 6xx, HD 600, and HD 650 headphones and has a ton of app-based capability.
The software not only controls the volume, but also offers you complete control over the device.
The battery life of a portable amplifier is critical. Because of the low battery life, you will have less time to listen to your favorite songs.
Surprisingly, the EarStudio ES100 may last up to 14 hours on average. In comparison to the competition, this is a reasonable amount of time.
The sound quality, however, is the amp’s greatest asset. The sound quality of portable amplifiers is infamous. However, this sounds fantastic.
The sound quality of the latest Bluetooth connection is virtually as excellent as wired ones.
Overall, the EarStudio ES100 offers a lot, making it the ideal portable headphone amplifier for Sennheiser HD6xx, HD 600, and HD 650 headphones.
It does have some drawbacks, such as a plastic shell, small buttons that are difficult to push, and a micro-USB port, which is outdated in this day and age.
This is, nonetheless, a well-made piece of audio gear.
Drop + THX AAA 789 – Sennheiser HD 650, HD 660 S, and HD 700 Best Amp
➕ Pros
- Low heat, low power
- Form factor is small.
- 1080p performance that is acceptable
- There is no auxiliary power connection.
➖ Cons
- Not recommended for high-end gaming.
Big, bold, and with a lot of clout. The Sennheiser HD 650, HD 660 S, and HD 700 are readily driven and powered by the Drop headphone amplifier.
This is a strong amplifier that focuses on producing a clean and neutral sound with minimal distortion.
Furthermore, the construction quality is among the greatest and most durable. It’s made of brushed metal, which adds weight and protects the inside components.
Unfortunately, because of the way it was built, it is quite large. In any case, it wasn’t designed to be moved in the first place.
To summarize, the Drop + THX AAA 789 has plenty of juice to power high-impedance headphones.
It also produces a clear, balanced sound with minimal distortions.
This easily qualifies it as the best headphone amplifier for Sennheiser’s HD 650, HD 660 S, and HD 700 headphones.
This headphone amplifier comes highly recommended.
➕ Pros
- The footprint is small.
- Sound that is transparent
- a lot of strength
- Power supply from within
- XLR inputs that are balanced
➖ Cons
- IEMs aren’t ideal.
- The XLR output is identical to the 6.35mm output.
The SMSL SP200 is a strong amp that’s ideal for power-hungry headphones with a high impedance. At the same time, the sound is clear, amazing, and distortion-free.
In terms of sound quality, it will tick all the boxes. For an amp with such a small footprint, this is a remarkable achievement.
The SMSL SP200 is not a true balanced amplifier, although it may provide balanced outputs.
It doesn’t matter, though, because this boasts low noise, high power, and low distortion. So it doesn’t matter if it’s balanced or unbalanced.
The next feature is the build quality, which is excellent due to the aluminum.
Overall, the SMSL SP200 is a high-power headset that is ideal for driving headphones with a high impedance.
It’s also a good, low-cost substitute for the Drop + THX AAA 789.
Because of the high-power output, IEMs should not be plugged into the SMSL SP200.
This is the best headphone amp for Sennheiser HD 600 and HD 650 headphones. With this headphone amplifier, you can’t go wrong.
Sennheiser HD 660 S, HD 600, and HD 6xx DAC/Amp Combo: S.M.S.L M500
➕ Pros
- Excellent construction quality
- There’s a lot of power here, and it can power both dynamic and planar magnetic headphones.
- At its current pricing, it represents excellent value.
- At its current pricing, it represents excellent value.
➖ Cons
- No one is in charge.
- To program the gadget effectively, you’ll need a remote.
The SMSL M500 is a well-executed DAC/amp combo. MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio is supported by this device.
MQA audio is a way of storing and capturing master recordings digitally as files that may be downloaded and streamed.
On Tidal, you may find the majority of MQA audio and music. The SMSL M500 has enough power to drive headphones with a high impedance.
The Sennheiser HD 600, HD 660 S, HD 650, and HD 6xx can all be driven with ease with this.
It also has enough power to drive dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which are notoriously difficult to drive.
The SMSL M500 has excellent sound quality and a well-detailed soundstage. It also comes with an in-built DAC, making it ideal for streaming audio over the internet.
The SMSL M500 is a tank when it comes to construction quality.
Overall, in terms of being a DAC/amp combo audio equipment, the SMSL M500 is a dream come true.
It does, however, have some drawbacks. The first is a lack of control. The second is that the remote is required to program the gadget properly.
You won’t be able to program the remote the way you want it if you lose it.
Despite these drawbacks, the SMSL M500 is still the best amplifier/DAC for Sennheiser HD 660 S, HD 600, and HD 6xx.
Best Headphone Amps For Sennheiser HD 560 S & HD 580
➕ Pros
- Affordable
- It’s small and built of high-quality materials.
- There are numerous choices for connecting.
- Setup is simple.
- It sounds fantastic.
➖ Cons
- There are better AMP/DAC combos available, but they are more expensive.
- The 3.5mm jack isn’t the most powerful.
The Fosi Audio Q4 is a good value for money amp/DAC. However, most budget equipment requires a few concessions in order to achieve that price.
The first is the 3.5mm output, which is one of the most important and widely utilized audio components.
The jack on the Fosi Audio Q4 is not particularly sturdy, therefore improper handling can easily ruin it.
As a result, you must use it with caution. The final point is that there are better amp/DAC combos available, but they are more expensive.
As previously said, this is a low-cost device, therefore there will be compromises. Aside from these two flaws, the Fosi Audio Q4 excels in a variety of areas.
The structure is sturdy, as it is composed of high-quality materials. The amplifier is built to last a long period. Then there are the different connectivity choices, which allow you to connect to a variety of devices.
It’s also simple to install – it’s a true plug-and-play device. Finally, the audio quality is excellent for a budget amp/DAC.
Excellent for general use and if you love music with a lot of bass and treble.
To summarize, the Fosi Audio Q4 is the best amplifier and DAC for the Sennheiser HD 560 S. There’s enough juice to power the headphones while maintaining excellent sound quality.
➕ Pros
- Excellent build quality and a nice looking amp/DAC combo
- a lot of strength
- There are numerous connecting possibilities available.
- Simply plug in and play
- Sound quality is well-balanced and outstanding.
The FiiO K5 Pro amp/DAC combo comes near to perfection for under USD150. Nothing compares to it in its pricing range.
The Sennheiser HD 580 and other high-impedance headphones, such as magnetic planar headphones, will be easily driven by this powerful amp/DAC.
Furthermore, the sound quality is outstanding, with a neutral sound profile, no distortion, and a quiet sound floor.
Furthermore, the FiiO K5 Pro features a stunning appearance and excellent build quality. You’ll also have a plethora of connectivity options for connecting to a variety of devices.
It’s also incredibly simple to set up – plug and play, to be precise. Simply purchase this DAC/amp.
You will not be dissatisfied. One of the best amps/DACs for Sennheiser HD 580 and other high-impedance headphones on the market.
Is It True That Using A Headphone Amp Improves Sound Quality?
To begin, you must first understand what a headphone amp and impedance rating are.
The term “impedance rating” refers to how difficult it is to power audio equipment. The more difficult it is to power headphones or audio equipment, the higher the impedance rating.
Most headphones have low impedance ratings (30 Ohms or less), making it simple to connect them to a smartphone, laptop, or desktop computer.
High-end audiophile headphones have low impedance ratings (30 Ohms or less) and require a lot of power to operate properly.
The headphones will not be powered by just connecting them to a laptop, smartphone, or desktop. As a result, you will have a poor listening experience.
This is when a headphone amplifier comes in handy. This electronic device supplies enough power to high impedance audiophile headphones to keep them powered.
As a result, it sounds better, clearer, and louder than when connected to a laptop, desktop, or smartphone directly.
Simply described, a headphone amp is a piece of audio equipment that boosts the power sent to high impedance headphones, improving sound quality significantly. When compared to not utilizing a high impedance headphone.
Are Amplifiers Required for Sennheiser Headphones?
An amplifier is not required for all Sennheiser headphones. Each Sennheiser headphone has its own impedance rating, which affects whether or not it requires a headphone amp.
The Sennheiser HD 650, for example, has a 300 Ohm impedance rating. If you want the optimum listening experience, you’ll need a headphone amp that can drive such a high impedance rating.
Let’s have a look at the Sennheiser Urbanite, a new headset from Sennheiser. It has an impedance of 18 Ohms, therefore it can be driven without a headphone amp.
In fact, employing a headphone amplifier may cause the drivers to blow out. Low impedance headphones can be harmed by too much power.
What Should I Look for in a Headphone Amp?
So you’ve invested in a pair of audiophile headphones with a high impedance.
The next step is to figure out how to successfully drive it in order to deliver the finest listening experience possible.
And how do you go about doing that? It’s done with a headphone amplifier. Here’s how to pick the right headphone amplifier for your high-impedance headphones.
Desktop or portable
The most important factor to consider when purchasing a headphone amplifier is whether it is portable or stationary.
Portable amplifiers are small enough to fit in your pocket or purse. Portable amplifiers are powered by batteries. If you want to move about a lot while listening to music with high impedance headphones, these are excellent choices.
Desktop or stationary amplifiers, as the name implies, are designed for a single location and are connected to a power supply directly. When you have a comprehensive audio setup or studio, desktop amps are ideal.
There’s no rule that says you can’t have both. It’s actually a good idea to have both a portable and a desktop amplifier.
There’s no rule that says you can’t have both. It’s actually a good idea to have both a portable and a desktop amplifier.
Before being outputted, DAC (short for digital to analog converter) converts digital sound (which is stored as 0s and 1s) into analog.
A DAC can be purchased separately from a headphone amp, or a headphone amp with an integrated DAC can be purchased.
Because most electronic devices that play music have built-in DACs, a headphone amp + DAC may not be essential.
However, obtaining a headphone amp with DAC will be a better alternative than getting a headphone amp without a DAC merely to be safe.
Wired or Bluetooth?
A Bluetooth headphone amplifier raises the bar on convenience. Your headphones are connected to your Bluetooth headphone amp, which is then connected to your phone via Bluetooth.
If your wires are frequently tangled, you can cut down on the number of cables you use. Bluetooth or cable connectivity is a common feature of portable amplifiers.
Budget
The majority of headphone amplifiers cost between $50 and $120. Headphone amplifiers with greater features and capabilities easily outperform those priced at USD500 or more.
The type of headphone amp you desire is determined by the amount of money you’re willing to spend or your budget.
The more money you have, the better amplifier you can acquire. When you’re on a tight budget, you’ll have to make some sacrifices.
The good news is that the majority of headphone amplifiers in the USD50–120 range are of decent quality.
Sennheiser HD 560 S, HD 559, HD 569 & HD 580 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is an Amp Required for the Sennheiser HD 560 S?
The Sennheiser HD 560 S has a 120 Ohm impedance rating. When utilizing the Sennheiser HD560s, a headphone amplifier is essential for the optimal listening experience.
Is an Amp Required for the Sennheiser HD 559?
The Sennheiser HD 559 does not require an amplifier. The HD 559 features a 50 Ohm impedance, making it simple to power without a headphone amp.
Is an Amp Required for the Sennheiser HD 569?
The Sennheiser HD 569 does not require an amplifier. The HD 569 has a 23 Ohm impedance rating, making it easy to drive with a PC, smartphone, or television.
Is an Amp Required for the Sennheiser HD 580?
The Sennheiser HD 580 does require an amplifier. The HD 580 has a 300 Ohm impedance rating, which necessitates a substantial amount of power to run it.
Sennheiser HD600, HD650 & HD660s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is an Amp Required for the Sennheiser HD 600?
The Sennheiser HD 600 does require an amplifier. The HD 600 has a 300 ohm impedance rating, thus a powerful amp is required to drive it well.
Is an Amp Required for the Sennheiser HD 650?
The Sennheiser HD 650 does require an amplifier. The HD 650 has a 300 ohm impedance rating, which necessitates the use of a powerful amplifier.
Is an Amp Required for the Sennheiser HD 660 S?
The Sennheiser HD 660s do require an amplifier. The HD 660s has a 150 ohm impedance rating, which necessitates the use of a powerful amplifier.
The HD 600 has a resistance of 600 ohms.
The impedance rating of the HD 600 is 300 Ohms.
What kind of power do I need to run an HD 600?
To drive an HD 600, you’ll need at least 200mW (max output current) or 8V (max voltage). Any higher than that and the Sennheiser HD 600’s speakers and circuitry will be destroyed.
Is it difficult to drive the HD 6xx?
Yes, the HD 6xx is difficult to operate. It has a high impedance rating, which necessitates the use of a headphone amplifier.
If you connect the HD 6xx to your laptop, smartphone, or MacBook, you’re in for a dreadful listening experience.
Yes, the HD 6xx is difficult to drive, and headphone amplifiers are essential for optimal audio performance.
Is it possible to use HD 6xx without an amplifier?
Yes, the HD 6xx can be used without an amplifier. However, without amplification. Whatever you connect to the HD 6xx will not have enough power to drive it, resulting in a poor audio experience. As a result, headphone amplifiers are advised when using the HD 6xx.
Is a DAC Required for the HD 660 S?
No, the HD 660s do not require a DAC. When your audio equipment, laptop, smartphone, PC, or other device can’t convert digital sound to analog, you’ll need a DAC.
What Is The Ohmage Of The HD 660 S?
The impedance rating of the HD 660s is 150 Ohms.
Sennheiser HD800 & HD800s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is an Amp Required for the Sennheiser HD 800?
The Sennheiser HD 800 does require an amplifier. The HD 800 has a 300 ohm impedance rating, which necessitates the use of a powerful amplifier.
Is an Amp Required for the Sennheiser HD 800 S?
The Sennheiser HD 800 S does require an amplifier. The HD 650 has a 300 ohm impedance rating, which necessitates the use of a powerful amplifier.
Last Thoughts
High-impedance headphones sound amazing thanks to headphone amplifiers.
The majority of audio sources are insufficiently powerful to drive these headphones.
That is why headphone amplifiers are so vital. That concludes our list of the greatest Sennheiser HD series headphones.
Pro gearheads know that even the best amps can be improved. If you’ve ever used the HD-series headphones from Sennheiser and wondered why they don’t sound as good as your better headphones, you can thank the amps. The HD-series headphones are known for their fidelity and clarity, and the Sennheiser AMP + HD-650-II is among the best in the business. It is a powerful 5-watt per channel, Class-A headphone amp that provides a clean and detailed sound.. Read more about best amp for sennheiser hd650 reddit and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need an amp for Sennheiser HD 650?
The Sennheiser HD 650 is a closed-back headphone. It does not require an amp to work, but it will sound better with one.
Do Sennheiser headphones need amplifier?
The Sennheiser headphones are designed to be used with an amplifier. However, it is not necessary for the headphones to have one in order to function.
How do I choose an amp for my headphones?
There are many factors that go into choosing an amplifier for a pair of headphones. For example, the impedance of your headphones will determine what type of amp you need.
Related Tags
This article broadly covered the following related topics:
- sennheiser hd650 amp pairing
- sennheiser hd 6xx
- best amp for hd6xx
- amp for hd650
- sennheiser hd 650 amp
