• Registered: 2011-10-15
  • Posts: 51

Topic: Able to drive Sennheiser's HD650's?

Hello, I am new here.

I recently purchased the HDSP 9632 and they have no problems driving my Sennheiser HD25-1 ii headphones which are 70ohms. However, I'd like to upgrade to the Sennheiser HD650's which are 300ohms and I was wondering if you could advise me whether the 9632 will be able to drive them without the need for further amplification? I know the HD650's will of course sound a lot better with a dedicated headphone amp, but for general purposes, would the 9632 be able to power them?

Thanks for any advice
Aaron

2 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
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  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,777

Re: Able to drive Sennheiser's HD650's?

Basically yes. I am not sure about the max volume that you will get. Just try it.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2011-10-15
  • Posts: 51

Re: Able to drive Sennheiser's HD650's?

The answer is yes :-). Just got the 650's and there appears to be enough power through the 9632 for most purposes even at -6DB level DSP settings, though, I think I'll stick to the 0DB level just in case there are instances when more power is needed.

Thanks.

  • Registered: 2011-10-15
  • Posts: 51

Re: Able to drive Sennheiser's HD650's?

Ok, so my next question is if the 9632 is powerful enough to drive the Senn 650's do I still need an amp? Would an amp give better sound than the 9632? I'm not too sure about all this, I thought amps were only for providing enough power to use high impedance headphones at a loud enough volume but now I'm reading that amps also give a better sound. Is the 9632 considered a headphone amp as well as a sound card? And how does the 9632 compare to a dedicated headphone amp?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

  • Ulrich
  • S/Mux specialist
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  • Registered: 2008-05-31
  • Posts: 316

Re: Able to drive Sennheiser's HD650's?

It is true that a good amp will make the headphone sound the best it can. The difference can be very obvious.

Try lehmannaudio.com. Sennheiser uses them at trade shows for their products... The pro amps are distributed by synthax, BTW.

Regards,
Ulrich