Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

FAQ / News / Events

Headphone Heights

RE: Need help calculating power output for headphone circuit...

74.130.29.193

John Elison

In Reply to: RE: Need help calculating power output for headphone circuit... posted by soulbrass on June 07, 2017 at 07:20:49

In order to keep things simple, let's assume there are only four electrical parameters. They are voltage, current, resistance and power. They are related to each other by equations known as Ohm's Law. The following three equations are used for calculating power:

Power = Voltage x Current
Power = Current² x Resistance
Power = Voltage² / Resistance

Therefore, in addition to knowing the resistance of the headphones in ohms, you also need to know either the current flowing through the headphones or the voltage applied to the headphones in order to calculate power.

For example, if you have 600-ohm headphones and your headphone amplifier applies 2-volts to the headphones, power would be calculated as follows:

Power = 2² / 600 = 4 / 600 = 0.00667-watts = 6.67-miliwatts

Another example: Suppose you had 32-ohm headphones with 1-volt applied.

Power = 1² / 32 = 1 / 32 = 0.0313-watts = 31.3-miliwatts

I hope this helps.

Good luck,
John Elison
Electric Power Calculator (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

RE: Need help calculating power output for headphone circuit... - soulbrass 11:57:27 06/07/17 (2)
John, thanks for this - appreciated! The calculator is helpful, too.

If I'm reading your info correctly, it doesn't seem that I have enough information on the Luxman to calculate what the power output would be at any given resistance (headphone ohm rating) - am I correct??? Apologies if I'm missing something - this stuff is Greek to me.

BTW...I'm sure you don't remember, but we met years ago at one of MuzikMike's Ribfests - I had a blast; miss him.
- RE: Need help calculating power output for headphone circuit... - John Elison 12:14:13 06/07/17 (1)
  No, there's not enough information given on the Luxman to calculate power at the headphone output, but most components with headphone jacks have enough power to drive just about any headphone. Therefore, I wouldn't worry about it.
  
  What headphone are you planning to use? I own three headphones. I bought the original Grado HP1 headphones back in 1991 and they still work just fine. I bought Grado RS-2 headphones in 2003. Then, just a couple of months ago I bought some Koss electrostatic headphones and they sound awesome.
  
  Yeah, Muzikmike's Ribfests were a lot of fun. I miss him, too.
  
  Best regards,
  John Elison
  - Koss ESP/950 Electrostatic Headphones (Open in New Window)
  - RE: Need help calculating power output for headphone circuit... - soulbrass 12:26:43 06/07/17 (0)
    Ok...so, at least on the surface, I understand what it takes to use the calculator you supplied. Thanks.
    
    I own a pair of Shure SRH-1540 headphones that don't really need a lot of power to make decent sound...with the Luxman however, they are much more full-bodied and articulate.
    
    I attended a CanJam Conference this past March (NYC) and came away interested in the Audeze LCD-X, LCD-XC, LCD-3, and the Focal Elear. I've since become curious about the Sony MDR-Z1R. My budget will be up to ~$1500 new or used.
    
    JJ

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: