What is the impedance of headphones

Impedance of headphones is their resistance at the entrance. Many technical and operational characteristics depend on it.

If the impedance in the headphones is low (25 ohms or less), then they require less power to ensure high-quality sound. These headphones are well suited for use with devices such as music players, mobile phones and other portable devices.

And if the impedance of the headphones is more than 25 Ohm, then they require more power for a high level of sound. This resistance protects them from possible damage caused by overloads. These headphones can be used with a wide range of audio devices. For example, they include models used for dj-inga, the nominal resistance of which is about 25-70 ohms.

If the impedance of the headphones is low, they become more susceptible to damage when using more powerful amplifiers. If you, for example, plug in low-resistance headphones to a DJ system and use it at full capacity, you probably will blow them up.

So what is the optimal impedance? Headphones that will be used to listen to audio from a portable player or laptop, ideally should have a resistance of about 16-20 ohms and a sensitivity of at least 100 dB / mW. If your device complies with the European standards of maximum volume, it is best to choose headphones with a resistance of 16 ohm, since in such devices the maximum power is even less than in the others.

As a rule, the recommended nominal resistance of headphones is indicated in the documentation for the device.

It is important to consider the impedance of the headphones, since all models have to work with different amounts of electrical energy and resistances. Each headphone model is specially calculated and calibrated to meet specific load volumes. This not only ensures the safety of the use of technology, but also extends its life span.

Earlier, in the 60-80s, high impedance of headphones was often used, since the output energy of the devices of that time was extremely high. After that, the resistors that lower the output voltage were applied. In 1996, a standard was established for the resistance of headphones - 120 ohms. This had a significant impact on the production and development of models with high impedance, but at the same time hampered further development in other areas. In 2009, the mass sale of iPods began, resulting in equipment with low resistance found a high popularity. Therefore, the development of low impedance headphones has received a new impetus.

So, impedance is one of, albeit not the most, but still important characteristics of headphones. The model you choose should match the audio technology you use to achieve the best sound quality and ensure stable normal operation. Therefore, pay attention to the impedance when buying headphones and choose the most suitable model in order to avoid fast wear and deterioration of the quality of work.