250 ohms VS 32 ohms on a pc, which is "better"?

Sidebar Sidebar
adza botchway

adza botchway

Estimable
Dec 31, 2014
16
0
4,560
So i'm looking at the BeyerDynamic DT880 premiums and there are 2 options of those that i'm looking at as well. I know nothing about audio, i just have done lots of research on what to get and these came up as my number 1 choice. I want a good balance between serious gaming and just chilling and listening to music. Will an average pc be able to power 250 ohms without much trouble or should i get the 32 ohm version? alternatively, is 250 ohms worth the extra price of getting an amp? if so, which amp should i get?
Link to my current mobo: https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/Z170A-PC-MATE.html


Thanks in advanced!
 
Solution
D
Hard to beat a Schiit stack. Magni 3 ( new, just replaced the Magni 2 Uber )/Modi 2. You'll need a DAC too for the best sound. There are cheaper options but a stack will leave you ready for the upgrades that will inevitably happen once you start buying headphones. :lol:

Edit: Oh and the DT 880s are on sale right now at newegg for $129. Flash sale so it won't last long.

https://slickdeals.net/f/10679472-beyerdynamic-dt-880-all-black-ed-premium-250ohm-headphones-10-gc-129

I posted a link to amps/DAC reviews above....

Sort by date Sort by votes
D

doubletake

Honorable
Sep 30, 2012
27
0
10,610
Get the 250Ω version. The vast majority of mid-high end boards nowadays have perfectly serviceable onboard amps that can handle at least 300Ω impedance headphones, so unless you have a budget board (btw, you should list your current model), you probably have enough to drive them.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
adza botchway

adza botchway

Estimable
Dec 31, 2014
16
0
4,560


Okay thats good to know! Heres a link to my motherboard https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/Z170A-PC-MATE.html
Can you maybe verify for me that it'll be able to push the 250 ohm version without a problem?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

Deleted member 217926

Guest
You need a headphone amp or soundcard with an integrated amp to run 250ohm cans. Other than 'audio boost' I don't see much detail about what that board has integrated. Might have a smallish amp but I don't see mention of a DAC. I don't see any real reviews either. What ever it is can't be great as the entire motherboard costs half what my soundcard did.

Some good recommendations here. His video reviews contain NSFW language but are very good.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/comments/66xylk/guide_dac_amp_combo_units/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

doubletake

Honorable
Sep 30, 2012
27
0
10,610
enjoy breathtaking, crystal clear sound and music through 6-channel Audio or high impendence headphones and truly dominate the game.
Click to expand...

This is the only thing I can find amidst the marketing on the product page. The board manual also doesn't specify the max output impedance, so I can't say for sure. You might want to email MSI to see if they'll tell you what's supported. Either way, it's not like higher impedance headphones won't work with lower powered outputs, they'll usually just won't get as loud. Just remember that unless you actually have a bunch of high quality audio files to listen to, you probably won't be able to hear much difference between the onboard and a dedicated amp when it comes to just gaming or lower quality music streams/videos.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
adza botchway

adza botchway

Estimable
Dec 31, 2014
16
0
4,560


Hmm okay. I'll get the 250 ohm version i guess. what's the difference between the 32 and 250 ohm version though? Is it simply just a volume difference?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

Deleted member 217926

Guest
The 250 ohm version will have deeper bass extension. And yes the DT 880s are good enough to spend extra on an amp/DAC.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ko888

ko888

Distinguished
Feb 18, 2009
194
0
18,710


The 250 Ohm version has a higher damping factor resulting in tighter control of high frequency sound.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

Deleted member 217926

Guest
https://www.cnet.com/news/headphone-buyers-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-low-vs-high-impedance-models/
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
adza botchway

adza botchway

Estimable
Dec 31, 2014
16
0
4,560


Okay wow you guys have been really helpful haha. Im excited to get my hands on the headphones. What amp would you suggest? someone on a different site suggested to me that the Schiit Magni is a solid choice. I don't really care much about the amp, i just want it to give a nice sound to pair with the headphones.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

Deleted member 217926

Guest
Hard to beat a Schiit stack. Magni 3 ( new, just replaced the Magni 2 Uber )/Modi 2. You'll need a DAC too for the best sound. There are cheaper options but a stack will leave you ready for the upgrades that will inevitably happen once you start buying headphones. :lol:

Edit: Oh and the DT 880s are on sale right now at newegg for $129. Flash sale so it won't last long.

https://slickdeals.net/f/10679472-beyerdynamic-dt-880-all-black-ed-premium-250ohm-headphones-10-gc-129

I posted a link to amps/DAC reviews above....

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
  • Solved
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 Ohm or Beyerdynamic DT 990 Premium 32 Ohm
Replies
1
Views
8K
Audio
Robert Ban
Robert Ban
M
  • Solved
Solved! $400 Budget, Looking for a gaming headset (PC / PS4 / Switch) and amp if it makes a big difference
Replies
1
Views
4K
Audio
hopt28
H
P
  • Solved
Best/Recommended HEADPHONES for gaming, music and movies?
Replies
3
Views
9K
Audio
peachyass
P
B
(PC) Audio Setup Clarification/Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
Audio
Bmacker
B
W
  • Solved
studio headphones only push half volume on pc - normal headphones go all the way
Replies
4
Views
5K
Audio
americanaudiophile
A

TRENDING THREADS

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom