Headphone Amplifier Matcher | Impedance & Power

Do your headphones need an amp?

Phones and laptops typically output 1-2 milliwatts into 32-ohm loads. Most consumer headphones (Bose, Beats, Sony, AirPods Max) hit 100+ dB on that — no amp needed for normal listening.

An amp matters when:

• Impedance over 80 ohms: Phones can't deliver enough voltage. Sennheiser HD 600/660S2 (300 ohm), Beyerdynamic DT 770/990 (250 ohm), HiFiMan Sundara — all benefit.
• Low sensitivity under 95 dB: Some planar magnetic headphones (older HiFiMan, Audeze LCD-X) need more current than phones provide.
• You want headroom: Even efficient cans sound better with a clean dedicated amp because the phone DAC is noisier.

How much power do you really need?

The voltage and current required depend on the headphone's electrical model, but as a starting point:

• Easy-to-drive (under 50 ohms, over 100 dB sensitivity): Under 50 mW. Phone is fine.
• Moderate (50-150 ohms or 95-100 dB): 50-200 mW. Dongle DAC or laptop usually enough.
• Demanding (over 250 ohms or under 95 dB): 200 mW to 1 W. Dedicated desktop amp needed.
• Hard-to-drive (HE-6, AKG K1000, Susvara): 2-4 watts. Speaker amp or extreme headphone amp required.

Pair this calculator with our headphone reviews and DAC/amp comparison guides.