There are two categories of people: audiophile fanatics and everyone else. High impedance headphones are typically preferred by audiophiles who wear them for leisure or for work. Casual users, however, like low impedance. Low impedance headphones don’t need an additional headphone amplifier, not just because they cost more and have better sound quality. High impedance headphones, on the other hand, frequently require an amplifier for the best listening experience.
An amplifier, for those who are unfamiliar, is just a little device that is sold separately to increase the amplitude of the electronic impulses with the primary goal of improving the music production. Look through some of the articles on amplifiers for turntables; I’m sure you’ll discover something that appeals to you.
However, there are other factors to take into account before deciding which is preferable; impedance is not one of them. There are wonderful solutions if you don’t want to harm your wallet and don’t desire lower impedance; click to check out these low impedance headphones. Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s get down to business and examine the top high impedance headphones.
Table of Contents
Beyerdynamic T1 Second Generation Audiophile Stereo Headphones
- Highly Efficient Tesla Technology Drivers
- Spacious, Transparent and Powerful Sound
- Breathable, Super Soft Velours Ear Cushions with Memory Foam
The headphones’ upscale appearance may be smelled from a short distance away. The lovely silver-colored body features an adjustable headband and incredibly plush velour earpads. You may leave it in your ears for a long time without experiencing any warmth or dampness.
In practically every musical genre, the Beyerdynamic T1 Second Generation sounds fantastic. The rhythm is so smooth that it occasionally makes it difficult for someone with exceptionally fine treble to focus. Warm tones are provided by Tesla Technology drivers, which are very efficient. This system’s primary goals are to enhance life with wonderful clarity and stand out with bass quality.
In terms of bass sound, it isn’t as forceful as the brand claims, but it can still move swiftly and precisely. Regardless of the music you listen to, you will spend quality time. Due to the T1 2nd Generation voice coil’s high impedance of 600 ohms, precise details can be followed throughout a variety of applications.
Sadly, there isn’t a built-in microphone, so stay away from using it for work or gaming in this situation. The lengthy cable, which is around 10 feet long, is made of copper and has two sides of cloth covering. Overall, these headphones offer higher sound quality than the majority of their price range rivals. This is the Best High Impedance Headphones in 2023.
Sennheiser HD 660 S High-Resolution Audiophile Headphone
- Reference class open back, dynamic headphone employing new and improved transducers delivering low harmonic distortion
- Transducers are hand selected for precise (1 dB) left / right matching tolerance insure exceptional accuracy and presentation of stereo spatial...
- 150 ohm nominal impedance allows direct connection to home and mobile Hires audio devices. Contact pressure: 6.0 N - 1 N
The Sennheiser-style HD 660S audiophile headphones have a similar appearance. The microfiber material and matte black finish have a high-end appearance and feel. It is made to be breathable and won’t cause prolonged ear warming. Unquestionably, the Sennheiser HD 660 S audiophile headphones retain the sound of earlier generations. The high frequencies have warmer tones, and the outstanding mid ranges are very genuine. At maximum volume, you cannot hear any coloring in the sound.
Sennheiser HD 660 S audiophile headphones highlight all of the subtleties, especially the treble. It’s possible to hear the absence of bass quality. Because it sits in the center of a performance area, regular users should feel welcome to use these audiophile headphones, but bass enthusiasts may wish to pass for the price point.
Although they appear to have a clear left, right, and center image, there can be a little gap at the front-left and front-right. They’re undoubtedly fine for music, but for other activities like watching TV or playing video games, there are other audiophile headphones with more immersive stages. There is no microphone on the Sennheiser HD 660S. The best high impedance headphones available without a doubt.
The transparent open-back earcups that come with the Sennheiser HD 600 allow the soundwaves to freely expand. The transducer system benefits from this. The HD 600’s sturdy 42mm driver and airflow-regulating acoustic silk produce sound free of turbulence and distortion. The HD 600’s 38mm diaphragm can deliver quick and accurate responses since the speaker’s lightweight aluminum voice coils were employed in its construction. By doing this, you can be sure that the music you listen to through these headphones is detailed and avoid having it sound harsh or exaggerated.
Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO Studio Headphones
- Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro Professional Studio Headphones. Semi-open, diffuse-field studio headphone. Analytical sound.
- Comfortable fit due to rugged, adjustable, soft padded headband construction. Robust, easy serviceable construction as all parts are replaceable.
- Single-sided cable. Velour, circum-aural (around the ear) ear pads. Supplied in a nylon carrying case. Transmission type Wired. Headphone design...
The semi-open Beyerdynamic DT 880 headphones provide a comfortable listening environment by attenuating ambient noise while not completely eliminating it. The DT 990 Pro and DT 770 Pro are not interchangeable with this DT 880 Pro. It is positioned in between the two models in this way. It still lacks a more expensive equivalent. Some people would consider the DT 880 Pro pair to be a high-end headphone counterpart to the Sennheiser HD 800S. It has a built-in plastic and metal frame with a 250 ohm impedance, similar to the DT 770 Pro and DT 990 Pro.
Pros:
The DT 880 Pro depends on a more analytical tone, much as Audio Technica’s M50X and M40X, which use a more balanced sound pair in the lower frequency range. The Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro has superb mids and treble that are often only heard in higher-end headphones, making it far above its price range. It has a more even appearance than the more pronounced DT 990 Pro. For such large impedance, it has fairly good sensitivity, and the extended bass is quite detailed and funky.
If I had to describe it in one word, I’d say the matte chrome on the back, metal ear forks, and band look “beautiful.” Since you don’t throw a big engine at it, the durability is excellent; I have the impression that the metal cannot break. Strong construction is offered for comfortable hours listening to music. The same level of comfort is provided by the headband, velour, and circumaural earpads.
Since the subject is Beyerdynamic, there is no chance that the audio quality will be subpar. No issues recognizing complex and challenging beats and snares. Claps, cymbals, and other electronic instruments are flowing very smoothly and precisely. If you still feel that this isn’t enough, rock, punk, and pop music deserve true acclaim.
Generally speaking, neither the tones are overemphasized nor underemphasized. On the other hand, the frequency response is flat, which is once again perfect for highlighting any instrument flaws and editing-required passages. Similar to the previous Beyerdynamic model, the DT 880 Pro does not come with a microphone, and the cable is 9.8 feet long as well. This is the Best High Impedance Headphones in 2023.
Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO Studio closed Reference Headphones
- Closed studio reference headphones for mixing, mastering, monitoring and recording, Made in Germany
- 250 ohms, 45 mm dynamic Tesla neodymium drivers
- Single sided, detachable cable with mini-XLR connectors.Nominal sound pressure level:102 dBSPL (1mW/500Hz)
A superb circumaural headphone for high-end studio use, particularly in mixing and mastering, is the DT 1770 PRO. The dynamic driver headphones are perfect for users who must function in noisy environments due to its closed construction and strong ambient noise reduction for audio player, such as sound engineers who must listen to PA systems or musicians who must listen to loud instruments. These closed-back headphones are the greatest choice for use in professional recording studios because they offer a wide soundstage, exceptional resolution, and accurate, natural bass output. The headphones also provide an accurate soundstage.
Due to the closed-back design, there is much less sound loss and ambient noise may be efficiently muted. The DT 1770 Pro manages clarity, richness, and depth by balancing a perfectly flat response with a slight bump in some frequency ranges. Together, the deep, rich bass and the sharp highs produce a well-balanced sound. To prevent “partial oscillations,” the speakers’ triple-layer composite diaphragm produces a more accurate audio output. This is the first pair of headphones made particularly for professional use to feature Beyerdynamic’s Tesla 2.0 technology.
The headphones are quite dependable. The headband was made of steel, and it has replaceable headband pads that provide great levels of comfort even after prolonged listening sessions. The headphone has an incredibly long lifespan in part because every component is replaceable.
To ensure that the user receives the ideal sound quality for their specific usage scenario, two different pairs of ear cushions are included in the package. Velour ear cushions create an open sound that is perfect for use in mixing and mastering. The headphones produce a more enclosed sound because they come with a pair of leatherette ear cushions, making them the perfect option for monitoring applications.
Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X Gaming Headset — Noise-Cancelling Microphone with Over-Ear Open-Back Design
- A SENNHEISER STANDOUT REVAMPED Based on Sennheiser’s top-tier gaming headsets our Sennheiser PC37X features the same exceptional audio and...
- ANGLED DRIVERS Made with drivers that are positioned at an angle which is typically seen in much more expensive headsets the PC37X maximizes natural...
- LOCATIONAL ACCURACY A COMPETITIVE EDGE The PC37X helps you hear enemies and sense your surrounds more clearly Thanks to the angled drivers and...
Sennheiser makes an effort to enter the gaming market, but alas the design doesn’t capture the gaming spirit. It is completely matte black, features a light body, and velour earpads. The headband is soft and adjustable for increased comfort. The Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X dynamic driver headphones are designed for gaming, therefore start the combat station by spotting an enemy’s footsteps and being extremely aware of the directions they are coming from. The essential built-in microphone suppresses background noise so you can enjoy your gaming sessions in peace. The frequency response of the microphone is 50–16,000 Hz. The angled audio drivers in the PC37X provide you a true surround sound experience.
Although it doesn’t have that HiFi vibe when listening to music, it actually comes quite close. The bass production is more intense but doesn’t increase too much. No audible coloring of the sound, even at higher tones, which makes EDM and pop music in particular sound fantastic. The braided cable is used to extend the life, but a 10 foot cord is really long, making it inconvenient to use the headphones outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Headphone Impedance?
You have probably seen the sign that corresponds to ohms, the unit of measurement for impedance. Impedance refers to how resistant an electronic item or circuit is to AC. Alternating Current, sometimes known as AC, is a digital audio coding technique that continuously shifts the direction and power of the voltage from maximum to minimum and vice versa. All audio equipment is powered via AC. An amplifier ensures the power.
What are high impedance headphones?
High impedance headphones have a higher electrical resistance than low impedance headphones. Typically, headphones with an impedance of 50 ohms or higher are considered high impedance.
What are the benefits of using high impedance headphones?
High impedance headphones typically require more power to drive, but they also tend to offer better sound quality, clarity, and detail than low impedance headphones. They are also less likely to be affected by electromagnetic interference.
Are high impedance headphones suitable for portable devices like smartphones and laptops?
High impedance headphones are not generally recommended for use with portable devices like smartphones and laptops because they require more power to drive than these devices can typically provide. However, some high-end portable devices like digital audio players and headphone amplifiers may be able to power high impedance headphones.
Low, Mid or High Impedance?
Low Impedance
When a smart gadget, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, uses voltage, low impedance is taken into account. They are not at all of low quality and are rather loud. You’ve heard how well they perform, for instance, the Philips SHP9600 has 32 ohms and the Audeze LCD-1 has 16 ohms.
As you can see, professional studio headphones can also have low impedance, thus casual earbuds or headphones aren’t the only ones with low impedance. To determine whether something is excellent or bad, you must consider other characteristics.
Low-Impedance Typically, headphones can be up to 32.
Mid Impedance
Mid levels are often much better because you can never go wrong with a mid impedance. Fortunately, they are compatible with a variety of amps, DJ mixers, and other devices including smartphones and tablets.
Just a small advice if you want your headphones to work at their best while they are powered by batteries. Look for sensitivity with a minimum SPL rating of 100dB.
Mid-Impedance Starting prices for headphones are 32 and 100.
High Impedance
When smart gadgets were still relatively unknown, conventional studios used high voltage equipment, and impedance functioned as a safeguard against ear damage. Consider the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro and Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Generation as examples. The company employs moving-coil drivers and thin cords, which makes the product lighter and reduces distortion.
Although low impedance headphones sound far worse than high impedance headphones, the difference isn’t very audible to casual music listeners. Professionals and audiophile freaks may distinguish between the two.
High-Impedance The price of headphones starts at 100 and up.