Electronics · Audiophile Open-Back Headphones
Do I need a headphone amp for open-back audiophile headphones?
Reviewer consensus
It depends on impedance and sensitivity. Low-impedance models like the Sennheiser HD 560S (120 ohm but high sensitivity) and Philips SHP9600 (32 ohm) run well off phones, laptops, and modest dongle DACs. Higher-impedance classics like the Sennheiser HD 600 (300 ohm) or Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (250 ohm) genuinely benefit from a dedicated amp to reach proper dynamics and bass authority.