Buying headphones - 16 or 400ohm?

[Antag]

I'm going to get some Beyer DT100 headphones to complete my recording setup, but notice that they're available in 16 & 400ohm versions.

Any idea what's the difference? (aside from the obvious answer of 384ohms! :lol:)

Which one would I get to plug into the headphone output of a multitrack (probably a Tascam DP01)?

[Fourth Feline]

Hi Antag,

 I would get the 8 ohm or 16 ohm version.

8 ohm is the impedance that the DT 100 comes in by default. Also, 'home' recording studios usually have headphone  output impedances to allow the use of domestic headphones which are 8 ohm types.

The 16 Ohm version is described on the websight of 'Dolphin Music' as being :

"more friendly for low output headphone amps"

 I see the 16 and 400 versions of the DT 100 are additional options to the more normal 8 Ohm type.

I can only conclude that the  400 ohm  option must be  for plugging into 'special application' equipment. although I cannot in all honesty say what that equpiment might be at this time. I will keep 'Googling' ...

 Regards,

 Derek.

[TwilightOdyssey]

The higher the load, the harder it will be to drive. It also affects the midrange response of the headphone, which is why many pro headhones are 400 ohm. You will not have enough power to drive one with a walkman, but a headphone amp or the headphone amp on a mixing desk will drive them.

So, it depends on what you are using to drive em.

I would play it safe and use 16 ohm, unless you are using an outboard heaphone amp. Hope this helps.

[Fourth Feline]

Nice one T.O !

I am enlightened .....


 :D

[Antag]

Thanks for the explanation.  I'll get the 16ohm version...

[the_bleeding]

computers/cd players/mp3 players and all of those tend to be in between 200 and 600 ohms to the extent of my knowledge...