Headphone Amplifiers: Explained

What do headphone amps do?

Today we discuss one of the most commonly asked questions. What do amps do?

AudioQuest Nighthawk First Impressions:
(COMING SOON)

AudioQuest Nighthawk Review:
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Audio-Technica ATH-M40x First Impressions:

Audio Technica ATH-M40x Review:
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Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro Review:

Monoprice M1060 Review:

Monoprice M1060 Vs. HD650 Comparison:

Philips SHP950 Vs. Sennheiser HD600 Comparison:

Sennheiser HD600 Review:

Sennheiser HD650 Review:

Sennheiser HD600 Vs. HD650:

Superlux 668B Review:

(Tested Songs *various recording styles, sources and qualities*)

High's:
(Dream On by Morgan James - Postmodern Jukebox)
(Innocente - Romeo Santos)

Mid's:
(Game of Thrones Cover - Break of Reality)

No Low End:
(Evil Dub - Trent Moller)
(Limit To Your Love - James Blake)

Imaging:
(Innocente - Romeo Santos)

Intimacy:
(Little Bit of Rain - Natalia M. King)

Siblance:
(Caruso - Jacky Evancho "2:38")
(Hello - Adele)

Clarity:
(Crazy "cover" - Daniela Andrade)
(The Sound of Silence - Disturbed)

Presence:
(Fireflies - Owl City)

[rinolanpillay]

In terms of the quality of sound, does it improve when using a headphone amplifier in that certain sounds become more rich or more present. Is it a great difference or somewhat negligible. I'm looking into investing in one.

[battleaxealex]

i was just lookin for a cool new pair of headphones and a reviewer said they dont sound good unless you get the proper amp and i realized i dont know jack about amps
im glad to say your analogies help me understand greatly thank you

[kylemueller]

You should take an Electrical Engineering class... I like your enthusiasm though!

[GlatHjerne]

This is by FAR the best explanation I've heard of this. So intuitive.

[gqsfsij]

This is confusing. Im new to this, but I have just seen another video explaining why amplifiers DO NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE! AAggghh. They cant both be right. There is about 100 supposed audio engineers saying that an apple dongle amplifier is all you need and everything this guy is saying is trash.

[ceruaphadion]

Do athm50s needs dac/amps? Any recommendation for a good upgrade of my 5years old m50s? Thanks! Subscribed!

[dillonykyang]

if the headphone has a decent volume with iphone, why do I still need an AMP?

[ExacoMvm]

Headphone Amp:
- Improves Audio Quality ( due to better driver performance/damping/speed etc )
- Improves Volume Levels ( due to same reason ).
- Gives full potential for the speakers/headphones.

Headphone DAC:
- Gives the Audiophile placebo effect that it makes DRASTICALLY better sound quality same as silver cable.
- Works basically as EQ, changes the sound signature.

IMO Amps is top priority, i doubt DAC will add alot if the audio source isn't polished well or playing games, watching netflix etc.

[shriramseetharaman]

Thanks for doing this video...I have always wondered why an amplifier is used...this helps explain in very plain language...I am a beginner audiophile and these kinds of beginner video are Gold for me...nice day

[chrisbennapiano]

can you use an amplifier with bluetooth?

[n.f.lcobra]

i been doing a lot of research for new equipment bc i need to upgrade my studio
thank you for helping me understand this i appreciate it

[RuseinRAY]

you really informed me with great knowledge, you deserved my sub ! thanks man

[theonetuby]

Thumbs up dude. I was seriously just reading about electricity and the different needs when powering planar vs dynamic headphones. Fits right in to my day. I would definitely enjoy a more in depth video if you so wanted.
Fuck YouTube and their bullshit. That being said, 1000 subs will come more quickly than you think. You are good at this. Just gotta self-fund another headphone purchase or two. Also, maybe try reaching out to companies for review units or look into headfi loaners? I don’t know, who’s to say? Cheers.

[johnskazi]

I have the skull Candy 360 what amp do you recommend because I need more volume they do not have the power 🙄 (299) Euros by the way. Please somebody help me 🙂 or do you think that I don't have a chance??😁🙄

[lapinbeau]

Very informative! Could you perhaps explain the difference between Solid State amplifiers, and tube amplifiers? I know some people prefer tubes, but I'd like to know why, because I've never heard them myself, and I'm a little skeptical that it's "thousand dollars" good.