I recently upgraded my headphones from a basic pair of closed-back ATH-M20x to open-back ATH-AD700x headphones. With my old headphones, I was comfortable at volume levels around 25-30 while gaming. However, the new ones are significantly louder, making it uncomfortable to go past level 10. In the 4-6 volume range, I feel like I've lost a lot of dynamics compared to my old setup. When I use these headphones with my stereo system, they sound fantastic and I can easily turn them up without discomfort, which makes me think my computer might need a proper DAC for better performance. I'm looking for recommendations or suggestions on what to try, as the world of DACs can be overwhelming with so many options.
2 Answers
The ATH-AD700x headphones have a low impedance of 38 ohms and typically don’t need a dedicated DAC or amp. Most motherboards can power them just fine. Your previous ATH-M20x headphones were only slightly higher at 47 ohms, so both should work without an amp. A DAC is primarily for converting digital to analog signals; it might improve sound quality but shouldn’t be necessary for your setup. However, if cable management or interference is an issue, a DAC could help. For an affordable option, try the Apple USB-C dongle; it's only about $10 and does a decent job. Also, consider that the audio difference you're experiencing might be related to the distinct sound signatures of your new headphones. Give yourself some time to adjust.
Your ATH-AD700x is indeed not a high-impedance headphone, so they should work well with typical outputs. If you’re struggling with volume, try a Type C to 3.5mm adapter. The Apple ones are pretty solid!
I actually used a headphone port on my Creative Pebble speakers, so it’s weird that the volume is still so high. It’s puzzling!
That makes sense! I'm curious if I can find one that allows volume adjustments like a reverse amp - do those exist?