Showing 1 of 1230 conversations about:
YellowBee
55
Jan 12, 2018
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Hello everyone! Just got my headphones and I do love what I'm hearing🎧. Right now I have a Fiio E10K amp/dac. I mainly listen to Spotify and play video games, but I feel like the sound is a bit low. Even when I Max it out and windows is on 98% volume. Do you think I should get an Sound blaster AE5 to satesfie my needs to volume and "punch"? Thank you all for the help!
A community member
Jan 12, 2018
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I don't know about a Sound blaster AE5 card but your Fiio E10K isn't enough as you're finding out. Best results will come from a unit that supplies 4XX with what appears to be more than needed because they are still semi-demanding planars. It needs adequate powering to have headroom for transients and a gain switch for sensitivity matching. Use a headphone spreadsheet calculator https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/191U0Q__6ieKyiKHI-_wTt-8j6wd2A3cpddE0_ieuxgI/edit#gid=0 to find out if a component you're considering can drive 4XX for your normal listening volume SPL+headroom. 110dB is considered enough but depending on type of music you listen to most often and the fact that these are planars, I would go for the audiophile 113-115dB. Cheers!
A community member
Jan 12, 2018
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And "loud" isn't the goal in/of itself. 4XX can be made to sound loud thru a laptop, pad, phone etc. maxed, but merely loud isn't the idea. Clean, adequate amplification will deliver the "punch" you're after and a two or three step gain will place 4XX in a volume range sweet spot. Many option are out there and you don't have to spend super high-end $ to have it.
capt_jimbo
4
Jan 13, 2018
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Have you tried putting in on high gain? Sounds pretty loud to me with the volume set to 3 - 5.
YellowBee
55
Jan 13, 2018
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Thank you so much for your prompt replay. Helped out a lot. I did pick up a sound blaster at the local store and wow... The difference is huge, the sound is not even on the same playing field. The e10k did it ok but man the difference from the AE5 is just worth it, the sound is full and the punch in the base is there. Sure I will miss the external volume control but to my ears it's worth it. Thanks a lot for your help! <3
YellowBee
55
Jan 13, 2018
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I did, but you don't get the full spectrum of sound on the E10K if you ask me. Sure it's up to everyones ears to decide but to me the upgrade was well worth it. With the AE5 it sounds like a full blown studio recording and the e10k dident give me the same satesfaction to my ears. I could imagen all this but now I'm super happy with the headphones.
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