How it works

Pick your headphones or IEMs, or type their impedance and sensitivity.

Pick your amp or DAC, or type its max voltage and current.

Press Check compatibility.

Reading the result

Headroom is how many dB louder than your target the amp can go. 3 dB or more is comfortable.

3 dB or more: plenty

0 – 3 dB: tight

Below 0 dB: not enough

Good fits

Pick headphones or an amp and the other list shows good fits: at least 3 dB headroom, a low enough output impedance (1/8 rule), and at most 30 dB headroom so the volume stays easy to control. The best matches (6 – 18 dB headroom) come first.

Target loudness

100 dB is enough for most listening. 110 dB (the default) leaves room for loud peaks.

Specs come from the makers. Real results also depend on the gain setting and what powers the amp.

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SoundMatch amp calculator

Can your amp drive your headphones?

Pick your headphones and amp, or enter their specs. You'll see the voltage, current and power headroom, plus how well the amp controls the drivers.

Voltage
Current
Power
Damping

Headphones

Your headphones' or IEMs' electrical specs

Pick from the list

Impedance (Ω)

Sensitivity

Check the spec sheet: "dB/mW" and "dB/V" (or dB/Vrms) give very different results.

Target loudness (dB SPL)

Amplifier

Your amp's or DAC's headphone output specs

Pick from the list

Max output voltage (Vrms)

Max output current (mA) optional

Rated power optional, fills in a missing voltage or current

Output impedance (Ω) optional, makes the result more exact

Voltage

Needed
Amp max
Headroom

Current

Needed
Amp max
Headroom

Power

Overall result

Needed
Amp delivers
Headroom

Full calculation breakdown

Gear recommendations

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