[Nord Electro 6] Headphones output max ohms ?

[RAMZAY]

Hello everyone! I want to buy Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO 250-ohm headphones to play on Nord Electro 6, I’ve spent some time to on research in google for specs of Nord Electro 6 outputs and searched on this forum too: some people say 250 ohm works fine with Nord Stage, but I can’t find specs for Nord electro 6. Does anyone use 250-ohm headphones with Nord Electro 6 ?

Thanks!

[ericL]

I don't know for sure, though I would expect that all current Nords have similar specs and you'll be fine with most any headphones.

[RAMZAY]

I don't know for sure, though I would expect that all current Nords have similar specs and you'll be fine with most any headphones.

Problem is, this specs are not searchable. I don’t won’t to buy a headphones and then be in situation when them will not work at all or work not in full power because Nord Electro 6 have for example 32-80-120-150-etc Ohm output. It’s really very odd to don’t see exact specs for outputs in official manual.

[dmamfmgm]

I don't think, that's how it is. The Nord devices have an analog headphones output. With a certain power on it. Which will be enough or not to drive your headphones. They will always work, but maybe at a lower volume.

There were complaints on the forum about the headphones output not bringing enough volume on some of the devices (namely the Wave 2, IIRC). That's why I bought an 80 Ohm version of my DT770 - and there is plenty of power left on the volume knob of my Stage 3.

As volume not only depends on impedance and power, but also on the efficiency factor of your phones, there is no way for a producer to tell in advance which headphones will get enough power to fill in the needs of a player and which don't. So you can't find a lable saying 'fits 250 Ohm' or not.

You can try with a 250 Ohm version, but it's not for sure that they will work to your satisfaction on your Electro without an external headphones amplifier (which is standard use, I think, for those high impedance headphones).

[RAMZAY]

I have a Nord Nord Electro 6 HP and Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO 250-ohm - For me in home use they give me enough gain turned 70% up. So if there is not a big difference between DT 1990 and DT 990 you can safely buy. If you use them on 100% gain you will for sure get some hearing problems after a while

[RAMZAY]

For my own interest,I looked at the specification for Beyerdynamic's A1 Headphone amplifier and found some nice tools and helpful information at Beyerdynamic:
https://europe.beyerdynamic.com/service/downloads
The A1 amplifier's headphone output impedance = 100Ohms.

This supplies 170mW into a 250 Ohm headphone.
Using Beyerdynamics Impedance calculator at
https://europe.beyerdynamic.com/blog/wh ... eadphones/
With 100Ohm Headphone output impedance, 250Ohm Headphone impedance and approximately 9.2V (signal amplitude), the calculator gives 170mW. From this, I conclude the A1 operates with 100 ohm output impedance with approximately +/-10V power supplies for its amplifiers (10V is greater than 9.2V, to prevent signal clipping, to guarantee Total Harmonic Distortion performance).

Looking at the Nord Electro 2 Headphone amplifier circuit:
http://www.workhousepoets.com/NE2%20Ser ... matics.pdf

The Nord NE2 used 47 Ohm output impedance and +/-12V supplies. I know the Nord Stage 3 uses +/-12V supplies for its audio, so I think its safe to assume the NE6 does similarly.

Entering the Nord's 47 OHm impedance into the Beyerdynamics calculator with the 250 Ohms of the 1990 PRO, and the same 9.2V (well within the Nord's 12V supply range) it gives: 240mW.
The DT1990 has sound pressure level of 102dB/mW, so at 9.2V with the Nord numbers this give about 125dB (from the Beyerdynamic calculator).

From this, I conclude the Nord is capable of delivering as much (or more) power as a Beyerdynamic A1 Headphone Amplifier. NoDirection's reply seems to confirm this.

[RAMZAY]

I have a Nord Nord Electro 6 HP and Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO 250-ohm - For me in home use they give me enough gain turned 70% up. So if there is not a big difference between DT 1990 and DT 990 you can safely buy. If you use them on 100% gain you will for sure get some hearing problems after a while

Big Thanks for sharing your personal experience! Sounds like I can safely buy DT 1990 250 ohm

[RAMZAY]

For my own interest,I looked at the specification for Beyerdynamic's A1 Headphone amplifier and found some nice tools and helpful information at Beyerdynamic:
https://europe.beyerdynamic.com/service/downloads
The A1 amplifier's headphone output impedance = 100Ohms.

This supplies 170mW into a 250 Ohm headphone.
Using Beyerdynamics Impedance calculator at
https://europe.beyerdynamic.com/blog/wh ... eadphones/
With 100Ohm Headphone output impedance, 250Ohm Headphone impedance and approximately 9.2V (signal amplitude), the calculator gives 170mW. From this, I conclude the A1 operates with 100 ohm output impedance with approximately +/-10V power supplies for its amplifiers (10V is greater than 9.2V, to prevent signal clipping, to guarantee Total Harmonic Distortion performance).

Looking at the Nord Electro 2 Headphone amplifier circuit:
http://www.workhousepoets.com/NE2%20Ser ... matics.pdf

The Nord NE2 used 47 Ohm output impedance and +/-12V supplies. I know the Nord Stage 3 uses +/-12V supplies for its audio, so I think its safe to assume the NE6 does similarly.

Entering the Nord's 47 OHm impedance into the Beyerdynamics calculator with the 250 Ohms of the 1990 PRO, and the same 9.2V (well within the Nord's 12V supply range) it gives: 240mW.
The DT1990 has sound pressure level of 102dB/mW, so at 9.2V with the Nord numbers this give about 125dB (from the Beyerdynamic calculator).

From this, I conclude the Nord is capable of delivering as much (or more) power as a Beyerdynamic A1 Headphone Amplifier. NoDirection's reply seems to confirm this.

Wow! Really impressive research! Big thanks!

[docbop]

I have Stage 3 and Nord and I got Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 32 ohm model and they sound great also on my computer and audio interface. All devices vary in how much level the headphone output is especially audio interfaces. The Nord's output levels all are on the low side. So if you want more volume you might want to look to adding a headphone amp to your setup. The audiophile shops or there are headphone focused YouTube channels that have lots of info on headphones and headphone amplifiers.

[Elias]

As volume not only depends on impedance and power, but also on the efficiency factor of your phones, there is no way for a producer to tell in advance which headphones will get enough power to fill in the needs of a player and which don't.

Actually a simple set of electric measurements would tell you all you need about the output. Of course then you also need info on the headphone impedance and efficiency (as you stated). But Clavia engineers have the info on their part for sure, it's just a question of "how technically transparent is Nord as a brand".

So you can't find a lable saying 'fits 250 Ohm' or not.

This is correct. And you are making a good point, because unfortunately few potential customers would likely do the work of calculating voltages, impedances and efficiencies.