Headphone Power Calculator
Enter headphone sensitivity, impedance, and desired loudness to check whether your amp or interface can drive them properly.
Check your headphone spec sheet.
Keep sustained listening below ~85 dB to protect hearing.
Optional: leave 0 to skip headroom analysis.
Power required: 1.58 mW (0.0016 W)
Vrms required: 0.225 V
Current required: 7.04 mA
Max SPL with amp: 119.0 dB
Headroom: 19.0 dB spare
How to Use This Calculator
Gather headphone specs
Look up sensitivity (dB SPL @ 1 mW) and impedance from the manufacturer datasheet.
Choose your listening target
Enter the loudness you want to reach (typical mixing levels range 80–90 dB).
Optional: add amp limits
If you know the amp’s max Vrms, enter it to check whether you have sufficient headroom.
Formula
Power (mW) = 10^((Target SPL − Sensitivity) ÷ 10)
Power (W) = Power (mW) ÷ 1000
Vrms = √(Power (W) × Impedance)
Max SPL = Sensitivity + 10 log10( (Vrms² ÷ Impedance) × 1000 )
Example: 98 dB/mW, 32 \u2126, target 100 dB → 1.58 mW → 0.071 Vrms. An amp with 2 Vrms max offers 28 dB of headroom.
Listening Safety & Tips
- Keep sessions under 85 dB SPL for extended listening.
- High-impedance headphones need more voltage; portable players may struggle.
- Plan an extra 6\u201312 dB of headroom for transient peaks.
- Use the results to pick amps or DACs that match your headphones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my sensitivity is listed in dB/V?
Convert to dB/mW using: dB/mW = dB/V − 10 log10(Imp (Ω) / 1000). Enter the converted value here.
Why does impedance matter?
Higher impedance requires more voltage to deliver the same power, impacting amp compatibility.
Can I check balanced vs. single-ended outputs?
Yes—enter the Vrms limit for each amp output to compare headroom per connection type.
Is 110 dB safe?
No. Limit exposure above 100 dB SPL to short bursts only. Protect your hearing by lowering targets.