Does the Apple USB-C to 3.5mm drive the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro?

Computed from measured specifications · target SPL 110 dB · load 300 Ω

Insufficient

The Apple Apple USB-C to 3.5mm cannot drive the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro to target SPL (~-11.5 dB headroom at 300 ohms; needs ~46.2 mW, delivers 3 mW). (Amp power at 300 ohms is estimated from its published figure at a nearby load.)

Headroom
-11.5 dB
Required (110 dB SPL)
46.2 mW
Delivered (@ 300 Ω)
3 mW *est.
Required voltage
3.52 Vrms

Power Headroom

Headroom: -11.5 dB 0 · target -11.5 dB below target marginal adequate ample -14 dB +10 +20 +36 dB

Amp delivers 3 mW at 300 Ω — short of the 46.2 mW needed to reach 110 dB SPL (-11.5 dB). Scale: -14 dB to +36 dB. Power figure estimated from an adjacent published load.

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Dynamic · over-ear
Impedance (rated) 250 Ω
Impedance (measured) Source: reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/r… 267.6 Ω measured
Sensitivity (rated) 96.0 dB/mW
Sensitivity (measured) 93.35 dB/mW measured
Driver Dynamic
Spec basis Measured
Measured by Reference Audio Analyzer (https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/beyerdynamic-dt-990-pro-250.php) · Source ↗
Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Dongle · Single Ended
Output impedance review-measured 1.0 Ω
Power @ 32 Ω 31 mW
Power @ 300 Ω 3 mW *est.
Power @ 600 Ω 1 mW *est.
Power source Review Measured low confidence
* Loads marked "est." are derived from the published voltage ceiling at a lower-impedance load (V = √(P·R) → P_higher = V²/R_higher). All derivations are upward only.
Apple does not publish power specs. Power (31 mW @ 32 Ω) from community measurements (Kinemoss Tech review 2025). Output impedance ~1 Ω from multiple independent measurements. Derives 300 Ω and 600 Ω from voltage ceiling. Replaces synthetic 'Generic USB-C dongle' fixture. · Source ↗
Specification confidence: low

One or more amp specifications (power output or output impedance) are estimated rather than published by the manufacturer. Treat this pairing's verdict as approximate.

Power figure note

The amp's power at 300 Ω was not published directly — it was derived from the voltage ceiling at a published lower-impedance load. The actual delivered power may differ modestly.

Where to buy

Apple USB-C to 3.5mm on Amazon ↗ Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro on Amazon ↗

Disclosure: links above are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. Affiliate commissions do not influence verdicts; all analysis is computed independently from the data.

AmplifierHeadroom
Schiit Lyr 3 Ample 12.9 dB
Schiit Valhalla 2 Ample 12.4 dB
JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 Adequate 7.9 dB
Topping L30 Adequate 7.8 dB
Schiit Fulla 4 Insufficient -0.6 dB
iFi Zen DAC V2 Insufficient -1.1 dB

See all amplifiers for the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro →

HeadphoneHeadroom
Koss Porta Pro Ample 10.5 dB
Grado SR80x Ample 10.2 dB
HiFiMan Arya Insufficient -0.1 dB
AKG K702 Insufficient -0.7 dB
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Insufficient -10.0 dB
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Insufficient -10.4 dB

See all headphones for the Apple USB-C to 3.5mm →