Does the iFi Zen DAC V2 drive the Sennheiser HD 800 S?

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

Adequate

The iFi Zen DAC V2 adequately drives the Sennheiser HD 800 S with limited margin (~7.2 dB headroom at 300 ohms; needs ~6.9 mW, delivers 36 mW). Note: output impedance for this amp isn't reliably published, so the damping interaction into this 443 Ω load can't be assessed; treat low-impedance pairings with caution.

Headroom
7.2 dB
Required (110 dB SPL)
6.9 mW
Delivered (@ 300 Ω)
36 mW
Required voltage
1.75 Vrms

Power Headroom

Headroom: 7.2 dB 0 · target 7.2 dB below target marginal adequate ample -14 dB +10 +20 +36 dB

Scale shows dB headroom above the 6.9 mW required to reach 110 dB SPL. Amp delivers 36 mW at 300 Ω (+7.2 dB above target).

Sennheiser HD 800 S Dynamic · over-ear
Impedance (rated) 300 Ω
Impedance (measured) Source: reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/r… 442.7 Ω measured
Sensitivity 101.6 dB/mW measured
Driver Dynamic
Spec basis Measured
Measured by Reference Audio Analyzer (https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/sennheiser-hd-800s.php) · Source ↗
iFi Zen DAC V2 Dac Amp · Single Ended
Output impedance assumed Not published
Power @ 32 Ω 280 mW
Power @ 300 Ω 36 mW
Power @ 600 Ω 18 mW *est.
Power source Manufacturer 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.
iFi Zen DAC V2 SE output: 280 mW @ 32 Ω, 36 mW @ 300 Ω (iFi tech lowdown PDF and product page). Output impedance: conflicting sources (manufacturer PDF cites '≤100 Ω unbalanced' which may refer to RCA pre-out, not the headphone jack; likely <<1 Ω for headphone output but unconfirmed). Set null; damping check flagged as indeterminate. 600 Ω derived from 300 Ω. · Source ↗
Impedance — unknown output impedance

This amp's output impedance is not reliably published, so the damping interaction into this 442 Ω headphone cannot be assessed. Treat low-impedance pairings (below ~80 Ω) with caution.

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.

Where to buy

iFi Zen DAC V2 on Amazon ↗ Sennheiser HD 800 S 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 21.1 dB
Schiit Valhalla 2 Ample 20.6 dB
JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 Ample 16.2 dB
Topping L30 Ample 16.1 dB
Schiit Fulla 4 Adequate 7.6 dB
Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Insufficient -3.2 dB

See all amplifiers for the Sennheiser HD 800 S →

HeadphoneHeadroom
Koss Porta Pro Ample 20.1 dB
Grado SR80x Ample 19.8 dB
HiFiMan Arya Adequate 9.4 dB
Sennheiser HD 660S Adequate 9.0 dB
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Marginal 0.0 dB
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Insufficient -1.1 dB

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