Does the Topping A90 drive the Sennheiser HD 800 S?

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

Ample

The Topping A90 drives the Sennheiser HD 800 S with ample headroom (~15.6 dB headroom at 300 ohms; needs ~6.9 mW, delivers 250 mW).

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

Power Headroom

Headroom: 15.6 dB 0 · target 15.6 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 250 mW at 300 Ω (+15.6 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 ↗
Topping A90 Desktop Ss · Single Ended
Output impedance manufacturer 0.1 Ω
Power @ 32 Ω 2000 mW
Power @ 300 Ω 250 mW
Power @ 600 Ω 125 mW *est.
Power source Manufacturer
* 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.
Topping A90 SE output per multiple reviews citing manufacturer spec: 2000 mW @ 32 Ω (some sources say 3000 — using conservative 2000 mW), 250 mW @ 300 Ω. Balanced output is ~4× higher. 600 Ω derived from 300 Ω. · Source ↗

Where to buy

Topping A90 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
iFi Zen DAC V2 Adequate 7.2 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 28.6 dB
Grado SR80x Ample 28.3 dB
HiFiMan Arya Ample 18.0 dB
AKG K702 Ample 17.4 dB
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Adequate 8.4 dB
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Adequate 7.3 dB

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