Headphone Sensitivity is a measurement of loudness. Its measurement unit is decibel per millivolt (dB/mV). You can see this term on every headphone specification. Some headphones have lower sensitivity like 50 dB or 60 dB. On the other hand, some headphones have high sensitivity levels like 110 dB or more. This post is for making clear concepts about it and how you can choose headphones depending on it.
Headphone sensitivity is defined as the efficiency of converting electrical sound into sound or as the sound pressure level that can be generated on standard voltage supply. Simply, how loud sound can generate on a standard power supply.
Headphone sensitivity: higher or lower better?
If the sensitivity is too low, then your headphones will not produce loud sound. It will not hamper your listening in an indoor or noise free environment. But on a noisy road or noisy environment (outside the home) you can not hear clearly.
If it is too high, then your headphones produce a loud sound that can be the cause of ear pain, hearing loss, heart problem etc.
Then you can asked –
What is a good headphone sensitivity? What is a healthy headphone decibel level?
According to Headphonicity, an ideal level of sensitivity depends on your environment.
- For home and less noisy places: The ideal headphone sensitivity at home, park, library and other less noisy places is about 60-70 dB.
- For noisy places: The ideal headphone sensitivity at a noisy place like outdoor, on road or working place is 90-105 dB.
Overall for both inside and outside home use, the ideal headphone sensitivity is 95-100 dB.
Is it better to have higher sensitivity in headphones?
Honestly, this is not good if you are using it at high volume. But if you control volume level then it is better. Because it can be used at home at low volume and at outside the home or noisy environment, you will make the volume up to adjust. Thus, the same headphone can be used everywhere. Moreover, all the high sensitivity headphones contain a volume controller on it. An additional controller also has on your device mobile (Android, iPhone, Laptop and PS4 or PS5).
On the other hand, if you buy a lower sensitivity headphone, you can enjoy it inside home. You also will be protected from ear problems. But you can not hear music on it in a noisy environment. Moreover, after a few months the performance of your headphones will decrease. At this time you will feel the necessity of amp or amplifier.
So, the higher sensitivity headphones are better to buy.
How do I stop my ears from hurting when headphones are too loud?
This is so simple to stop your ears from hearing loud headphones hurting. You can do it by
- Lowering your phone or computer volume
- Lowering your player volume
- Lowering your headphone controller volume
- Using equalizer
Method 1: Lowering your phone or computer volume
On your Android phone or iPhone
Do as the following instructions –
- Press the (-) or volume down button from the side your phone
- You can see the volume level on your screen. Adjust it as loud as you need. If your swipe up, volume will increase and on swipe down, volume will decrease gradually.
On Laptop or PC
- Go to the right bottom corner and click on the speaker icon.
- You can see a percentage level of sound. You have to adjust it with your needs by drugging left to right or right to left.
Method 2: Lowering your player volume
Every player has volume level. Just lower the volume level there to reduce loudness.
Method 2:Lowering your headphone controller volume
If your headphone is a wired headphone, you may see a ratable part on the wire. It is used to control sound loudness. Rotate it and adjust loudness.
How can I amplify my headphones’ sound?
By using a sound driver, you can amplify your headphone sound. Besides this, you can use an additional amplifier or amp.
On laptop or PC, go to the sound properties and set sound gain level at high.