Computer Having Problems Running ATH-M40x

[AJ Kenway]

Hi,

My computer can't seem to drive my M40x to a desirable volume. I keep hitting it at a 100% but the volume isn't enough. I've tried to use it with my Iphone 5s and it works great. I only had to turn it to 60% volume to achieve the my desired volume. I don't understand why my onboard audio can't drive it since it has a "300 ohm" built in audio solution. I've tried installing realtek audio drivers but to no avail. Please help

 

[ssddx]

are you using the front or rear jack? in many cases the rear jack is not amplified heavily (for use with speakers, so it matches the rest of the outputs there) while the front panel jack is amplified more for use with headphones. use the front jack if its a tower pc.

the iphone like most apple devices tend to have decent amplifiers in them. the m30x, m40x and m50x are easy to drive as well so work on most devices. i have a m50x myself and it works on practically anything. even most lower end onboard should drive it except in some cases where the onboard amplifier is really bad.

if your motherboard states compatability with 300ohm headphones (keep in mind.. just listing the impedance is not a true way to gauge such things) then it likely has at least a fair amplifier so should work with easy to drive cans like the m40x. this points to perhaps you not having drivers for your onboard audio (i've seen this happen in the past) or using the wrong jack to connect your headphones.

the first thing i would do is uninstall your audio drivers and reinstall the newest one found on the manufacturers website. restart. plug the headphones into the front audio jack. any change?

i'm hesitant to say its because your computer has a weak amplifier but it very well may be true despite any claims they have made. it wouldnt be the first time i've seen grossly inflated stats to try and make a sale. even a lowly xonar dg can quite easily power the m40x so that is certainly an option as well.

another thing to look at is not just the windows volume level, but the volume level for applications and games or videos. the two work together. generally for things like videos i max out the bar and just adjust windows volume (well.. on my main system i have a knob on my receiver i use, but same concept..)

 

[AJ Kenway]

I haven't tried reinstalling realtek audio drivers because I only installed it when I noticed the problem with the M40x. I was using the audio driver that comes with windows 10. It's weird because I don't have the same problem with my HyperX Cloud. I have tried to use the front but the problem is still present.

My mobo is an MSI B85 G43 Gaming mobo which actually has "600ohm" onboard audio. I have tried plugging the M40x in to my SoundBlaster E1 and connecting it to my computer and it works so damn well. I might consider buying a DAC or a sound card now.

 

[ssddx]

b85 is a low end motherboard. i wouldnt trust it to have good onboard audio.

odd that the hxc works fine but the m40 doesnt. both are fairly easy to drive.

you could just use the e1 with the pc, or a xonar dg if you want to buy something. its not worth spending a whole lot for the m40x in terms of amps unless you went with the m50x instead. your choice though.

 

[AJ Kenway]

Well it might be a good idea to buy a sound card since I'm saving up to buy an MSR7 anyways and the fact that sound cards aren't really gonna be outdated any time soon. The cheapest ones I could find here in my country is an ASUS Xonar DGX5.1 and a Creative Sound Blaster VX5.1. There is also the Audigy7.1 which cost just a little bit more but which one should I get?

 

[ssddx]

the dgx is a low end soundcard which is about as good as the higher end onboard would be. for the price its not bad and i often recommend it as a budget solution to fix problems when people have poor onboard sound. virtual surround is an option and it has a fair headphone amplifier.

not sure about the vx 5.1 but it looks like its an obsolete product no longer available for sale?

the audigy 7.1 is a basic 7.1 card. it offers the ability to use 7.1 speakers not just 5.1 (at the expense of using a shared slot for things like mic input). i'm not sure if virtual surround is an option.

i would say the xonar dgx would be the better choice out of those. not just that i'm more familiar with it as an option but also because i believe its more suited for what you want to use it for.

the next upgrade up would be something like the creative z.

 

[AJ Kenway]

Well I've actually seen crazy sales when I went to Japan last month on the Creative ZX, Z and on the Omni 5.1. I guess I could wait and just buy the Omni or the Z since they fit the color scheme of my build and I go there 1-2 times a year anyway.