Need some help with Beyerdynamic DT990 250 Ohms

[mathewh]

I ordered the Beyerdynamic DT990s 250 Ohms with a Scarlett Solo 2i2 compressor. They came in today and i've hooked up everything up and listened to music for a bit and it sounded great, could be a little louder. But when I launched Fortnite I had to max out the sounds and still it wasn't loud at all. I've read that the Scarlett solo can power these headphones so i'm not sure the problem. The compressor is turned up all the way from the best of my knowledge. Any help at all would be great.

Edit: Just tried Far Cry 5 as well. Had to max out audio settings and still not very loud at all.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

You need a headphone amp for 250ohm cans. The Scarlett 2i2 is not an amp.

 

[mathewh]

You need a headphone amp for 250ohm cans. The Scarlett 2i2 is not an amp.

I know it's a compressor, but they can also power these headphones, and I know people who use it for these exact headphones.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

I'm seeing conflicting info myself. The DT 990s apparently are on the easier to drive end of being 250 ohms but the argument that the USB powered amp on the 2i2 can't supply very much power is correct.

https/www.reddit.com/r/audioengineering/comments/5drp2r/will_an_audio_interface_drive_headphones_properly/

https/www.gearslutz.com/board/low-end-theory/942967-audio-interface-driving-250-ohms-dt-990-without-amp.html

Is the 2i2 the same as the Solo?

https/www.quora.com/Will-the-Beyerdynamic-DT-770-250-ohms-run-smoothly-through-the-Scarlett-Solo-2nd-gen

 

[mathewh]

I'm seeing conflicting info myself. The DT 990s apparently are on the easier to drive end of being 250 ohms but the argument that the USB powered amp on the 2i2 can't supply very much power is correct.

https/www.reddit.com/r/audioengineering/comments/5drp2r/will_an_audio_interface_drive_headphones_properly/

https/www.gearslutz.com/board/low-end-theory/942967-audio-interface-driving-250-ohms-dt-990-without-amp.html

Is the 2i2 the same as the Solo?

https/www.quora.com/Will-the-Beyerdynamic-DT-770-250-ohms-run-smoothly-through-the-Scarlett-Solo-2nd-gen

Yeah I have the Scarlett Solo 2i2 2nd gen. So I'm assuming I should send the Solo back and get a real amp? Could you put me in the direction of a good mixamp for around $100 that could power these headphones?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

What are you using the headphones for? People who buy an interface like that Scarlett are generally after specific features that aren't offered by an amp/DAC.

For $100 you'd want to look at an amp / DAC combo like the Schiit Fulla 2 or the FiiO Q1 Mk II.

http/www.schiit.com/products/fulla-2

https/www.amazon.com/Q1-Mark-II-Native-Amplifier/dp/B0757MH46M

Schiit products are generally considered very good. I own the original Q1 and it's a pretty good little portable amp/dac. The Q1 Mk II is considered to be an upgrade.

 

[mathewh]

Would this work? https/www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=11567
It states it has an output impendance of 600 Ohms

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Yep that would do it. Never seen it reviewed but it's fairly powerful at 900mW (32Ω ). So .9w.

There are tons of reviews of the Fulla 2 and Q1 Mk II. Found a headfi thread on the Massdrop amp. Seems to be a rebranded FiiO E09K with a built in DAC.

https/www.head-fi.org/threads/monoprice-desktop-headphone-amplifier-11567.723254/